The Blanchard Witches

  Oleander Plantation sits on Wadmalaw Island in Charleston, South Carolina.  It has always belonged to the Obreiggon family.  Once a large and profitable tea farm, Oleander has since lost some of its majesty.  Its once light and airy rooms have been remodeled into a sinister, gothic style.  Xander Obreiggon's wife Atheidrelle wanted it that way to reflect more of the grotesque and malevolent house she grew up in.  Inside Oleander, Atheidrelle Obreiggon rules her family with an iron fist.  She has broken her husband Xander down into a shell of his former self while she presides over Oleander and the Charleston witching society like an empress.

The Blanchards have lived in Daihmler well before the town was even named.  For hundreds of years this 100 acre patch of Alabama countryside has been home to a powerful bloodline of witches.  Blanchard House and the meadows, woods, and stream surrounding it are a haven to the family.  Here they can escape the daily rigors of the world and find peace and solitude together.   Legally owned solely now by Olympia Blanchard after the death of her father in the 1960's, she views Blanchard land to belong to anyone with even a drop of Blanchard blood in their veins.  This is the homestead of them all and all family is always welcome here.  

  Arielle Obreiggon is the youngest child of Xander and Atheidrelle Obreiggon.  She lives much as her father does, under the thumb and oppression of her mother.  Arielle is lonely.  She loves her father and he loves her, but his broken heart and wounded spirit isolate him, leaving her on her own most of the time.    The one thing on earth Arielle desires most is a connection to someone, anyone.  Her sister Cassandra has never been someone she could cling to.  Cassandra has been molded into their mother's image and her cruelty is almost as bad as Atheidrelle's.  So Arielle has been waiting for something.  For what, she does not know.  But she trusts one day someone will come along she might be able to cling to. Arielle has the power of telekinesis.  She shares the same power as her half sister, Salem Blanchard--although she does not know that, as they have never met.  Arielle has grown up hearing the whispers about Nacaria Blanchard and the two bastard children she bore Xander. 

If there is a wicked witch in the book it is Atheidrelle D'Angelo Obreiggon (pronounced A-thee-drill...like cathedral but with an "A" at the beginning).  Atheidrelle comes from a very old and sinister family, the D'Angelo's.  She is married to Xander Obreiggon and though she may be a cold and vindictive woman, she does truly love her husband.  But he does not love her.  He never has.  His heart belongs to the woman he had an affair with many years ago, Nacaria Blanchard.  Even though Nacaria is no longer in the picture, Xander still belongs to her and that fuels Atheidrelle's rage.   When Atheidrelle moved into her husband's ancestral family plantation, Oleander, she remodeled the interior to reflect the gothic darkness of her own ancestral home.  The contrast between inside and out is startling to visitors.  But Atheidrelle prefers the darkness and the somber heavy tones of wood and tapestry.  Her defacement of Oleander is symbolic of the effect her prese

Xander Obreiggon (pronounced Oh-Bree-Gon) lives with his family on Wadmalaw Island in Charleston.  They reside on the generations old Obreiggon family plantation known as Oleander which was once a profitable tea producer.  The Obreiggon fortune gives the family need for jobs now, although he does sit on the Board of the Witches Association--a seat he inherited from his father.   Xander is the father of Salem and Seth Blanchard, though he has never met them.  They were the result of a tumultuous affair he had with Nacaria Blanchard many years ago.  That affair destroyed her life and damaged Xander's standing in the witching community. Xander lives in a self-inflicted isolation, keeping mostly to his study.  Even the solace of his private chambers offer no peace.  His wife redecorated every room of Oleander to reflect the gothic styles of her childhood home.  Xander feels suffocated and a prisoner.  He both fears and despises his wife, but guilt over his affair and what came after bi

Howard Caldwell is a close friend of the Blanchard family since birth.  His father handled all of Olympia's financial matters before his death and after his death, Howard took them over.  He handles everything for the family--including Sinclair Industry business.  While some people might be hesitant to entrust their entire financial well being into someone's hands, the Blanchard never fear with Howard.  He loves them like his own family.  In fact, he was briefly engaged to Artemis in his youth and some suspect the flame between never truly flickered out.  

Madam Zelda is quite a character in Daihmler.  She is Olympia's lifelong best friend.  The two have been more like sisters.  Zelda knows things about Olympia's life that even Olympia's daughters do not know, and vice versa.  The two women share a deep bond that will never erode.   Zelda is known for her wild outfits and vividly colorful hair.  You can see her coming from a mile away . A resident psychic and fortune teller, people seek her guidance out frequently because she tells nothing but the unvarnished truth.  You'll never hear Zelda say only the nice things during a reading.  If you are destined for unhappiness you can bet she's going to tell you.  Zelda is a loudmouth who speaks before she thinks which why people love her or hate her. Zelda is a huge gossip.  Her job reveals much in the way of information to her ears. People love to talk and most of them end of telling it to Zelda.  She knows everything going on with the citizens of Daihmler, as well as the w

