Rite of Letting Go
by Lorna Tedder
Fiction · Rites of Passage Trilogy · Book 2
Think: Alice Hoffman meets Anne Rice meets Cheryl Strayed in a Southern Gothic story of magical deception, midlife grief, and the sacred power of reclaiming yourself after profound loss.
Description
Lauren, a powerful Southern witch facing a mysterious health crisis and overwhelming grief, finds her midlife anything but peaceful. When a dark magical force begins to unravel her life—threatening her family, finances, and sanity—she believes her mission is to fight back. But in this world of Southern Gothic secrets and supernatural sabotage, nothing is as it seems.
As a rival chaos witch uses glamour magic to deceive those closest to her, Lauren finds herself unraveling—not because her power is gone, but because grief has silenced her inner voice. After years of standing strong as High Priestess, she now faces the quick erosion of everything she’s built. To protect her family and preserve the life she’s forged, Lauren must confront the heartbreak she’s buried and remember how to trust the wisdom that once guided her.
Previously published as Midlife Mirages.
Genre
Southern Gothic, Supernatural Suspense, Paranormal Women’s Fiction, Ghost Story
Tone
Evocative, mysterious, emotionally raw, transformative, grief-suffused, empowering
Tropes
- Midlife awakening
- Reclaiming power
- Witchcraft & covens
- Women’s friendship
- Ghosts
Why You’ll Love It
Rite of Letting Go speaks to every woman who’s tried to keep going through grief, pretending everything’s fine. For readers navigating heartbreak, aging, or the quiet unraveling of identity, Lauren’s journey is a candle in the dark: intimate, intense, and ultimately luminous.
Trigger / Sensitivity Warnings
- Grief and loss
- Emotional and psychological manipulation
- Magical deception
- Substance abuse
- Health crisis (cancer scare, past miscarriage)
- Custody struggles
- Implied childhood trauma
Note: All sensitive content supports character growth and emotional healing. Nothing is included for shock or sensationalism.
About the Author
Lorna Tedder is a non-denominational minister, volunteer grief counselor, and full-time writer after a long career in public service. She writes fiction that crosses genres — from paranormal thrillers to romantic suspense to speculative women’s fiction — and non-fiction on spirituality, manifestation, grief, and personal growth. She lives in the Florida Panhandle with her family.