Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Gifts of Our Mothers by Hazel Black (The Witches of Auburn, #1)

The Gifts of Our Mothers
Hazel Black
(The Witches of Auburn, #1)
Publication date: October 2nd 2017
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

In the dark woods I’m forbidden to go into, lying on top of the one person I swore I’d stay away from, and hiding from the men who chased him, I hold still as Ike Kennedy whispers in my ear, “Don’t leave me.”

The questions of why my mother packed up our lives and moved us to Auburn, NewJersey when she, herself, fled here twenty years ago, plague me every day. Her past and the people in this town loom over our family with a haunting understanding of the coven I was born into, but realize I know nothing about. The enemies I heard stories about as a child attack without warning or regard for human life, but I don’t know who they are.

I’m Ever Ayars. I can fly. I can disappear. I can move things with my mind, but my gifts are my only clarity. Lost within a new school, new friends, and a new life, there is only one thing I know for sure.

I’m not leaving Ike Kennedy.

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My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Teen, Witches--

Helene refused to forgive her coven sister Gisel for her terrible act, causing her and her two other sister witches to cut ties with Gisel. But now, years later, Helene and her sisters have returned to the town they grew up in with their teen daughters, giving into the pull of fate and destiny that has waited for them. Ever has no idea about all the details of her mother's past, but she is ready to take the chance to have a fresh start with her "cousins", her best friends and fellow witches, daughter's to her mother's coven sisters. But Ever can't escape the pull she has to the boy Ike, regardless of her mother's warning or the feeling of foreboding that crawls up her spine. Something is hidden from Ever and her friends, but the truth may be too dangerous.

This story has a real Secret Circle vibe to me. I grew up reading L.J. Smith's paranormal books and the Secret Circle series just happened to be my favorite, telling the story of a girl who moves back to her mother's home town to find out that she just so happens to be the missing member of a coven of witches and the boy she is so drawn to is the boy she can't have. This story screams Secret Circle, but with it's own unique twists and turns but with the feeling of destiny, belonging and forbidden love that I have always loved. But then we add in a curse that causes loved ones to die and all of a sudden I sense one of my favorite movies (which is also a good book, but I liked the movie better, yes I know blasphemy!) Practical Magic- so I have determined that this would be the modern love child of Secret Circle meets Practical Magic and I enjoyed the ride. The book was full of magic and I ended up being swept away with the story.

I thought the story started fairly slow, setting up the world and the backstory for Helene's coven, but I had no idea as to what the actual plot or conflict of the book was until I was like 100 pages in (in what was a 380 page book as per my ereader). The story starts off with Helene and her coven trying to come to terms with a betrayal that ends up shaping all 4 girls's lives. And then we flip to Ever, who happens to be the teen daughter of Helene years after the events that started the book. I was a little confused by the swap, but then assumed the story was going to be about Ever, which for the most part was, but then later on in the story it alternated between both characters. It was interesting to see the past play such a large role in the present and how dangerous anger and regret can be. Also, this was such a love story- be it friendship or romantic love, the story was bursting at the seems with it and really emphasizing the importance of love and forgiveness which was a great message.

This was just the start to what has the potential to be a very engrossing, complicated, emotional and magic journey. I had so many questions when the story ended, and no this was not a cliffhanger, but still I was left wanting to know the answers to my many questions. And gah, the interaction between Helene and Isaiah was awkward as heck, but still I could feel the tension and the unanswered questions- do I want them to pursue their feelings, or deny any possible future? Can Ike and Ever get a chance at happiness? When will the letter writer make good on his threat of danger? I need to know more and I need it now. I really really want to read the novella Gisel which comes next even though I don't usually seek out novellas. This was a very interesting new witch story that caught me off guard, I was not even aware of how into it I was until I had to put the story down to do real life things like work. I suggest this title for anyone looking for the first in a romantic magical mystery.

I received this for reviewing purposes.

Author Bio:

Hazel Black graduated from Rutgers University and returned to her hometown in rural South Jersey. Her mother encouraged her to take some time and find herself. Afterthree months of searching, she began to bounce checks, her neighbors began to talk, and her mother told her to find a job.

She settled into corporate America, learning systems and practices and the bureaucracy that slows them. Hazel quickly discovered her creativity and gift for story telling as a corporate trainer and spent years perfecting her presentation skills and studying diversity. It was during this time she became an avid observer of the characters she met and the heartaches they endured. Her years of study taught her thatlaughter, even the completely inappropriate kind, was the key to survival.

She currently lives in New Jersey with her family and a misbehaving beagle named Odin. As an avid swimmer, if Hazel is not with her family and friends, she’d rather be underwater. While she enjoys many genres, she is, and always has been, a sucker for alove story…the more screwed up the better.

Hazel Black writes contemporary romance as Eliza Freed. To keep up with all new releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here.

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