Yasmine Sinclair is not a Blanchard by blood.  When she was a very little girl, her parents and brother were killed in a car crash, leaving her orphaned.  She went to live with her paternal grandfather Randolph Sinclair and his new wife Olympia Blanchard.  She is often lovingly referred to in the family as Yaz or Yazzy. Despite experiencing deep tragedy so early in life, Yasmine has had an idyllic childhood.  Even after her grandfather died a few years after she came to live at Blanchard House, Yasmine never felt alone.  Olympia Blanchard loved her from the start just as if she were her own biological granddaughter.  In truth, Yasmine is often suspected to be Olympia's favorite.  Yasmine grew up with a house full of cousins making her childhood full of playmates and her adulthood full of built in best friends. Though she never thinks about it, Yasmine Sinclair is extremely wealthy.  With the death of her business magnet grandfather, Yasmine inherited millions, as well as controllin

Fable Blanchard is the youngest daughter of Demitra, Beryl's sister.  Where Beryl is stoic and serious, Fable is wild and carefree.  She never thinks before she acts and often that lands her in trouble.  With her wispy cropped brown hair is something of a vixen.  She is also an outspoken opinionated young woman, often bickering with her sister or cousin Seth. Fable has a rare power as a witch.  She can communicate with animals.  All animals.  And they can communicate with her.  Because of this ability, Fable became a veterinarian when she grew up and is the most sought after vet in the state.  Her patients can actually tell her what's wrong with them and she can explain to their animal minds what they need to do to get better. She drives a white Jeep which is just another symbolization of her rebel spirit.  

Seth Blanchard is the only left male in the household.  He is Olympia's only grandson.  His mother was Nacaria and his sister is Salem.  When Seth and Salem's mother left the picture, he was merely six years old.  His Aunt Artemis stepped in as mother figure for he and his sister.  Because of this Artemis is often the only person who can snap Seth to attention.  Being the only male, he grew up feeling special and was spoiled beyond belief.  He's a good guy, but lazy and often clueless of other people's feelings. Seth has been in college for years.  His cousins have already graduated and begun their careers but that's hard for Seth to do when he drops classes every semester and refuses to go to class more than twice a week. Seth Blanchard is a gym rat.  Two workouts a day, every day.  His greatest accomplishments in his mind are when he progresses to a higher weight lifting level. Seth drives a red truck that he neither paid for or has a job to upkeep. His Aunt Artem

Beryl Blanchard is the eldest daughter of Demitra and eldest Blanchard grandchild.  She has curly honey blonde shoulder length hair and bright blue eyes like her grandmother.   Dr. Beryl Blanchard is a leading physician in the state with quite the mysterious reputation.  Her patients rarely die from their ailments.  Her track record is legendary and the stuff of local gossip.  For this reason desperate people with little other hope often seek out Dr. Blanchard for medical care. Beryl has the power to heal.  With the touch of her hands she summons a great light within her that can heal any disease, broken bone, wound, or common cold--if the person is worthy of such a miracle.  Her power presents her with that knowledge as well.  With her touch she can see the totality of a person's life and the imprint they are leaving upon the world. Because of her extensive medical training and years of education, Beryl often struggles with the line between being a doctor and a witch.  She knows s

Salem Blanchard is the granddaughter of Olympia.  Her mother Nacaria is no longer in their lives (you find out why in the first book).  Salem is a beautiful auburn haired firecracker.  She grew up in Daihmler with her cousins but moved to Atlanta after college.  She married David Llane and is mother to infant Michael. Salem is head of the art department of David's uncle's advertising agency. She has two amazing abilities.  She can move objects through telekinesis and she has the power to halt time for short durations.  

Demitra Blanchard is the middle daughter of Olympia and mother to Beryl and Fable.  She is in her late forties yet (like her sister Artemis) looks far younger.  Perhaps its the potions, herbs, and cremes she and her sister whip up from scratch.  Demitra was married to Larry Mariner for many years until he died while her daughters were still in high school.  She was deeply in love with him and has remained his widow all these years.   Demitra works occasionally with the police department--or more specifically Chief Charlie Bennet.  Whenever there is a particularly difficult case and the trail has reached a dead end, Demitra comes in with her skilled psychic abilities and helps discover new leads.  Not all of the police department respect her involvement, but Chief Bennet knows first hand Demitra is no fraud.  Her husband Larry was his dearest friend. When not helping with a criminal investigation, Demitra and her sister Artemis often concoct potions and talisman for neighbors who reach

  The eldest daughter of Olympia, Artemis Blanchard is in her late forties, however she still looks early thirties with her smooth skin and long raven hair.   Artemis has a very unique power.  She can will things to happen with her mind by simply thinking them.  It is a magnificent gift when properly honed, but it caused its fair share of trouble in her early life until she learned to master it. She never married, although she did come close once in her youth when she was dating Howard Caldwell.  Olympia was against the marriage, not because she didn't care for Howard, but because Artemis had not learned to control her powers and was often perilous to be around.  She is a secret smoker and thinks no one knows. Her dream in youth was to be a renowned chef, but her powers made that dream die early.  Now she finds joy in taking care of the family and being the cook for the household where she creates amazing dishes for her family every day. Artemis Blanchard never had children of her