by
Pages: 300
DOI: 978-1-5092-5533-7
Pages: 261
Elias Doever, accused of being a warlock by the residents of the Village of Bedfordshire, Massachusetts in 1692, is executed via the “ducking chair” into a well of holy water. A force erupts from his chest, killing him and escaping the well. Three hundred years later, the force from the well, Beladon, contacts Dorian Leeves, a young man with supernatural abilities, and informs him that he possesses the same powers as Elias Doever. Dorian will accomplish his ascension into powers beyond his belief if he can re-unite the “three bloods” of Elias Doever, himself, and Beladon. However, the body was buried in secret unconsecrated ground. Dorian’s new love interest, Toby Blessing, creates complications for his quest to find the skeletal remains of Elias Doever for his ascension. Dorian must decide whether to abandon his ascension and power or embrace a life with Toby in the present day.
Editors:
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 3
Romantic Content: 4
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 18-25
Protagonist 2 Age: 18-25
Protagonist 3 Age: 18-25
Tropes: Antihero, Fated Mates / Soul Mates, Forbidden Love, Hero and the Great Quest, Rescue, Star-Crossed Lovers, True Love
Word Count: 85,000
Setting: Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States
Languages Available: English
“Shining the flashlight... I try to identify the initial location of the pulsating light I saw in my vision, but I cannot discern one area ...from another. Closing my eyes, clearing my mind, and using my psychic ability, I envision the location of the source of the energy waves presently bouncing into my body. Abruptly, I open my eyes and direct the beam of the flashlight... A current of swirling translucent energy, distorting the view...beneath is now visible. Swirling above the floor, the energy waves are emanating from a source in the middle of the invisible whirlpool.
READ MORE"Shining my flashlight into this swirling fountain of invisible energy, I detect a faint light pulsating beneath it. A weak humming sound that was not audible a few seconds ago is also emanating from the upwelling of energy. Although these stimuli are weaker than in my visions, this is the pulsating light and humming sound that I experienced yesterday. Elias Doever is buried below this well of energy. Standing up, I wade slowly into the swirling current of energy so that I’m looking down at the source...the pulsating light is now brighter. The humming sound is also louder.
“...I can now see the earth that lies beneath the whirlpool of energy and pulsating light. The soil is bubbling, pulsating, trapping something that wants to escape to the surface. Concentrating on this particular ground, I imagine a digging action, separating the soil into piles to create a chasm. As if an invisible shovel were tilling the earth, the ground’s surface fractures. A jagged opening appears and widens slowly as if a force were pushing from beneath. The light rays pulsating through the crack in the surface illuminate the soil with an intense yellowish glow. The humming increases in volume. The radiating beams of light are bouncing ...making it difficult to look directly into the abyss I’m creating.
"As I continue to imagine the soil moving to the sides to create a deeper hole, the light rays become filtered, as if something were blocking their trajectory out of the hole. An object is rising from the earth through the beams of light. As it levitates higher above the pit, the shape is now identifiable—a human skull. The surfaces of the cranium and the facial bones are gleaming, the yellow light reflecting off the...A series of images flash in my mind’s eye…”
“A handsome man with long blond hair and blue eyes is lying naked on a primitive-looking mattress of a crude wooden bed. In the dim candlelight of the room, he’s staring at me, smiling, laughing, and then he says, “I do love thee, Elias Doever, with all my heart.”
A wooden cart filled with a harvest of different types of root vegetables is being pulled by a black horse, traveling along a dirt path in front of a Puritan-era house that I recognize as the house on Doever Farm.
Suspended above a round structure holding water, a well, I’m surrounded and illuminated by people holding torches, screaming, “Die! Evil one, die!” The sensation of being lowered into the water, steam rising to the surface of the water simultaneously burns and soaks my body—the excruciating pain relieved only as my body is lifted out of the well.
Submerged in a watery environment, as I look toward the water’s surface, an intense pressure mounts in my chest, pushing against the rib cage, increasing in force as if something is trying to escape. The agony of the force destroying the bones and flesh as the force leaves my body...”
Excerpt From
The Bedfordshire Warlock
Patrick R. Field
This material may be protected by copyright.
Excerpt From
The Bedfordshire Warlock
Patrick R. Field
This material may be protected by copyright.
”
Excerpt From
The Bedfordshire Warlock
Patrick R. Field
This material may be protected by copyright.
”
Excerpt From
The Bedfordshire Warlock
Patrick R. Field
This material may be protected by copyright.
”
Excerpt From
The Bedfordshire Warlock
Patrick R. Field
This material may be protected by copyright.
Demetria Head on Reader Views wrote:A haunting and unsettling blend of historical horror and supernatural suspense.
"Field's compelling novel is an immersive journey into a shadowy world of buried secrets and supernatural forces, unfolding a suspenseful tale of power and self-discovery. In a small Massachusetts town, two dark timelines collide—the blood-stained witch trials of 1692 and a suspense-filled 1992—as Dorian Leeves confronts his ties to an ancient mystery. Accused of witchcraft and executed by his Puritan neighbors, Elias Doever's spirit lingers, urging Dorian to complete an arcane ritual that promises unimaginable power. But this bond threatens more than it offers—it risks unraveling the life Dorian is building, especially his relationship with Toby Blessing.
