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Heritage Mountain
Heritage Mountain is a heartwarming blend of cozy fantasy and wilderness adventure, following botanist Anita and survivalist Marco as they reunite for an archaeological expedition in the Adirondacks. Alongside their close-knit friends, Maria and Chase, and a delightful cast of supernatural beings like pixies, elves, and a telepathic cat, the group embarks on a journey that’s as much about discovery as it is about connection, both with nature and each other. The story gently weaves folklore, love, mystery, and magic into the everyday, creating a world where firepits reveal ancient tools, and a simple forest walk may bring you face-to-face with stargazers or nymphs.
I genuinely enjoyed reading this. There’s a quiet, comforting kind of magic in the way author Karen Black writes. She gives the characters space to breathe, laugh, stumble, and grow close. I loved the humor between Chase and Maria. It felt like watching old friends tease and support each other without missing a beat. Marco’s protective, grounded energy made him instantly likable. And Anita. I loved Anita. Her blend of practicality and wonder, her quiet strength and openness to magic, made her feel real and relatable. And the worldbuilding? It’s so gentle and subtle, the supernatural just slips in like a whisper. Nothing is overexplained or flashy. And that makes it feel real.
Everything feels safe, and sometimes I find myself wishing for a little more tension or stakes. But then again, that’s probably the point. Heritage Mountain tells a different kind of story. One about trust, connection, and ancient magic hidden in plain sight. It’s quiet but rich, like the kind of story you’d tell around a fire under the stars. It made me want to go hiking. Or at least take a walk and keep an eye out for little footprints in the moss.
I’d recommend Heritage Mountain to anyone who loves stories about found family, soft magic, and wilderness tales that feel like a warm blanket on a chilly morning. If you liked Practical Magic or The Bear and the Nightingale, or just need a break from the world, this book will meet you gently and invite you in. Fans of cozy fantasy, magical realism, and wilderness adventure will find Heritage Mountain a gentle, enchanting read full of heart, hidden magic, and unforgettable charm.
Pages: 264 | ASIN : B0FGVT464K
Dancing to Her Own Music
Dancing Valley follows a grieving woman seeking solace in nature who gets lost and winds up in a mystical valley where magical beings she once thought imaginary are not only real but deeply connected to her. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have a friend who dances through life to music only she can hear. There’s something a bit mystical about her. I expanded on that magic by creating Anita, a woman who can talk to elves and faires, but who has been convinced the little people exist only in her mind.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
As Anita evolved, I realized she would have fit into Goldfield Forest, a book I’d recently published. I hadn’t intended to write a series,but Anita’s character demanded it. She led me to Dancing Valley which became Book Two in the Unmistakably Mystical series.
Your characters go on a deeply emotional and transformative journey in your novel. Is this intentional or incidental to the story you want to tell?
It is intentional. My stories are always character-driven. I want the readers to relate to them. In Dancing Valley, loyalty, adventure, strength and a touch of romance combine to allow the characters to confront the challenges that ultimately show good prevailing over evil.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes. Heritage Mountain, set in the Adirondack Mountains, is book three in the series. My intention is to have it ready for publication by the end of the year. Like the first two books, some characters will carry over, but it is also a standalone, filled with adventure and magical realism.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Abandoned by her mother, when she was hours old, Anita’s only clue to her history is an emerald pendant tucked into the pocket of the shirt she’d been wrapped in. After the unexpected death of her adoptive parents, Anita sells everything and heads to the wilderness. During a week of hiking unmarked trails, she becomes lost and roams for days until she sees a fairy, a creature she’s been convinced doesn’t exist. Anita follows the tiny creature, who leads her to Carolyn, who leads her on a journey to learn about her past and discover her destiny.
When Dancing Valley is threatened, Anita stands beside Carolyn, risking her life to fight for her new home and her mystical family.
