Witch Hunt

Witch Hunt #1

by Devin O'Branagan

Leigh has been married to a Hawthorne for a decade, but never knew the family secret: the Hawthornes are witches. When the dynamic Preacher Cody instigates a new worldwide witch hunt, Leigh must choose sides. Will she stand with her husband and children, or will she run? This isn't the first witch hunt the Hawthornes have faced, but it could be their last. Will anyone survive?

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Witches, Fiction, Young Adult, Horror

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1990

About the author

Bestselling author Devin O’Branagan writes novels about uncommon heroes. Her genres include young adult urban fantasy, science fiction, paranormal thrillers, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, and erotic romance. She’s been published by Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books, German publisher Heyne Verlag, Turkish publisher Dogan Egmont, and indie publisher Cornucopia Creations. Her books are available in print, eBook, and audio book formats.

Visit her website at www.DevinWrites.com

Reviews

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Free on Amazon today!
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00495XRBG...
US - http://www.amazon.com/Witch-Hunt-Book...

[Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a family, the Hawthorne's, and is not a book that takes any time at all to get into. The short Prologue introduces the reader to not only Preacher Cody and all of his reasons for being what he is, but to a Hawthorne father and son as they all go down in a horrific plane crash. This short intense five pages set the stage for what is to come as we start into the family's reactions to the crash. It is the story of one man's obsession and how it is capable of inciting a mob mentality in normal people. It is the story of Leigh Hawthorne who is married to Craig but knows little or nothing about her husband's family. Leigh is particularly uneasy as they travel from their home in New York City to Colorado where the Hawthorne family is dealing with the loss of two of their own. Leigh has her own problems dealing with her past, but it is nothing compared to what she is walking into with Craig's family of ancient witchcraft and traditions.

There are many strong characters in this story, and it is indeed the story of Leigh and her family's ordeal, but it is much more than that. This is a serious story of, not your modern day coven of witches burning incense and lighting candles, but of ancient powers for both good and evil and centuries of persecution. I am going to admit, this is not really my kind of book and hence my four star rating (which for me means it is a very good book but not a favorite). It is not a horror story, but it is dark and the subject is of darkness. I had a little trouble following at times because there are many flashbacks to previous generations that illustrate the fact that in some ways nothing changes. People are always afraid of what they do not understand and out of fear they can be horribly cruel and intolerant.

My favorite part of the book is brilliantly written and toward the end. It is about Cliff Hawthorne in Germany in 1944. It's a little story within the big story about heroism, sacrifice, and a man finding God in the midst of death and war. It's kind of a little gem in the midst of darkness, and I won't soon forget it. Some of the characters in this book will stick in my mind for a long time, the ones I really liked and the ones that I seriously did not. I may not remember their names (I am bad at that), but they did come to life for me and some I liked a lot while some were evil, not in a supernatural way but as only human beings can be.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/28/2021)! 🎁

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...

Another reviewer has mentioned that this is not a 'happily-ever-after' sort of story and that is the truth. Witch Hunt is a harrowing tale of the cruelties of the human condition and what we are capable of wreaking on our fellow man and woman. Even the children are spared no mercy.

However! There is a constant thread of hope and resilience throughout the tale. The Hawthornes have gained and lost so very much over the years, but the one constant in their lives is their faith and practice of the Old Ways. At various times in the story, I found myself connecting with different characters along the way. I cried at their losses, I hoped right along with them for a glimmer of light to break through the darkness, and I exhilarated with then when they rode the freedom of their ways.

I highly recommend this book. Admittedly, it may offend some with more delicate sensibilities, but even if they were willing to press forward and finish the book in its entirety, I most certainly think there is plenty to be gained from this novel. It is a work of fiction, but the implications it presents are frightening in their possibility.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an old paperpack I found in my unread books. I really enjoyed reading the stories told in the 1600s, 1800s and 1992. It was all about the Hawthorne family and how they all dealt differently with their gifts. It was great the way it was told showing the good and the bad. If you have an interest in witchcraft this might be a book for you.