Field deftly infuses the witch trial era's hysteria and moral conflict into the story, allowing readers to confront the haunting echoes of society's darkest fears. The 1692 scenes are vivid, capturing the fevered panic and ruthless accusations that destroy the innocent. Doever Farm itself pulses with menace, a house that seems to breathe its own sinister past as Dorian uncovers its dark secrets. Every creak, hidden cupboard, and unsettling "Happy Shower" blurs the line between pleasure and peril, pulling both Dorian and the reader deeper into the farm's mysteries. Toby, more than just a love interest, serves as Dorian's anchor, adding layers to his journey and challenging his pursuit of supernatural power. Their bond complicates Dorian's path to ascension, underscoring the novel's central tension: the pull between power and belonging, history and the present. Through Dorian's journey, the novel shows how the struggle between good and evil is not merely a binary conflict but a complex interplay of choices and consequences.
A chilling exploration of how history haunts, and a reminder that confronting the past may be the only way to break free from its hold. Addictively readable."
Literary Titan on Literary Titan wrote:Patrick R. Field’s “The Bedfordshire Warlock” blends historical drama, supernatural intrigue, and LGBTQ+ representation into a fascinating narrative that bridges centuries. The setting takes place in the quaint yet eerie village of Bedfordshire, Massachusetts. The story alternates between the haunting events of 1692 and the contemporary experiences of Dorian Leeves, a 23-year-old graduate student with latent psychic abilities.
The book opens with a gripping and harrowing depiction of Elias Doever’s execution during the Salem witch trials—a scene drenched in atmospheric tension and great detail. Field captures the paranoia and religious fervor of the era with precision. This creates such a chilling foundation for the story’s supernatural elements. Fast forward to 1992, and we meet Dorian, who moves to Bedfordshire with his historian mother. As Dorian explores the mysterious Doever Farm, he uncovers connections between himself, the warlock’s legacy, and his own burgeoning psychic powers. The novel explores identity, belonging, and inherited trauma that’s incorporated into the paranormal plot, creating a multi-layered and deeply engaging narrative.
Field has the ability to create vivid imagery and an immersive sense of place. From the eerie well of the Doever Farm to the lush autumnal landscapes of New England, the settings come alive with rich detail. The author does well in his depiction of Dorian—a relatable and nuanced protagonist struggling with self-discovery, family legacy, and unexplainable phenomena. His encounters with the supernatural mirror his personal struggles, making his journey as much about self-acceptance as it is about unraveling a historical mystery.
The novel’s pacing is steady, though the shifts between past and present occasionally disrupt the momentum. The historical sections, while captivating, could benefit from tighter integration with Dorian’s storyline. The dialogue is authentic and engaging, particularly in Dorian’s interactions with his peers, which often carry a humorous and heartfelt tone. However, some scenes may slow the narrative for readers seeking faster-paced thrills, due to the heavy exposition it tends to lean toward.
One of the book’s standout qualities is its inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes, seamlessly incorporated into the fabric of the story. Dorian’s experiences as a young gay man in the early 1990s add depth and authenticity, resonating with readers who value diverse representation. His relationships—romantic, familial, and supernatural—are explored with sensitivity and complexity, enhancing the story’s emotional impact.
While the supernatural elements are amazing, some moments feel underexplored. The enigmatic “Happy Showers” phenomenon and the full implications of Elias’s legacy could have been more thoroughly examined to heighten the stakes and deepen the suspense. Despite these minor shortcomings, the novel’s climax delivers a satisfying blend of horror and revelation, that I’m sure will leave readers both thrilled and contemplative.
The Bedfordshire Warlock will appeal to fans of supernatural thrillers, historical fiction, and character-driven narratives. Readers who enjoy works by authors like Sarah Waters or Neil Gaiman may find Field’s blend of gothic atmosphere and modern sensibilities particularly appealing.
Overall, Patrick R. Field has created a spellbinding in “The Bedfordshire Warlock.” With its evocative prose, richly drawn characters, and haunting themes, “The Bedfordshire Warlock” is a must-read for those who enjoy stories that blur the lines between history and the supernatural.
Patrick R. Field’s The Bedfordshire Warlock delivers a captivating mix of history, witchcraft, science, and the supernatural, spiced with just enough romance to keep things balanced. The story revolves around Dorian Leeves, a warlock who doesn’t practice magic but knows he possesses extraordinary abilities. When he moves with his mother to a colonial-era house in Bedfordshire, strange events intensify, and his latent powers grow stronger. As he uncovers the home’s grim past, linked to Elias Doever—a man once tried for witchcraft—Dorian becomes obsessed with the town’s dark secrets and wonders if fate has marked him to take on the same title.
Narrated by Dorian himself, the story plunges into his meticulous and descriptive perspective. At times, I feel the narration leans more toward “telling” than “showing.” Yet, in a unique way, this approach works. Dorian’s scientific and analytical personality shines through, giving readers a clear sense of his methodical nature. Field manages to weave an intriguing plot that unfolds with surprising fluidity. The novel’s mysteries pile up, strange visions and supernatural events intertwining until the truth behind Bedfordshire’s history finally reveals itself.
Field excels in crafting the setting of Bedfordshire. The small-town life comes alive with a vivid, almost nostalgic charm. He perfectly captures the essence of a New England autumn, where falling leaves, crisp air, and centuries-old buildings cloak the town in a thick aura of history. This rich backdrop gives the book a layer of calm, a stark yet appealing contrast to the eerie supernatural elements.
The mystery is the heartbeat of The Bedfordshire Warlock, pulsing stronger with each twist and turn. Following Dorian as he connects the dots is thrilling, and I was genuinely invested in his quest. The finale, though, felt a bit over-the-top, and I believe the romance seemed to exist mostly to heighten the emotional stakes at the climax. Still, these minor notes didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. This is a gripping, immersive ride, and sometimes, that’s exactly the type of escape readers need.
