Paula P.J. Brackston Books In Order

Publication Order of Brothers Grimm Mystery Books

Publication Order of Shadow Chronicles Books

Publication Order of Shadow Chronicles Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Found Things Books

Publication Order of White Shadow Trilogy Books

Publication Order of The Witch's Daughter Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Paula P.J. Brackston is a New York Times bestselling British author of romance, historical fiction, and fantasy books. She writes mystery and fantasy novels under the penname PJ Brackston. Before beginning her full-time writing career, Brackston was a groom on a racing yard, a secretary, a travel agent, a goatherd, and an English teacher. Brackston graduated from Lancaster University with an M.A in creative writing.

The author’s first book, The Witch’s Daughter was initially published under the title The Book of Shadows. The book was intended to be the debut novel in Shadow Chronicles series, and the sequel would be The Winter Witch. However, plans changed, and the novels are just standalone that detail witches lives and their experiences in different time period and settings. A sequel to The Witch’s Daughter, The Return of the Witch was published in 2016.

The Witch’s Daughter

The Witch’s Daughter is the first book in The Witch’s Daughter series by Paula Brackston. In the spring of 1628, the Essex Witchfinder finds himself being a true witch again. As Bess witnesses her mother swing freely from a tree, she knows that only one person can save her from the hands of an angry mob and the person is Gideon Masters a Warlock.

Living a secluded life at his cottage in the woods, Gideon gives instructions to Bess in the Craft, and as a result, he awakens the formidable power she never knew she had that makes her immortal. But now she could not have imagined, even centuries later, the man would hunt her down determined to get his share of payment for saving her life.

Fast forward in present-day England, Elizabeth has established a quiet and peaceful life for herself. She is tending her garden and selling oils and herbs to the local market. But her loneliness ends when a teenage girl named Tegan begins paying her visits. Before she knows it, Elizabeth is already teaching the girl the ways of the Hedge Witch, and in the process, she awakens demons of the past long thought forgotten.

The Witch’s Daughter is a fantastic series opener that’s part historical romance and part contemporary fantasy story.

Paula Brackston does a great job of crafting the story of Elizabeth into some real-life historical event such as the Witch Hunts, The Plague, WWI and Jack the Ripper. All these events have an impact on Elizabeth, and they help progress the story. The backstory of the story is presented to the reader through Tegan, a girl in the present day, 2007 to be specific who becomes friends with Elizabeth. At first, Elizabeth tells her the story about her life, and she discloses how she has spent the last couple of centuries hiding and fleeing from Gideon and everything that has happened between those years. Love, success, loss and her final decision that she would love to share her powers with Tegan and teach her how to use it.

The Return of the Witch

After half a decade living in the Summerlands, Gideon has finally attained his freedom. Elizabeth now knows that he will go for Tegan without hesitation and that she has to do whatever it takes to protect Tegan as her daughter.

Since the dramatic event at Batchcombe woods, Tegan now travels across the globe learning from all kinds of witches she can find, and now she is no longer the naïve and amateur spellcaster she was before. But her skills are in no way a match for Gideon’s power, and he finally succeeds in abducting her. Now it’s up to Elizabeth to do whatever it takes and find her before it’s too late.

Paul Brackston succeeds in creating an engaging second book in the series. The story is told from the first-person from the point of view of two characters. Elizabeth has significantly matured as a character compared to the series debut novel. In this story, you get to see her go through ages and how she uses her knowledge to nurse and doctor her clients. The author gives her an additional task in this second book. She has learned how to protect and rescue Tegan after Gideon takes her hostage.

On the other hand, Tegan has beautifully grown in the five years she’s lived alone after Elizabeth left. Other new characters are also introduced. One of the notable supporting characters is Erasmus, a man who brings some bits of romance in Elizabeth’s life.

In general, there’s a lot to appreciate. There’s plenty of magic, time travel, drama, romance, historical content and mystery and all these are presented nicely and integrate to the story nicely without forcing them out to the readers. The author does a fantastic job in orientating the readers to the storyline of the previous novel so that they could easily remember the important plot points.

The Winter Witch

In her rural early 19th century Welsh town, there’s no woman like Morgana who hasn’t said a single word since she was a young girl. Her silence, lack of words and magic is a mystery to everyone. Concerned about her daughter’s safety, Morgana’s mother is worried to see her daughter married and Cai Jenkins, a man from the mile far seems to be a perfect choice.

After her marriage, Morgana feels heartbroken because she’s leaving her mother behind and she is also worried of the man she just wedded, a man she doesn’t know and a man who will take her to a distant land for a new life. But she finds herself developing feelings for Cai’s farm and the mountains that surround it.

Cai works effortlessly to understand the charming half tame creature he has chosen for a wife, and with time he starts to win Morgana’s heart. However, it’s not long before her strangeness begins to be noticed by folks in her new village. An evil force is also at work in the small village- a force determined to turn the local people against Morgana. Forced to defend her new family and home, Morgana must first learn how to control her powers or else she will lose everything she has built in her new home.

One Response to “Paula P.J. Brackston”

1. Veronica: 1 year ago

   I have recently begun the adventure through Paula’s books.
   Often the stories are adjusted, names places changed but generally the same idea through a series .
   Not so with Paula’s books; bravo bravo, each one stands on its own strength and creative flavour. Each one has been an adventure of soul , country and time for me. It is with greatest excitement that I await my next shipment. 🦋

   Reply