Dancing Valley
Karen Black opens the door to a spellbinding realm in her sequel, Dancing Valley. This fantasy novel brims with magical creatures of all kinds—fae, pixies, goblins, and even a dogman. For readers craving a story steeped in enchantment, this book delivers in spades. At its heart, the narrative centers on two remarkable women whose lives intertwine in the midst of extraordinary events. The first protagonist, Carolyn, serves as the guardian of the fae, devoting her centuries-long life to protecting the magical inhabitants of Dancing Valley. Her counterpart, Anita, has a far different path. Orphaned at birth and later losing her adoptive parents, Anita seeks solace in nature. During a fateful hiking trip, she loses her way and stumbles into the mystical Dancing Valley. There, she meets Carolyn and discovers that the magical beings she once thought imaginary are not only real but deeply connected to her. A biologist with a passion for cultivating rare plants, Anita becomes a target of Bagrim, a malevolent goblin intent on exploiting her skills. Together, Carolyn and Anita must rally their magical allies and newfound friends to defend their home. But will their combined efforts be enough to thwart evil?
One of the novel’s strengths lies in its rich cast of characters. From the many mystical beings to the two leads, each one is carefully crafted with a distinct personality. Despite the abundance of characters, Karen Black manages to give them depth, making them easy to remember and relate to. The background provided for each adds dimension, creating an immersive world full of life and variety. The book’s short chapters contribute to its readability. The pacing keeps the story engaging, pulling readers into a steady rhythm. It’s one of those books where you find yourself saying, “Just one more chapter,” until suddenly, it’s finished.
I feel the writing style may divide readers. Magical chants are frequent in the narrative, and while they attempt to rhyme and evoke a sense of wonder, they often come across as ordinary monologues. This detracted somewhat from the immersive quality of the magic. The story delves into every character’s thoughts, giving insight into their motivations but sometimes at the expense of pacing. While this approach makes the plot easy to follow, it can feel dense, with details that are easy to forget or skim over due to the volume.
Dancing Valley is a vibrant and imaginative fantasy tale. Its compelling world-building and memorable characters make it a must-read for fans of magical adventures. Though the writing style may appeal to a specific group of readers, the story’s charm and creativity shine through, making it a worthy addition to any fantasy lover’s collection.
Pages: 239 | ASIN : B0DPLKBN9S
Contemporary Situations with Paranormal Activity
Five Stories Short: A Supernatural Quintet is a collection of five unique short stories covering topics from the paranormal and ancient beings to the exploration of the unknown. What was the inspiration for this collection?
I’ve always had a fascination with the supernatural. When something happens with no logical explanation, there are a myriad of illogical reasons to explain it. Is it magic, a miracle, or imagination? Are children’s imaginary friends truly imaginary or do children see into another realm until their parents convince them they aren’t seeing what they see? Are the whispers you hear in old homes simply house noises? Could you have the feeling you’re being watched because you are?
In writing Five Stories Short, my intention was to create contemporary situations with paranormal activity that isn’t so completely farfetched that it’s unbelievable, although I realize some of the happenings in my stories are a stretch. I hope readers find the stories entertaining but also thought-provoking.
Do you have a favorite among these tales? One that was particularly fun to imagine and write?
Because of the tiny characters in “Laughing Hills,” it was the most fun to create. The original plan was to write it as an introduction to my Unmistakenly Mystical series. But the story took on a life of its own.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in your stories?
Good vs. evil is a primary theme in each of the stories, though in some it is more pronounced than others.
Can fans look forward to more short stories from you soon? What are you currently working on?
More short stories are no doubt on the horizon, but I’m not sure how soon. I’m currently wrapping up Dancing Valley, a novel, which will be released in March of 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Are spirits hovering around us? Do ghosts watch over us? Are your pets communicating telepathically? Can card readers predict the future? Is it possible to see the little people? Do artifacts or fetishes have power? In this collection, the answer to all those questions is yes. But the real question is whether the stories are pure fiction or based on fact.
The Legacy: Lydia is a psychic. When her grandson becomes the catalyst for a spirit’s plot to kill his mother, she joins forces with a natural witch to defeat the entity. As a battle rages, Lydia learns she has more power than she’d realized.
Laughing Hills: The little people of Laughing Hills call on centuries of magic to stay safely hidden after their guardian is killed and their entire community is placed in jeopardy.
Mommy, Look: With her husband in a coma, finances tight, and a toddler to raise, Bianca needs help. But when it comes, it’s in disguise and is provided by someone she didn’t believe existed.
The Ancient Ones: After Brian and Tammy visit an antique shop, their lives are changed by a lion and a raven.
