Hag's Breath: An Anthology of Witches

by S.P. Oldham

We have all encountered witches in fairy tales of old. We have read of them in childhood stories, railed against them in fevered nightmares. The witches you are about to meet in Hag’s Breath are perhaps not quite what you have known before. Some are wizened crones, some are painfully beautiful; some are as ordinary as you or I. They inhabit wide-open, snowy plains; dark, haunting forests and of course, the fabled cottage in the woods. Still others could so easily be the girl next door…

From the Middle Ages to the Modern Day, Hag’s Breath takes the reader on a journey of dark magic across time and territory into the blackest heart of witchery and evil. Prepare to be spellbound as you go with them through the pages of the story; just hope they do not look up and spy you as you watch them…

Genres: Horror

125 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2016

About the author

S P Oldham lives in the beautiful Sirhowy Valley in South Wales. Although she writes mainly horror and dark fiction, she likes to dabble in other genres from time to time. She is also an avid reader.

S P Oldham currently has nine titles available on Amazon. Three of these make up The Mindless Trilogy - The Zombie Apocalypse: Where a Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing.
Book 1: Sleep, Think, Die
Book 2: The Undertaking
3. Brutal Truths

Short story collections:
Hag's Breath: A Collection of Witchcraft and Wickedness
Wakeful Children: A Collection of Horror and Supernatural Tales. Wakeful Children is also available in paperback.

The Dragon Has Wings and Wicked Little Blade are dark fantasy tales also available on Amazon.

Carnie's Wisdom is set post zom-poc and is on Amazon now.

Post Mortem is a standalone zompoc book.

The Bite-Sized Book of Silly Sunday Zombie Limericks is also available in paperback.

You can find S P Oldham on the following platforms:

Website, https://www.spoldhamauthor.com/

Amazon book page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B01N2LSUMX

On Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/solostinwords/

Reviews

[Jane West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love scary stories with magic in the mix. There are four stories in this book and the stories were terrifying, compelling and bewitching. This book is such an unexpected surprise, a good surprise. I love the imagination of the author and the description is superb. The stories are detailed and very unique. I recommend this book!

[Bill Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like witch stories this one is for you.

I actually took the time to read this book. That in itself is a tribute to this author. Ice Belle in particular was brilliant. I will make it a point to read more of this author's work.

[P.J. Blakey-Novis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hag’s Breath is a collection of tales which feature witches and, after having read the excellent Wakeful Children by the same author, I was looking forward to getting started on this one. Witches aren’t usually my thing, but this collection may have changed my mind. The Witch’s Kiss was my favourite story, but each tale was well written and intriguing. Oldham has managed to put together several stories with a central theme but create enough diversity in the plots to keep the book interesting.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is always room for lesser known authors who deserve to make the big time and Sue Oldham is certainly one such author. I have read very few anthologies over the years and none have left me with a lasting impression. That was until I was fortunate to read recently Hag's Breath. I have also read Wakeful Children. I cannot praise either book high enough! What I enjoy is the variety, . Hag's Breath is based around Witches and each story is totally different. The first story 'Sister's' I couldn't turn the pages quick enough and instantly decided that had to be my favourite. Such evil! I never expected to find another two stories that gripped me as much as the first, which were 'The Witch's Kiss' and 'Ice House Belle'. Never saw the endings coming and what a twist to these stories.

I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy of Hag's Breath in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended

[Pamela Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS BOOK I THOUGHT WOULD BE TRUE STORY BOOK ABOUT OCCULT AND WITCHCRAFT THIS IS WHIMSICAL STORY ABOIT WITCHES WHAT DID THE ONE WITCH SAY TO THE OTHER BRUSH YOUR HAIR YOU LOOK LIKE A HAG

