I was fortunate to be given a space on the blog tour for this book from @BoldwoodBooks.

The town I grew up in had 2 graves of “witches” in the graveyard. I found this book very moving, and I could relate to both characters in different ways. The story is very absorbing and the links between the two characters hundreds of years apart was done very well. I really liked Grandmother Bett.

I didn’t realise until I got to the end of the book that Elena Collins is aka Judy Leigh!

My favourite quote:
“Her troubles were caused by others, by those who ordered her simple life and made it even harder.”

CW for rape, infidelity and miscarriage.

A beautiful story told over two timelines, two female protagonists, living in the same cottage, both dealing with their own challenges and sorrows.

Usually I’m more connected to the current timeline but in the case of The Witch’s Tree, I was completely smitten by Grace and her simple life in the late 1600’s.

I’m always surprised about how entire communities would seek out the help of healing women from small Illnesses to birthing babies, then turn right around and hang them for being a witch. Or just accuse woman of being a witch for simply no reason at all. Heartbreaking!

This story just drew me in and I had to read late at night so that I could find out what would happen next.

A beautiful story filled with sorrow, love and second chances. 5 star read for me due to the emotional connections that I had to Grace. I will not forget her story for a long, long while.

I loved reading that the author is really Judy Leigh, writing as Elana Collins within this genre. I’m 100% going to be reading Collins’ next books!!

A dual timeline tale in both past and present format. Well written, researched and made for a great piece of historical fiction.

I found the story well paced, captivating and a highly enjoyable time slip read. The characters of Selina and Grace were several hundred years apart, but the similarities between them were uncanny. The story is very descriptive and Sloe Cottage sounds like my kinda place, atmospheric, with a supernatural sense about it.

Full of drama, depth and a plethora of emotions, The Witch's Tree is engaging and a beautifully written story of heartbreak, love and history.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood for providing me with this ARC. The opinions below represent my own feelings in my own words.

This was a 20 star read. 5 is not even close to enough. My heart broke throughout the book for both the amazing heroines. Their parallel stories told beautifully both coming to an end very happily for one and peacefully for another. A host of in between characters that were delightful, well written and a pleasure to be acquainted with.

The plot was so carefully constructed and I honestly never felt myself doubting for a moment. I lived in England growing up so I could see it all....the old and the new.

This is becoming one of my most favorite genres. Bringing fantasy into our real lives. I think I always want to believe that there is more out there that we don't know about.

If you are a lover of realistic fantasy, romance, drama and love sitting on the edge of your seat then this is a must read for you. If you are new to the genre this is a great place to start. Elena Collins tells a wonderful tale that will keep you enthralled from the first to last word.

Again my thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood and Elena Collins to read this wonderfully told story.

In order to recover from heartbreak, painter Selena decided to retreat to Somerset in historical Sloe cottage. After several encounters with resident ghost, Grace, Selena is inspired to paint what she sees. She soon starts investigating the history of the cottage to find out why the ghost is so sad.
Grace Cotter and her father Will live in Slaugh cottage and work on the nearby Hilltop farm. Her grandmother Bett is also teaching her to midwife and heal the local townsfolk. She's dreaming of love and marriage, but after one night with the wrong man, she's left pregnant and alone. In her time period, it doesn't take much for suspicion to occur against anyone different, and soon the whispers of witchcraft start to fly.
I really liked this author's writing style. I could sense the darkness and suspicion closing in on Grace long before the end with her detailed descriptions of the town and time period. Then I could almost see the scenery in Selena's paintings and feel the ghostly presence in the cottage. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my invitation to the tour and to Boldwood Books fpr for my copy of the book via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

Two women Grace and Selena live hundreds of years apart but both live in a Sloe Cottage in Ashcombe, Somerset.

In the past Grace is young and unmarried and her mother has died and her father unwell. She is enamored with a local man Nathaniel Harper but she is an innocent and this is taken advantage of and her use of herbs causes her to become a target for local people who see her as a threat.

In the present day, Selena an artist who is renting Sloe Cottage after a relationship ended with tragic events. Selena was treated badly by David, her married lover and his wife keeps calling her to find out why he cheated on her. She needs to recover and wants peace and tranquility.

This is an emotional read as both women go through such ordeals.

As I live in the neighbouring county of Devon, I enjoyed the familiar setting, the folklore and witchcraft history. The dual timeline was easy to follow and the pace kept me engrossed. The cottage holds many secrets and is at the centre of this intriguing story. Parts of the book gave me goosebumps as it is so atmospheric.

The characters are well written and I really liked Bett who is Grace’s Grandmother. This is a fascinating story with some really sad local history at it’s roots but which I throughly enjoyed.

