Mark Stay – The Ghost of Ivy Barn @RandomTTours @markstay @simonschusterUK #TheGhostOfIvyBarn #RandomThingsTours #SharonBTB

I am so thrilled to be bringing you my review of the third instalment in The Witches of Woodville series, The Ghost Of Ivy Barn by Mark Stay. Massive thank you’s to Random Things Tours and Mark Stay for allowing me to be a part of this brilliant books journey and for my copy of the book to take part.

August 1940

In a quiet village in rural Kent, the enemy is at the gates . . .

The Battle of Britain rages and Faye Bright encounters the ghost of a pilot who won’t give up the fight. Before she can help him, Faye is whisked away to join a motley crew of witches to perform a top secret ritual on the White Cliffs of Dover that could repel the invaders.

But there’s a catch. The ritual must be executed in the nuddy. Mrs Teach threatens mutiny. Miss Charlotte is intrigued. And Faye wants to call the whole thing off when she suspects there’s a spy in their midst.

It’s up to Faye Bright to uncover the traitor, all while dealing with the ghost haunting Ivy Barn who may hold the key to the truth. But first, Faye has to learn to fly . . .

For fans of Lev Grossman and Terry Pratchett comes the third novel in this delightful series of war, mystery and a little bit of magic . . .

Mark Stay has been one of my favourite authors for a few years now. The Witches Of Woodville series is one that I can’t wait for the next book everytime. The Ghost of Ivy Barn has a cover that I fell in love with immediately. In fact every one of Mark Stays books have a cover that I always adore,so that’s no change. I didn’t even read the synopsis for this book, I just started reading it straight away. I was that keen to find out what was happening to the characters I left when I finished Babes In The Wood last year.

The Ghost of Ivy Barn is a book that I recommend you read the others first. It picks up not long after the second book ends. A historical fantasy series that Mark Stay has brilliantly built a world that totally draws you in from the start.

I felt like I was back with old friends when I started reading this book. Mark Stay has again managed to write a story like no other. The magic, the history the fun, I can never get enough. The story is always really original and this time it incorporates the Second World War. This is a period I am always interested in, and when it’s combined with witches and magic it makes it even better.

Faye, Miss Charlotte and Mrs Teach are tasked with ridding Ivy Barn of a poltergeist for Larry that leads Faye to finding another ghost, Leo. As well as this they are asked to take part in a magic ritual to see if, together with the council of witches, to see if they can stop the war. On top of all this,they end up having to fend of magical threats too.

I love how Faye has grown over the series, from finding out her mum was a witch, all the way to proving herself to be the most powerful witch. Even more than the council and even her mother. She is still not to certain of her own skill and capabilities and this makes her more endearing.

Bertie and Faye’s relationship is so cute. The fact we have seen it grow from the first book makes it even sweeter. I just love everything about these books and with every one bringing something different, The Battle of Britain is the background for this one and it isn’t dealt with lightly.

I always think Mark Stay couldn’t get any better, then he brings another instalment out and smashes it out of the park. I am sat on the edge of my seat, waiting to see whats next for Faye and this charming world.

Buy Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09DZ4M8GL/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_5FGVGCXQ5RQTEERNNHZJ

Author Bio

Mark Stay got a part-time Christmas job at Waterstone’s in the nineties (back when it still had an apostrophe) and, despite being working class and quite lippy, somehow ended up working in publishing for over 25 years. He would write in his spare time and sometimes those writings would get turned into books and films, including the Witches of Woodville series from Simon & Schuster, and the forthcoming Warner Bros. horror movie Unwelcome.

Mark is also co-presenter of the Bestseller Experiment podcast, which has inspired writers all over the world to finish and publish their books. Born in London, he lives in Kent with Youtube gardener and writer Claire Burgess and a declining assortment of retired chickens.

Come and say hello at markstaywrites.com

Get free short stories at the Woodville Village Library https://witchesofwoodville.com/#library