Spotlight & Giveaway: The Witch’s Journey by Leigh Ann Edwards

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Leigh Ann Edwards to HJ!

Hi Leigh Ann and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, The Witch’s Journey!

To start off, can you please tell us a little bit about this book?:

Angelique Kavanaugh is a modern-day Bostonian. She’s also a powerful  witch who’s very unlucky in love. On Halloween (which also happens to be her birthday) during a full moon when her magic is strongest, her best friend, Newt, encourages her to summon her perfect man. After describing all she’d want in him, she does the spell, but when no one appears, she believes it didn’t work or there really isn’t anyone who’d be her perfect match.
However, the following morning she finds a strange man inside her back door. He’s tall, ruggedly handsome, powerfully built and easily the sexiest man she’s ever seen. Dressed in period clothing, he looks like a pirate and Angelique believes Newt has set this up as a prank.

After a lot of humorous banter and his unfaltering resolve to stay in character, she begins to think Captain Faolan Mahoney might just be telling the truth–– that he’s not a hired actor, but an eighteenth century, Irish privateer. She intends to send him back but must wait till the next full moon. They’ll have to fight this powerful attraction and not fall in love in the next four weeks.

Angelique and Faolan meet an odd little creature called and elgnorf who looks like a grumpy garden gnome. They discover he’s Angelique’s magical guide. He recruits Faolan as Angelique’s guardian and they are tasked with time traveling to different centuries to deliver a magical book to other witches. Faolan and Angelique learn they have a much deeper connection but that many others intend to keep them apart. They have several dangerous adventures plus are introduced to characters from the first two books in the series and my original series, the Irish Witch series.
 

Please share your favorite lines or quote(s) from this book:

“You don’t intend to jab me again with that fiendishly sharp object that burned displeasingly?”
“You’re still whimpering about the tetanus shot when you’ve apparently been stabbed a few times?”
“I’d suffer much more if it ensures your hands upon my skin again.”

“I think your standards not so high if you believe someone such as myself to be your notion of perfection,” Faolan said.
“We all tend to see our flaws and not our positive traits,” she replied.

A female voice from the device on the dresser spoke when Angelique asked
her a question. Faolan’s eyes grew wide.
“Do you keep a tiny woman trapped inside your armoire?”

“You’ve kindly mended my tunic, but don’t tailor your own garments.” He
stared at the holes in her jeans. “Did you really wear those tattered breeches while frequenting public shops?” Faolan asked.
“They’re meant to be torn,” Angelique replied. “And yes, I wore the tattered
breeches in public.” She giggled, constantly amused by him.

What inspired this book?

I’ve always loved magic, Ireland and Irish accents. I’m also really intrigued
by time travel stories. I thought it would be a lot of fun writing a novel where the main characters aren’t from the same time period and would have some difficulty communicating.

How did you ‘get to know’ your main characters? Did they ever surprise you?

Angelique is very kind and generous. She’s also funny and sometimes sarcastic.
She’s beautiful and a bit old fashioned for a modern heroine.
Faolan is incredibly handsome, witty, strong, straightforward, chivalrous, protective, amusing and sexy.

It surprised me how quickly Faolan was able to adapt to being nearly two
hundred fifty years in the future and that their attraction was immediate. Angelique also surprised me in how strong she was when facing adversity.
The more time I spent writing Angelique and Faolan’s story, the more complex they became. They were also very persistent, often waking me in the night with new conversations and twists in the storyline.

What was your favorite scene to write?

I have many favorite scenes in this book because it really was one of my
favorites to write. I had so much fun with it. This one is a short scene when Angelique is telling Faolan she needs to buy him more clothes.

“Before you tell me you’re uncomfortable with me spending money on you, I’ll donate the clothes to a homeless shelter after you’re gone.”
“People of my time, even ship captains, don’t have a wide assortment of garments,” Faolan said.”
“Probably not, but unless we want to spend half our time in the next twenty-five days doing laundry, we should get a few more things for you,” Angelique replied.
“Arduously tossing your garments in the spinning machine is most time- consuming. Then the strenuous task of removing them from that machine, placin’ them in the other and pushin’ the button is surely back-breaking?”
“Oh stop it,” she laughingly said.
“Perhaps you should set aside the entire day for such rigorous activity for exhaustion will likely soon overtake you.”
“You’re very funny, Captain!”
She tossed a melon rind at him and he threw it back. He dodged another then lifted her into his arms and spun her about. She put her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes. The attraction was almost overpowering.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

There were a few difficult or sad scenes to write. Some give too much of the
storyline away. In this one, Angelique suggests Faolan stay in her time so they could make a life together. This is part of that conversation.

