Housewitch by Katie Schickel

"But the stories always have it wrong. they paint the witches as all good or all evil. Let me set the record straight: Witches are just as dysfunctional, selfish, narcissistic, neurotic, and messed up as anyone else. At least in my experience." It's one of Allison's thoughts from about 63% through the Housewitch preview I was blessed to receive.

Allison Darling is a witch. It's taken years for her to admit that it's true and only after her magic seems to be returning to her does she finally admit it.Allison was abandoned by her mother when she was young. She is summoned to her deathbed. Her mother informs her that she will no longer be able to protect Allison and her family from the Dark Witch.

Meanwhile back in Monrovia, Massachusetts, Allison has been desperate to fit in. When she is invited to host a party for the Glamour Girls Soap, she jumps at the chance. These are the women of power in town. They have their fingers in every pie. As Allison recovers her magic, she finds that she is not the only witch in town.

From Goodreads.com:

The Glamor Girls have a hand in everything in Monrovia, from bake sales to business deals. This is what Allison’s wanted her whole life—to be liked. To be popular. To belong. What’s more, she’s not the only one in town. There’s more to the Glamour Girls then it seems… and once you’re a Glamour Girl, there’s no going back. Allison must use her rediscovered magic to defend Monrovia, protect her marriage and her children, and reclaim her legacy. Fighting tooth and nail for her family is easy, but what about for herself? Is it too late to confront her own demons and become the woman she dreams of being? 

 I read the preview and I loved it. The writing in this novel has been compared to Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic and John Updike's Witches of Eastwick. I was easily pulled into this novel and the world that Katie Schickel built. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this novel when it comes out on February 17, 2015 from Forge Books.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the preview in exchange for my unbiased opinion.