Puritan Witch: The Redemption of Rebecca Eames by Peni Jo Renner
eBook, Hardcover and Paperback, 224 pages
iUniverse
ISBN-10: 1491705930
Publication Date: September 17, 2013
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book Blurb:
“On a cold night in 1692, two young girls are caught up in the divining games of a slave woman-and then begin to act very strangely when the game goes wrong. Suddenly, Salem Village is turned upside down as everyone fears that witches may be involved. Six months later, as news of the girls’ strange behavior becomes known, fear and suspicion overwhelm a nearby farming community, pitting neighbors against neighbors and turning friends into enemies. When Rebecca Eames makes one careless utterance during a verbal attack on her family, she is falsely accused of witchcraft. After her fate is decided by three magistrates, Rebecca must endure a prison sentence during which she and her fellow captives have no choice but to valiantly struggle to find humanity and camaraderie among dire conditions. In this novel based on a true story, a woman wrongly imprisoned during the seventeenth-century witchcraft trials comes full circle where she must determine if she can somehow resume her life, despite all she has endured.”
About the Author:
Peni Renner is the author of Puritan Witch: The Redemption of Rebecca Eames, an award-winning historical novel based on the true-life account of Peni’s 9th great grandmother. The book is Renner’s first published work, and follows Eames’ life and struggles in 1692 Massachusetts during the Salem Witchcraft Trials.
Writing historical fiction has always been a lifelong dream of mine. I was discouraged for many years after receiving multiple rejection slips, and turned to other creative outlets like crocheting, quilting and cross-stitch for many years. Then I met a 3rd cousin of mine online who is also into genealogy and history. She told me we shared a common ancestor who was involved in the Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692, and her story had never been told. My love of writing was rekindled and I began to research this ancestor, Rebecca Blake Eames. In August of 2012 I had the privilege of visiting her grave in Boxford, Massachusetts.
After months and months of research, writing, rewriting and revising, Puritan Witch came into being, featuring a lovely sketch done by my sister-in-law, Jane Sisk.
I have several other story ideas I am working on at the moment, all pertaining to interesting ancestors my 3rd cousin has introduced me to.
You can find the author at the Puritan Witch Facebook page or on Twitter.
Here are some choices for purchasing the book: Amazon, B&N, RJ Julia (my fav indie bookstore).
Praise for Puritan Witch
“Puritan Witch: The Redemption of Rebecca Eames is a story of the fear, suspicion, and accusations as they permeate the surrounding communities. The narration was exquisite, really painting a picture in my head and bringing to life the language of the Puritans much better than it usually is done. I loved that it was based on a true story and that the story really expands on a piece of the darkest of American history. Such a cool read!” – Katelyn Hensel, Readers’ Favorite
“Elegantly written, meticulously researched, and historically accurate, the author’s work rings true. … Renner’s vast talent as a writer is enhanced by the fact that she’s telling the story of her own family, completely captivating from beginning to end.” – Kelly Z. Conrad, award-winning author of Shaman
“In the colonial-era tale Puritan Witch, the plight of Rebecca Eames and her family plays out against the backdrop of one of the most intriguing periods in American history.” – Julie Castillo, writer and editor
Virtual Tour and Book Blast Schedule:
Monday, April 28
Book Blast at Broken Teepee
Book Blast at Our Wolves Den
Tuesday, April 29
Book Blast at The Lit Bitch
Book Blast at A Book Geek
Book Blast at The Musings of ALMYBNENR
Book Blast at Literary Chanteuse
Wednesday, April 30
Review & Giveaway at Closed the Cover
Thursday, May 1
Book Blast at Historical Fiction Obsession
Friday, May 2
Book Blast at Caroline Wilson Writes
Saturday, May 3
Book Blast at Griperang’s Bookmarks
Sunday, May 4
Book Blast at I’d Rather Be Reading
Monday, May 5
Book Blast at Kincavel Korner
Tuesday, May 6
Review at Just One More Chapter
Wednesday, May 7
Review at Books in the Burbs
Book Blast at Kelsey’s Book Corner
Thursday, May 8
Book Blast at Curling Up with a Good Book
Friday, May 9
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Book Blast at Carpe Librum
Monday, May 12
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Book Blast at West Metro Mommy
Tuesday, May 13
Review & Interview at Oh, For the Hook of a Book
Book Blast at Let Them Read Books
Wednesday, May 14
Book Blast at Historical Tapestry
Thursday, May 15
Review at A Bibliotaph’s Reviews
Review at Impressions in Ink
Friday, May 16
Book Blast at Historical Fiction Connection
Monday, May 19
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Tuesday, May 20
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Book Blast at The Maiden’s Court
Wednesday, May 21
Book Blast at So Many Books, So Little Time
Thursday, May 22
Guest Post at Bibliophilic Book Blog
Friday, May 23
Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Book Blast at The Mad Reviewer
Book Blast at Reviews by Molly
Saturday, May 24
Book Blast at Book Nerd
Monday, May 26
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective
Tuesday, May 27
Review at WTF Are You Reading?
Guest Post at Layered Pages
Wednesday, May 28
Book Blast at CelticLady’s Reviews
Friday, May 30
Review & Giveaway at The True Book Addict
Monday, June 2
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages
Book Blast at To Read or Not to Read
You can also follow along with the tour on Twitter using the following hashtags: #PuritanWitchTour #PeniJoRenner #VirtualBookTour
Copyright © 2014 by The Maiden’s Court
Hysteria surrounding witches seems so big with such sad results. Sounds a good read.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting and sad. It makes for a good story line but it is horrible to think what these people had to go through.
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