I first ran across The Witching Hour in the Fellowship of Fantasy anthology, Paws, Claws, and Magic Tales. It was a standout story that made my top list of shorts in the anthology.
So when Savannah put out a call for a blog tour, I had to jump on board.
Not only is the part I read adorable, it features magic, fantasy, romance, and cats. A purr-fect blend, if I do say so myself.
Anyway, this blog post is packed with goodies: an excerpt, a giveaway, an interview with a certain adorable wizard, and more.
Make sure you read all the way to the bottom so you don’t miss anything!
The Witching Hour
by Savannah Jezowski
Genre: Fantasy, fairy tale, clean read
The Witching Hour Part One
Summary:
As shadows encroach on the city of Lite, one cat stands between humanity and the hounds of darkness.
Romeo takes it upon himself to find a suitor for his human Isabel in order to save the city and sets his sights on the unlikeliest of candidates.
Can true love really save the day?
The Witching Hour Part Two
Summary:
When Isabel disappears in the middle of the night, matters take a turn for the worst.
Romeo finds himself trekking through the dangerous wildlands to rescue the young queen with a clownish wizard, a sassy she-cat, a pretty healer, and a mysterious solider. However, their only hope may be the very thing Romeo fears most.
Can Romeo and his friends save the day before the shadows consume them?
The Witching Hour is a frolicking fantasy adventure with fairy tale themes and clean romance. Perfect for fans of Diana Wynne Jones
**Pssst, these books are clean! đ
Links:
Part One â FREE, Available Now
Amazon | All Retailers
Part Two â Preorder for $.99, Releases March 25, 2019
Goodreads | Preorder on Amazon
An Interview with Cyril
AL: Cyril, youâre a wizard. Do you know Harry Potter?
C: Harry who? Never heard of him.
AL: Heh. Too bad. How about this: Where did you learn your magic?
C: Iâm so glad you asked. A lot of people are a little uneasy around wizardsâyou know, that whole magic thing puts people off a little. I went to the Royal College in Lite when I was about ten years old. They taught me how to control my magic instead of letting it control me. I also learned how to keep the city safe from the shadows that want to take over.
AL: I’m sure the city is grateful. Can you tell us more about what you and other wizards do for Lite? Anything you specialize in?
C: In Lite, wizards spend most of their time trying to protect the city. The king and queen have a magical connection to the city and keep the lights on, but the wizards help maintain the light they provide. We help make sure the shadows and hounds of darkness stay OUT of the city.
I can also do fun things like break chimney enchantments and torment fat palace kitties.
AL: Awww, poor cat. On that note, do you have any favorite spells?
C: Our magic isnât actually spell-based. Itâs more instinctual, tied into thoughts and body actions. We never studied spell books or wand-use or anything like that. Anyway, I rather enjoy picking on a certain black kitty who lives in the palace. Sometimes he needs to be reminded he isnât the only magical creature in the world, and Iâm only too happy to help him with that.
AL: Sounds like a typical cat. Haha. Have you had any entertaining magical accidents, picking on magical cats and all?
C: Well, actually, Iâve been luckier than most. Personally I havenât been the brunt of any magical mishaps. However, before I knew I was gifted with magic, I used to make things happen to my brother Ives when he got on my nerves. Never anything serious, but things would fly at him out of nowhere or heâd slip and fall over obstacles that didnât even exist. One time I accidentally gave him the worst case of hives. The local healer couldnât figure it out until he realized the condition wasnât medicalâŚbut my fault. I felt bad. Not a lot. But a little. Ives can be a pest sometimes.
AL: Ah, the love of brothers. Speaking of love, are there any special ladies in your life?
C: Ahem. Yes, well, there is this one girl. Sheâs a little shy when you first meet her, but sheâs honestly one of the most morally-grounded people I know. She takes her duties as a healer very seriously, even when it puts her own life at risk. And sheâs cute, you know? She has this red hair and endearing smileâŚyes, I would say sheâs very special indeed.
AL: Awww. I do love love. So, if you could have anything in the world, what would it be?
C: Bacon.
…
No, seriously, though, I think a world without the shadows is what I would want. They keep us trapped behind our walls, whispering dark thoughts when youâre not paying attention. It would be amazing to be able to step outside the city and just go for a walk in the woods, in the sunshine. I know it would put me out of a job, but Iâd still go for it.
AL: I imagine that would be difficult. Let’s change things up a little. Cyril, what would you say is your greatest strength?
C: Things donât get me down the way they do other people. My brother Ives for example takes things so hard and so personallyâŚIâm not like that. Usually I can just let things roll of my back. I donât usually fret about things, just see the problem, come up with a solution, and then do what needs to be done. Iâm also terribly clever and quite good-looking, if I am allowed to say so. Iâm not vain, though, not a bit.
AL: No. Not at all vain. *nervous laughter* Ahem. Let’s dive a little deeper, then. We know your strengths, but what’s your greatest weakness?
