You should have seen this post two years ago.
Because here’s how I planned it: after publishing The Vision, I thought I would need two years for my new book, and it would be written and ready to publish in summer 2023.
Fast forward—three delayed deadlines with my developmental editor, 85,000 words (364 pages), and about 60,000 deleted words (enough for a whole new novel of 240 pages!) later—The Witch of Rose City is now in the final stage with my proofreader before going live in mid-September.
If you’re wondering why it took me so long to finish, read on. (If not, scroll to the end to check out the book cover and the blurb.)
The first “issue” was the research. As a historical paranormal romance, the story required me to dig deep into 1700s Switzerland. Even though I invented my characters, they still crossed paths with real people of the time, and I wanted to make that world as believable as possible (if you take out the paranormal bit!).
The second reason came as a surprise: I wasn’t ready for the new book—or, more precisely, for my new characters.
Like for many other authors, characters and events simply “happen” in my books. Once I know my characters (and I really do get to know them thoroughly), events unfold, plots twist, and sometimes I’m as surprised as you are when reading it for the first time. This is one of the reasons writing is so rewarding for me.
But for many months, I didn’t know who my characters were.
After ten years of writing DOE, leaving Dora and J behind was painful. I didn’t want to let them go—and that meant I couldn’t fully connect with Kathryn and Johann.
So, while I did a ton of research (including many castle tours and city outings), I wrote and deleted thousands of words.
Then—if you read my October 2024 newsletter, you’ll know—I had an unplanned hospital stay which, oddly enough, propelled me to finally finish the book. The characters came alive, and the story finally took shape.
Despite my earlier confidence (“I never get writer’s block!”), I now treasure the ability to write and tell stories more than ever, and I remain deeply grateful that I am able to do so.
I’ll post again when the book goes live.
In the year of 1730, as the era of witch trials in Switzerland is reaching its end, Kathryn Walder, a clever young apothecary, helps her father run a pharmacy in the beautiful lake town of Rose City. But Kathryn is hiding a secret. Her remarkable success in curing her patients is not thanks to ointments or herbal remedies.
Kathryn has the divine power to heal.
After her father temporarily leaves the pharmacy in Kathryn’s hands, her otherwise quiet and orderly life is overturned with the arrival of a charming hunter, Johann Jäger. But before Kathryn can make sense of her budding emotions, a ruthless witch prosecutor, determined to accuse of sorcery any woman who inflames his desire, sets his eyes upon her.
As suspicion closes in and danger stalks her every step, Kathryn must decide how far she will go to protect her secret—and the hunter who’s captured her heart.
One choice would save her life…but sacrifice her chance at love.
The other could risk everything…but set her heart ablaze.