Aidan Rhodes is the mysterious, “godfather”–like figure in the Witchcraft Mystery Series; he’s also a very powerful witch. Lily Ivory – the series protagonist– is never quite sure where Aidan’s loyalties lie, or whether or not he can be trusted. Perhaps if we follow him around for a day…
AR: A day in my life, you ask? That’s a tough one. Someone like me has to keep a lot of balls in the air…luckily I’m good at juggling. There’s my own work to attend to, of course, but more importantly I must keep track of all the magic folk here in the Bay Area. If you let them run rampant, it’s a recipe for disaster. Believe me, I know whereof I speak.
I can’t let on about where I actually live – that’s a well-guarded secret. Suffice it to say that I used to go every day to my office at the San Francisco Wax Museum—second floor, past the Chamber of Horrors, right behind the European Explorers exhibit. You might have visited the museum but not noticed my office door; I’ve cast a glamour upon it so you’d only be able to see it if you had an appointment.
I loved having my office at the Wax Museum; I got a real kick out of all those overgrown poppets –stand-ins for humans, life-sized voodoo dolls if you will. They put people on edge and off-kilter, which was very much to my advantage when they come for a visit. It opens the portals, makes it easier for me to manipulate or to “suggest” things to them. But not long ago, due to circumstances beyond my control, I was forced to move into temporary quarters at the Ferry Building. I…don’t particularly like to talk about that unpleasant incident.
Anyway, when I arrive at my office –wherever that may be – I am greeted by my witch’s familiar, Noctemus, a lovely cat with long hair as white as snow. Noctemus is smart, pretty, and jealous, and every once in a while she shows her claws. In fact, she reminds me of another female in my life…Lily Ivory, the talented daughter of a beleaguered former colleague of mine. Lily intrigues me…but again, I should save that story for another day.
My office is decked out in high Victorian style because, after all, if you’re going to be a practicing witch in San Francisco, it seems the thing to do. Lots of dark woods and ruby-red velvet. Important to keep up appearances, after all. Some of my clients are very important people: respected politicians, business moguls, famous actors, and the like. They need to understand that I’m a professional, however unorthodox my methods might seem.
On my shelves are dozens of grimoires, books on demonology, and encyclopedias of magic. Like many of my ilk, I don’t trust the internet – that cybermonster in a box will wind up taking down civilization, you mark my words. Besides, books contain information one might never find on the web, since they carry with them the history not only of the author, but of all those who have held and read the book before. I also possess many a magical Book of Shadows, forfeited to me by their owners who have had…difficulties. Again, the less said, the better.
I hate to disappoint anyone who expects someone as handsome and urbane as I to be out on frequent romantic adventures, but the truth is that I spend a great deal of my time in quiet study and reflection. Because of an accident some years ago, I am forced to horde my energy in order to maintain glamours over my surroundings, and myself. It’s hard to explain…suffice it to say that when I use the term “glamour”, I am referring to a particular kind of cloaking magic, not the pictures one might see in a fashion magazine.
Still, nary a day goes by that I don’t have to intervene in some magical brouhaha or another in the San Francisco Bay Area. Recently, the frustrating, thorn-in-my-side witch I mentioned earlier –Lily Ivory—needed help with a certain family member come to town, trailing with him a dangerous man in a sharkskin suit and wingtips. What a fiasco. All I can say is, if I hadn’t been on top of things, we’d all be in some serious trouble.
But does Lily understand that? Much less thank me for it? I think not. I am a man among men, but apparently my lot is to be taken for granted and underappreciated. I’m used to it, and it doesn’t usually gall me…but with Lily, well…I have a soft spot for that little witch.
Ah yes, back to a day in my life. At the end of a long day at the office spent in quiet divination, spell-casting, and meetings–my client list is a well-kept secret—I usually go to some function or another: banquets, balls, big to-do’s. This is my weak spot, perhaps: I’m a night owl, and I simply can’t resist the opportunity to don my formal attire. I do look splendid in a tuxedo, if I say so myself.
If you don’t believe me, ask Noctemus. She’ll be on watch, as always, over the door of my office.
Juliet is giving away one (1) copy of either TARNISHED AND TORN or another book in the series if you’re new to the series. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Contest ends July 24; US entries only.
You can read more about Aidan in Tarnished and Torn, the fourth book in the “Witchcraft” mystery series. The first book in the series is Secondhand Spirits.
Meet the author
Juliet Blackwell is the NYT bestselling author of the Haunted Home Renovation mystery series (If Walls Could Talk, Dead Bolt, Murder on the House) and the Witchcraft mystery series (Secondhand Spirits, A Cast-off Coven, Hexes and Hemlines, In a Witch’s Wardrobe, and Tarnished and Torn ). As Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover’s Mystery series, including Agatha-nominated Feint of Art. A former anthropologist and social worker, Juliet has worked and studied in Mexico, Spain, Cuba, Italy, the Philippines, and France. She now lives in a happily haunted house in Oakland, California, where she is a muralist and portrait painter. She was a two-term president of Northern California Sisters in Crime. Visit Juliet at www.julietblackwell.net; on Facebook and Twitter
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
This book sounds wonderful and would love to win it. 🙂
How interesting…I’d love to read more about this charming ?man/ghost? Dee
I would love to win this book. Thank you for the chance
Sounds like a great read.
He’s always fascinated me as a character. Well done, Juliet. Thank you for the entertainment.
New to me series and author, thank you for the chance to win!
How good this series sounds with this “interview” with Aidan is very amusing. I am definitely going to look into books by Juliet and check into the Art Lover’s Mystery series too. Sounds like subjects that I would like to read since I do some art myself. What a great background Ms. Blackwell has too. I would love to be the recipient of this book to jump start this series for me. Thank you for hosting this author, Dru and for Juliet to make time to be interviewed.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
This series is on my TBR list, I have just started reading her haunted home renovation series. This one sounds very interesting. I love the character interviews..
Aidan sounds a little full of himself—that should make for an interesting character in the book. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
would love this!
I have not read any of this series yet, but the description of the decor alone makes me want to read about the witch who decorated.
A day in the life of a witch is very interesting.
I have been wating too read this series. Love the cover!
Wanting to read this series that is.
I loved my old L-shaped blond desk at the L.A. Natural History Museum. This is a want-to-read. Thanks for the giveaway. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
This is a new series to me, and I would enjoy starting with the first book. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Oh, sounds like a fun mystery series, Dru Ann! Would love the chance to win a copy~ Thank you for the giveaway and a glimpse into A Day in the Life of Aidan Rhodes! Happy Reading and Writing~ Cheers~ Elizabeth MacGregor
I’ve already read the first four in this series, the three in the haunted home renovation series and the four written as Hailey Lind. So I guess you could say I’m hooked;) Can’t wait to read this latest book.
This cozy should be a lot of fun!!! Thank you for this giveaway!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks to Juliet who let Aidan grace my blog.
My daughte would love this book, thank you for the chance to win it.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
This sounds like a great book. A new fun series to read. Thank you for the giveaway.
Wow, this a great series; That, I would love to read. If, by chance, win would love to get the first book “Secondhand Spirits” in the series. By chance, could the winner, get the book in mobi format?
Thanks, Dru for hosting, another great giveaway.
I am new to the series. I would love to win the first book in the series!
I am new to the series, but it sounds great! Please enter me to win! thanks!
Sounds like a fun new series!
half_blue_sky@yahoo.com
contest is closed.