Cozy Fantasy Meets High-Stakes Magic

When I began writing Magic in the Shadows, I didn’t set out to follow a trend or chase a trope. I had the character of Fleck in mind, and I simply followed her around—meeting others as they arrived on the page. As I mentioned in my “Flow Writing” blog, “For me, having a writing style that’s not overly controlled allows the novel to unfold with a natural, unforced flow of events—making the story feel less contrived and (I hope) more true to the characters’ traits, tendencies, and motivations.”

I enjoyed blending relatable characters with sweeping magical stakes—inviting readers into a world where leadership is earned through loyalty, and power is shaped not by ego or dominance, but by trust, emotional intelligence, and integrity. The series begins quietly, with Fleck and her younger brother Quinn living simple, overlooked lives—but the story quickly deepens into a layered narrative of transformation, sacrifice, and moral complexity.

My marketer describes the Fleck Series as emotionally grounded epic fantasy with quiet power that escalates into magical conflict. It’s ideal for mature young adults and adult readers alike. Perfect for those who crave immersive worldbuilding, introspective protagonists, and magic that feels both mythic and deeply human, the series balances the warmth of found family and enchanted forests with the weight of ancient curses and political unrest.

It’s a story of reluctant leadership and fiercely earned autonomy—anchored in loyalty, harmony, and the choices we make in the space between fear and courage.

Core Themes in Magic in the Shadows

Redemption and Forgiveness

Fleck’s journey is marked by an introspective quest for redemption, as she navigates the complexities of her relationships and the magical world around her. Redemption also drives the Sisters Three, who rage against the curse that binds them—desperate to reclaim their freedom. When Hectare finally reaches the height of his magical power, the triumph rings hollow. His ambitions shift toward inclusion, revealing the emptiness and isolation born from a life built on controlling others rather than collaborating with them.

Friendship and Loyalty

The bond between Fleck and her friend Maple, as well as her brother Quinn, underscores the importance of friendship and loyalty in overcoming societal judgment and magical injustice.

The Sisters Three unwavering loyalty to one-another prompted a hasty long ago colluding of frightened girls, unaware of the full cost of their devising. They pressed  forward, having little perception of the sorrows their actions would impose on those with whom they were not yet entangled. Loyal to the end – the Sisters Three remain captive to the folly of their younger selves.

At first glance, the wizard Hectare appears loyal only to his ambitions. Disappointment and boredom prompt him to mimic kindness, shaping a selfish form of loyalty toward Fleck. His devotion hinges on her successive triumphs, haunted by the realization that resistance may exile him from all things magical—leaving him stranded among the dull, non-magical, nattering humans he so deeply disdains.

Power and Betrayal

The narrative delves into the themes of power dynamics and betrayal, particularly through the scheming Wizard Hectare and the conspiring Sisters Three interference and counter-curse.

Love and Sacrifice

Characters in the novel endure impossible choices—where love doesn’t make the decisions easier, it makes the cost harder to bear. The story reveals the complexities of love through the ill-conceived sacrifices of the Sisters Three, the void of care beneath Hectare’s ambition, and the quiet tug of devotion that pulls Fleck from her social apathy.

Tropes in Magic in the Shadows

Reluctant Hero

Fleck embodies the Reluctant Hero trope. She values safety and quiet over power or prophecy. She’s compelled to rescue her younger brother, Quinn—not as a hero, but as an older sister anxious for his wellbeing. Fleck resists the roles imposed on her by the magical creatures of the Mystic Circle, especially the crown, which she sees as a burden rather than an honour. Her hesitation isn’t fear—it’s rebellion: an enduring refusal to allow any claim against her freedom. Her reluctance to step from the shadows into the spotlight becomes a quiet expression of strength—and of autonomy.

Magical Mentor

The character of Hectare in Magic in the Shadows serves as a dark twist on the ‘Magical Mentor’ trope. While traditionally a mentor guides the protagonist, Hectare’s sinister nature and manipulation of magic present a challenge that Fleck must overcome, forcing her to learn and grow through adversity rather than guidance.

Sibling Adventure

The Sibling Adventure trope shines in Fleck’s relationship with her younger brother Quinn. His belief, her protection, and their shared vulnerability drive the plot forward, anchoring the fantasy in the fierce loyalty between siblings.

The Chosen One

Magic in the Shadows avoids prophecy clichés, but Fleck is undeniably chosen—by circumstance, by power, and by those around her. Her ability to assess and respond to threats with measured, adaptable judgment serves a deeper aim: her relentless pursuit of safety—for herself and for those she loves.

Ragtag Bunch of Misfits

Fleck’s alliances—with her beloved friend Maple, her younger brother Quinn, and the fractured Sisters Three—form a ragtag band bound not by harmony but by shared opposition to Hectare’s pursuit of power. Yet beneath this unity lies the danger of assumed alliance: Fleck trusts Calla and Arum to stand with her, unaware that their deeper loyalty to Nerine ultimately runs counter to her needs. Their wavering bond underscores themes of duplicity, redemption, and the fragile lines between friend and foe amid rising magical threats.

Start your journey with Magic in the Shadows, where reluctant heroes rise, misfits unite, and loyalty becomes the fiercest kind of magic.

