A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin

On By TracyIn Gothic Historical, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Paranormal / Fantasy, Standalone Title, Women's FictionLeave a comment

A Time of WitchesA Time of Witches by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Title

Release Date: September 1, 2026

After losing her mother, Lilith Legare feels unmoored, but the strange signs around her—her dreams, her birthmark, and her growing connection to the natural world—make her search for answers feel urgent and deeply personal. I loved watching her move from confusion into strength as she uncovered the truth about her ancestry and began to understand the power that had always been part of her. Her chapters had a mystery-adventure energy that kept the story moving, and I found myself rooting for her as she claimed her voice and stepped into her own identity.

Sybil’s timeline was the most heartbreaking and powerful part of the book for me. As an educated, independent (widowed) woman in 1645 Suffolk, she becomes a target simply because her knowledge, status, and resilience threaten the men around her. The horrors of the witch trials are written with such intensity that her chapters are difficult to read at times, but they are also impossible to look away from. Sybil’s strength, fear, love for her sister, and determination to protect those around her made her feel incredibly real, and her story carried so much emotional weight.

Overall, I thought this dual-timeline story was a beautifully written and deeply affecting historical fiction novel. Madeline Martin’s writing is strong, atmospheric, and full of feeling, balancing the magic and mystery with the very real brutality of the witch trials. I was also impressed by the secondary characters, who added warmth, tension, loyalty, and complexity to both timelines. Lilith’s storyline pulled me in as a journey of grief, discovery, and self-trust and Sybil’s story eviscerated me; the pain, loss and ultimate redemption gave me a reading experience I have never had and holding me in thrall until the very last page. This book stirred up so many emotions for me—anger, sadness, hope, and admiration—and even when the subject matter was painful, I felt completely invested in the women at the heart of the story. Highly recommended.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

The Pumpkin Bride by Fiona Buttercup

On By TracyIn Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Movie / Story Retelling, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Pumpkin BrideThe Pumpkin Bride by Fiona Buttercup

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Princess Marigold and Sir Bram Duncan fell madly in love as teenagers and much to Marigold’s dismay, Bram insisted on leaving to seek his fortune before asking her parents for permission to marry her. Two years after he left, two major things happen in Marigold’s life, first she discovered she possessed a magical ability, but needed to keep it secret as magic was forbidden in the kingdom of Thornwick, and then she got the awful news that Bram was dead and sank deep into mourning. But she was alone in her grief as her family had no idea of the depth of her feelings for Bram. For the next three years loses herself in her studies and learning her magic and finally agrees to a political marriage with Prince Crispin of Harvest Hollow. Her marriage will never be a love match, but Crispin has pledged support in her kingdom’s war against the mountain sprites, so to help her people, she agrees to wed. But when she learns that Crispin is in cahoots with the sprites and plans to kill her brothers and then send her away so he can take over the kingdom of Thornwick, she runs away just weeks before her wedding. She runs with the Prince’s men in hot pursuit, and she seeks refugee at a pumpkin farm owned by a very grumpy orc.

Sir Bram Ducan faithfully served Prince Crispin for two years before the Prince betrayed him and caused him to be cursed by the Autumn Sprite, even though Bram correctly answered the sprites riddle. He was changed into an orc and bound by magic to Grimroot Farm, a small pumpkin farm in Harvest Hollow, and cannot tell anyone of his true identity, lest they die immediately. Crispin then taunts him about Marigold and tells him that he will take care of her, though enraged, Bram can do nothing and settles into a solitary life as Jask Bone-Cracker at Grimroot Farm. His life is mundane until three years later when who should come banging at his door than his true love. He tries to send her away, but Marigold is relentless and he finally agrees to let her stay one night. But one night turns into a month and he falls in love with her all over again, but to save her life, he can never tell her who he really is. Will true love find a way for these star-crossed lovers to find their HEA? Or will their hearts break all over again?

I requested this book because the blurb was intriguing and the author’s name was giving huge Princess Bride and Shrek vibes. This definitely is written with those stories in mind, but it is clearly its own story, Marigold and Bram are wonderful characters, and their love story is the kind you find in fairytales but with spice! This book has a sassy cat, a noble knight, a grumpy orc, a feisty princess, lots of magic, charming secondary characters, some warm love scenes, secrets, revelations, comeuppance, true love and wonderful HEA type of ending. If you liked Princess Bride and/or Shrek, you will love this book! I read this book and listened to the audiobook, they were both fantastic, but the audiobook was my favorite as it has dual narration, and the narrators really brought the characters to life!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *