Kristen Brand

Today’s a big day in my family—my sister just released her new historical romantasy novel, and I couldn’t be more proud.

Set in 1749 Savannah, the story follows Mercy Penrose, an apothecary’s daughter who uses elemental magic to create healing remedies while keeping her abilities hidden from witch-fearing neighbors. When her parents are murdered for their magical artifacts, Mercy can’t exactly tell the authorities why they were killed without risking the stake herself. So she does what any sensible witch would do: she decides to hunt down the killers on her own.

Enter Kit Arkill, a bounty hunter tracking the same dangerous targets—two witches responsible for the Salem witch trials, one of whom can shapeshift. Suddenly, every familiar face in Mercy’s community becomes suspect.

What I love about this book: it’s got that delicious “touch her and die” energy, a murder mystery woven through with magic, and a romance that builds while our protagonists are literally hunting killers. My sister did serious research into the time period (she can now tell you way too much about 18th-century apothecary practices), and it shows in every detail.

It’s also a quick, fun read—the kind of book you start at night and suddenly realize you’ve blown past bedtime because you need to know what happens next. Mercy is trained to heal, not fight, but she’s the kind of heroine who refuses to be underestimated. And honestly? The world should know better than to underestimate a witch comfortable in her own power.

If you’re already a fan of her main series, The Witch’s March (a wartime fantasy set in the same alternate history universe), you’ll love seeing more of this world. And if you’re new to her work? This is a perfect place to start.

I’m incredibly proud of her, and I can’t wait for you to meet Mercy.