4.5 stars ****.5

There are literary no words I think are enough tp praise this book, but I’ll try.
The witch’s tree alternates narration between two women in different periods of time, connected by a place and by grief. In 1682 Grace longs for a family of her own filled by love and hope while she helps with her knowledge of natural properties to anyone who needs her. In the present Selina, an artist, rents a cottage in a small town to get pass a love affair and an abortion. The two will brake time itself to help each other get pass injustice in a male ruled world. One fouled by a married man, the other giving everything to the hope of love and pregnant in a word where single women have no place.
This tale is simply, perfect. The characterization could not be more perfect. each chapter leads you to mysteries, stories, answers. The narration is mixed perfectly among the two female main characters. Each of them a whole entity with a complex mind. A book that everyone should read, fans of mystery, historical fiction, contemporary fiction or strong female characters. A book that will stay with you for a long time.

Well, I must say that I loved this one – two stories, past and present day, satisfyingly wrapped around each other, both equally engaging, both with heroines I took to my heart, and a really compelling read.

In the present day, Selena decides to leave London after fairly major relationship problems – she’s an artist, running a small gallery with a friend, and the break should also give her the opportunity to work on her pictures without any distractions. She becomes part of the life of the Somerset village of Ashcombe, making new friends – and one with the potential to become rather more – and takes full advantage of the light and airy conservatory at Sloe Cottage for her painting and every trip into the surrounding countryside to inspire her. But the older part of the house is rather different – there’s a distinct atmosphere and presence, a fire burning constantly to dispel the chill, and the blackthorn outside the window taps rather ominously at night.

In the historic story, set in the 1680s, we meet Grace, living in relative poverty and caring for her ailing and hardworking father: she works on the same farm where they’re tenants, keeping herself to herself while milking cows with a facility none of the others can achieve, also helping out her midwife grandmother with local births. She’s a complete innocent, naive and trusting, and there are always those who will take advantage – and in her case, it proves to be particularly life changing, followed by a series of accusations that might destroy her.

The stories are really well tied together by Selena’s need to find out more about the history of the cottage, and the increasingly disturbing nocturnal activity that makes her feel she has a part to play in putting the past to rest.

I always so enjoy a dual-time story – and this one is exceptionally well done, the transitions between past and present entirely easy and smooth, and there was never any point when I felt wrenched out of one story into the other. There’s an overall lightness about Selena’s story, helped by a strong supporting cast and a nice (and convincing) touch of new romance: Grace’s story is rather more harrowing at times, with so much anger and injustice about the way she’s treated, but with an equally well-drawn supporting cast. The cottage itself is almost an additional character, and there’s a vivid sense of place. And there’s a particular authenticity about the whole historical setting that I really enjoyed – undoubtedly painstakingly researched, and used to recreate day-to-day life through that difficult period of history with its prejudice and superstition extraordinarily vividly. It’s a wonderfully emotional story too – I was entirely caught up by it, on the edge of tears as its climax approached and the pages turned ever faster.

I will admit I do sometimes struggle a little with supernatural elements – I’m just a bit of a wuss, inclined to revisit the books I read in my dreams – but although there are certainly plenty of spine-tingling and distinctly unsettling moments that feel entirely real, it’s gently handled and never threatening, and there was nothing that gave me sleepless nights.

I notice that the publishers recommend this book for fans of Barbara Erskine, Diana Gabaldon and Louise Douglas – and I’d most certainly agree. I’d add Susanna Kearsley and Christina Courtenay too – and if you enjoyed Kate Ryder’s Secrets of the Mist you’ll find this book has a very similar atmosphere, along with equally strong storytelling. I really loved this book – and recommend it really highly.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

The Witch’s Tree is a duel timeline novel following the lives of Grace and Selena, one set in the seventeenth century the other modern day.

When we meet Grace we learn how hard her life has been, helping her father while working the fields trying to edge out an existence. Her life is a simple one.. eat, sleep, repeat but you can see how content she is with her lot in life.. although things are about to change drastically.

In the modern day, Selena, an artist has just suffered betrayal from the one she trusted the most.. and that hurt is going to increase exponentially. It’s time for some downtime..

Selena heads to Sloe Cottage..Grace’s home… separated only by time..

Sloe Cottage seems ideal…and it’s cheap…that should have been the red flag..

We soon learn that not everyone likes Sloe Cottage and it becomes clear why. 300 years ago Grace’s life took a turn for the worse, her sprit needs to rest, with Selena’s help Grace may find peace.. and in turn Grace may help Selena let go of her own pain.

The Witch’s Tree is a beautiful story about a connection through the ages. The duel time line worked very well and aided the flow of the tale, never a dull moment. I quite enjoying jumping around a clear timeline as it kept me engaged with the story.

Character wise The Witch’s Tree is onto a winner too as the development is paced smoothly, nothing forced, perfectly drip-fed allowing Grace and Selena to develop naturally.

