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Draakensky: A Supernatural Tale of Magick and Romance Kindle Edition
Murder and Magick. Ghostly and Gothic. Mystery and Romance.
As midnight falls across Draakensky Windmill Estate, owl magick plunges the gloomy depths. Tree magick lashes up menacing winds. Wolf magick breathes hot and low in its secret shadows.
Sketch artist Charlotte Knight arrives at this haunted estate in Bedford, New York, after a scathing romantic breakup in Chicago. Hired to illustrate the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, Charlotte is determined to boost her art career and create a successful new life. That is until the ghost of Draakensky rises and hurls whispers into shivers, “Charlotte, I am here, inside your space, where you are.”
Charlotte meets Jaa Morland, the lady of the estate—a wind witch who knows the art of owl magick and other pendulous wind beings. “Charlotte, my dear, can you sketch ghosts? Ghosts make sense of life, do they not?”
A bright, inventive woman, Charlotte has an indomitable will, but when Draakensky’s supernatural forces invade, threatening to spin her world into chaos, Charlotte seeks comfort in Bedford’s Marc Sexton, a savvy mixologist, impossibly sexy, and endowed with breath-catching eyes of blue. She is seduced by his Celtic enchantments and magickal wisdom. Marc tells her, “Draw me in. Be brave, my lovely.”
Marc and Charlotte’s beguiling romance leads her into a piercing journey through dark magick, witchcraft, and the treacherous entities of the Otherworld.
Will you brave the magick and discover Draakensky’s hypnotic mystery? Step inside this lyrical narrative of Gothic intrigue, psychological suspense, and lush romantic adventure—where magick dictates destiny.
You are invited to watch the short video below to meet the residents of Draakensky Windmill Estate.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateSeptember 27, 2024
- File size7.6 MB
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From the Publisher



Editorial Reviews
Review
"A novel steeped in the rich dual attractions of Gothic romance and ghosts. Paula Cappa does an excellent job of injecting atmospheric intrigue with a literary descriptive voice that is alluring. Charlotte ventures into heady waters of transformation and spirit-driven encounters. Exceptional. Unpredictability and twists."—Midwest Book Review, D. Donovan
"Spine-tingling, atmospheric mystery. Recommended."—San Diego Book Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "A powerful, timeless piece of dark fiction that is just as much a work of art as the artful content found within its magickal pages. The author's attention to every detail throughout the entirety of the book is well-researched, written as top-notch, and contains deep character development. A beautifully haunting supernatural tale centered around a slow-burn plot. From haunting supernatural occurrences, a gothic setting that is dark and poetic. Factual magick, witchcraft, Arthurian legend, Celtic lore, and more. A book that is different, unique, and stands out loudly from the rest. Highly recommended."—Jon R. Meyers, The Horror Zine.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Draakensky is an immersive novel weaving magic and romance into a tapestry of fantasy, poetry, and horror. This is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, so buckle up, and prepare yourself—but don't close your eyes, as there is so much to see. I'm a big fan of Paula Cappa's work."—Richard Thomas, author of Spontaneous Human Combustion, Bram Stoker Award Finalist.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Intricately crafted and lavishly realized, Draakensky is a feast for lovers of the modern gothic."—Christopher Hawkins, Author of Downpour.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Paula Cappa's Draakensky is a gorgeous, gothic novel that has all the potential to become a modern classic. Dripping with dark, delicious prose and packed with sinful secrets and intricate lore, the pages crackle with magick and chemistry, as the reader is lured into a world of danger, passion, and intrigue. One of the must have literary supernatural novels of 2024, Cappa delivers on every front."—Stephen Black, author of The Famine Witch and The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Stylised, haunting and seriously Gothic, Draakensky will creep into your dreams."—William Meikle, author of Haunted Scotland and The Ghost Club.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Cappa's Draakensky is full of murder, mystery, and various forms of magick. Allow yourself to be swept away."—Mercedes M. Yardley, two-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Little Dead Red and "Fracture."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "With Draakensky, Cappa dives deep into characterization, making them feel realistic and three-dimensional in this slow burn dark fantasy. With vibrant description and elegant prose, prepare yourself for a magickal reading experience."—Kenneth W. Cain, author of Hell, Delaware and editor of Fear of Clowns.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Great books take us further than we can imagine and widen our hearts and minds in unimaginable ways. As you read Draakensky, you'll be drawn into a magickal realm that will profoundly change you...if you can allow yourself to believe. I truly couldn't put it down."—Martha Hunt Handler, author of Winter of the Wolf, and president of the Wolf Conservation Center, New York.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "The secret never goes away for long." Dazzling storytelling! A stunning, adventurous, romantic fantasy! Draakensky is chock full of secrets and magical beings that grip readers as conflict traverses the real and the surreal. With youthful innocence, protagonist, Charlotte, draws you in and haunts you long after you have finished reading. As Charlotte falls for Marc, you too will find yourself drowning in love. Be prepared to stay up all night with a pounding heart as the story unfolds."—Carol B Allen, Amazon Bestselling Author & Global Gold Medal Award Winner of the Sci-Fi Fantasy Virago Trilogy.
