Mark of the Witch (The Portal) [Mass Market Paperback]

Maggie Shayne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2012 | Series: The Portal (Book 1)

She was born to save what he is sworn to destroy

A lapsed Wiccan, Indira Simon doesn't believe in magic anymore. But when strange dreams of being sacrificed to an ancient Babylonian god have her waking up with real rope burns on her wrists, she's forced to acknowledge that she may have been too hasty in her rejection of the unknown. Then she meets mysterious and handsome Father Thomas. Emerging from the secrecy of an obscure Gnostic sect, he arrives with stories of a demon, a trio of warrior witches—and Indira's sacred calling.

Yet there's something even Tomas doesn't know, an inescapable truth that will force him to choose between saving the life of the woman he's come to love—and saving the world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A tasty, tension-packed read."

--Publisher's Weekly on Thicker Than Water

"Shayne's haunting tale is intricately woven.... A moving mix of high suspense and romance, this haunting Halloween thriller will propel readers to bolt their doors at night!"

--Publisher's Weekly on The Gingerbread Man

"Shayne crafts a convincing world, tweaking vampire legends just enough to draw fresh blood."

-Publishers Weekly on Demon's Kiss

"Maggie Shayne demonstrates an absolutely superb touch, blending fantasy and romance into an outstanding reading experience."

--Romantic Times on Embrace the Twilight

"Maggie Shayne is better than chocolate. She satisfies every wicked craving."

--New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Forster

"Maggie Shayne delivers sheer delight, and fans new and old of her vampire series can rejoice."

--Romantic Times on Twilight Hunger

"Maggie Shayne delivers romance with sweeping intensity and bewitching passion."

--New York Times Bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz

About the Author

NY Times bestselling author Maggie Shayne has published more than fifty novels & is best known for her "Twilight" vampire series, "Wings in the Night," & her chilling romantic suspense.  Wiccan High Priestess, legal clergy,  tarot reader, advice columnist, former soap opera writer, & RITA Award winner, the author lives in rural Cortland County NY with her partner Lance, 2 mastiffs, a bulldog, cat, bearded dragon & reef aquarium.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin MIRA; Original edition (September 18, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778313336
• ISBN-13: 978-0778313335
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Subscribe to Maggie's Magic, the newsletter that always includes a free ebook, here: http://mad.ly/signups/65868/join

New York Times Bestselling author Maggie Shayne has published 53 novels, all for major NY Publishers, in her 20 year career. So far. This year she'll be releasing a brand new trilogy dubbed "The Portal Series" and its books will include MARK OF THE WITCH (October 2012,) DAUGHTER OF THE SPELL CASTER (December 2012,) and BLOOD OF THE SORCERESS (February 2013) all from MIRA Books.

Maggie has published westerns, category romances, romantic suspense, paranormal romances, urban fantasy, women's fiction, and just about everything in between, and is currently working on her first thriller. She's a winner of the RITA Award, the romance fiction industry's most prestigious prize, and has won countless others.

Maggie's "Twilight" series of vampire novels, officially known as Wings in the Night, began in 1993 with a TWILIGHT PHANTASIES from Silhouette Shadows. The series only just concluded with TWILIGHT FULFILLED in October 2011. (Printable list and reading order at the author's website and on her Facebook page.)

Besides being an author, Maggie is a Wiccan High Priestess, Reiki healer, Tarot Card Reader, unofficial Life Coach, Law of Attraction expert, advice columnist, and a licensed minister. Her long running newspaper advice column has just now been compiled into book form; SHAYNE ON YOU, the author's first non-fiction book.

Recently, Maggie has begun re-releasing her out of print novels in ebook format. So far these include FAIRYTALE, FOREVER ENCHANTED, and ANNIE'S HERO, fantasy-romances she wrote for Avon Books (Harper Collins) in the early 1990's, a novella WITCH MOON RISING, originally published by Spilled Candy Books, and three of her Silhouette Books classics, MIRANDA'S VIKING, FORGOTTEN VOWS, and DR DUFFY'S CLOSE ENCOUNTER (originally titled Out of This World Marriage.)

There will be much more to come.