[Michele (Reading Lark/CanadianTwiMom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devin O'Branagan spun an intricate yet easy to follow web of a story. Witch Hunt revolves around the Hawthorne family...a family of witches. Through cleverly detailed story-telling we learn how the Hawthornes came to the point where they are now...fighting for their lives, in which history seems to be repeating itself. The Hawthornes survived the brutal and cruel persecution of witches throughout history...although not unscathed. Family members were tortured and lost, right up to present day, and these ramifications come into play right up to the present and provide the mold of what is the Hawthorne family today.

Leigh married into the Hawthorne witch family, unbeknownst to her that her husband Craig was, infact, a witch. She soon realizes that their children also inherited their *gifts* from their father. However, as explained through historical events, Craig Hawthorne (Leigh's husband) has denounced his mother and most other Hawthorne relatives and has chosen to distance himself from them in order to protect his own family. He only uses his *powers* for healing (which is his gift). Through a sad set of circumstances explained at the beginning of the story, Craig reluctantly brings his family to Montvue, Colorado, home of the present day Hawthorne clan.

The Hawthorne's present enemy is Preacher Cody and his *movement*. Again, as explained through historical events, we understand the significance of what they are facing with Preacher Cody and his damnation. The Hawthorne's courage is admirable throughout history to present day...especially Leigh...who isn't a Hawthorne by blood but by choice (there is significance in that too).

It's powerful messages were not lost in this story. The enemy of the Hawthornes was ignorance...ignorance manifested through others who deem themselves judge and jury, and yet have no right. Devin's imaginative story gets you thinking, about how easy it is to judge others that are different. If everyone were more tolerant of others' beliefs, the world would be a much more peaceful place...that's the message I took away from this book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is I must say an emotional amazing journey of keeping the family line going without losing their roots along the way.It is a 21st century story with all the history to go along with it. The Hawthorne's are a long line of old blood witches whom have always found themselves being judged for their beliefs and practices. I really enjoyed the way Devin showed us the story of their ancestors from 1692 and the Salem Witch Trails, as well as 1840 and again showing us the life of the Hawthorne's in 1858,1895,1941, and present day. The characters in Witch Hunt are so very original that you can not help but want to know more about them and there life.
Take for instance Leigh Hawthorne who came into the whole witch situation blind and had to make a choice whether to side with her husband's family and her children who bear the gifts of witchery or with the prejudice Preacher Cody who would like nothing more then to persecute the whole entire Hawthorne clan. I have to say this is a very emotional story as well as a story you can walk away from knowing you took along with you some very valuable life lessons. In every era we have people who do nothing but judge and look down upon people whether it be because of religion, money, or the way you look. This story shows us the greatest gift you can have or give is love. I really hope Devin will give us more on Leigh and her families life after everything that happened at the end as well as the lives of the ancestors. I would recommend this book to anyone who not only has an interest in witches but as well as someone who enjoys an exciting journey. I could imagine myself as being so many of these characters and to me a great book I have to be able to put myself in.


I give this book a 5 star rating and I WILL be reading this book again!

[Sally Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book you live and suffer with several generations of the Hawthorne family, as they battle with persecution, exile and execution, that ends in a modern day massacre. This travesty is created and led by one man who has the power to motivate the masses to condemn what they didn't understand. It really makes you wonder how far people will truly go to prove that their religion is the best.

Since the very beginning of time, the human race has tried to interpret, enforce and follow Gods law. They have instead, distorted, abused, and, disobeyed it for their own spiritual gain. This horrible reality has not improved at all over the centuries even though we claim to be more civilized. For some reason people are driven to exterminate anything that they don't understand in the name of their religion even if innocent lives are harmed in the process. This book reminds us that faith can be a very powerful thing for both good and evil and how you use that faith defines you as a person.
I think that this book is well worth the read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy, romance, and historical fiction.
I received this Pre-reader copy from the author.

[Jane Firebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!

What do you do when you find out that the family you married into isn't exactly what you thought, that they are hereditary witches? What about finding out that your children are witches too? What if a large part of your new family would never accept you because you weren't of magic blood? Leigh Hawthorne feels like her world has been turned upside down when she finds herself in exactly this situation.

We've all heard about how horrible the witch hunts were long ago---so many people tortured and killed. What if it was all about to start again? What if it was your family right in the middle? Would you stay and fight for them or would you run?