From the Author
Jaa, skilled in weather and wind witching, says that dragons are wind beings, invisible to the ordinary human eye. She knows wind dragons from her childhood as she observed them in the summer sky "on a clear blue-diamond day."
There are no dragons active on Draakensky estate in this supernatural tale of magick and romance. Readers will learn more about Draakensky's history, and possibly dragons, in the sequel, Draakensky Book II.
From the Inside Flap
Gold Medal, Global Book Awards, 2022, Greylock
Silver Medal, Global Book Awards, 2021, Night Sea Journey, A Tale of the Supernatural
Best Book Award Finalist, American Book Fest, 2017, Greylock
Eric Hoffer Book Award Winner, 2015, Night Sea Journey, A Tale of the Supernatural
Chanticleer Book Award Winner, 2015, Greylock
Bronze Medal Winner, Readers' Favorite International Book Award, 2014, The Dazzling Darkness
Gothic Readers Book Club Choice Award Winner, 2013, The Dazzling Darkness
Product details
- ASIN : B0DCKBVQTV
- Publisher : Crystal Lake Publishing
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : September 27, 2024
- Language : English
- File size : 7.6 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 278 pages
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank: #819,639 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,714 in Ghost Suspense
- #3,171 in Gothic Romance
- #7,131 in Dark Fantasy Horror
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Paula Cappa is a multi-award winning author of supernatural, metaphysical, and dark fantasy fiction, known for her bestselling "quiet horror" and Gothic novels. She is the recipient of the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award, the Chanticleer Book Award, the American Book Fest Best Books Award Finalist, and the Readers' Choice Award Finalist for Best Adult Novel. She has also earned both Silver and Gold medals from Global Book Awards, the Bronze Medal from Readers' Favorite International Awards in Supernatural Suspense, and the Gothic Readers Book Club Award Winner in Outstanding Fiction.
Cappa is the author of Draakensky, A Supernatural Tale of Magick and Romance published by Crystal Lake Publishing. Also novels Greylock, The Dazzling Darkness, and Night Sea Journey, print editions published by Crispin Books, Milwaukee WI. Cappa’s short fiction has appeared in literary magazines such as The Lorelei Signal, ParABnormal Magazine, Coffin Bell Literary Journal, SmokeLong Quarterly, Sirens Call Ezine, Unfading Daydream, Dark Gothic Resurrected Magazine, Whistling Shade Literary Journal, Every Day Fiction, Fiction365, Twilight Times Ezine, and in anthologies Journals of Horror—Found Fiction, Mystery Time, and Human Writes Literary Journal. Many of her published short stories are now ebook singles.
Paula Cappa is a freelance copy editor and writes a short story blog, Reading Fiction Blog, at her website. She is Co-Chair of the Pound Ridge Authors Society in Pound Ridge, New York.
Follow her here at Amazon!
Since its founding in August 2012, Crystal Lake Publishing has quickly become one of the world’s leading publishers of Dark Fiction and Horror books in print, eBook, and audio formats.
While we strive to present only the highest quality fiction and entertainment, we also endeavour to support authors along their writing journey. We offer our time and experience in non-fiction projects, as well as author mentoring and services, at competitive prices.
With several Bram Stoker Award wins and many other wins and nominations, Crystal Lake Publishing puts integrity, honor, and respect at the forefront of our publishing operations.
