Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch | Book Review ~ Author Guest Post ~ $10 Gift Card | @GoddessFish @AlyssaAlessi @CinnabarMoth
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Book Details
Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch by Alyssa Alessi Published by Cinnabar Moth Publishing LLC on September 5, 2023
Genres: Fiction, Middle-Grade, Horror
Format: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 109
Source: Goddess Fish PromotionsTwelve-year-old Izzy has been haunted by the shadow of her ten-times-great grandmother for as long as she can remember. This is no ordinary ancestral This great granny was the first woman to be hung for witchcraft in Izzy’s small New England town.
Every October first, tourists flood the streets of Marblehead. Unfortunately, this year so do a mysterious man and a possessed town psychic. When the man shows up at Izzy’s family-run bookstore, making odd demands and threatening her mom, she must find the connection between this creep and her ghostly visions.
Trying to make sense of this chaos, Izzy roams into secret rooms, holds seances at the local tarot parlor, and digs through the old family cookbooks that sit on her shelves.
When she discovers that she may be a part of a once-in-a-century ritual, Izzy must decide whether it’s going to take baking magic or blood magic to protect herself and her parents from the return of the witch hunt.
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Excerpt from Izzy Hoffman Is Not a Witch
The tarot reader is only a few blocks down. The cheesiness of her storefront makes me second guess coming here. A neon crystal ball flickers in the window. I open the door and I’m hit in the face with the scent of incense. She has floral tapestry hanging from literally everywhere. It’s so dark in here I’m surprised she can even see her cards.
“Hello?” No answer. What am I doing? I turn to leave but hear the faint sound of a woman talking from a distance. Miss Clara is walking a client out of her back room.
“Thank you so much.” A young woman sniffles while wiping away tears.
“You are very welcome, love and light.” The client leaves and Miss Clara stops when she sees me. The old woman wears a pair of small rectangular purple sunglasses. They match her black-and-lilac colored robe, which flows freely around her frail ancient body. Her white fluffy hair gives her a frazzled appearance that doesn’t match her sudden robotic tone.
“Izzy, I’m so happy you came to see me. That crystal looks great on you.”
“Yeah, well it doesn’t work. You should give my friend her money back,” I snap.
“Well, I think you know it isn’t instant magic. You must believe in things for them to work.”
I had a really hard day so far and I’m not in the mood to play her games.
“Oh my god! Will you stop? What is with you? Why did you tell my friend I’m a witch?” I get made fun of enough by kids my own age and don’t need some crazy old lady spreading rumors about me.
“Well, aren’t you?” she asks.
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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Purchase Links for Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch
Amazon – OneLink for every country
Izzy Hoffman is Not a WitchShop on Amazon
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My thoughts on Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch
“Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch” by Alyssa Alessi is a middle-grade horror novel that casts a spell of mystery and chills perfect for the upcoming spooky season. The story revolves around twelve-year-old Izzy, who has always been haunted by the shadow of her ten-times-great grandmother, a woman accused of witchcraft and hanged in their small New England town. When a mysterious man and a possessed town psychic arrive in town, Izzy’s life takes a sinister turn as she tries to uncover the connection between these newcomers and her ghostly visions.
Alyssa Alessi weaves an eerie, dark tale reminiscent of Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline.” The book explores themes of family connections and women helping women, offering a fresh perspective on witches throughout history. As Izzy delves into secret rooms, conducts seances, and uncovers hidden family secrets, readers are taken on a thrilling journey to keep them on the edge of their seats.
“Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch” is a quick and thoroughly entertaining read with just the right touch of magical elements. It’s a story that will captivate readers aged twelve and up, making it an ideal choice for young readers looking for a mysterious, creepy tale. Whether it’s through baking magic or blood magic, Izzy must protect herself and her family from the return of the witch hunt, making this book a perfect addition to your Halloween reading list.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Alyssa Alessi
Alyssa Alessi is a writer of middle grade, young adult and short stories all inspired by the unsettling macabre aesthetic of New England. As a child she was on a constant hunt for ghosts, vampires, and her own powers as a witch. When she couldn’t find them, she settled for writing them into existence.
You can find her hiking any trail in the Northeast said to be haunted, roaming old cemeteries with a camera in hand, or thrift shopping anywhere antiques are sold. She resides in Boston, MA, with her husband, three children, and their mini dachshund.
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Guest Post by Alyssa Alessi
Brain Food for Writers: 3 Healthy Snacks to Eliminate Writers Block
I’ll admit, like most basic writers, I am obsessed with a good cup of coffee! The smell of dark roast gets me out of bed each morning before the sun rises. Turns out my caffeine dependency is not all that bad. Coffee is loaded with antioxidants and proven to fight against neurological diseases. The caffeine in one cup is enough to increase alertness, improve mood, and sharpen concentration. While coffee may not be considered a snack, I find it to be the number one drink to consume before starting any writing session. It’s my way of stopping writers’ block before it happens!
Since I typically write early in the day, I’m usually fueling up my brain in between chapters. After a cup of coffee, I’ll go for a piece of avocado toast with an egg. Avocados were a staple in my home since childhood and now I see why. They are loaded with healthy fats, fiber and potassium! Since avocados are also high in lutein, the mashed-up goodness is great for your eyes. Since I’m staring at a screen for hours a day, my eyes could use a little TLC. The added egg on the toast provides several brain-boosting nutrients, including vitamin B6, B12, folate and choline. These nutrients are all linked to overall brain health in ways like memory retention and mood regulation.
Not in the mood for breakfast? Sometimes I’ll skip the breakfast food and go straight for a mini charcuterie board. I’ll load it up with more antioxidant-rich foods that keep me focused and feeling full. Foods to include are a small amount of cheese of your choice (I include a lot of cheese!), blueberries or other deep-colored berries, dark chocolate, walnuts or cashews, crackers, and I like a few pieces of raw broccoli and hummus. All of the foods are handheld, so I can snack while I type.
Most of the foods I choose early in the day are high in fiber and antioxidants to eliminate brain fog and improve memory. Writer’s block can feel frustrating, so choosing foods that will keep me happy are important too! That includes loving the way they taste. I am not a registered dietician; these are simply foods I enjoy and learned about while trying to improve brain health while pregnant with my last child. Luckily for me, they work as writer’s fuel.
So, if you are feeling stuck on a chapter or a tricky scene maybe you just need a snack!
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Purchase Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch online from a local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Info Link
Amazon – OneLink for every country
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
Izzy Hoffman is Not a WitchShop on Amazon
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Giveaway!
During the tour, Alyssa Alessi will award a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Izzy Hoffman is Not a Witch
Full Tour Schedule:
September 4: Readers Roost – spotlight
September 5: Read Your Writes Book Reviews
September 6: Kit ‘n Kabookle
September 7: Fabulous and Brunette
September 8: Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
September 11: The Avid Reader – review only
September 11: Westveil Publishing
September 12: Boys’ Mom Reads! – review only
September 12: Literary Gold
September 13: Books in the Hall
September 14: Twirling Book Princess
September 15: Sandra’s Book Club – review only
September 15: Gina Rae Mitchell – review
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Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour Host
This sounds really good. Thanks for sharing.
I really like the cover and the excerpt. Looks interesting.
We appreciate you hosting this interesting guest blog and for reviewing the book.