Book 4 Out Now
Song Spell
Two Italian witch sisters living in a growing mountain community in West Virginia, more than one hundred years ago, became consumed with one such song. That song turned into a powerful spell that has sent ripples through time, and now it has found a new home in the mind of Barbara, who can now sing a song she has never known from start to finish, memorized. Barbara and William, whom you may know from previous books in this series, have been invited to help a historic opera house called the Cottrill's to finalize their renovations. It seems the journeymen hired for the electric work refuse to enter, claiming that the theater is haunted. Since William and Barbara met, they have become inadvertent conduits for spirits, by helping them to move on and resolving why they haunted. However this time, things are different, more personal, and with a cast that includes two witches, a ghost, and rumor has it, an angel. How could things go wrong? Come along with William and Barbara and cook and bake your way through this mystery while enjoying lush descriptions of this enchanting mountain town, all decorated for Christmas and ready to celebrate the theater's grand re-opening with a performance of the Dolls' Christmas.
The Food
Being that this is a Culinary Ghost Story Mystery, the food is a delectable and central character in this tale. Featuring Appalachian family recipes, delicious Christmas and wintertime treats, and so much more, peruse some samples from the
test kitchen in this slideshow!
The Author Recommends You Listen While You Peruse the Images
Performed by
Elizabeth & Betsy Podsiadlo
The Inspiration
Based on a a real town in West Virginia, Thomas and featuring elements of the real Cottrill's Opera House history as well as real local businesses, Song Spell was spun from inspiration from the past, present, and future of this beautiful Appalachian hamlet. Another inspiration was a previous work from author, Elizabeth Podsiadlo, The Doll's Christmas. This yuletide play tells the story of making something out of nothing all within the fantasy world of a magical toy shop.
Song Spell's Contributing Artists
I was so glad that Artists Madeline Crist and Nancy Judd were willing to work with me on the Songspell project. I believe that both artists were able to create the very feel I was looking for in theirartwork, which has enriched this story immensely. I think it makes the story more real, when otherartists have imagined it too.Madeline Crist was the first artist I approached. I asked her tocreate a paned doll-shop window filled with beautiful dolls, andchildren standing in front. She made it so perfect with herwonderfully imagined dolls, and beautiful children standing in frontlooking in. Madeline’s illustrations were for the Doll’ Christmas, (IlNatale Delle Bambole), which is a story within the story. Shepainted the character Haga Stella, who has impact in both storiesas they are linked. Also, a sweet restaurant window filled withgingerbread cookies.
Nancy Judd was initially asked for some line drawings that represented Christmasy scenes from the town of Thomas, WV where the story is set. She created a mountain scene that
featured Dolly Sods, the front of the Cottrill’s Opera House, and a welcoming tea setting, which takes place in the story. I contacted Nancy again a year later and asked if she would be
interested in painting the cover art. I showed her some designs that I liked and the elements that I wanted, all of which of course are recognizable once you have read the story. Nancy filled the
bill and then some! As you look at the cover, the two main characters are prominent, alongside, more scenes from the theater, and Dolly Sods mountain scenes. Plus, the actual music to the Songspell itself, festooned with holly and pine and a beautiful ribbon.
Madeline Crist
Nancy Judd
