RALEIGH-DURHAM, N.C. - s4story -- Author Stephanie A. Hicks announces the release of her newest historical novel, Keeper of the Hollow, a haunting and lyrical tale set deep in the 18th-century Appalachian foothills. Blending rich folkloric traditions, Christian mysticism, and the enduring power of family, this atmospheric novel offers readers a journey into a world where the land remembers—and so do its secrets.

Set in the shadowed woods of colonial North Carolina, Keeper of the Hollow follows Wren, a gifted young healer and midwife, as she grapples with inherited magic, long-buried grief, and a dark presence that stirs beneath the stones. When a mysterious stranger arrives—one tied to a lineage of witch hunters—Wren's faith, love, and strength are tested against forces both seen and unseen.

Rooted in the oral storytelling traditions of Appalachia, Keeper of the Hollow is a heart-wrenching and hope-filled exploration of generational trauma, spiritual resilience, and the sacred bond between a healer and the land she serves.

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"A beautifully crafted blend of history, folk magic, and faith. Hicks has written a novel that hums with the spirit of the mountains and the courage of women who keep their communities alive." — Early Reader Praise

Stephanie A. Hicks, a North Carolina native, draws from her Appalachian roots and deep reverence for both Christianity and folk traditions to create stories that resonate with spiritual depth and emotional truth. Keeper of the Hollow is her latest contribution to the growing field of historical supernatural fiction, appealing to readers of Where the Crawdads Sing, The Year of the Witching, and The Once and Future Witches.  This is her debut novel.

Keeper of the Hollow is available now in hardcover, paperback and eBook formats through Amazon.
https://a.co/d/idzoTO7

About the Author:
Stephanie A. Hicks is a writer, musician, wife and mother based in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. With a lifelong love for Appalachian history, folklore, and faith, her work centers on themes of healing, family, and grace.