The stories in Magic and Myth reveal the connection between everyday occurrences and the otherworldly. The place where we pause to reassure ourselves that the world is full of the mundane and unmagical in every way–even as we check beneath the bed for monsters.

Explore the point where myths and humanity collide and build a home, where unexpected magic crackles in the firelight, and the seasons gather around the dinner table. Crisscrossing these pages are creatures from dreams and legends–love and horror are intertwined, revenge is sweeter than any summer evening, and desire can be enough to reshape reality.

It’s always so exciting to release another book! And as always I’m so excited to share. This collection contains some of my favorite stories that I’ve written and released so far.

A common thread among them, which I didn’t realize was even there until I finished putting them together, is home. The home we find and the one we create with those we love. It’s a topic I think about a lot and I guess that’s why I revisit the idea so often.

The stories in this collection include:

• Blackberry Baby - based on the fairy tale The Snow Child

• Fire Watch - magical realism and personified natural wonders

• The Deer Woman - based on the myth of the Deer Woman

• The Black Cat - based on the myths about the boogeyman

• Tornado - a piece of magical realism about the seasons

Below is Tornado, a piece of flash fiction about the seasons and forces of nature that inhabit our lives. And if they come to dinner, what would they eat? 

TORNADO 

I invited the Tornado inside, because really, where else could he go? He growled, like a train vibrating in the distance and I shivered remembering summer nights with bugs so thick they fogged the stars, a shrill whistle calling out.

Maybe he just needed a good dinner, a second helping, and he sat, joining Winter at my table. Winter drank coffee, black and bitter, two days old and reheated in the microwave. This was the last cup, he said, before the long drive north.  Spring lurked, seen in the neon green buds, but had not yet come in, not stopped by, not while everything throbbed with heat and that newness seeped up from red dirt.

I made pasta, only good at boiling water and heating up the contents of a jar, with no patience for anything else. We ate and in my mouth the taste of tomatoes and burnt coffee lingered.

The Tornado complained, desirous of something solid to suck up; brick and stone, two-by-fours and good vinyl siding. But I shoveled a third and fourth helping on his plate. By sunset he'd eaten a second pot and I rolled him through my front door, slow and satisfied, into a night that contained a sharp chartreuse I wanted to bring to bed and fall asleep beside.

Inside, Winter promised to leave after one more cup of coffee.  

What are readers saying about Magic and Myth?

“Such an unexpected treat. I found this group of stories captivating and full of magic. They are so well written and they are by an author I do not know well but I am sure to look for more work done by her. The twists and turns were so unexpected and I think rather brilliant. If you are looking for something out of box than this is one book I think you should check out.” - Goodreads Reviewer

“Amazing writing. This is a wonderful collection of short stories. The themes touch on hope, vengeance, rebirth and transformation, and a deep sense of love. The writing is beautiful and evocative, pulling you in and not letting go until the last word is read. Normally with short story collections, I have an easy time pausing between stories and coming back when I'm ready. Instead, I read this book in one sitting. This isn't an action-packed set of tales, but rather, a fantastic book to read when you want some time to rest and reset, and want something that brings a sense of peace. I highly recommend this book.” - Goodreads Reviewer

“The Black Cat :- Whoa! This story is scary as hell! It brought me back to those days when I was reading The Pet Sematary.” - GoodReads Reviewer