#RomancingSeptember Day 2 Sea Witch by @HelenHollick #books #Romance

Welcome to Day 2 of #RomancingSeptember

Today our guest is Helen Hollick and her book Sea Witch

Sea Witch by Helen Hollick

Where is your home town? 

I live in England, in a pretty North Devon village called Chittlehamholt – the local pub dates back to the 15^th Century and the farmhouse I live in was built circa 1769.

How long have you been writing romance? 

I started off writing Historical Fiction then came up with an idea for an adult pirate-based nautical adventure series with a touch of fantasy – and while not technically a romance it has a romantic flavour of boy (well OK, pirate) meets girl (white witch). Their paths cross but they never quite ‘get together’ until…. Well, I’m not saying any more as it could constitute a spoiler!

What is your favourite sub-genre of romance? 

 

Historical Fiction I suppose. I have always been intrigued not so much by the historical facts but by the way the facts affected people’s lives. Be they kings, queens or peasants they still laughed, cried… loved… the same as we do today.

Tell us where and when Sea Witch takes place 

 

The ‘Golden Age’ of piracy – in other words the early eighteenth century. The series starts with Sea Witch in 1716, with the fifth Voyage in the series, On The Account (soon to be published) set in 1719. The sixth, Gallows Wake will be 1720 – the year Calico Jack Rackham and the two female pirates associated with him, Anne Bonny and Mary Read – became notorious.

Introduce us to the characters  

 

Tiola Oldstagh (an anagram of all that is good) is a white witch, one of the Old Wise Ones. Her soul has regenerated through grandmother to granddaughter through many generations. She cannot perform magic spells as in ‘Harry Potter’ but can harness the energy of the world – as in The Force of Star Wars. She is also a healer and a midwife. Very loyal and very patient, especially where Jesamiah is concerned.

Jesamiah Acorne (that’s Captain Jesamiah Acorne!) is in his early twenties. Escaping a bully of an elder half-brother he ran away to sea – to a life or piracy, and danger but also one of freedom. He is quick to smile, but formidable when angry, you really do not want to cross him. He is also a favourite of the ladies for he is very ‘entertaining’ in the ‘bedroom’ department. He is about 5’ 10, has a jaw-line beard, wears a gold acorn in his ear and has various tattoos. Being half-Spanish his hair is black and curly, reaching down to his shoulders – and like many pirates of that time, he laces ribbons into his hair. His ribbons are a royal blue, and they have several uses (one of which I will not give away – spoiler) but another is that he gives them to the ‘ladies’ as a keepsake.

When do they first meet? 

 

Tiola is about fourteen at the start of the series. She is on an East Indiaman ship sailing from England to Cape Town in South Africa. The pirate vessel, Mermaid attacks (but is soon seen-off). Jesamiah noticed a girl standing on the deck and something draws him to her – in turn, Tiola recognises him as the one who is to be her soul-mate, but the time is not yet right for them to be together. They next meet in Cape Town a few weeks later. Tiola is defending a lame horse, its owner hitting her with his riding crop. Jesamiah steps in… unaware that Tiola has assured he has no memory of that earlier meeting. Still their paths do not entwine: it will be a few more years before Jesamiah returns to Cape Town. He is attacked and wounded by pirate hunters. Seriously injured, Tiola finds him… will they be together at last? (Well of course not – those scenes are only the first half of the story!)

What changes when they meet for a second time? 

 

Jesamiah’s memory is jogged and he realises the girl is the one on the ship they attacked. One word from her and he could hang! But there is something there, a spark that has ignited, an invisible cord that has bound them together…

What lurks under the sea and who is it after? 

 

Any professional sailor will tell you that the sea has a life of its own. It can be beautiful, but it can be deadly. I imagined the sea as a living thing – an entity that had its own spirit (much as we often think of trees having a living spirit). Tethys is that spirit – the soul – of the oceans. She does not have any solidity… she IS the sea. She tolerates the ships and the sailors, for she cherishes collecting their bones and their souls, but there is one she especially wants to possess – the black haired man with the gold acorn in his ear, Jesh…a…miah… (…sounds like the waves you see!)

Tell us what you are working on at the moment. 

 

The fifth Voyage, On The Account. Tiola and Jesamiah are now husband and wife – but life is still complicated, made even more so when Tiola meets up with an Old Friend – a Night-Walker. But how old a friend is he – and was he just a friend?

Where can readers find out more about you?

 

I am on Twitter @HelenHollick

and Facebook www.facebook.com/HelenHollickAuthor

And my main blog “Let us talk of many things….” www.ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com has regular items of interest from myself and various guests.

I have a website www.helenhollick.net

(if you use the Contact form to send me a message you will automatically be entered for my monthly book giveaway contest)

buying links (US / UK),

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Witch-Helen-Hollick/dp/1906236607

 

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Witch-Helen-Hollick/dp/1906236607

 

 

links to author social media

Website: www.helenhollick.net

Blog: www.ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelenHollickAuthor

Twitter: @HelenHollick

Find out more from Helen in today’s second post coming from Georgia, USA in a few hours with http://stephanie-hurt.com/

Letter T April A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge

Day 20 April A to Z Challenge my theme is characters from books I’ve read plus some audience participation.

