Hello Tule readers. For those who don’t know me, I’m Leigh Ann Edwards. I live in a small town in north-central Alberta, Canada. I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, pet-mom, a reiki-master, tarot card reader, and lover of traveling. I write steamy historical, time-travel, romantasy, adventure series.
It’s great to be back on the blog after over a year. I believe it might be the longest stretch between new releases since my first in July 2016. During that initial blog post I talked about my first published book–– The Farrier’s Daughter–– the beginning of the seven book Irish Witch Series.
People sometimes ask what spurred me to begin writing romance novels. I’ve always been a hopeless romantic with a vivid imagination and a love of history. I’ve enjoyed writing from the time I learned to read. As an adult, writing was put on hold for schooling, various jobs, getting married, and becoming a mother of two daughters born twenty months apart. During those crazy busy years, the only creative writing I managed was letters sent to family and friends.
I did write a series of books in the mid 1990s but never followed through with trying to publish them. I tucked those stories away for ‘someday’. One would eventually become, The Witch’s Awakening, the first installment in the Witches of Time series.
However, a trip to Ireland in 2008 inspired The Irish Witch series. There are numerous magical places in that lovely country. Being amongst castles, churches, and graveyards with hundreds of years of history–– sparked my creativity. I began writing The Farrier’s Daughter soon after I returned home.
I’ve been to Ireland twice since and if I could I’d gladly live there at least part-time. After the winter we’ve experienced this year, I’d move there permanently if I could take my grandchildren along. Believe me, if I possessed the magic my characters do that enables them to be transported to other places, Ireland would be my first destination.
The Witch and the Gatekeeper, Book One in Daughters of the Witches of Time is now available. The four-book series is a sequel to The Irish Witch and Witches of Time. This new release is my 26th––kind of cool considering the year. (Whether you’re new to this world or returning, this latest series can be enjoyed on its own––no prequels required.) That said, I hope after you’ve finished The Daughters of the Witches of Time, you’ll be curious to read the earlier series.
I’m excited for readers to meet the next generation of witches. Each book features the eldest daughter of one of the original witches of time.
Eilis, (pronounced Eye-lish), Darian, Fiona, and Trista are intelligent, beautiful, gifted, strong-willed young women all from the same Celtic goddess/ Fae lineage, but who live in different centuries.
Each witch has supernatural abilities as individual as their distinct personalities. They’ll all experience adventures, heartaches, and a unique love story. They face conflict with family dynamics, being spirited women in predominantly patriarchal eras, keeping their powers hidden, dealing with dark otherworldly entities, and falling in love–– typically with a man who’ll become their guardian protector. Eilis O’Brien, the heroine in The Witch and the Gatekeeper is a healer and air witch. For some time, she has been involved in a loving and passionate, but forbidden relationship with Cian Rafferty (Raff), one of her father’s castle guards. She’s been open with him about her magic, yet Raff has concealed profound secrets regarding his past and the inherited destiny he’s been running from. When a dark being comes for her, Cian will do whatever he must to save Eilis. I absolutely loved writing this book for many reasons. The story wove itself into my heart from the first page. Eilis and Cian’s characters really spoke to me which is something an author appreciates.
Returning to sixteenth century Ireland and recreating her parents’ Alainn and Killian’s world was like coming full circle.
Writing storylines about the much-loved couple from my original series–– after nearly three decades have passed for them–– was compelling. Now in their mid-to- late forties, Alainn and Killian maintain the powerful love that saw them through all the hard times they faced. They’re navigating life, important jobs, their massive castle, and eight children, including, Eilis, the daughter with magic as powerful as Alainn’s I also really enjoyed connecting the four young witches, the daughters of the witches of time. They become fast friends when they begin communicating through a mysterious mirror in a hidden castle chamber. I felt it was like a magical precursor to a video call.
As a baby boomer, it still seems nearly impossible to comprehend that technology allows us to see someone we’re speaking to in any part of the world. Would it be such a stretch to think magic could connect people from different times? Early reviews for The Witch and the Gatekeeper have been delightfully positive. I’m thrilled readers are being drawn into Eilis and Cian’s world. And grateful to those who’ve reached out to tell me how much they liked their love story. I believe one of an author’s greatest gifts is the ability to evoke emotions through the written word. I was elated when one ARC reader told me she laughed and cried several times. Another said this book brought her so much joy. Someone else admitted this was the fastest she’d ever read a book––that she couldn’t put it down.
Just what an author strives for––the unputdownable book!
I’m so pleased with such amazing feedback and can’t wait for other romantasy readers to be immersed in Eilis and Cian’s story. Followed by the other three witches and their guardians.
The next book, The Witch and the Time Traveler, Darian and Magnus’s story will release October 1/26. I hope to return then to talk more about the Daughters of the Witches of Time. Thanks for stopping by.
Magical wishes,
Leigh Ann
About the Author
Leigh Ann Edwards writes smoking hot romantic fantasy with badass heroines, alpha heroes, history, castles, and magic. She believes love is love, that villains should get their comeuppance (sometimes with a stake through the heart), that pleasure is NOT a four-letter word, and that “dog” is another word for “joy.”
Don’t let her gentle appearance fool you; this grandmother of four ditched a sad story and is now enjoying her happily-ever-after with the love of her life in north central Alberta, Canada. Her heroines don’t need to be rescued but they’ll gladly work with a competent partner to right the wrongs of whatever world they inhabit.
As we gather in gratitude and settle into the long Thanksgiving weekend, there’s no better time to escape into stories that warm the heart. These autumn romances—filled with family, fresh starts, and the quiet magic of fall—make perfect reads for this Thanksgiving weekend. Whether you’re relaxing after the feast or enjoying a peaceful moment to yourself, let these cozy, emotional journeys keep you company.
GIVEAWAY: Because who doesn’t love FREE books?
Between autumn’s crisp air and the return of pumpkin spice lattes, it’s the perfect excuse to cozy up with a spicy romance. This fall, Tule Publishing offers a tempting array of flavors to warm your heart and kindle your imagination. From the sweet surprise of an accidental crush to the thrill of danger with a rugged cowboy, Tule’s got a story for every taste. For those who crave intensity, explore a possessive alpha’s passionate claim. If magic is your preference, an enchanting autumn pact awaits to sweep you off your feet. And for a touch of aristocratic allure, lose yourself in a duke’s forbidden embrace. Whether you prefer your romance sweet, sizzling, or somewhere in between, Tule has the perfect spicy read to keep you warmer than any pumpkin spice latte this fall.
GIVEAWAY: Because who doesn’t love FREE books?
I had my own personal romantic Scottish experience when I married my husband, Mark, who’s originally from England, in Gretna Green Scotland. Our wedding took place on a brilliant sunny afternoon in June 2013. We were told we were very lucky for it tends to rain a lot. It rained that evening and we were assured that was a good sign. 