Discover what Leigh does and good luck putting this book down once you've started. I promise you won't want to stop until you've finished, and you will still want more.

[ѕєяєηιтι · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kitabın başlangıcı iyiydi aslında merak uyandırıyor kesinlikle. 300 yıllık bir soyacının nesil nesil anlatmaya başlayınca işte orda biryerden sonra sıktı. Bazıları merak uyandırıcıydı bazıları hadi artık bit dedirtiyordu Bir geçmişi bir şimdiki zamanı anlatıyordu haliyle birazda karışık. Şimdiki zamana odaklanması gerekirken geçmiş 300 yıla daha çok odaklanmış bence yazar haliyle yaptığı iyi başlangıcı devam ettiremiyor ve kopmalar yaşanabiliyor.

Sonunu da pek beğenmedim geçek anlamda bir sonuca bağlanmadı diye düşünüyorum 2. kitap olmak zorunda dedirtiyor ama o kitapta 20 küsür sene olmuş ortada yok. çıkacakmış gibi görünüyor da çıksa şimdiye çıkması lazımdı bu sonla idare edicez sanırım o da iyi değildi bence kötü bir kitap diyemem ama beklentimi çok karşılamadı.

[Siyahyuzgec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sonuna kadar hep 5 yıldızlık gitti ama sonunu bu kitaba yakıştıramadım yinede geçmişten ve günümüzden alıntılarla olan anlatımı çok ilgi çekici buldum. Cadılığın bir din olarak tasvir edilmesi hoşuma gitti ve bana mantıklı geldi. Ayrıca anlatılan yaşam ölüm yeniden doğuş miti ile Leigh'in cadılığı hemen kabul edebilmiş olmasını gözardı edebiliyorum.Günümüzde geçen kısmı pek iç açıcı olmasada geçmiş zamanın anlatıldığı kısmı çok beğendim.Eski zamanlarda masum insanların "Cadılık" gerekçesiyle zulüm içinde öldürüldüğünü biliyordum ama bu denli saçma nedenlerle öldürüldüğü gerçeği karşısında afalladım.Etkileyici bir kitaptı.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great novel about 300 years in the history of a family of witches, from the Salem witch trials through to a modern fundamentalist-inspired witch hunt. It is entertaining and thought-provoking. It is out-of-print and hard to find, but I found it on the official website www.WitchHuntNovel.com

Recommended!

[J.A. Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well... I'm saying it counts because I read/edited the draft she's working on to rerelease this year... :)

[Sue Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devin O'Branagan has done a wonderful updating of this classic novel. It starts out with a bang and doesn't let up. Aspects of history, mysticism, magic and religious persecution. It's got it all.

[N.L. Riviezzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review coming soon...

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Descended from a long line of witches the Hawthorn's have faced the Witch Trials, Inquisition and a new threat.
Flashbacks to their early ancestors and their present plight

https://multiscreenmotivision.wordpre...

[Bob Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

A great story, just another one hard to put down a page turner by far never know what to expect

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Killed dog.

[Mardel · Rating 4 out of 5]

From an ARC

Witch Hunt is about the Hawthorne family, who've been "witches" for many, many generations. Rather, they're devout followers of an old, ancient religion that has often been persecuted as witches; they have many varied abilities and the knowlege to use them.

This is not a Happily-Ever-After type of book. It starts out with the family of one of the current sons, who has stayed away from his birth family, trying to be inconspicious, or to follow his beliefs in his own way. It seems he might have done his children and wife a disservice though, because in denying his own family (with good reasons, as you'll find out reading the novel) he has left his family with no knowledge of their potential, or possible dangers. In fact, his wife Leigh doesn't even know about the "witch" powers.

Craig and Leigh are traveling to Montvue to attend his brother and father's funeral. They have one son and one daughter. The two recently deceased died in a crash that the local televangelist was in - only Cody (the preacher) interprets the actions and the crash in his own special way - thinking he has been spared to carry the word about the evil of witch craft.

