the present of the evil witch

In the shadow of the mountains, nineteen-year-old Marya Petrescu marries the man she has loved since childhood. But on the eve of her wedding, a mysterious woman leaves behind a strange gift: a small wooden heart carved with a single word — KEEP.

Soon Marya discovers a terrible truth. The heart in her pocket is her own, entrusted long ago to an ancient witch who saved her life as a child. Now the debt has come due. By the spring solstice, Marya must choose: remain with the husband and family she loves, or follow the witch Brigitta into a hidden world of old magic, dangerous bargains, and the secret craft of keeping hearts alive. Refusal means death. Acceptance may cost her everything else.

Rich with folklore, winter villages, and quiet enchantment, The Present of the Evil Witch is a haunting fantasy about love, sacrifice, and the price of being given a second life. Perfect for readers who love atmospheric fairy tales, Eastern European-inspired legends, and deeply human magic.