After the Forest, Belletristik von Kell Woods

Almost twenty years have passed since Greta and her brother Hansescaped the old woman's cottage in the Black Forest, but there wasno living happily ever after for them. The war has taken its toll onthese lands, husbands and sons lost, a country impoverished.When the local Baron dies, his cruel, young and beautiful wiferaises taxes and a Blood Tithe, ensuring that those who can't payoff their debts, pay through servitude.Wolves are gathering around the village and a group ofmercenaries stalk the streets. A black bear has been sighted in theforest, but an encounter with it leaves Greta puzzled by its gentleand peaceful demeanour. Then there are the deaths bodies havebeen found in the woods, their blood taken, their hearts removed.As the villagers become more desperate, whispers of witchcraftabound. With Hans' gambling debts forcing him to take the BloodTithe, only the addictively-delicious gingerbread Greta makes -created with the help of a book stolen when they escaped theirchildhood captor - can offer a way out. But there's a price to pay forusing this blood skill, Tattermagic...and it could cost Gretaeverything, unless she can find another way to beat the horrors.