There’s a growing suspense throughout the tale as we learn Grace’s fate and how that may impact on Selena.. it’s a enthralling tale showing the real strength of these two fascinating characters.

If I had to pick I think I loved Grace’s tale the most..her life..growth.. the pain she suffered. A very moving life and such a strong character.

A wonderful story.

A very interesting story I liked a lot. The combination of present and past meeting in a house was quite compelling. It reminded me a bit of stories by Barbara Erskine I like. The characters were well portrayed and show author‘s skills. I noticed a strong connection to nature and landscape which made the story even fuller and great to read. Now I want to travel and visit those places!
A highly recommend this book.


THE WITCH’S TREE by ELENA COLLINS.

Author Judy Leigh is venturing in a new direction under the pen name of Elena Collins.

The witch’s Tree is a dual timeline story.
Set in the present day, Selina, is an artist, living and working in Manchester. After a difficult and traumatic time in her life, Selina heads off to a rented cottage in Somerset, where she plans to recuperate and spend time painting.
Once there, Selina is truly inspired and paints up a storm. She makes new friends with some of the locals and there is even the possibility of romance with one local hottie!
It’s all going well, except for the strange occurrences in the cottage.
With the help of her new friends, Selina sets out to discover the secrets of Sloe Cottage.

Back in 1682, Grace Cotter lives in Slaugh Cottage with her father.
Grace is a gentle soul who works hard and is kind to others.
Grace has eyes for only one man, but his attention changes Grace’s life for ever.

As the past and present Begin to merge, can broken souls be mended and the past be set free?

The research that has clearly gone into this book is outstanding. Not only do I feel like I have read a fabulous story, but also that I’ve learned so much about life and times in the 1600’s.

The writing flowed effortlessly between timelines. It created an atmospheric read with some intense and heart stopping moments.

This book really is something special. It’s emotional, bitter sweet, heartbreaking, spellbinding, warm and interesting.
There were parts that made me tear up, parts that warmed my heart and some parts that quite frankly made me too scared to nip for a wee when I was reading late into the night!

The Witch’s Tree is, so far, my book of 2022. I totally adored it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Out now on all formats.

With thanks to #Netgalley and #Boldwood for a digital arc of this outstanding title.

A thoroughly captivating read, The Witch’s’ Tree brings to life two different timelines and the lives of two different women. My heart went out to Grace in the 1600’s, living a life of poverty and becoming a victim of prejudice and superstition. I wish the ending could have been different for her.
In the modern day, we follow Selena’s storyline. Her cheerful outlook on life, artistic and intuitive nature shone through. I loved her journey, the way she grew in inner strength, healed and uncovered the history of the cottage bit by bit. I also liked the way she learned to open her heart again. Some difficult themes of motherhood and miscarriage are dealt with very sensitively in both time periods. Whilst I felt the hairs stand up on my neck with all the ghostly goings on in the cottage, personally I would have liked more crossover between the two time periods. Although having said that, I did enjoy the ending for Selena and what she did for Grace. You’ll have to read it to find out more! With thanks for my free copy that I received with no obligation to review. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Selina finds that taking refuge at Sloe Cottage in the heart of Somerset is just the place she needs to get over a disastrous love affair. The glorious countryside around the cottage proves to be the perfect inspiration for Selina's paintings which capture the eerie nature of both the cottage and the surrounding landscape. That there is a ghostly presence in the cottage is obvious from the start and as the story blends and weaves between past and present we get the story of Grace Cotter, a troubled young woman who, living in the seventeenth century, has unfinished business with Sloe Cottage and the village of Ashcombe.

The time-slip elements of the story work really well with neither one outshining the other. I felt equally at home with Selina at Sloe Cottage in the present day as I did at Slaugh Cottage with Grace in 1682 during a time when the country was gripped by witch fever and to be a woman alone was to invite scurrilous gossip and sly innuendo. The story is really rather special and so beautifully reminiscent of both time elements that I quite forgot the passage of time. I loved learning more about Selina's life at the cottage and could visualise her beautifully imaginative paintings as she brings time and place into wonderful context.

Beautifully written, with lovely historical detail, The Witch's Tree is a wonderful time-slip novel which shows that the passage of time doesn't always heal a troubled soul but by blending the shared experiences of two rather sad young women the author has created a wonderful bridge between the despair of past and hope for the present.

The Witch's Tree is a quietly eloquent novel of love and loss, betrayal and hope.

This is not a terrifying tale with a vindictive ghost, more of a melancholic spirit story. The sense of creeping dread is well-executed.

The Witch’s Tree by Elena Collins is a dual timeline that follows Selena and Grace who are separated by three hundred years but still connected. I really enjoy dual timeline stories. I find it fascinating to switch back and forth between timelines and still find connections between two seemingly different stories throughout the main plot line.

