The Naked Witch #1

Lizzie Martin #1

by Wendy Steele

Lizzie Martin’s new boss has asked her to ‘bare all’ and become more corporate.

For Lizzie, swapping paisley for pin stripe is like asking a parrot to wear pea hen.

She has to choose between her job and her integrity, cope with an unexpected stay in hospital, monitor her fourteen year old daughter’s latest crush, continue seeking the truth about her father’s death and juggle two new men in her life.

There is hope though.

At the bottom of the garden is a little wooden shed that Lizzie calls Sanctuary. Within its warm and welcoming walls, Lizzie surrounds herself with magic…

229 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2017

About the author

Wendy Steele is author, wise woman, goddess. She is writer, dance teacher, mother and healer.

Magic is Wendy’s passion. ‘The Lilith Trilogy’ leads the reader along the paths of the witches Qabalah, following Angel Parson’s story of betrayal, retribution and redemption. Her magical story contains high magic as well as pagan ritual. ‘The Standing Stone Book Series’ focuses on the lives of three women linked together across time and space by the standing stone. The countryside is the focus of their magic, embracing the gods and goddesses, tree spirits, elves and fairies.

Her latest book, The Naked Witch, is about Lizzie Martin, receptionist, single mother and witch, who is asked by her new boss to conform and embrace the corporate dress code. The reality of paisley to pin stripe, an unexpected stay in hospital, monitoring of her fourteen year old daughter’s latest crush, the search for the truth about her father’s death and two new men in her life, give Lizzie plenty of plates to spin. Within the Sacred Wheel of the Year, Lizzie blossoms.

You can hear Wendy telling her short stories in Pan’s Grotto on her Welsh riverbank, on her YouTube channel, The Phoenix and the Dragon.

Wendy’s non-fiction title ‘Wendy Woo’s Year – A Pocketful of Smiles’ offers the reader 101 ideas to bring a smile to every day.

Wendy lives in Wales with her partner, Mike, and cats. If she’s not writing or teaching dance, you’ll find her renovating her house, clearing her land or sitting on her riverbank, breathing in the beauty of nature.

Reviews

[Krystyna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me

It looked as if it would be a terrific read. However the "magic" was peripheral and I actually found the book depressing and slightly dreary. Even in what should have been exciting scenes it just seemed to drone. The plot itself was a good one and the situations very realistic (anyone coming through a bad marriage/divorce will probably agree) but I just wish it had had a bit more spark/flash to bring it all to life.
A divorcee finds her job under threat when there is a take over in the law firm that she works at. Two new men in her life bring her extra problems as does her teenage daughter's first boyfriend. What is actually happening at work? Does this have any ties to her father's death? Why won't her mother speak about him?

[Vicki Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First venture into Witch Lit - and loved it!
Only thing I thought let it down was the hurried ending and some parts of the story not being closed out - left open.
But really enjoyed the characters and the inclusion of the wheel of the year - and even some lovely life affirming rituals.
I liked it so much I stalked the author on line to find out other writings. 😂😂😂

Would recommend very much

[Diana Ridout · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Naked Witch is so far out of my usual genres of reading and interest that I genuinely wondered if I would be able to enjoy it, gain anything from it, or even be able to review it properly, but my fears were groundless. From the first page Wendy Steele welcomed me into the world of the protagonist Lizzie Martin and her teenage daughter Rowan and, without even using any witchy magic, just exceptional use of words, enticed me to not just read, but to thoroughly enjoy this wonderful book.



Immediately one starts to read, one feels the fun and laughter and determination of Lizzie, struggling against daunting odds to pick up the pieces after a broken marriage, a new home and a new job. She is a vibrant, colourful woman, who is also a witch. By witch, I am not talking about pointy hats and dark magic, but someone who is really in tune with nature and the old ways and gods and uses her rituals as a way to calm herself and focus her mind - (we could all learn a lot from her!) - and her shed, where she goes to be herself, is a calming sanctuary.



As a heroine, she is human and flawed and any mother, any working woman, can surely relate to her struggles to be everything to everyone and still be a woman in her own right. Ms Steele's depictions of a woman watching her daughter grow from a child to a woman and back, (all on the same day sometimes, as is the wont of teenage girls,) describes the confusion, fear, pride, relief and some other ineffable feeling that I cannot name, so perfectly. So many of us have been there, seen that and survived (just!)

Conversation flows naturally and has the ring of veracity and flashes of humour, one example being someone calling Lizzie being a vegetarian, a 'vegetablarian.' This conversation between Lizzie and her ex's girlfriend describes Lizzie's 'faith' as a witch, to a total sceptic:

Bryony met Lizzie's invitation with wide, unbelieving eyes. "You're a witch?" she whispered, checking over her shoulder for eavesdroppers.

"I live my life with the Wheel of the Year, connect with the natural world, offer up prayers to the amazing universe we live in and meditate, allowing me to learn and travel on the astral plane, so yes, I'm a witch."

"I'm not sure. I don't know if I want to summon demons."

"Bryony, did I mention demons?"

"No, but ..."

"Earth, rocks, plants, animals, the sea vibrate with energy, with life. The same life, if you like, that courses through our veins.Witchcraft gives me a spiritual connection to the world around me. Best of all, I am never alone."

