Willow's Tail by JoAnne Stefanizzi (Penny4athought) - Available Now!

I'm delighted to announce that Willow's Tail by JoAnne Stefanizzi (ABCTales' very own Penny4athought) has just been published!

'Willow is not an ordinary cat; she is a familiar and her human is Martha Kendalite. Martha is no ordinary human, hence the familiar lounging under the delphiniums in her garden.
Willow and Martha are content with their days, happy with their routine and the uneventful surroundings of their hometown. That is, until the day Perifida Mishapsham comes calling with a trail of trouble in her wake. When Martha opens the door to Perfidia, she lets in a whirlwind of chaos and mystery.
Willow, Martha and Perfidia will have to combine their unique talents to combat the havoc coming their way, and uncover the source of the trouble'

You can order your copy from Amazon here:

http://tinyurl.com/ykb8zcnw

if that doesn't work for you try:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willows-Tail-JoAnne-Stefanizzi/dp/B0CNP6DD58/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&asc_source=01H4KDRVTB55E9DS7CJBRHEEYS&tag=snxgb102-21

Here's a review very kindly written by marandina:

The fantasy genre is as popular now as it ever was. The Hocus Pocus generation stands astride a world of witches and cauldrons, a vanguard for flights of fancy craved by an insatiable demand for tales of magic and intrigue. JoAnne Stefanizzi is a welcome addition to this universe through her debut novel “Willow’s Tail”.

Having already received a letter advising her of a pending visit from an old friend, a mysterious package arrives with no name or address at Martha Kendalite’s secret location “off the beaten track”. Delivered by a bird with purple and orange plumage who transforms into a young man there is “A whiff of trouble clung to the paper’s torn edges...” A gift of her favourite tea, Martha’s apprehension at the pending arrival of Perfidia Mishapsham is allayed. 

On a morning of “sun filled sky” Willow the cat wanders into a dining room to find Martha and Perfidia drinking tea together. It’s here that “…she and the feline locked eyes” and the die is cast for an ongoing battle of magical wits between an interloper and the eponymous cat familiar. Perfidia is seeking sanctuary. Having discovered that Roger Appleton’s heartthrob is Gloria Hipswell – her nemesis – she confesses to having sent Roger Appleton to the Amazon rainforest courtesy of her potions in a fit of pique. Unfortunately, he has been bitten by a snake and when his mother finds out, Perfidia decides to go into hiding. 

An anonymous invite results in Roger arriving at Martha’s house to recuperate setting in train a sequence of events that incorporates more strange packages arriving, love letters being interfered with, challenges to Martha, Perfidia and Willow to navigate at the Solstice Festival and a series of pranks or havocs that leave the protagonists trying to work out who is behind the misdeeds that befall them. Not least, who is the mysterious man in the shadows who appears to be stalking them together with his own cat, Max?

As the reader is drawn into the story, an intricate web of love and betrayal is woven through the detailed character building that may define the author’s writing. It’s a colourful world built on tea and spells that leads to a cornucopia of genteel goings on; one where you are constantly trying to work out who the havoc maker is and what their motives are. There’s no shortage of imagination on offer with purloined orchids, truth serums and impromptu gusts of winds (feline incantations designed to annoy) just a few of the literary creations that light up pages. 

JoAnne Stefanizzi’s style of writing is easy on the eye with compelling dialogue and an eye for empathy as the players develop. Skilfully written, this is a roller-coaster of gentle drama that’s as endearing as it is charming. 

Self-published - “Willow’s Tail” will appeal across all age groups from young children to adult readers who like whimsy with a mystery/suspense couched in underlying humour. The book runs to 307 pages with short chapters written in a fluid, punchy style. I have no doubt that there are many more enigmatic stories to tell in what lends itself to a series of enchantment and adventure. I look forward to the next instalment as I am sure you will when you have finished reading!