Letter T is for Tiola Oldstagh from Sea Witch by Helen Hollick

Sea Witch is a swashbuckler historical fiction tale set in the 1700’s around Captain Jesamiah Acorne. He’s a notorious pirate who sails the seas around the Caribbean, Southern US states and across to Cape Town in South Africa.

This is a time of Dutch East Indian trade-boats, Spanish galleons laden with Mexican treasure, English traders and privateers. Ships took months to cross the oceans, explorers where sailing around the world and opportunities to become rich were often at the mercy of the sea.

Beneath the seas lives Tethys a spiritual being from the beginning of the world, she sees all, knows all about the oceans, she can whip up a storm and take down a ship at will claiming the lives of all those aboard. Disturbed from above by the annoying sounds of cannon fire Tethys investigates and becomes aware of a man with a golden acorn hanging from his ear, she understands the connection to an ancient tree and likes what she sees. There is also another being with a gift who nudges at the outer periphery of her existence.

Tiola Oldstagh is travelling from England to Cape Town with her guardian, when they are attacked by pirates. Unsuccessful this time Tiola gets her first glimpse of a man who destiny will bring to her again. At just fifteen Tiola is wise beyond her years with her skills in the use of “craft” she’ll go to great lengths to be with the one her soul desires.

It’s been years since I read any pirate adventures and this one did not disappoint, it brought all the atmosphere of the great wooden ships, creaking into the rolling oceans, sails flapping in the winds. Dangers of the open seas and the realistic harbour-side towns which sprang up to meet the needs of the ocean going sailors. I look forward to reading the next adventure for Captain Jesamiah Acorne.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

For my audience participation I’m asking readers to create book titles using the letter T for the picture below.

A book title and cover picture can often make or break a book sale. Is a book cover eye-catching? Does the book title appeal to the reader?

Have fun creating book titles from my own pictures, you might even think about a genre they could fit.

Leave your answers in the comments below and I’ll choose my favourites.

Here are some randomly chosen challengers for you to visit today

http://untetheredrealms.blogspot.co.uk/

http://melinmidlothian.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/

http://marymontaguesikes.blogspot.co.uk/

https://anabelsblog.wordpress.com/

During the challenge we are asking people to leave comments on blogs, thank you.

April Editions Of Magazines Which Feature My Book Reviews

Movers and shakers for April editions of Fleet Life and Elvetham Heath Directory the magazines which feature my book reviews.

This month Fleet Life has featured the following books, for the online version go to http://www.fleetlife.org.uk, load the online directory and turn to page 42;

The Serenity Stone Murder by Marianne Jones

Sea Witch by Helen Hollick

Walking On The Edge by Zee Monodee

Trading Vincent Crow by DJG Wardle

The Cheesemaker’s House by Jane Cable

Elvetham Heath Directory has featured the following books, for the online version go to http://www.ehd.org.uk, load the online directory

and turn to page 28;

Chasing The Devil by Tim Butcher

The Devil, The Diva and The Deep Blue Sea by Margaret Langstaff

Yesterday’s News by Sam Cheever

How To Complain by Helen Dewdney

Seventh Mark by W.J. May

Sea Witch by Helen Hollick

Sea Witch by Helen Hollick

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sea Witch is a swashbuckler historical fiction tale set in the 1700’s around Captain Jesamiah Acorne. He’s a notorious pirate who sails the seas around the Caribbean, Southern US states and across to Cape Town in South Africa.

This is a time of Dutch East Indian trade-boats, Spanish galleons laden with Mexican treasure, English traders and privateers. Ships took months to cross the oceans, explorers were sailing around the world and opportunities to become rich were often at the mercy of the sea.

Beneath the seas lives Tethys a spiritual being from the beginning of the world, she sees all, knows all about the oceans, she can whip up a storm and take down a ship at will claiming the lives of all those aboard. Disturbed from above by the annoying sounds of cannon fire Tethys investigates and becomes aware of a man with a golden acorn hanging from his ear, she understands the connection to an ancient tree and likes what she sees. There is also another being with a gift who nudges at the outer periphery of her existence.

Tiola Oldstagh is travelling from England to Cape Town with her guardian, when they are attacked by pirates. Unsuccessful this time Tiola gets her first glimpse of a man who destiny will bring to her again. At just fifteen Tiola is wise beyond her years with her skills in the use of “craft” she’ll go to great lengths to be with the one her soul desires.

It’s been years since I read any pirate adventures and this one did not disappoint, it brought all the atmosphere of the great wooden ships, creaking into the rolling oceans, sails flapping in the winds. Dangers of the open seas and the realistic harbour-side towns which sprang up to meet the needs of the ocean going sailors. I look forward to reading the next adventure for Captain Jesamiah Acorne.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Sea Witch is currently up for an award – if you would like to vote for a swashbuckling adventure yarn please go to http://bookbzz.com/prize-writer-fantasy-fiction-vote/  and vote for SEA WITCH by HELEN HOLLICK

(Voting ends 28th February 2015 – but please make your mark now before the ship sails, the wind changes, the tide turns…
This is the polite asking – threats with a cutlass will follow shortly… 🙂