Now it would seem that in this day and age, most of us wouldn't even blink twice when told about how evil witches are...but change the word witches to almost anything else, and we've all seen the smear campaigns of people trying to incite mass hysteria and hate about a group - gays, Muslims, people crossing the border, even insurance reform....and even in this "enlightened" year of 2010 I'm still surprised at how easy it is to fool people into hating a specific group of people. And the hate goes along with a type of fear that is dangerous to have around. The type of fear that will drive otherwise simple people into doing horrific things in the name of religion or government. People as a group are not that smart, sometimes.

Witch Hunt brings a scenario to your mind. What if it were possible to go beyond the common sense of people, incite fear and loathing about a group - how would people react? How would the persecuted react? What would be the consequences? This "what if" is played out, from the very beginnings with Preacher Cody almost being laughed at, to him actually getting a few people to listen, to the mass hysteria and mass persecution, 21st century style, of people accused of being witches and anyone associated with them.

Not only is this a story of the current Hawthornes, though, but there are glimpses of past Hawthornes throughout history. It would have very easy to show the Hawthornes as completely sympathetic here, totally persecuted, but the author didn't go that route. She tells a story of a family that has good people, good intentions but like all families has their share of family members that aren't the best - in fact, some are a little twisted. Only these few family members aren't just twisted, but they're twisted with powers....and it goes to their heads.

Witch Hunt is a good read, with characters both good and evil on both sides of the coin - and gives us a view of the bad that comes with judging people, not just judging but going out of your way to persecute. And if you're squeamish in any way, be aware that there are a few spots that can get to you - nothing is over the top graphic, but there are some things that happens in the book that is pretty horrific, however, everything described is in fact, situations that real people have been in througout history. Ms O'Branagan has researched this subject before she wrote the book. The situations I'm speaking of were also written about matter-of-factly, which helped. O'Branagan did not go over-the-top in her descriptions, she didn't get all dramatic and go on and on with her descriptions of the scenes. That helped, because I think if it were handled any differently, I wouldn't have been able to read those sections.

I also enjoyed the various character's points of view. Some of them were people you would really want to know. Some were people you don't want to notice you. Some had wicked senses of humor and some were they type that I would get very frustrated with if I knew them. There was quite a variety of personalities.


Remember to look for the updated version of Witch Hunt. It was originally written 20 years ago, but Devin O'Branagan re-worked it for the 21st century and the cover you want is light with lilght bluish tones to it and flowing hair. If you see the other cover, which has a dark backgrowund and hair that is waving a bit wildly, then you're seeing the original book. The newer version is suited more to 2010. To avoid confusion, it is possible to buy directly from Devin O'Branagan's site, and that way you can request an autographed copy.

Book is available at Amazon.com (and as a nook book at Barnes & Noble. Or you can buy an autographed copy at Devin O'Branagan''s website.
http://www.devinsmysticgifts.com/cata...

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always like reading books that are about the Salem Witch Trials and witches in general. So when I read the description for Witch Hunt I knew I had to read it. I love how Witch Hunt goes from present to past filling us in on the lives of the Hawthorne family. We get to read about witch trials in 1692 all through the years up until present day. We get to read about the Hawthorne family and all the things that they lived through and all the things that they lost or gained in their lifetimes.

In present day Craig Hawthorne's father and brother was killed in a plane crash. Craig is taking his wife, son and daughter home to his mother's for their funeral. Craig and his family are witches but his wife, Leigh has no knowledge of this. Craig moved away from his family a long time ago.

There was a preacher, an evangelist on the plane with Craig's father and brother. This evangelist, Preacher Cody was so afraid that he was going to die that he didn't even help his wife or daughter try to escape all he was worried about was himself. His wife called for him over and over. She just kept repeating his name but he wouldn't listen to her. Craig's brother and father starting chanting some spell that save Preacher Cody, his wife and their baby's lives. But Preacher Cody saw a way to become famous and put his name in the papers and on tv. So he saw evil in what Craig's brother and father did for him and everyone else on the plane.

Preacher Cody called them witches and had the whole town out helping him to prove that the Hawthornes were witches and that they need to be punished for their evil doings. But the Hawthornes are not evil people they are good and decent human beings and would not cause harm to anyone.

