MUSE & NEWS
When reading the novels, did you notice that Fleck’s birth name is never mentioned? In chapter three (It’s Not a Real Name) of Magic in the Shadows, readers are told that ‘Fleck’ is a nickname given in response to the small blue flame ‘flecks’ above her pupils. When Hectare asked her name, she offered the […]
A Foretelling Told in Rhyme I made a deliberate choice to write all three novels in the Fleck Series before publishing the first—so that I could thread the full story arc of the series into Magic in the Shadows. The Sage of Else’s foretelling is more than poetry—it’s a thematic mirror reflecting the series’ core […]
I began The Fleck Series as a cozy fantasy, but—despite her reservations—Fleck led me deeper into the characters and lore of the Mystic Circle. Her story, as she tells it, earns its epic identity not through declarations but through the layered complexity of competing agendas and the far-reaching consequences of individual actions across kingdoms and […]
Magic in the Shadows Is Resonating with Readers I’m delighted to share that Magic in the Shadows, the first novel in The Fleck Series, is already resonating deeply with readers. With seven heartfelt reviews on Amazon Canada—and all of them five stars—I’ve been both humbled and encouraged by the response. One reader wrote: “This is […]
Beneath the crowns, creatures, and conflicts of the Fleck Series, there lies a quieter thread—a subtle, consistent story that some readers may not notice at first glance, but for others it will resonate deeply. It’s not announced with a dramatic confession, nor resolved with a fairytale ending. Many readers may infer Fleck and Maple’s bond […]
Backstory: 100 years prior to Magic in the Shadows One of the most haunting and morally complex arcs in the Fleck Series, for me, centers on the Sisters Three—Calla, Nerine, and Arum—and their quiet, calculated resistance against the Demon Wizard Hectare’s plan to consume Nerine’s magic in the formation of a sacrificial orb. Readers are […]
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 […]
Having written the three Fleck novels, I’ve undertaken a marketing review in an effort to reach readers who will appreciate my blended genre, cozy epic-fantasy writing style. The marketing review I engaged revealed the following narrative comparison of Magic in the Shadows to contemporary works. Shadow and Bone Meets the Best of Magical Intrigue Where […]
The Fleck Series is ideal for readers who enjoy introspective first-person character-driven narratives set in immersive fantasy worlds, rich with magical creatures, that address relatable human themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and survival. The first novel in the Fleck Series blends humour, suspense, and mystery revealing the tug-of-war-of-wills between characters, exposing acts of moral ambiguity and […]
While The Fleck Series begins with the charm and comfort of cozy fantasy, it doesn’t rest there. As the story unfolds, the series expands into the epic category—exploring themes of war, sacrifice, and power. Readers can expect a shift from enchanted forests and witty banter into scenes shaped by ancient curses, political unrest, and moral […]
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. […]
Years ago, my friend Hazel suggested that the possibility for redemption is a key aspect of what it is to be human. Her devotion to that concept settled deep in my awareness and sprouted during the flow writing process – blooming as a focal concept in the Fleck series. I’ve heard it said that a […]
There may very well be as many types of writing styles as there are writers. I tend to be a flow writer rather than a formatted writer. Often, I approach the keyboard with nothing in particular to say. When my fingertips tap upon the keys, words tumble out flowing onto the page forming dialogue and […]
Writing can be a lonely endeavour. Even more so, writing can leave a person feeling exposed. In an attempt to safeguard myself from criticism my best advice to readers is, If you find yourself reading my novel and not enjoying it then please stop reading – after all, suffering is optional. My best advice to […]
While watching a show one sunny afternoon, I was introduced to the quip “Suaviter in Modo, Fortiter in re” (Gentle in Manner, Firm in Action). The words were incorporated into a large stained glass window on an elegant stone staircase. I paused the show to Google the meaning of the words. It’s intriguing how a […]
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