C: Well, Iâm not sure Iâd consider bacon and a certain red-haired girl weaknesses. I suppose, if weâre being honest about this, I can be a little too set in my ways. It can be hard for me to admit that other people may be right. I also tend to be a little flippant when I ought to be more serious. Is that a flaw?
AL: Well, let’s test that out. Here’s a rather serious question: Who is your hero and why?
C: He doesnât know it, but my brother is probably the closest thing to a hero I have. Heâs got his flawsâdonât all heroes, in the end? But heâs also good to the core, in a grouchy, donât-touch-me sort of way. I canât think of anyone Iâd rather have at my back, when things go bad. Sure, he may need a prod in the right direction sometimes, especially where his own happiness is concerned, but heâs got grit. Iâll say that for him. Not many people could do what he does and not buckle. I mean that literally. If you read my storyâI mean, Romeoâs storyâyouâll learn all about that.
AL: And there you have it, folks! Cuddle up with the dreamy Cyril in The Witching Hour
Excerpt from The Witching Hour:
I was beginning to think this PursyâI refused to call her Ladyâwas utterly insane. âWell, who is your dog-eaten human then?â
âThe healer.â
I rolled my eyes in exasperation. Of course. It only stood to reason, with the rotten luck Iâd been having so far today, that this strange orange cat had been telling the truth about one thing. If she really was here with the royal healer, then sheâd officially been invited into the palace and hadnât forced her way in like a common scoundrel wanting to raid the kitchens. It would make it that much harder to get rid of her.
âFine. Iâll show you to the kingâs room, but after that youâre on your own. I donât have time for this.â
âSo youâve said. Why are you in such a hurry?â she asked as I outpaced her and diverted her down a different hallway, toward the servantsâ stairs. I wasnât about to take her up the main access just to pamper her feminine pride and overly inflated sense of self-worth.
âIâm looking for my human, if you must know.â
She clucked in surprise. âMy, my. Youâve lost your human. Now that is embarrassing.â
The fur on the back of my neck bristled. âI havenât lost anyone. Sheâs merely misplaced herself.â
âYes, because humans do that all the time. Misplace themselves.â
I was beginning to wonder if I might take her down to the dungeons instead of the bachelorâs wing, and if anybody would notice her absence. She followed me up the servantsâ stairs without complaint, her paws a whisper against the worn, wooden steps. We came out on the far side of the bachelorâs wing.
I sat down and refused to go an inch further. âThe kingâs suite is at the end of the hall.â
âHmm, thank you, youâve been most kind. If you want to wait a few minutes until Iâve finished, I can help you look for your human, if you like.â
She blinked at me and waited, clearly expecting a response. She sounded sincere, but I didnât trust her any further than I could spit, and since I wasnât a llama, I couldnât spit far. Isabel had read a book about llamas once, and apparently, they were admirable spit-hurlers. I, on the other hand, was not.
âThank you,â I finally replied as I lifted a paw to lick the black fur into place. âHowever, I donât need your help.â
Her eyes narrowed. âI see. If I might give you a piece of advice, oh dark and independent one.â
âYou may not.â
âYes, well,â she continued, ignoring me and clearly intending to say what she was thinking anyway. âSomeday you may find that being an island unto yourself sends you sinking to the bottom of the ocean. I hope Iâm there to watch the bubbles as you go down.â
She speared me with an annoyed look before she turned on her heels and padded away, her tail flicking in irritation with every step of her small paws and sway of her slender hips.
Dogs eat her. Lady Pursy, indeed.
About the Author
Savannah Jezowski lives in Amish country with her Knight in Shining Armor and a wee warrior princess. She is the founder of Dragonpen Designs and Dragonpen Press, which offers author services such as cover design, developmental edits, and interior formatting.
Her debut novella âWitherâ is featured in Five Enchanted Roses
She is featured in several Fellowship of Fantasy anthologies, including Mythical Doorways (see Angel Leya’s Review here)
When she isnât writing, Savannah likes to read books, watch BBC miniseries, and play with cover design. She also enjoys having tea with her imaginary friends.
Learn more about Savannah Jezowski
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Giveaway**
**Giveaway is for a paperback of The Complete Story (Parts One AND Two) and is available for US Participants ONLY.
Giveaway ends March 30.
If you’re interested in supporting Savannah on her blog tour, you can see other posts here (including some with reviews!):
Blog Tour Schedule:
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March 18 â http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com
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March 19 â http://cobonham.com
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March 20 â https://thefoldedworld.wordpress.com Book Review
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March 21 â https://tammylash.wordpress.com/
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March 22 â http://jenelleschmidt.com
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March 22 â www.angeleya.com
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March 24 â http://corinnejet.wordpress.com
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March 25 â https://dragonpenpress.com/ RELEASE DAY
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March 26 â http://annie-louise-twitchell.blogspot.com/
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March 27 â www.hlburkeauthor.com/blog
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March 28 â http://megdendler.blogspot.com/
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March 29 â http://sjeckert.wordpress.com