"I'venever thought about the sea being alive."

"It depends how you look at it, but one thing is certain. Women and the sea are ruled by the moon."

"Wow!" ...

We see and empathise with Lizzie starting out again on the dating, mating game and watch her growing friendship with her daughter's boyfriend's widowed dad with sympathy and warmth, a friendship that the reader hopes will become more after the book is over.

Throughout the book, Lizzie struggles with the relationship with her own mother and with her lack of knowledge about the death of her adored father and during a visit to her ex mother in law in Spain, sees a photo that begins to unravel the mysteries.

I really could relate to the characters and feel that Ms Steele has a rare talent for bringing interest to the day by day life of your average suburban witch, turning the mundane into a fascinating and readable story that I enjoyed from cover to cover - I totally loved the book and was able to completely escape into it. It was effortless to read because of the clever writing and I will willingly, happily add Wendy Steele to my 'read again' author list.

[Serene Conneeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Naked Witch by Wendy Steele (24 of 52). It’s contemporary fiction, with a little magic, a little mystery, a little crime, a little mother-daughter time, a little family conflict, a little almost-romance, but no nakedness (although Lizzie *is* at odds with her new boss over her colourful wardrobe...). Looking forward to the next in the series…

[Judith Barrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Wendy Steele’s The Naked Witch. It is an undemanding read with an easy to follow but convincing plot-line which runs smoothly throughout the story. This is a cross genre book, a mixture of romance and mystery threaded through with magic and witchcraft. I was particularly fascinated by these latter themes and often stopped to re-read these sections; to ponder on them and the way the protagonist was epitomised by them. On the one hand Lizzie Martin is a woman who is trying to grapple with all that life throws at her: initially unexplained difficulties within her work life, complicated struggles with her ex-husband, anxieties for an ex, but still beloved, mother-in-law, worries for a teenage daughters growing maturity. All juxtaposed with an intriguing sub plot, the truth about her father’s death. The strength of this character lies with her beliefs in the goddess that guides her and in her ability to take and centre energy in herself from the earth.

And, just as Lizzie is rounded and multi-layered so are the supporting characters. I had empathy and liking for some and instant dislike for others; a true sign of strong characterisation for me.

The descriptions of the settings: Spain, Lizzie’s home, workplace, her Sanctuary give a good sense of place.

The dialogue is believable. It is clear who is speaking and, mostly, carries the story along. I say mostly because, occasionally, and only occasionally, I felt. It slowed things down by slight repetition. In much the same way that some of the descriptions of food did in parts. I did find myself, every now and again, skipping over the sections where meals were reported. And, in a couple of places the narrative moved a little too quickly from one scene to another.

But these are small grumbles. I loved the lovely conversational style of the author’s writing, the humour that lightens the tone, the interesting insight to white witchcraft and enchanting mystical happenings. Most of all I loved the story.

I recommend The Naked Witch and Wendy Steele’s work; it’s a good read.

[D. Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like any good witch, Lizzie Martin respects nature and seeks the wisdom of the goddess. She is mother to her daughter, Rowan, and loyal to her friends. But Lizzie’s life, like all human lives, fills up with complications. As she looks for answers to questions, she finds herself digging into more trouble, but with the help of the people who love her, she prevails.

This is a delightful tale, an unthreatening introduction to witchcraft (which really isn’t all about sacrificing babies and such, despite what you may have heard), filled with love and fun and its share of scary moments. It’s a good read when something heavy and laborious is the last thing on your mind. Take it to the beach or the lake and sit back and luxuriate in Lizzie’s world. You won’t regret it.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a reader who doesn’t know much about modern witchcraft, I approached this book with an open mind. In fact, I found this book a light read, funny and engaging and Lizzie’s ‘Sanctuary’ added another element to the book. It wasn’t at all what I expected and I loved being able to relate to Lizzie’s daily life as a single mum with a teenage daughter. Her ex mother-in-law is a fabulous character and all in all there is something for everyone. Lizzie’s magic offers another way of looking at the world and doesn’t overwhelm the book. If you’re looking for a good read that is different, then you’ll enjoy ‘The naked witch.’

[Sarah Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved following the kind, insightful character of Lizzie Martin; in fact, I felt like I knew her and missed checking in with her once I'd come to the end of the book.
An easy and very human read, with wonderful insights into the everyday magic of Lizzie's everyday reality.
The Naked Witch is not a heavyweight bore of a book, much more a delight to escape into for the brief amount of time it'll take you to read. I can't wait for the next one (and more - keep them coming!!) to catch up with Lizzie Martin and her lovely daughter Rowan.

[Ted Bun · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice light and only slightly witchy story. The supporting characters are well drawn and written with great humour. The plot line is engaging with two potential romances, a mature teenage daughter, a good friend and a supportive ex-mother-in-law.
My problem is with the heroine, she spends too much time in tears about the hardships in her life ... despite this I did move on to book 2 immediately

[Shelbycat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book going in but I have to say I found it quite confusing. There were a lot of different stories that all happened with very little background. There were some beautifully written paragraphs but I was left feeling it was just a bit disjointed and jumpy.

[Louisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lightweight but entertaining