The 1st Daughter

The Witches of New Salem #2

by Apryl Baker

She killed herself.

Everyone asked why, but when I got my hands on my sister's diary, I understood exactly why.

I stared at the girl in the mirror as I removed my nose ring. Gone was the black hair, replaced by golden blonde locks that made my sapphire blue eyes shine and my California sun-kissed skin glow. The Goth chic clothes had been put away and I wore a pink tank top and a pair of khaki colored Capri’s. Stylish sandals completed the outfit. I wanted to barf.

The snotty little would-be witches would pay for what they'd done. By the end of the week, they’d all be praying to whatever god they worshipped to hide them from the hell coming for them.

May the Fates have mercy upon them, because they would pay the same price they’d demanded of her.

Their lives.

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2026

About the author

So who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.

Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.

Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.

I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.

You can reach me at any of these places:
Blog: http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/
Twitter:@AprylBaker
The Promise Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2zTi...

PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!

Reviews

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good. I can't wait to read more in this series. Melinda's sister died but something bad surrounds her sacrifice. She needs to get to bottom of why her sister is dead and who helped in the death. Will they pay? Melinda is a born witch. She does not know how powerful she is yet. Will she learn? What do the Fates have prepared for her? I can't wait to find out more as Apryl evolves this series.

[Kbook · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first book, didn’t realize it was YA rated, this one it was clear that it was YA. The dialogue was completely childish, and repetitive.
The character of Xavier was kind of silly, especially the name of where he came from.
Not sure I’ll keep with this series. The author also seems to be pulling back from her already established series.

[Lezli Muse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good—completely action-packed from start to finish. Each installment in The Witches of New Salem keeps building the story in a way that pulls you deeper in, and The First Daughter definitely delivers. The stakes keep rising, the world feels richer, and I’m fully invested in what’s coming next. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series!

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did it have to finish so quick. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for what comes next. One problem though the last 2 chapters were blank.