The Witch’s Tree does start off as a slow burn. In my opinion, this allows us to get to know the main and side characters well, and also allows us to really understand the two time periods. The writing is very atmospheric and draws the reader in.

In the second half, the book picks up speed and becomes a very addictive read. I think I liked Grace and her story a bit more, but Selena was a great character as well. It was intriguing to see how each woman lived.

Beautiful and bittersweet. If you enjoy dual timeline and paranormal, you’ll enjoy The Witch’s Tree!

I've previously read other books by Judy Leigh
But this is the first from Elena Collins for me.
They're the same person, as you'll find
But the book genre is of a totally different kind.

Sloe Cottage is where artist Selena goes to stay
And recover after things didn't go her way.
A broken relationship, a miscarriage, too,
She needs to rethink what she wants to do.

But Sloe Cottage has a long, tragic history
One that gives the home a sense of mystery.
What happened all those centuries past
Need discovering and sorting out at last.

Grace Cotter grew up in the cottage back then
A gentle, caring young lady but then again
What happened is part of the story that's told
Involving witchcraft, betrayal and more in days of old.

With stories of life now and in 1682,
Sharing the lives and women in these eras, too.
The lives of the two women you'll discover
Have surprising similarities to one another.

Both have been betrayed by men in their life
Causing them different trouble and strife.
However back in the seventeenth century
Gossip and jealousy can release fatal fury.

A fascinating and very different read
With whispers from the past, what is the need?
A story of healing, dreams, attitudes and romance
A brilliant tale, I recommend you give it a chance!

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
Such a gorgeous, very different read and this is my honest review.

The Witch’s Tree is a book right up my alley, a dual time novel with the supernatural mixed in. The novel is set in two time periods, present day and in 1682/1683 in a small village in Somerset.

The present time period follows Selena an artist who is recovering from a doomed love affair with a married man and a miscarriage. Wanting to get away from her life in Manchester and work on her art, she sees an ad for a small picturesque cottage in Sommerset, Sloe cottage. Leaving her best friend and partner, Claire, to run their art gallery, Selena heads to the cottage to heal her broken heart and paint away her troubles. Sloe cottage is quaint with a few quirks, mainly cold spots, especially in the 17th century portion of the cottage, oh and a possible ghost.

In 1682, the cottage is occupied by Grace Cotter and her widowed father, Her father works for the famer across the way and has use of the cottage as a grace and favor of the farmer. The farmer has a handsome son, Nathaniel whom Grace has her eye on as a perspective suitor. Grace has a loving grandmother Bett, the local wise woman, midwife and herbalist. Bett is training Grace in the ways of her craft, During the Mayday celebrations Nathaniel follows Grace home and seduces her. Sadly he does not have marriage in mind and Grace finds herself pregnant and ostracized, then the whispers of witchcraft start. Never a good thing in 17th century England.

The two storylines submerge with Selena feeling Grace’s presence and researching what happened to her. Along the way she meets some wonderful people, Laura and her historian father, Joely and her partner Matty, and Nick the son of the landlords of Sloe cottage. With the help of her new friends Selena is able to research Grace’s story and just maybe help her find peace.

This was a really enjoyable book.. It was my 1st book by Elena Collins, but I will definitely be on the look out for more from her.

Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

As a love affair comes to an end, and with it her dreams for her future, artist Selena needs a retreat. The picture-postcard Sloe Cottage in the Somerset village of Ashcombe promises to be the perfect place to forget her problems, and Selena settles into her new home as spring arrives. But it isn’t long before Selena hears the past whispering to her. Sloe Cottage is keeping secrets which refuse to stay hidden.
1682
Grace Cotter longs for nothing more than a husband and family of her own. Content enough with her work on the farm, looking after her father, and learning the secrets of her grandmother Bett’s healing hands, nevertheless Grace still hopes for love. But these are dangerous times for dreamers, and rumours and gossip can be deadly. One mis-move and Grace’s fate looks set…
Separated by three hundred years, two women are drawn together by a home bathed in blood and magic. Grace Cotter’s spirit needs to rest, and only Selena can help her now.

Set in two timelines, The Witch's Tree is a great read giving us an insight into the lives of two seemingly disparate women. Unfortunately for Grace, she is less able to control her life as a woman in this period, the author writes her story with true emotion and empathy. I really enjoyed this book, it is redolent of books by Barbara Erskine whom I much admire. My thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and Elena Collins for a fascinating story.

A fascinating mix of historical fiction, women's fiction, with a pinch of paranormal.
The dual timeline and the characters are very interesting,t he paranormal part is quite creepy and it added excitement to the plot.
I liked this book and it's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I really enjoyed The Witch’s Tree. It’s set in two timelines and the women from each timeline share the same feelings and mirror each other in various ways. This is a wonderful read and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.