Book Title: Elements of Power
Author: Kate Stoessel
Publisher: Rhodes & Co.
Release date: April 5, 2020
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
SYNOPSIS:
The Council of the Harvest Moon was established to maintain peace among the witches, fairies, vampires, and mermaids of the United States. However, old feuds die hard and as the powers of fairies wane with the destruction of natural environments, the witches rise with a rigid societal structure designed to assert their supremacy as the most powerful supernatural beings in the modern world.
As the descendant of two prominent New England witching families, Khlorie Lethestone’s life was destined to fit into the neat, color-coded boxes established by the American Continental Coven (ACC). When it is discovered that Khlorie has powers beyond that of a typical witch, she is sent to Spindlewick College, a secret institution designed to help witches develop non-conforming gifts into tools for the greater good of witching society. Once there, she meets the attractive, but distant Perry Prentice, who is assigned to help her understand her gifts. But becoming one of the most powerful witches in the world means that you are watched closely, and Khlorie learns that there are secrets she must keep hidden to survive.
Order Today!
Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound
Author Information
Kate Stoessel is a Middle Grades and Young Adult author specializing in Fantasy. She wrote her first novel, Erine Pershings and the Golden Lyre, because she could not find interesting and informative historical fiction that explored the daily lives of women and children in Ancient Athens. The Council of the Harvest moon series represents Kate’s first foray into Young Adult Fantasy, her favorite genre as a reader. She knows how transportive a fantasy story can be, and hopes to give her readers the same experience of wonder and escape. Whether Middle Grades or YA, Kate is committed to creating characters that feel as authentic and real as the students she works with everyday as a classroom teacher.
She has a B.A. degree in Classical Civilizations from Colby College and a M.S.Ed in Museum Education and Childhood Education from the Bank Street School of Education. Kate lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband, Jack, son, Augie, and two dogs, Artemis and Apollo.
Elements of Power Excerpt
Read a part of the first chapter of Elements of Power below!
The full moon illuminated the cobblestone walkway leading to the back door of a brick townhome. It was a brisk March night in Boston’s North End, and I hugged my coat a little tighter against my petite frame. Determination seized me as I swung open a tall gate marked with a twinkling Celtic Knot. To the human neighbors, the symbol was nothing out of the ordinary, but I knew the signs of a magical engraving.
This is the place, I thought as I stepped into the back garden. Fear gripped me as I neared the backdoor. I couldn’t tell if it was fear of the witch inside or fear of what I knew my mother’s reaction would be if this outing was ever discovered. I had been warned from a young age not to mix with the kind of witches that sold their services to anyone who came calling. Yet here I was seeking one out. Lady Apollonia, as she was known in supernatural circles, was a revered diviner. It was common knowledge that she could see months or years into the future, a rare gift even to those who specialized in Divination magic. However, she refused to use her services in support of the
American Continental Coven (ACC). Apollonia resisted every attempt by the government to recruit her. Worse than that, she offered her services as a commercial business to all forms of supernaturals, as well as humans. My mother, the ACC’s head Potion Witch, considered her, if not an enemy, a dangerous traitor.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to remind myself why I was at this particular witch’s door. I was desperate. My life was unraveling, and I needed to know what the future held. Up above, a few crows cawed into the dark night. Their startling shrieks forced my boots to further crowd the supernatural entrance to Lady Apollonia’s studio.
“You can do this,” I whispered to myself. “You have to do this.” As I reached out to ring the bell, the door opened to reveal an older woman with smokey silver eyes. Her black curls fell over the crocheted shawl she wore, covering a loosely fitted shift dress.
“Khlorie Lethestone,” the woman stated matter of factly. Her voice was both soothing and striking in a way that made goose pimples form on my arms. “Make your decision now whether you want to know your future. There is no unhearing what I tell you.” With that, the woman left me standing in the doorway to make a choice. Against my instincts, I stepped over the threshold into the townhome and closed the door behind me.”
Doesn’t Elements of Power sound SO GOOD?
Read the full excerpt: Elements of Power Chapter 1.
Blog Tour
Check out the other tour stops on this amazing tour!
Giveaway
Enter to win a signed finished copy of Elements of Power by Kate Stoessel! This giveaway is open to USA residents only. As of right now, there will be 1 winner.
Giveaway starts: Monday, April 5, 2021
Giveaway ends: Monday, April 12, 2021 at 12:00 a.m. CST
acourtofcoffeeandbooks.com 