The Last Act: While renovating an old theatre, Carolyn is befriended by Jolene, an actress who haunts the building and who takes their friendship quite seriously.
Five Stories Short: A Supernatural Quintet
Five Stories Short: A Supernatural Quintet is a spellbinding collection of five short stories that transports readers into the realm of the extraordinary. Karen Black masterfully crafts narratives where the boundary between reality and the supernatural dissolves, taking you on journeys that are both mesmerizing and thought-provoking. From psychic abilities to whimsical pixies, ghostly apparitions, and the enigma of ancient beings, each story offers its own unique exploration of the unknown.
The collection stands out for its diverse themes and imaginative storytelling. Black invites readers to suspend disbelief, immerse themselves in eerie atmospheres, and embrace the unexpected twists that unfold. Her writing captivates with a mix of whimsy, tension, and subtle emotional depth that makes the supernatural feel tantalizingly real. The first story immediately pulls you in, offering a fascinating exploration of clairvoyance and psychic gifts. The premise is compelling, though certain plot points, particularly the protagonist’s imprisonment, felt a little far-fetched. The circumstances surrounding it—intended to heighten conflict—seemed at odds with the story’s self-defense logic. In contrast, the second story shines with emotional resonance and well-developed characters. It leaves a lasting impression, its themes deeply affecting and beautifully executed.
The third entry maintains the collection’s eerie tone and solid pacing, offering enough intrigue to keep readers engaged. The fourth story emerges as the standout of the quintet. Black’s storytelling excels here, building expectations only to shatter them with a twist that’s both brilliant and unexpected. This narrative alone elevates the collection, showcasing her ability to surprise and delight readers in equal measure. The fifth and final story wraps up the anthology with the essence of a classic ghost tale—timeless yet enhanced with an extra layer of intrigue. It serves as a fitting conclusion, maintaining the supernatural allure that runs through the collection.
Five Stories Short: A Supernatural Quintet proved to be a delightful surprise. It rekindled my appreciation for supernatural fiction. Karen Black’s engaging prose and imaginative plots kept me racing through each story, eagerly anticipating what would come next. The collection’s brevity makes it an easy yet satisfying read, perfect for anyone seeking an escape into the mysterious and the otherworldly. For fans of supernatural fiction or those new to the genre, this book delivers a blend of charm, suspense, and clever twists. Karen Black has curated a quintet that showcases her storytelling prowess, leaving readers both satisfied and yearning for more otherworldly adventures.
Pages: 251 | ASIN : B0DLQK6GJL
The World Is Full Of Magic
Goldfield Forest follows a mystical lioness who needs help to prevent a supernatural war, and she turns to the guardian of the Fae to help battle a warlock. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I see magic in rainforests, have a passion for animals, and find the idea of little people and mystical creatures almost believable, so creating Goldfield Forest made sense.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
I’m not sure I tried to capture the morals. Rather, the characters created them as they developed. Loyalty is a common thread. Maria has a sense of duty and will risk her life to protect those she loves. Ross, Maria’s father, is honest when he answers his granddaughter’s sometimes controversial questions about life and all things magical.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The world is full of magic, though maybe not as apparent as in Goldfield Forest, and it’s important to believe in miracles. Like family, true friends are sacred. Animals are more perceptive than most people realize. Good almost always triumphs over evil.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes. A follow-up novel, Dancing Valley, is under construction. Like Goldfield Forest, Dancing Valley is an estate inhabited by little people. Some of the same history connects the properties and the guardians who care for them are friends. People and fae learn more about each other as relationships expand, adventures continue, and danger is faced head-on.
Author Links: X | Facebook | Website
To prevent the 21st-century extermination of a mystical clan of lion people and the supernatural residents of the Amazon jungle, Lena, the clan’s queen, needs a guardian to accompany her to the Amazon. She seeks the help of a contemporary archaeologist, Maria, who is a guardian of the fae in Goldfield Forest.
Despite a warlock’s threats to destroy Maria, her family, and the little people who live with her, she agrees to accompany Lena to the Amazon. As the magical inhabitants of Goldfield prepare to defend their home, Maria and Lena travel to the jungle to confront Bagrim in the jungles of the Amazon, where the one who prevails will dictate the future of the rainforest and the lives of the supernatural creatures who depend on the magic found nowhere else.
LITERARY TITAN 