Maggie lives with her soulmate Lance in a tiny town called Taylor (phone exchange: Truxton, mailing address: Cincinnatus, tax map: Cuyler. Smalltown folks understand!) in New York State's little known but sprawling and gorgeous dairy farm & wine country near the Fingerlakes region. Together they have a pair of Old English Mastiffs (Dozer & Daisy,) a chubby little bulldog (Niblet), an arrogant cat (Glorificus,) a saltwater reef aquarium with two clown fish (Larry & Cill) and two damsels (Vinnie & Blue,) a bearded dragon (Captain Yellow Beard) and a life of utter contentment and joy.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Mark of the Witch September 17, 2012

By LITERAL ADDICTION

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Our Review [by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L Olson]:

I have been a fan of Maggie Shayne and her writing for quite some time. Her Wings in the Night series was my support system during a very rough patch of my life and after that I pretty much started to devour everything I could find.

When I heard about Maggies new PORTAL series I was ecstatic! A Wiccan High Priestess writing a Paranormal Romance about witches...truly, what could be better, right!? When Maggie sent me an Advance Reader Copy of Mark of the Witch (book #1) to read and review I literally did a happy dance. :) I wasn't sure exactly when I was going to be able to get to it, but I was excited none-the-less.

Ironically (or maybe not so ironically!??), my life took a tumble and I ended up in another rough situation health-wise. Knowing that I had Mark of the Witch sitting on my dresser, it was the very first thing I asked for after being hospitalized. I settled in, and like usual with Maggie's books, was transported away to a world I never wanted to leave.

Indira is a lapsed Wiccan who has lost her faith and a bit of her way. She's had a rough childhood, has suffered loss, has some trust issues, and has basically given up on love. In spite of all of that, she is one tough heroine! She's iron willed, strong minded, and even a bit feisty, all with a layer of vulnerability that makes you love her even more. When things start to happen that she can no longer ignore, she's forced to open her mind, try to put aside her doubts, and join up with some unusual allies in their mutual quest for truth.

Father Tomas isn't your everyday hero. He's multi-dimensional and incredibly fascinating - not to mention sexy as sin. A Gnostic priest from a secret sect, he too struggles with aspects of his faith and his decision to put his life and his fate in the hands of one man who claims to know what he is meant for. Smart and strategic, he attacks everything in life with a plan, but also with a passion that borders on abandon. You can't help but get swept away...

Indy and Tomas together are electric. A forbidden passion that burns bright despite the roadblocks of their quest and the chastisement of their conscience. Add in the revelation of some long buried secrets, and theirs is a relationship for the ages (literally).

Mark of the Witch gives the reader intense intrigue, exciting plot twists, loveable sidekicks, antagonists that make your lip curl, beautifully crafted landscapes, action, drama, sizzling romance, and so much more. It was literally spell-binding (pardon the pun)! I absolutely cannot wait for Daughter of the Spellcaster, book #2, in October!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Mark of the Witch a well deserved 5 Skulls and would recommend it to everyone! Paranormal Romance enthusiasts as well as Urban Fantasy lovers will adore this new series.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic new Series!!!! September 17, 2012

By mtibbitts

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Absoulutely LOVED this book and can't wait for the others to come out! What is better than a love than spans lifetimes... Although I kinda figured out what was going on pretty early on (because I overanalyze everything) this book kept me wanting more and more. I was disappointed to see it end but i'm sure this series will probably just get better and better. Definately an A+++

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great start for a new series!! September 17, 2012

By Wendy

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Mark Of The Witch- Maggie Shayne

This is the first book in a new series, which I was excited to read. I wasn't sure what to expect but let's just say it was twist and turns throughout the journey.

Meet Indira "Indy". She's lost and trying to find out who she is, she has given up on her Wiccan roots or so she thinks. She has been having these dreams but they feel real.When she asks for help from her former High Priestess Rayne she has to remember the past and the person Rayne feels can help might just do the opposite.

Father Tomas was sent to help. He has been following the church since childhood and Father Dom has been his father. Tomas is here to try and help Indy but will it be his past that interferes? Father Dom is guiding Tomas, which might not be a good thing.

Indy and Tomas must find the solution together...but is it to late. Is Faith bigger then Love? You will have to read this book to find out.

I will be waiting patiently for the next installment and recommending this series to my fellow readers.