We strive for each book and outreach program we spearhead to not only entertain and touch or comment on issues that affect our readers, but also to strengthen and support the Dark Fiction field and its authors.
Not only do we find and publish authors we believe are destined for greatness, but we strive to work with men and woman who endeavour to be decent human beings who care more for others than themselves, while still being hard working, driven, and passionate artists and storytellers.
Crystal Lake Publishing is and will always be a beacon of what passion and dedication, combined with overwhelming teamwork and respect, can accomplish. We endeavour to know each and every one of our readers, while building personal relationships with our authors, reviewers, bloggers, podcasters, bookstores, and libraries.
We will be as trustworthy, forthright, and transparent as any business can be, while also keeping most of the headaches away from our authors, since it’s our job to solve the problems so they can stay in a creative mind. Which of course also means paying our authors.
We do not just publish books, we present to you worlds within your world, doors within your mind, from talented authors who sacrifice so much for a moment of your time.
There are some amazing small presses out there, and through collaboration and open forums we will continue to support other presses in the goal of helping authors and showing the world what quality small presses are capable of accomplishing. No one wins when a small press goes down, so we will always be there to support hardworking, legitimate presses and their authors. We don’t see Crystal Lake as the best press out there, but we will always strive to be the best, strive to be the most interactive and grateful, and even blessed press around. No matter what happens over time, we will also take our mission very seriously while appreciating where we are and enjoying the journey.
What do we offer our authors that they can’t do for themselves through self-publishing?
We are big supporters of self-publishing (especially hybrid publishing), if done with care, patience, and planning. However, not every author has the time or inclination to do market research, advertise, and set up book launch strategies. Although a lot of authors are successful in doing it all, strong small presses will always be there for the authors who just want to do what they do best: write.
What we offer is experience, industry knowledge, contacts and trust built up over years. And due to our strong brand and trusting fanbase, every Crystal Lake Publishing book comes with weight of respect. In time our fans begin to trust our judgment and will try a new author purely based on our support of said author.
To date we’ve published around 100 books, and with each launch we strive to fine-tune our approach, learn from our mistakes, and increase our reach. We continue to assure our authors that we’re here for them and that we’ll carry the weight of the launch and dealing with third parties while they focus on their strengths—be it writing, interviews, blogs, signings, etc.
We also offer several mentoring packages to authors that include knowledge and skills they can use in both traditional and self-publishing endeavours.
We look forward to launching many new careers.
This is what we believe in. What we stand for. This will be our legacy.
Welcome to Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.
Customer reviews
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoy this supernatural tale of magic and romance, describing it as a mesmerizing and thrilling world of ghostly suspense. Moreover, the book features compelling character development and a rich Gothic atmosphere with vivid imagery. Additionally, customers praise the readability, finding it a true delight, and appreciate the descriptive language.
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Customers enjoy the storytelling in this book, describing it as a mesmerizing supernatural tale with elements of ghostly suspense, and one customer notes how it blends magic with themes of passion.
"...It combines very naturally the unnatural with romance and mystery...." Read more
"...than a book—it’s an experience in the supernatural, unforgettable and haunting." Read more
"This book is definitely a must read for lovers of romance, magic, and fantasy stories...." Read more
"...is an entrancing blend of Gothic mystery, dark fantasy, and supernatural romance...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and entertaining, describing it as a fantastical and unforgettable read.
"...A haunting, thrilling read." Read more
"...Paula Cappa, a great author with multiple awards on horror fiction, has managed to combine the supernatural with the malevolent to create a great..." Read more
"...It is an intriguing book, with a mystery to solve." Read more
"...This is more than a book—it’s an experience in the supernatural, unforgettable and haunting." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer highlighting the main heroine's journey and another noting the author's skill at capturing the spirit.
"...Cappa’s poetic prose and intricate character dynamics make this novel a must-read for lovers of dark fantasy and paranormal fiction." Read more
"...The characters are well drawn, and I felt very strongly for them as the supernatural events affected them...." Read more
"Orphan Charlotte has a rare artistic talent, and great skill at capturing the spirit of a place, thing, or person...." Read more
"...Her world building and character development are top notch. Fans of horror, supernatural fiction, and romance will all find something here to enjoy." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's rich Gothic atmosphere and vivid imagery, with one customer noting how it combines natural and supernatural elements seamlessly.