Why do people look at others and judge them just because they are different than them or they don't believe the same way that they do? Why can't they get to know that person to find out what in his their heart? Just because someone doesn't believe in the same things as you do doesn't mean they are cruel and evil people. It defiantly doesn't mean you are going to be mean to them or hurt them.

I really loved reading Witch Hunt as I said before I love reading books about witches. I loved all the characters in the book. But I wasn't too fond of Preacher Cody I mean here he is claiming to be a child of God and look what he does to the Hawthorne family. Isn't a preacher, a child of God supposed to love all creatures? What was he doing? He was playing God judging these people. When he probably had more evil in his heart than they had in their little finger. Look at what he did to his wife and baby on the plane. How he explained that to her I don't even know. How could she stay with him and pretend it didn't happen the way it did? I don't even want to know what went through this man's mind. Because if I did then that would make me just like him and in no way do I ever want to be like that. How can anyone claim to be a child of God and want to hurt people like that? I just don't get it.

Enough of me ranting and raving. If you like reading and learning about the Salem Witch Trials then you would love Witch Hunt. It is well worth the price you would spend on it. And I honestly don't think you would regret it. So why don't you go on over to Amazon and get your own copy and start reading it today. Just click on the Amazon link below to pick up your copy.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had this book on my to-read list for a while, years even. I can’t recall how long it’s been sitting on my Kindle, but needless to say it’s been on my radar for a long time. I love the idea of family sagas that entail blessings or curses that follow the generations; this one also entailed the Salem Witch trials with all the drama and persecution that involves. This book please on all fronts. I feel I’m safe to say it’s one of best reads for me this year.

Engrossing as heck, this book grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. From the opening sequence of a fiery plane crash, everything is a break neck speed of worsening persecution and a family’s struggles to come out alive, not succeeding on all fronts. Boredom will not be an issue with this one.

Yet despite all that, every character comes alive. From the historical figures of the Hawthorne family to their modern counterparts, nobody suffers from two-dimensional characterization. I liked how the author made people on both sides of the divide (witch vs. Christian) both good and bad. There was no blanket generalization of either side being more right than the other.

I thought this was a tale in the modern world with some hearkening back to the Salem Witch trials. Instead, I got a family saga that flows over centuries. Traveling west via covered wagon, Indian captivity, WWII, and Irish immigration all play a role in this family saga. Family fortunes rise and fall with the centuries, never letting members get too comfortable before throwing the next challenge down.

I’ve got to give props to the author for where she was willing to go. This family goes through some truly awful events: murder, sudden death, torture, and persecution. Things start out grim, get worse, and end bleak. There’s no happily ever after here, folks. There’s a slight glimmer that things might turn around eventually, but it’ll be a long, uncertain road indeed.

The messages in this book also give pause for thought. The author talks about her inspiration for the tale in the beginning, and I can see where she’s coming from. In our modern world, the thought that such fundamentalist hate can rule the day seems far-fetched, given how society celebrates diversity nowadays. The thought that our modern society would believe in the evil of witchcraft and black magic also seems implausible.

However, all one has to do is look across the glove at such examples as ISIS, the KKK, white supremacists, neo-Nazis, or the Westboro church to see true evil at work. Organizations or bodies such as these control the minds and perceptions of adherents to a brain-washing level. Is it really so incredible that given the circumstances portrayed in this book that thought patterns like that might not gain more of a mainstream audience and body of people? Scary stuff…

A tale heavy with lessons to take to heart and characters to love, this book will stay with you for a long time. I was caught from scene one and was never let go. This book started me on a witch kick; I’ll be looking for more books on the subject matter and re-reading older loved ones. The collection of novellas that explores the lives of miscellaneous historical figures in the Hawthorne clan is already loaded on my Kindle. Check this one out; it’s a fantastic read no matter the genre you’re looking for.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Witch Hunt' is the story of the Hawthorne family who hide an amazing secret, they are all witches, a family dynasty who have risen and fallen since the Salem Witch Trials. Leigh, and her husband Craig Hawthorne who chose to walk away from his family return to the family home following the untimely deaths of Craig's father and brother in an air plane crash, a crash which could have been much worse if it had not been for them both using their powers. Unfortunately Preacher Cody, an enigmatic man with delusions of what is right and wrong witnesses the power of the Hawthornes and instead of seeing good, he sees something dark and evil, something he feels he must stamp out any way he can. What will the Hawthornes do?

