When I wrote the first book of the Familiar Magic series back in 2020, I didn’t have any plans for it to have a sequel. The idea for Familiars and Foes came from a number of places - a strange story of two sisters in my family history, an old photo of a woman named Jenny, not on our family tree, an abandoned patchwork quilt, I swear I will one day finish, and of course, my beautiful assistance dog, Bindi. These pieces of inspiration were all things that were important to me. Though the story only took shape once I started writing, it was made from scraps that had been waiting to be written about.
I had never thought I would be writing this type of book. I had jokingly said many times that I was incapable of writing healthy relationships, but perhaps it was just that I hadn’t met the right characters. Adeline and Hemi made me smile every time I thought about them, their story flowing easily. I realised very quickly I wasn’t done at the end of the book.
Accidents and Apparitions came next, a short Witchy story for the Jingle Spells Witchy Christmas Anthology. Next Curses and Cousins, launching this week.
I never thought I would write romance, or cozy mysteries, but I realise now, that it’s not about writing any particular genre. I wanted to write Adeline’s story – a story about a woman struggling with how to be strong in a body that doesn’t always cooperate, a story about her amazing bond and love with her assistance dog, and a story about magic; everyday and more fantastical.
Curses and Cousins launches on the 15th February, 2022. The story picks up after Familiars and Foes, and Accidents and Apparitions finish, but I think you could also follow it as a stand alone if you felt so inclined. To celebrate the launch of book two, the Familiars and Foes ebook is on sale for 99c this week (12-21ish Feb).