An initiation ceremony gone wrong.
As anticipation builds toward her initiation, Cristiane Bradford faces disappointment as High Priestess Sarah Killian refuses to admit her into the coven. Shocked, Cristiane learns that her mother is a practicing witch. Until the coven leader is convinced Cristiane is not involved in her mother's dark magic and cult activities, she is not welcome.
Witches. Demons. Ghosts. Ritual Sacrifice.
Devastated but determined, Cristiane pursues the truth, leading her to uncover ancient demons and haunting ghosts connected to her mother's past. A new witch with limited abilities, Cristiane struggles as she must face powerful adversaries. Cristiane's anxiety works on her emotions and toys with her confidence. She turns to her old friends for support, and meets new ones that fill her with hope, until it all comes crashing down around her. Left alone and distraught, she has no one to rely on but herself when faced with Lamashtu's spirit. Will she prevail over the evil that surrounds her?
Can Cristiane learn the truth without destroying her family? And will she survive as she battles creatures of the dark?
Early Praise and Reviews
"Fans of dark fantasy and the occult will wisely seek out this first volume in the Cristiane Bradford series. Filled with witchcraft and more than one skeleton in the proverbial family cupboard, Secrets of Mother will enthrall with its masterful use of ghostly imagery and the complexities of family relationships. At the heart of this beguiling tale is Cristiane, an enchanting heroine for the new age." - Vince A. Liaguno, Bram Stoker Award-winning editor of Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet and author of The Literary Six
"Secrets of Mother is that great fall read that gives you a kickass witchy heroine in a novel filled with horror, mystery, magic, and even romance as she tries to discover what her mother has been hiding for years." - Pamela K. Kinney, author of Werewolves, Dogmen, and Other Shapeshifters Stalking North America and How the Vortex Changed My Life
"She's a white witch in training. Her mother is believed to be a practicing witch involved in dark magic. It's daughter versus mother in this thriller!
College student and witch in training Cristiane Bradford is doing her best to achieve her goal of being accepted by a coven of witches who only do good. It's tough enough when she has to balance her witch training with her academic studies at her college, but when other obstacles are thrown in her path it becomes a nightmare. She must overcome the dark magic surrounding her, and defeat demons and other paranormal entities. Everything is stacked up against her. She's in the battle of her life." - Blaze McRob, author of the novel, '68 Buick