“You’ve never once suggested comin’ to my time, but presume I’d be content remaining in this time so foreign to me,” Faolan said.
“I didn’t presume that. I’ve always known you’d need to go back. It was only wishful thinking.”
“You wouldn’t last two days in my time anyway,” Faolan stated.
She knew he was being untypically confrontational, baiting her hoping to start a fight.
“Probably not,” she said, not up to an argument.
“With your dependence on luxury and convenience, your many garments and comfortable home, your machines, technology and automated…everythin’, your organic food and special water, your need to bathe three times a day.”
“I don’t bathe that often.”
“Sometimes you do.”
“You know water calms me. Do you want me to apologize for living during this century––for the advancements in my time––to feel guilty for wanting to eat healthy, be clean and smell fresh? Maybe you should apologize for having a sword made of steel and not iron, for having a ship with masts and not only oars.”
“Hardly comparable to your luxuries.”
“I actually spend very little on clothes, accessories or beauty products, rarely go to hair salons. I’m far from high-maintenance. Mom and Newt both said I’d fit in better if I’d been born in another century.”
“They were wrong,” Faolan said.
It annoyed her he had so little confidence in her ability to adapt.
“Isn’t it fortunate you won’t need to stay much longer and endure such hardships as modernization or put up with a woman so dependent on luxury.”
“You wouldn’t come to my time then––with me?” he questioned.
“Are you asking me to go back after telling me I wouldn’t last two days? Seems a little senseless. Hardly worth the coin you’d need to spend on a coffin. Although if we’re at sea, you could toss me overboard…finally be done with me.”
“Even if you didn’t go through with it, I suppose I’d like to know you’d be willin’ to go back so we’d be together––that this life here isn’t worth more to you than me.”
Their eyes met and she couldn’t prevent her tears. As they wet her cheeks, she saw he fought the urge to hold her. Typically, he’d be comforting her by now, but in his disagreeable mood, he only looked away.

Would you say this book showcases your writing style or is it a departure for you?

Yes, this book showcases my usual writing style. Other than writing a
modern heroine and setting, it’s fairly consistent with the other books and series I’ve written.

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

I want people to be able to escape––to get lost in Faolan and
Angelique’s magical love story. I’d like them to feel/experience all their many emotions and really be rooting for them to be able to stay together.

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I’m currently editing book four in the Witches of Time series, The Witch’s
Reckoning. It’s the final book in this series and will be released October 4/21. Then I’ll be writing a new four book series with Tule Publishing.

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: An ebook copy of The Witch’s Journey & 3 Tule ebooks

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: If you created a magical spell summoning someone from another time,
what time period would it be? Would it be someone from the past or the future? Would the person be historically well-known or perhaps your perfect man or woman? If so, what traits would you choose in that person?

Excerpt from The Witch’s Journey:

Ireland 1752
Faolan raced along the shoreline, playfully chasing the seabirds as they dove and squawked, then he deftly skipped stones across the water. He’d have to go back soon; Maimeo didn’t like him alone after dark, even though he was nearly ten years old. He adored being here just as the sun set beyond the sea. He wanted to sail that sea when he was older—maybe all the seas and oceans of the world.
When the wind shifted peculiarly, Faolan looked around sensing he wasn’t alone even before he heard something beneath the cliffs. He was forbidden to play there. His foot once became trapped when he was climbing rocks. With the tide coming in, Daideo got to him just in time. Yet Faolan was compelled to go there now, for he heard weeping.
Daideo had lighted the lighthouse lantern; Faolan should leave straightaway. But hearing a child’s voice, he stepped behind the rocks and found a woman dressed in a light frock usually worn for sleeping. The small child in her arms was dressed similarly. Seeing Faolan, the woman gasped.
“You shouldn’t be here. It’s dangerous.”
“Then why’re you here?”
“I’m hiding from terrible people who want my daughter.”
“Why would anyone be wantin’ a wee girl?”
“She has powerful magic.”
Faolan noticed the woman was hurt. A large red bloodstain was forming on her frock.
“Do you have magic, too?” Faolan questioned.
“Not enough to protect my Ailish when I’m injured.”
“Could I help?” Faolan asked.
“Maybe. Although you’d need to trust me even when I sound as if I’ve lost my mind.”
The fear in her eyes urged him to stay and the way the girl child looked at him made him want to protect her.
“How old is she?”
“Barely more than one year.”
“The people after her are very bad, then?” Faolan asked.
“They’re evil.”
“I’m only a boy. How could I help?”
“What’s your name?”
“Faolan Mahoney.”
“Faolan, I’m Bronaugh. I need to do something that’ll make you think I’m a lunatic. But I swear it’ll only be to save my baby.”
Faolan was afraid now. The skin on his neck prickled; he sensed something threatening approaching.
“I must make them believe my baby’s dead,” Bronaugh whispered.
Faolan jumped back when the woman pulled a blade from her pocket.
“This dagger’s magically charmed. It will hurt my daughter, but she won’t die. After I do this, I’ll throw her into the sea. When they’ve left and I’m gone, too—for I suspect they’ll kill me—you must pull Ailish from the water. Get rid of her wet clothes, then place her inside your cloak to warm her.”
Faolan stared. The woman did sound completely mad.
“What would I do after that? I can’t care for a child and my grandparents are old and poorly.”
“Someone will come for her; I promise.”
The wee girl looked at him trustingly, so he nodded.
“After they’re gone, fish her from the sea. Water makes her magic stronger and will heal her. Push on her chest; breathe into her mouth. She will be alive even if it doesn’t seem so. Hold her and keep her warm.”
Faolan now wished he was warm in his bed, for the whistling wind was cold and an eerie chill overtook him when he heard someone drawing near.
“Stay hidden, then please do what I’ve asked!” Bronaugh said.
He nodded, looking at the little girl with curly red hair and large blue eyes.
“Thank you, young guardian,” Bronaugh whispered before stepping from behind the rocks.
A deep disturbing voice made Faolan shiver. He couldn’t help peeking, then wished he hadn’t. The man was very tall and wore unusual clothing. Faolan knew he was a black-hearted devil even before he saw his eyes glowing fiery red. He smiled an unfriendly smile.
“You truly thought you could hide her from us, Bronaugh?”
“Why have you come, Odhran?” she asked. “Why not send more of your demons like the ones who came to us while we slept, tried to steal my child and stabbed me?”
“I sensed they’d managed to wound you and followed the scent of witch’s blood. I’ll take the child now. We’ll school her in dark magic; use her abilities as we desire. The other transcendent witches, their allies, gods and guardians won’t know her fate till we meet in battle to determine who’ll reign over the human realm.”
“I’ll never let you have her,” Bronaugh said.
“You’re mortally wounded, woman. Though I must commend you on your perseverance. You’ve been cleverly jumping through time since before she was born. But we’ll always find her.”
“Not if I kill her. I’d rather she die than be with you and your kind!”
Bronaugh pulled out the blade that glinted ominously in the last bit of daylight.
“Don’t be foolish!” the frightening man roared.
Bronaugh didn’t listen. Faolan held his hand to his mouth to stop himself from crying out when she plunged the blade into the girl child’s chest. The man lunged for Bronaugh but she pulled away. Blood seeped through the child’s frock and the woman wailed wretchedly. It made Faolan’s heart ache. She kissed her baby’s head, then tossed her into the sea. Strange light poured from the man’s hands as he reached for the child but the sea became abruptly stormier and a sizeable wave carried her away.
The man snarled angrily. His eyes glowed redder as he picked up the woman and roughly shook her like Faolan had once seen a wolf shake a rabbit. He heard Bronaugh’s neck snap. With supernatural strength, the horrid man tossed her hard against the rocks. He growled again then stared in Faolan’s direction. He jerked back behind the rock, trying to hide, but Odhran came to him. He stared intently yet didn’t speak and, oddly, didn’t harm him. Peculiar green light surrounded Odhran before he simply vanished.
Was Faolan dreaming? He had bad dreams sometimes about his parents and that fateful day when he was younger. This must be real, for he was cold and hungry. He waited, making sure the frightening man didn’t return. Trying not to look at Bronaugh’s crumpled body, Faolan hurried toward the sea. He couldn’t see the child, though the beam from the lighthouse illuminated the area. How could she be alive anyway when she was stabbed and drowned? He finally noticed a glimmer in the water.
Already in disbelief, Faolan saw a mighty creature he was nearly certain was a sea serpent swimming to shallower water, pushing the girl child. Faolan rubbed his eyes. He summoned his courage and stepped nearer. The creature further startled him when it spoke.
“Do as her mother requested, boy.”
Faolan scooped the child from the water; she was limp and icy-cold.
“Stay behind the rocks; breathe life into her and keep her warm till someone comes for her.”
“When the tide comes in, we’ll both be drowned,” Faolan argued.
“If you’re holding her, her magic will protect you, young guardian,” the creature said before submerging.
Faolan took the child behind the rocks and pulled off her wet garment. By the beam of Daideo’s large lighthouse lantern, he noticed her shiny locket. She wasn’t bleeding now, but also wasn’t breathing. He gently pushed on her chest, then breathed into her mouth. She coughed and spat up water but her eyes remained closed.
Faolan sat against a rock, put her to his chest, wrapped her inside his cloak and held her. He sighed with relief when she finally squirmed and made a soft sound. She latched her small arms around his neck, holding so tightly it made him feel brave and important.
His grandparents would worry. Even now, he heard Daideo calling. He wanted to tell him he was safe, but afraid the horrid Odhran would return, maybe kill his grandparents, he stayed silent. The moon rose; the water lapped closer as the tide came in. His heart beat faster but the child patted his cheek as if comforting him. Faolan didn’t know how the sea stayed back. The tops of these huge rocks were usually barely seen at high tide.
They must’ve eventually fallen asleep because Faolan was wakened by a voice. He stared up at a fearsome-looking woman encircled in golden light. She wore armor and carried a sword and shield.
“Give me the child, boy.”
“Will you hurt her?”
“No, I’ll keep her safe.”
When a man appeared, too, he glared at the woman.
“I’ll take Ailish.”
“We know what’s best for her, Grannus,” the woman countered. “You can’t raise a tweenling, and certainly not a transcendent witch. We’ll protect her.”
“Like you protected her mother?” he bitterly said.
“It was the Bronaugh’s foolish disobedience that sealed her fate.”
The man sadly glanced at the woman’s body and Faolan could see he loved her.
“You’d never show our child kindness, Aine. Bronaugh wanted our daughter to live a peaceful life, not be trained as a warrior.”
“She’ll need to be a warrior.”
“Give the child to me, boy. I’m her father.”
“And I’m Aine, Celtic goddess and protector of women. I’ll take her to the realm of the gods to shelter her.”
“If you’re only goin’ to fight over her, I might just throw her back in the sea.”
The child giggled at that, a sweet laugh with an amusing little snort. In the moonlight her eyes shone as she smiled at Faolan, then clung tighter. The tall woman scowled; the man looked sorrowful. When another creature with sparkling wings and a gentle smile appeared, Faolan knew she was a faery.
“I’m Lacinda. I promise I’ll keep her safe,” the faery said.
“Water beast, who am I to trust?” Faolan shouted.
An echoing voice on the waves, replied, “Let the child decide.”
The spirit rose from Bronaugh’s lifeless body, looked at Faolan with gratitude and nodded.
“She’s only wee; how can she know?” Faolan said.
“She’s a powerful magical witch,” Bronaugh’s spirit said.
Ailish looked at the others, then at Faolan and again put her head against his chest.
“She only wants his warmth,” the stern Aine reasoned.
“She’s chosen the life of a human,” Lacinda replied.
“That’s what her mother wanted,” Grannus said and the spirit nodded.
“We need to keep the tweenling safe,” Aine the warrior goddess argued. “She can’t stay with the boy. Odhran knows this location and will eventually learn she still lives.”
“Let me take her to a different time,” the faery suggested. “I’ll find a loving human mother. The tweenling won’t know her destiny until she’s grown.”
“What’s a tweenling?” Faolan asked.
Aine scowled impatiently.
“Part human, part magical being,” Lacinda kindly replied.
“Do you want to go with the faery, wee angel, to find a mother who’ll care for you?” Faolan asked.
The child nodded, but startled him when he heard her voice in his mind.
“Thank you, Faolan, my guardian.”
His chest swelled with pride. Lacinda took the child from Faolan’s arms and they promptly disappeared in a swirling purple light.
“Thank you for rescuing her, boy. You’ve done a great service to humankind,” Aine said. “Now, I must erase the memories of everything you’ve witnessed.”
Faolan didn’t know what this fierce-looking woman would do, but when she touched his head, he became incredibly tired.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
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Book Info:

Will they follow their hearts, take the safer path or live long enough to do either?

Modern-day Bostonian, Angelique Kavanaugh was born in Ireland but mysteriously adopted. Unaware of her parentage, she’s always had unusual, witch-like abilities. Hopelessly unlucky in love, she jokingly casts a spell during a magical Samhain full moon hoping to conjure Mr. Perfect—tall, strong, attentive, chivalrous…and smoldering hot.

Faolan Mahoney, a notorious eighteenth century Irish privateer, is abruptly hurtled forward 250 years into the future. While the beautiful, alluring auburn-haired witch responsible undoubtedly saves his life, she also irreparably changes it…and him. Angelique’s all contradictions—gentle and amiable one moment and a wild force that challenges him the next. Instinctively, he wants to protect and cherish her.

Fully aware he’s to be sent back under the next full moon, Angelique and Faolan attempt to fight their fierce attraction. Their farewell is delayed when they must travel through time to complete dangerous, challenging tasks. After learning there are many intent on keeping them apart, staying together suddenly seems all that matters.

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Meet the Author:

Leigh Ann Edwards has always been fascinated by history, magic, romance, witches and Ireland which all inspired her first series, The Irish Witch Series. Growing up in a very small Manitoba town on the Canadian prairies allowed lots of time to create stories and let her imagination soar. Now writing her third series with Tule Publishing, Leigh Ann also loves reading, traveling, spending time with her four grandchildren, doing intuitive readings and reiki.

Leigh Ann lives with her husband, their two very large dogs and two cats near Edmonton Alberta, Canada.
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