The Fleck Series  is ideal for readers who enjoy fantasies that are shaped by the choices of the heroine – evolving into epic stories driven by power struggles, ancient curses, sacrifice, and shifting alliances.

The series also appeals to readers who enjoy immersive cozy fantasy worlds rich with magical creatures, balancing light-hearted whimsy with serious undertones, in an introspective first-person character-driven narrative that explore themes of loyalty and sacrifice – particularly readers interested in identity, self-discovery and redemption.

This first novel of the Fleck Series blends humour, suspense, and mystery revealing the tug-of-war-of-wills between characters, exposing acts of moral ambiguity and ill-conceived sacrifice.  For as long as Fleck can recall, she’s always had an ability to disappear into shadows. When a seemingly simple task releases long-dormant magic into her world, Fleck finds herself caught between duty, destiny, and personal freedom. Given her affinity with shadows, Fleck prefers a quiet life as a silent observer watching from dark corners, rather than an eventful life under the ever-prying eyes of her attentive subjects. Regrettably, a docile life is not Fleck’s fate.

Magic in the Mystic Circle is an enchanting character-driven cozy fantasy blending humour and adventure with political intrigue. Thick with playful banter the narrative balances light-hearted wit and charming mystical characters with the serious undertones of sabotage and political tension.

In this second book of the series, Fleck navigates the delicate nature of power and diplomacy in her pursuit of harmony within the troubled atmosphere of the Mystic Circle. From the treachery of dwarves to the cunning advance of borderland wizards, Fleck strives to safeguard those she loves, in a time of escalating threats, in an atmosphere fraught with hostility.  The warmth of friendship remains, but is tested in an atmosphere of mounting tension, where Fleck must weigh diplomacy against personal loyalty and survival.

Magic in the Shale is ideal for readers seeking cross-genre blend of political intrigue and humour in a charming fantasy storytelling, with a first-person introspective narrative.

This third novel of the Fleck Series knits destiny and sacrifice into the intricacies of alliances, treaties, and power struggles within the Mystic Circle, where magic is both a tool and a weapon. As Fleck strives to forge alliances with fringe kingdoms, she’s compelled into a confrontation with the Shale – a powerful entity feeding off sacrifice and surrender. In yielding to the Shale, Fleck ignites the fierce loyalty of the mystic creatures into a fervour that is as shocking as it is revealing.

The Fleck Series is a young adult fantasy series that begins in the realm of cozy magic and introspective growth—shifting into epic fantasy as the heroine is forced to address elements of war, sacrifice, political unrest, and generational healing. The series offers both enchantment and intensity, for readers who want their fantasy to challenge as well as comfort.

The Fleck Series is ideal for:

1. individuals who enjoy narratives with a blend of humour, suspense, and introspection, set against a backdrop of societal change and magical intrigue;
2. readers who appreciate stories of friendship, loyalty, and personal growth, particularly those drawn to themes of identity and self-discovery; and,
3. young adults and mature readers who are fans of fantasy novels with strong female protagonists and magical elements.

 

I’m excited to announce the release of my leaf-lullaby children’s book, Did you see us?

The inspiration for the book began on a driving holiday, with my husband, through the Okanagan in beautiful British Columbia Canada. My husband enjoys discussing English words that sound the same but have different meanings, like there, their and they’re.  I mentioned that it would be inappropriate to confuse the two similar sounding words carnivore and conifer.  That sparked a conversation on the topic of conifer and deciduous trees.  That discussion led to my teasing assertion that it’s easy to remember the word deciduous as a brag – Did you see us? – in the fall, when leaves twirl, flutter and flirt the full glory of their autumn colours.

Initially, the children’s book was a side hustle – something to focus on while I waited for the PeakSpire illustration team to finalize drawings for the Fleck series.  I’m grateful to Siraj – director at PeakSpire – for his persistence in working with his team of illustrators to achieve the best possible original images for the Fleck Series and for the Did you see us? children’s book.

My role was to write the children’s book lullaby and to provide detailed instructions for the creation of the accompanying illustrations. I was keen to have the first illustration (forest in late winter) created in a way that would allow us to zoom in on specific aspects of the forest, for the balance of the illustrations in the book (e.g., the path, a tree, a branch). Two illustrations (the Spring and the Autumn illustrations) are the exact same image shown in fresh greens for spring and in reds-oranges and yellows for autumn. I hope you find a little fun comparing and contrasting the illustrations.

When I first began writing, I fretted that the people I knew would read themselves into my novels asking, “Is that me?” Naturally my experiences, including relationships, influence the stories I tap-tap-tap out on my keyboard. Predominantly, the characters and scenarios in my writing emanate from my imagination and are arguably an indirect reflection of the people, places and events I’ve encountered. I rarely write directly about people I know because that approach engages my thoughts causing the flow process (that I so enjoy) to sputter and falter.

As a flow writer, I tend to follow a characters’ guidance crafting the story around their motivations. If you disagree with something a character says, then please understand that the character said it, I didn’t, we are not the same – even though they spoke through my tapping fingertips. For me, the role of writing is akin to the role of being a silent observer; allowing the character to act and speak freely. This approach, I hope, leads to a narrative that reflects the characters strengths and challenges, ideally guiding the story along a path that is at times unexpected but always true.