'The Witch's Daughter' by Paula Brackston

Official Book Summary:

In the spring of 1628, the Witchfinder of Wessex finds himself a true Witch. As Bess Hawksmith watches her mother swing from the Hanging Tree she knows that only one man can save her from the same fate: the Warlock Gideon Masters. Secluded at his cottage, Gideon instructs Bess, awakening formidable powers she didn’t know she had. She couldn’t have foreseen that even now, centuries later, he would be hunting her across time, determined to claim payment for saving her life.

In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life. She has spent the centuries in solitude, moving from place to place, surviving plagues, wars, and the heartbreak that comes with immortality. Her loneliness comes to an abrupt end when she is befriended by a teenage girl called Tegan. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth opens her heart to Tegan and begins teaching her the ways of the Hedge Witch. But will she be able to stand against Gideon—who will stop at nothing to reclaim her soul—in order to protect the girl who has become the daughter she never had?

I'm sorry to say it, but the very thing about 'The Witch's Daughter' synopsis that drew me into this book is the very same thing that pushed me away from really enjoying this title: the simultaneous telling a two halves of a supernatural story linked by the passing of time. But it seemed like whenever I'd get into what was going on in one story line I'd be pushed into the other. In a way it was a lot like 'Mariana' by Susanna Kearsley - an historical fiction, told from the perspective of a questionably strong female perspective... but so very, very torpid.

As much as these summaries make it seem like I'd love this book (Immortality? Witches? Girls names Tegan?!) they aren't. But man are these descriptions are deceptive! Having me thinking that it'll lean harder on the supernatural elements... silly, naive me.  I think I've just got to learn that this type of fiction isn't for me - at all.

Bottom Line: To reiterate to future me when my interest is peeked by the next historical fiction masquerading as supernatural romance: This stuff is not, I repeat, not one tiny little iota written for people like me. If you liked 'Mariana' though, or other titles like it, this one should be added to you stack of TBR's.

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