I could not put 'Witch Hunt' down, every time I would get to the end of the chapter, I would think, 'just one more chapter'. The story and the characters are brilliantly written, all of the Hawthorne women and men are powerful, confident and protect their family at any cost. I loved how the history of the Hawthorne family was explored from before the Salem Witch Trials to modern day American where 'witch hunts' still occur under the guise of religion, which did leave a bad taste in my mouth.

Leigh, one of the main characters was my favourite character, I loved how she changed as the story progressed, from a quiet woman willing to please to a strong, determined woman who will do anything to protect her family. I loved how she faces the Hawthornes and proves her worth as an asset to the family.

The research of the Salem Witch Trials is thorough, concise and shows how harsh the trials were due to the lies of a group of girls, the scenes at the witch trials were brilliant to read but I did get very annoyed which for me is a sign of a fantastic writer, I felt for all of the victims of the trials.

The story is left open~ended, I cannot wait for the sequel.

[Angela Holtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Lilac Wolf and Stuff

I've been dying to read this book since I read Magaly's posts - even a guest post by Devin O'branagan. Apparently since last June. Feels longer...

Anyway, Ms. Branagan graciously sent me an e-copy of Witch Hunt. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. And it really terrified me. I was finishing it yesterday at my in-laws' house and I had to go sit by my husband, I was shivering. And it's never gory, but Devin so perfectly captures the evil in people. It's chilling how easy it was to sway people to violence with a little fear. But it's not the first time it's happened and the witches aren't the only ones to suffer from it.

I think I was profoundly affected by having been so recently reminded of the holocaust. The other thing that set me shivering was how it so closely matched up with the current rise in the fundamentalist christian movement. These people are seriously scary, without an ounce of the love that Jesus was supposed to teach them. That's what's scary, how can you reason with someone who can't even figure out they aren't following their own religion?

The story is about the Hawthorne family, centering on the modern day but going back and giving us the family history starting at the Salem Witch Hunt. This was my favorite part of the book too. I cried as I read the story Devin wove about these women and the few men who were tortured and murdered.

Great book, something that I found terrifying, and so well written I couldn't put it down no matter how upset I was (you have to love a book that is passionate). Fully worth the $4.99 price.

[jb lockhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in 36 hours - I slept for 4 hours and dreampt of these characters- but I feel better for meeting all of them. From the moment that I opened the pages of this wonderful story I was hooked. Witch Hunt takes the reader from present to past with such fluidity and ease that it's not at all a pause. There are things to be learned as well. Devin O'Branagan does meticulous research on each subject that she writes about and this one was the same. However, I learned alot of information about the witch trials, the torture the accused went through, and how families were torn apart and friendships grew in their place.

Leigh Hawthorne has been thrust into a world that she didn't really know existed. Her very belief system is challenged by tragic circumstances and she has to learn very fast how to stand on her own two feet, quickly, or become the victim of a maniac. But that would mean deaths of others that she cares deeply about. She is a good person and I found myself rooting for her with each turn of the page. The tilte is apt. This is a witch hunt in every sense of the word. But not just for those that practice different beliefs; those of us that dare to be different could be victims as well.

It's adventurous and exciting. There are parts of this book that made me grin and cry in anger and sadness at the way some people were treated and how they treated others. On the other hand, I laughed at some of the witty conversations and the ability for characters to step up and become what they were always meant to be. It gave me hope, knowledge and many hours of entertainment.

[Cole Morgenstern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original Post:
http://writtenportals.blogspot.com/20...

Witch Hunt By Devin O’Branagan

When Leigh married into the Hawthorne family she knew they had a huge secret, and she never asked any questions she just trusted her husband. She didn’t even ask quetions when he son started to have premonition like dreams and her daughter started doing little tricks.

After the tragic death of Leigh’s father and brother in law a fanatic preacher begins a Witch Hunt that cannot simply end without death. As her world falls to pieces around her Leigh begins to learn about her new family, their past, present and future.