"...eerie whispers and evil powers, Charlotte's journey is both beautiful and terrifying...." Read more
"...This novel mesmerized me with its very realistic magic set in modern times...." Read more
"Orphan Charlotte has a rare artistic talent, and great skill at capturing the spirit of a place, thing, or person...." Read more
"Draakensky, is a gripping blend of eerie gothic atmosphere, unearthly intrigue, and romantic enchantment...." Read more
Customers appreciate the language of the book, with one noting its descriptive style and another highlighting its poetic prose.
"...Cappa’s poetic prose and intricate character dynamics make this novel a must-read for lovers of dark fantasy and paranormal fiction." Read more
"...The author does a good job of detailing the scenes and making the reader feel as if they are in the story...." Read more
"...The language of the book is descriptive, allowing the reader to get a pretty good idea of what the characters, places and events are like, helping..." Read more
"...I think the authors really did a great job and their homework as they created this book and brought it to life...." Read more
Reviews with images

Mysterious & Magickal ... A True Gothic Thriller
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseDraakensky is a supernatural tale of magic and romance that will at once immerse all readers in a mystical and disturbing world with its masterfully stitched tapestry of gothic intrigue with touches of dark magic and ghostly romance.
Paula Cappa, a great author with multiple awards on horror fiction, has managed to combine the supernatural with the malevolent to create a great terrifying story.
The narrative centers on Charlotte Knight, a resolute artist who comes to Draakensky to illustrate poetry but soon finds herself entangled in its paranormal undertones. Through eerie whispers and evil powers, Charlotte's journey is both beautiful and terrifying. This complex universe is enhanced by Marc Sexton, a fascinating love interest with Celtic ancestry, and the mysterious Jaa Morland, a formidable wind sorcerer.
As Charlotte faces her fate in the face of eldritch power and black magic, each individual intensifies the feeling of mystery, love, and danger.
Cappa creates a sultry but unsettling ambiance. Readers are kept on edge by the eerie tension created by the dreadful sorcery, odd characters, and whispering spirits.
Readers of Deborah Harkness will like the intricate mingling of romance, mythology, and witchcraft, while fans of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House or Susan Hill's The Woman in Black will appreciate the strikingly Gothic overtones.
But Draakensky is more than just a supernatural tale—it’s a journey of self-discovery and the strength to face one's darkest fears. Cappa’s poetic prose and intricate character dynamics make this novel a must-read for lovers of dark fantasy and paranormal fiction.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2024Format: KindleVerified PurchaseCharlotte is a sketch artist who is hired by a wealthy recluse Jaa Moreland to sketch the poetry and the local ghosts. The dark whispering and magics that seem to arise during the night seem to drive Charlotte into the arms of a local named Marc. Charismatic and deeply involved with the supernatural, Marc is able to draw Charlotte deeper into the scene. This book was very Gothic, steeped in lore, both fictional and fantastical, and the romance was possessive and dark but not leaning to the abusive side (if that matters to someone). This book was really engrossing.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI was so fascinated while reading Draakensky: A Supernatural Tale of Magick and Romance by Paula Cappa. All throughout the book, I was drawn at how mystical the tale was, which had a dark feel to it. I especially loved the journey of our main heroine, Charlotte Knight. It offered such a different feel while she was in Draakensky. What I especially loved about this book is its magical aspect, specifically the necromancy. It was unique and something that I haven't read in a book before. It actually made me want to read more books like this! Draakensky was a slow read, but I loved every minute of it because the narration was also well-written. I would definitely recommend this book to all fantasy readers!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseIt is very clear that Paula Cappa handles the genre at a very high level. The style in her narrative helps the reading to be very fluid.
Draakensky: A Supernatural tale of magick and romance is a great story. It combines very naturally the unnatural with romance and mystery. The treatment given to magic in this book is a delight, the author's respect for ancient magic is evident. The construction of the characters is quite detailed allowing the readers to have very clear ideas and theories in their mind that may or may not be shattered by the constant plot twists in the narrative.
Recommended reading that will keep you in full attention until the last page of the book.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI love how this book shifts between a gothic belle époque feeling and a modern day story.
