Guest post written by The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds author Jennifer Moorman
Jennifer Moorman writes enchanting novels inspired by the everyday magic and whimsy in the world around her. She is the bestselling author of the magical realism Mystic Water series, The Baker’s Man, and The Magic All Around.
Born and raised in Southern Georgia, Jennifer has a deep love for nature, a fondness for honeysuckle, and childhood memories of whippoorwills singing her to sleep. She is a foodie, a self-taught baker, and has a travel bag ready for her next adventure. She can always be won over with chocolate, unicorns, or rainbows.
About The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds: Infused with Jennifer Moorman’s signature blend of magical detail and heartfelt storytelling, The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds is a tale of resilience in the face of loss and a testament to the timeless bond of family.
As the new year begins, there’s something magical about stepping into January with a fresh start, a hopeful heart, and perhaps a dash of Southern folklore to guide the way. Whether you’re tossing a pinch of salt over your shoulder, crossing your fingers, or making a wish as the clock strikes midnight, there’s no denying the timeless charm of Southern superstitions. These age-old traditions are woven into the fabric of everyday life, from lucky pennies to whispered wishes, and they still have the power to make us pause, smile, and wonder.
Let’s dive into a few enchanting books inspired by these delightful customs, just in time for the new year—a season filled with the promise of fresh beginnings and a little bit of luck. As you reflect on the wishes you’re hoping to come true in 2025, you might just find these Southern stories have the perfect superstition to help guide your journey forward! So, grab your fluffiest blanket and a steaming cup of cocoa—let’s step into a world where wishes, luck, and magic meet.
Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber
In this heartwarming tale, Southern superstitions weave their way into the lives of Anna Kate, a young woman who returns to the small town of Wicklow, Alabama, to fulfill her grandmother’s final wish. The Blackbird Café is steeped in mystery, including the local belief that the blackbirds bring messages from the dead. Full of whimsical Southern charm, this book explores the power of family, the bonds between generations, and the healing magic that comes with understanding one’s roots. I’d love to enjoy a slice of pie while sharing superstitions about those birds.
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
In Garden Spells, Southern superstition takes on a magical form in the Waverley family. This is the first magical realism novel I read that made me realize this was the kind of book I had been writing for years. Living in a small North Carolina town, the Waverley sisters are known for their mystical family garden, where the apples from a magical tree are said to show the eater the most important moment in their life. Superstition and magic intertwine as the sisters discover their destinies while healing past wounds. This book is a celebration of Southern culture, full of charm, folklore, and enchantment, and I was captivated from the very beginning.
The Ballad of Laurel Springs by Janet Beard
This novel draws deeply from Appalachian folklore, with generations of women from the same family recounting their connection to the eerie, tragic stories rooted in their Southern home. Set in Tennessee, the book spans centuries, mixing Southern folklore with the personal lives of its characters, showing how these legends shape and influence the community. Themes of death, love, and betrayal linger in the pages, creating a rich tapestry of folklore and history. I found this story a compelling work of historical fiction with roots as deep as the music that moves through the story.
The Last of the Moon Girls by Barbara Davis
In this captivating novel, the prose is so lush and descriptive that it cast its own magical spell over me. Lizzy Moon returns to Moon Girl Farm, a place steeped in Southern folklore and generations of women with mystical healing gifts. Having left her family’s strange legacy behind, Lizzy must now confront the unsolved mystery that still haunts the farm and the accusations that shadowed her beloved grandmother Althea. As Lizzy uncovers secrets buried in her grandmother’s journal, she must decide whether to embrace the Moon women’s magical heritage and clear Althea’s name. Filled with mystery, family ties, and the healing power of ancestral wisdom, this story is a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and forgiveness.
The Wishing Thread by Lisa Van Allen
The Van Ripper family is known for their mysterious knitting shop in the small town of Tarrytown. The family is rumored to be able to knit wishes into their creations. When the sisters are faced with the possibility of losing their family home, they must decide whether to continue the tradition of wish-knitting and tap into the power of belief and hope. Set in a magical world that blends reality with wish-making, this book reminds readers of the enduring hope a single wish can inspire. I keep hoping the Van Rippers will knit me a dress of dreams and magic.
The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman
In The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds, a single wish sends Josephine on a magical and emotional journey through time. After the sudden loss of her husband, she wishes to have never been born. Hoping for a fresh start, Josephine moves into her family’s old bungalow, but when she steps through an enchanted door, she’s transported back to the Jazz Age and meets her lively great-grandmother, Alma, who runs a speakeasy. As Josephine’s bond with Alma deepens, she realizes her wish has altered history, and she must race against time to save both their lives in a story filled with Southern charm, family ties, and the enchanting power of wishes.
These enchanting reads will transport you into worlds where Southern superstitions, folklore, and the power of a single wish shape characters’ lives, offering comfort, magic, and a dash of mystery. Whether you’re looking to explore deep-rooted traditions or dive into stories where wishes have consequences, these books offer the perfect blend of enchantment and everyday life.