All the while the story goes back and forth between the current events happening to Leigh and her Inlaws and the past run ins the Hawthornes had with prejudice and Witch hunts in the past.

Packed with action and love, magic, sacrifice and history these Ms.Devin takes you on a wild ride through time. While you get to know Leigh, you get to know the women of the family who came before her, the tragedies that befell the women of the past and how strong they had to be.

Even though Leigh wasn’t born to be a Witch she becomes one and leads the Hawthornes from yet another tragedy into a hopeful future.

This book is a page turning heart stopping, thought provoking novel full of blood lose gain and power. It reminds us that no matter what we can prevail.

[Ron Wingrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered about witches? Real witches, not the caricatures from the Scottish Play? Have you ever wondered what they would be like today? What they would do, what they would look like?

Devin O'Branagan's first book in this series answers - or at least considers - these questions, and more besides. For wherever there are witches, there too will you find stories of those who hate and fear witches and witchcraft, carrying out cruel persecutions and all too often wearing the mask of righteousness.

Witch Hunt follows the story of a woman married into a family where witchcraft runs as thick as blood through the generations. She must delve deep in the families' history - not all of it pleasant - and learn the secrets buried there in order to protect herself, her son, and perhaps the rest of her family.

As could be expected from one of Devin's books, she brings a page-turning rollercoaster ride to life though the eyes and emotions of her characters as they experience events spine-chillingly plausible down to the finest details. If you've never read one of Devin O'Branagan's books, this would be a terrific start to your collection.

[Charles Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a decade of marriage, Leigh Hawthorne learns that she has married into a family of witches. When a firebrand, Preacher Cody, starts a global witch hunt, Leigh is forced to take sides – she must choose between her family, or running for her life.
When Leigh decides to stand by her family, witches and all, the battle is well and truly joined.
Witch Hunt, book 1 in the Witch Hunt series by Devin O’Branagan, is a chilling look at what can happen when people’s emotions are manipulated by external forces. The author paints a frightening portrait that could very well be of some of our current-day politicians in Preacher Cody. A book that is part paranormal, part political thriller, Witch Hunt will cause your blood to run hot and cold by turns as the author takes you on a journey that you’ll not soon forget.

[Deborah Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first fiction books I bought after purchasing my Kindle. I fell in love.

Without giving away too many details, she creates a modern-day Salem atmosphere in a small town in Colorado. Flashbacks to earlier times (including Salem Village) are vividly portrayed and give you a sense of why the modern family is the way they are.

I live in the Bible Belt and although we don't have any televangelists nearby, the characters she portrayed made me just a little nervous about being out of the broom closet.

Admittedly, a lot of the magic described is fantasy or at least highly-exaggerated but then again, what we witches do on a regular basis wouldn't make for much page-turning.

I read fast and got through it in an evening. I'd highly recommend this.

[Nigel S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's almost always a bad sign when a book starts with a family tree, because that means that it's probably a "sweeping family drama". SFDs are generally 8000 pages long, super boring, and are always about the same thing: a bunch of people who hate each other bitching about it for decades and occasionally screwing someone who turns out to be their half sister. Well, this book has elements of that, but all-in-all it's actually fairly decent. It's basically a mix of historical shit and lurid smut...

Full review:
http://www.mrsatanism.com/books/witchhunt1990.htm

[Özde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Son zamanlarda okuduğum en farklı kitaptı. Cadı ailesi olan Hawthorne'ların geçmişi ve şimdiki zamanını konu alıp cadı avının geçmişten günümüze nasıl geldiğini anlatıyor. Kısa hikayeler çarpıcı şekilde işlenmiş ancak hristiyanlık çok fazlaydı okurken bazen boğucu oldu.
Leigh esas karakter olmasına rağmen bazı duygularını eksik, bundan dolayı da bazı davranışlarını fazla buldum. Kocasının ölümünü çok çabuk kabullendi. Cadılığı hemen kabullendi. Birden bire lider oldu. Kısacası anlayamadığım tek karakter o oldu.
Bir de kitap sürekli geçmişte farklı zamanlara dönüyor. Okurken sürekli ilk sayfadaki soy ağacına bakmak zorunda kalıyorsunuz.