THIS BOOK ABOUT FAMILY OF WITCHES!?!THE COVER CAUGHT MY EYE SPOOKY!?!AND DESCRIBTION OF BOOK SAID OCCULT WITCH CRAFT IS PRACTICES MEANING THE DESTRUCTIVE WAYS HAS ON ONES LIFE!?!THIS STORY ABOUT THE BROOM WITH A WITCH RIDING ON IT PER SAY!?! READ TIME 2 HOUR 49 MINUTES 249PAGES!?!SOME PROFANITIES PRONAGRAPHY QUESTIONABLE PARENTAL CONTROLS!?!OTHER WISE PERFECT BOOK FOR TEENS AND ADULTS!?!RATING BOOK (EDGY).I WAS HOPING FOR THE STORY TO BE TRUE STORY BIOGRAPHY OF OCCULT WITCHCRAFT AND THE HUGE PROBLEMS WITH IT IN REAL LIFE!?!OTHERWISE WELL WRITTEN WHIMSICALLY SCI-FI BOOK!?!ASH BOORER IN A BOOK ROMANS16: 16 HAPPY HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREATERS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!?!?!?!?

[Beverly Laude · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of tales featuring witches. This isn't your Disney/cartoon witches, but the real thing! Each story is filled with horrific acts, sometimes committed by witches, sometimes by humans who are afraid of them. The author has done a good job in giving the reader a few scary-filled hours of witchcraft!

The narrator did a great job and her performance really added a lot to these tales. My only complaint (other than the fact that this collection is too short!) is that I wish there had been a pause between the stories. There wasn't enough of a break to even realize that the story had changed in most instances.

[David Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stepping back in time to when tales of magic were truly grim, SP Oldham's collection of witch tales paints a picture of multi-faceted creatures.
Some are bound by tradition and even loyalty.
Some are ruthless, faithless and irredeemably evil.
From the four interconnected tales of 'Sisters' to 'Ice house Belle', the style of which put me in mind of Dracula, there's a wicked yarn for each type of witch. Victims abound too, but not always who you might expect.

[Debbi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable. Try it

[Sharon Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful collection

Sue has such an excellent way with words! I love the way she has you see a fresh take on a story. Each book I read is better than the last!

[Rhonda Bobbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all the witchy stories...great for spooky season

[TDCbookreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hag’s Breath: An Anthology of Witches by S.P. Oldham

Genre: Horror

About the book: This book is a journey through time telling s about witches. Witches are not always as we have pictured them in the fairytales, while some may be the stereotypical witch, there also may be one right in front of your face

Review: The writer always uses such imagery in their work; it really makes for a good read. I love how the anthologies have short and sweet stories but the stories also seem complete, not at all rushed. It was an enjoyable anthology and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys horror/paranormal.

Author Page/website: http://solostinwords.doodlekit.com/home

Link where you can purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Hags-Breath-Co...

Overall Rating (Out of 5 stars): 4 out of 5 stars

[Suzanne Synborski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hag’s Breath by S.P. Oldham is a captivating collection of tales that revolve around witches and witchcraft. The keystone tale tells of sister witches, three of course, Sussurata, Sibilanta, and Silhouetta. Each has her own specialty and style. They are beautifully drawn right down to their magnificent couture. Unfortunately, as it sometimes happens with sisters, they do not quite get along. Their animosity must be dealt with in a great reckoning. In addition to the three sisters, there is Elinar who runs with a pack of wolves, Cecily who does not know herself, Constance who should be a witch, and Agatha who has issues with witchy guests.

The plot for each story is unique, complex, perfectly paced, and articulated with grace and style. Oldham’s prose is smooth and penned with a lilting cadence. The conclusions are satisfying and often surprising.

ll the characters are distinctive and matchless. They glow with a unique light, some evil, and some heroic. The plots are a divine mix of greed, guile, pride, jealousy, horror, honor, bravery, and more.

The settings are diverse and clear enough for readers to visualize, yet vague enough so that readers can imaging the tales happening in the woods behind their house.

This unique collection will elicit questions from readers. Perhaps the most telling would be: What exactly is a witch, and how does one know if he or she is a member of this mysterious race?

For those who enjoy brief bouts of reading, a compilation of short stories is the perfect solution.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling , intriguing , dark and deep
these short tales of witches beautifully grotesque and full of Magick
received in exchange for an honest review highly recommend