A Spell of Rowans

by Byrd Nash

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Pub Date Oct 26 2021 | Archive Date Feb 11 2022

Rook and Castle Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles

General Fiction (Adult) | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Women's Fiction

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Description

“Swathed in small-town gossip and values, the fantastical novel - combines murder mystery, magic, and mayhem for an exciting tour of a family’s history and trauma.” - 5 stars, Clarion review

As children Mother twisted our magic as part of her games.

My talent for reading other people’s feelings, my sister who could charm men, and my brother who knows with a touch the history of any object

But Troubles and Magic comes in Threes.

But when I returned to Grimsby to settle the estate, the police hauled in my autistic brother for questioning. And my sister knows what Mother was really doing at her antiques shop, Rosemary Thyme. Hint: Nothing good.

And that hometown boy I dumped way back after high school? He's in Grimsby and thinks he knows the truth about me.

Contemporary Magical Realism for fans of a Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman and Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, with a Star Hollows meets Twin Peaks vibe.

“- as Vic gets closer to her mother’s killer, using her power becomes a double-edged sword: the whirlwind of truths and lies threatens to entrap and drown her, even as her special abilities help her get to the bottom of the various unsolved mysteries.” - 5 stars, Clarion review

“A Spell of Rowans is an entertaining, moving story that readers of family sagas, sibling dynamics, and fantasy set in our contemporary world will enjoy.” - Booklife

NOTE Trigger warnings for discussion of child abuse and trauma, with an assault scene, suicide, and some cursing.

As...

A Note From the Publisher

9781954811010 Kindle eBook

9781954811003 Draft2Digital/Kobo eBook

9781954811034 Ingram Spark Print

9781954811010 Kindle eBook

9781954811003 Draft2Digital/Kobo eBook

9781954811034 Ingram Spark Print

Advance Praise

"Byrd Nash’s novel A Spell of Rowans revolves around a family with esoteric gifts and dark secrets that transcend death... Wry and prickly, Vic dodges danger to make peace with her past. Her ability to send and even influence the emotions of others is described in colorful, vivid ways, with feelings having flavors such as fresh-baked bread and bitter molasses. The language that captures Vic’s magical world, which is populated by both sweet and bitter people, is tangible and evocative....Swathed in small-town gossip and values, the fantastical novel A Spell of Rowans combines murder mystery, magic, and mayhem for an exciting tour of a family’s history and trauma."
—5 stars, Clarion review

"The story moves quickly, never getting bogged down in unnecessary exposition even as it addresses themes of recovery, family, and forgiveness. Chapters end on strong hooks, and the twists and turns are well-planned, exciting, and emotionally satisfying.

"Family drama meets magic with a touch of romance in this fast-paced fantasy. For fans of Julia Rochester’s The House at the Edge of the World, Tara Conklin’s The Last Romantics.”
—Booklife

Marketing Plan

Current ARCS are being distributed through BookSirens, Booktasters, and my personal email list (total 2,000 subscribers). Itsy Bitsy Book Tour on social media booked for October-November. Newsletter ads start in November with Book Barbarian and OHFB, among other book newsletters. Advanced copies have been sent to Clarion, Booklife, Indie Reader, and City Reviews for editorial reviews.