Paula Cappa is not just a good writer but a skilled wordsmith that has an amazing talent to build compelling characters that flows through an steady pace. Despite having a deep and strong romance developing line, I didn't found one cheesy os corny moment, which is not only a relief but a huge motivation to keep reading.
Another hit point of the books are the dialogues: they are realistic, believable, entertaining and not too much nor too little.
These two books are a great combo to match with a mantle, a cup of tea and a rainy night.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI very much enjoyed the blend of magic realism and romance in this modern romance.
The story starts when a young woman, Charlotte, an illustrator from Chicago, is commissioned to illustrate a book that was written by an eccentric but brilliant academic, Heida, about poet Rainer Maria Rilke. Heida had urned up dead in mysterious circumstances a few weeks before near her home in Bedford, NY. Upon reaching her Heida's home named Draakensky, where Heida and her sister Jaa reside, Charlotte must prove she's good enough to illustrate Heida's work and win the approval of Jaa and the ghost of Heida.
Charlotte finds herself surrounded by supernatural happenings, including wind and owl magic, Heida's malevolent ghost, a welcoming community. She she also becomes romantically involved with a mysterious and sexy tavern owner who wields his own kind of magic.
This novel mesmerized me with its very realistic magic set in modern times. The characters are well drawn, and I felt very strongly for them as the supernatural events affected them. I especially liked how Charlotte started out as thinking of herself as a mediocre illustrator (her words) and growing into a confident woman holding her own against Jaa and the dead Heida.
Thoroughly enjoyed this novel and looking forward to more by Paula Cappa.
Top reviews from other countries
- H.TaylorReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 14, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Much more than a mystery
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseDraakensky: A supernatural Tale of Magik & Romance by Paula Cappa is not just a ghostly tale.
The book follows Charlotte Knight who arrives in town as an illustrator for the poet Rainer Maria Rilke under the direction of Jaa Marland, the recluse spinster of Draakensky. The book has many genres from thriller, mystery, suspense and romance. Truly something for anyone. There’s many twists and turns throughout that keeps you gripped from cover to cover.
Charlottes path crosses with Marc Sexton, a local restaurant owner. Along with their blossoming romance the two delve deeper into the magic and mystery but she has to battle her fears of ghosts. Also with Marc’s hidden depths, Charlotte has to learn how to trust him.
Those that love a good ghost story will be captivated by this. The characters you meet throughout this have good depth and are well created. This was pretty spellbinding.
- ArianrhodReviewed in Australia on May 23, 2025
3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseGiven the reviews, I was expecting more. This was okay but not scary at all. At most, the story was vaguely creepy. I found the prose occasionally beautiful but often messy. This is probably why it proved difficult to care about the characters, or engage with the competing plot elements. I really felt that a stronger edit could have made this a classic.
- David McCarthyReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2024
4.0 out of 5 stars An intricate tale of mystery, sorcery, and love.
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseDraakensky: A Supernatural Tale of Magick and Romance by Paula Cappa weaves an intricate tale of mystery, sorcery, and love set against the eerie backdrop of Draakensky Windmill estate. The story unfolds as sketch artist Charlotte Knight arrives to illustrate Rainer Maria Rilke's poetry under the guidance of Jaa Morland, a reclusive spinster with a penchant for ghosts. Strange occurrences quickly disrupt Charlotte's stay, from hearing the whispering voice of a ghost to a sinister stalker haunting the village. As dark magic intensifies, Charlotte is drawn deeper into a realm filled with witchcraft, necromancy, and folklore, grappling with her fear and trust in Marc Sexton, a man with mystical secrets. Paula Cappa’s evocative prose and atmospheric storytelling will captivate fans of Gothic fiction, taking them on a haunting journey that echoes the works of Susan Hill and Shirley Jackson.
- KatieMayReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars A super creepy read!
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseDraakensky by Paula Cappa is a beautiful blend of supernatural intrigue, ancient magic, and romance. I really enjoyed the intrigue of murder mystery combined with old world magic. The book had some really creepy parts which stayed with me, even after turning the last page. Cappa’s world-building is top class, and she weaves a narrative that made me read the whole thing in one go. If you’re a fan of murder mystery and ghost stories, this book is a must read!