One of the things I love most about Autumn is the opportunity to cwtch up with a good book and a blanket so it seems very apt that I have a special post from author, Jennifer Claessen featuring her top tips for a cosy read.
I have been very much looking forward to catching up with Clemmie and her coven after their adventures during the month of October. But this time, they don’t have their magical powers to help them when trouble shows up on their doorstep…
“No witch is excited about gloomy magic-free November apart from young hag Clemmie who is relieved to finally be done with October’s magical mess. But if there’s no more magic, then where are all the armour-clad knights coming from?
When even their enemy coven, the Morgans, don’t have any answers, the Merlyns are on the run. Neither the Morgan or Merlyn covens want to burn so they will have to work together to solve the mystery of where the witch-hunting knights and the all-engulfing flames are coming from.
Will Clemmie be able to find her voice in time to save her family? Continuing directly on from The October Witches, this November sequel is full of bonfires, knights, family disasters and one very important round table.”
Reading The November Witches – by Jennifer Claessen.
I hope for this sequel to be a very cosy fun read. It is an adventure about our ‘young hag’ Clemmie learning to use her voice and share how she really feels – so if it inspires growing confidence in any readers too, that would be amazing.
But here are my ‘reading recommendations’ to hopefully light up even the gloomiest autumn day!
1. Find a blanket. A snuggly one. The fabric has to be as soft as possible. For anyone who has already read The October Witches, you know that fabric is pretty important. There’s an ancient tapestry in both books – which is why the gorgeous covers of these books have a stitched effect!
2. Hot beverage and snack of your choice. The October Witches was a book about soup but in November, these witches are on the run and don’t have a kitchen handy. But they do get to try a ‘human food’ they’ve never experienced before: marshmallows. I have a really sweet tooth and love marshmallows, probably too much. But especially toasted outside on an open fire, when camping, I think they’re so delicious and fun.
3. Get that fresh crispy autumn air too! I think there’s a myth that we bookish people don’t like the outdoors but it’s not always true (sometimes!). Forests and trees play a huge part of The November Witches
4. Find your coven. Clemmie’s best friends are, pretty conveniently, her cousins too. But despite being surrounded by her family, she still feels isolated and unable to really share all her biggest and deepest feelings. Being alone and feeling lonely can be quite different but if there’s anything that I want people to take away from the story, it’s that magic comes through togetherness. If you’re having a hard time, tell someone. If you’re worried about something, share it! So find some wonderful and witchy people in your life to share this season with.
It’s as though Jennifer has peered into my mind and described my ideal reading set-up! I would perhaps add a gently flickering candle and a favourite furry familiar to complete the scene.
Any fans of contemporary magical fiction with humour, heart, and family emergencies will love this series!
Jo.
*Many thanks to Uclan Publishing for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour*
