Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – New Book on the Shelves – Sister Witch: The Life of Moll Dyer (Legends of the Family Dyer Book 1) by David W. Thompson

Delighted to welcome a new author and his books to the Cafe and Bookstore.. And today I am featuring the first book in his series, an Amazon bestseller… Sister Witch: The Life of Moll Dyer (Legends of the Family Dyer Book 1) by David W. Thompson

About Sister Witch.

Moll Dyer prays she can leave her troubles behind when she immigrates to the new world, but a paranormal threat grows, and soon follows her across the ocean to Maryland.

Colonial life in the Old Line state was tough on both man and woman. Hunger, disease, Indian attacks, and drought tested the resolve of the settlers daily, but troubles for the Dyers included the threat of a succubus on a mission! Will the demonic call initiated by her family prove too much to resist as she labors to rebuild her life in a distant land?

The legend of Moll Dyer originated in earliest colonial Maryland. Despite 300 years of civilization, and scientific reason, Moll’s name is still often heard there, especially around campfires late at night, or as a warning to misbehaving little people. Her spirit is often seen as a wisp of unnatural fog in the swampy woodlands near her homestead, with her half wolf companion at her side. This is her story.

One of the excellent reviews for the book

BM Perrin 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Fiction with Some Paranormal Spice December 9, 2018

Sister Witch is the story of perhaps Maryland’s most famous witch, Moll Dyer. The novel portrays her as a courageous and determined woman with opinions and beliefs far ahead of her time. I found myself cheering when she took an unpopular, progressive stand, but also cringing when she took another step toward what I knew to be her fate. Certainly, she had some unusual beliefs, such as in her ability to create love potions or protection spells. But they were harmless … at least until other people discovered she held those views. And when that happened, the woman became the target of suspicion and then, hatred. Over the course of the story, she was held accountable for everything from still births to season-long droughts.

The first two-thirds of the book is a chance to study the psychology of a unique individual and the sociology of a superstitious and sometimes violent society in which she lived. And lest I make the novel sound dry and academic, author Thompson makes you feel Moll’s determination and dedication to family as well as her isolation, pain, and finally, her tenuous grasp on reality. And while I’m no expert on language, the more formal wording of Moll’s speech and thoughts felt realistic to the time and I enjoyed listening to her. For example, while this observation is still made today, I appreciated the way she (via Thompson) phrased it. “Men are such poor custodians of the heart, its language is foreign to them.” It is historical fiction at its best.

In the last third or so of the book, the flavor shifts and the supernatural plays a much more prominent role. The ‘twist,’ if its possible to have one in a story so well-known is that in her need to secure a future for her family, she called upon dark powers. She no longer sought only protection from her enemies; she desired their downfall. And in the end, she had to pay the price for those wishes. Personally, I didn’t need this aspect of the book, but I fully understand why it was included. To write about the folk legend that is Moll Dyer without reference to the paranormal is to leave the story half told.

Overall, the book is excellent historical fiction, rich in the language, thoughts, and beliefs of the time and the life of one strong, courageous woman wronged by society. And if you like your historical fiction with a bit of paranormal spice, you’ll love Sister Witch. 

Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076KR626G

and on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sister-Witch-Life-Legends-Family-ebook/dp/B076KR626G

The other books in the series so far and others by David Thompson

Read the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/David-W.-Thompson/e/B076L9CF3W

And on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-W.-Thompson/e/B076L9CF3W

Read more reviews and follow David on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15425511.David_W_Thompson

About David Thompson

David W. Thompson is an award winning author, a native of Southern Maryland, and a graduate of University of Maryland, University College. David’s love of the written word began early in life. He claims his first writing effort was “Dick and Jane” fan fiction when he was six years old- no doubt with a dark twist!

After his family and cheesecake, reading was his first love. It exposed him to people, cultures and ideas he’d never experience otherwise. Writing was a natural extension of this “out of body” experience as characters act as tour guides to their worlds, and their possibilities. He hopes to honestly convey the stories that they whisper in his ears.

When he isn’t writing, Dave enjoys time with his family and grandchildren, kayaking (mostly flat water please), fishing, hiking, archery, wine-making, and pursuing his other “creative passion”- woodcarving.

Connect to David on Social Media

Website: https://www.dthompsonwrites.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thompson_David
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorOfParanormal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-thompson-704957104/

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will explore David’s books in more detail. Thanks Sally.