Smart Magic

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The Adventure Begins

In England, Dr. Arienne Cerasola finds herself working for an arrogant professor on an important dig at Saint Cierran’s Monastery. Her theory about the ancient writing on the stones is dismissed, but Ari is not so easily deterred. Certain that she’s onto an important discovery about the history of the area, she hatches a plan to get a closer look at the writing. There are some words that an archaeologist with magic in her veins should not utter aloud…

Magic meets archaeology in this fun urban fantasy series!

With no job, no home, and no other options to make an honest living, Dr. Arienne Cerasola must risk everything for a chance at a new life. Will her powers as a witch help her find a valuable healing relic, or will her adventure end in another magical disaster?

In the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, Ari must face the mythical trickster spirit Coyote, battle warlocks, and outsmart the shady Shaman she is reluctantly partnered with.

Witty, fast paced, and featuring a strong heroine with a feathered side-kick.

“I got this book as fantasy is my personal go to for escaping the stress of everyday living. It is a gem of infinite proportions and a pleasant surprise as the author is new to me. Please access this wonderful book if this is your favourite genre.”

Alycienne – Reviewer on Amazon.com

The adventure continues…

When Coyote shows up offering Arienne a chance at redemption, the temptation is too much to resist.

Up against a voodoo priestess in green sneakers, an insane Bokor bent on revenge, and alligators, Ari is in for the adventure of her life – but it just might end up being her last chance in more ways than one,

“I have found that sometimes the second book of a series is a disappointment. Not here. This was possibly even better than the first book. Character development continues. Ari learns how to handle more of her powers. Good supporting characters all help. Definitely a fun story. Recommended.”

Jeffrey – Reviewer on Amazon.com

There’s magic in the British Isles…

Dr. Arienne Cerasola is on a mission to save a secret society with roots in Ireland and England. If she can just get beyond the fact that she’s expected to find a legendary sword with links to King Arthur, she’s sure she can solve the mystery and beat the competition to the relic.

Partnered with her Grandfather and the very tempting magical super-spy Evan Robeson, Ari must find the relic before time runs out.

“I am loving this series and this book was like a combination of a Dan Brown book and magic. I love the Legend of Arthur and Merlin! I think those who love K.M.Shea will also like this series.”

ACN – Reviewer on Amazon.com

Two swords, two men…

Finding a mythical sword was the easy part! With Coyote and Evan under the same roof, Ari’s life is about to get very complicated. She has no time to sort out her romantic leanings, though, since there is another sword that’s being hunted by a shadowy organization bent on controlling magic.

Ari must get to the sword before the Chanson steals the prize, or the magical world could become more complicated than her love life. With her companions unable to help, Ari is on her own in a race to save magic from a danger nobody was expecting.

I highly recommend this amazing book, and the series in which it is, to readers of all ages who love imaginative magical fantasy. Enjoy!

Kindle Customer – Reviewer on Amazon.com

This is a bad time to have magic go on the fritz.

Explosions beneath the streets of Rome. Artifacts are being pried open by unseen criminals. An outcast witch with a degree in Archaeology and a loyal band of magical colleagues is the only defense against magical ruin in the Eternal City.

In the latest Relic Hunter adventure, join Arienne, Kai, Basir, and Ka’Tehm on a witty, magical adventure sure to have you flipping pages to solve the mystery of Italian magic.

I highly recommend this fantastic book, and the spectacular series in which it is, to readers who love reading well written Fantasy that incorporates mythology, history, and exciting places with kick a** characters with imaginative, creative license. Enjoy!

Amazon.com reveiwer

A lost library, a new rival, and the magical world is in crisis.

When a simple trip to the library ends in an epic disaster, Dr. Arienne Cerasola finds herself stripped of her godfather’s protection and squarely in the crosshairs of Italian magical authorities. Becoming Rome’s most wanted wasn’t on Ari’s to-do list… but neither was uncovering a theft that could destabilize the entire magical world.

Now on the run and questioning her worth as the acting head of the Crux Crucio Orbis, Ari is the only hope for those still trapped beneath the rubble. With Kai, her trickster-turned-human boyfriend, a magical menagerie, and a jinn warrior with secrets of her own, Ari must track down the missing librarian responsible and clear her name before the truth is buried for good.

But the deeper she digs, the more tangled the magical politics become, and the more ancient the conspiracy appears to be. Someone is trying to rearrange the heavens, putting everything Ari loves at risk because folded libraries were never meant to be found, and unearthing one could tip the balance of power for good.

Pushed to the edge by her old rival, Raven, and forced to uncover ancient truths long buried by magical society, Ari must decide if she’s ready to become the force the Crux Crucio Orbis needs—or lose everything trying.

Shattered Magic is a witty, emotionally rich urban fantasy for readers who love ancient magic colliding with modern chaos, found family, mythological secrets, and smart heroines who wing it, even when it seems impossible.

Quirky: unusual in especially an interesting or appealing way

merriam-webster.com

You’ll find the word “quirky” is used by several reviewers of my work. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that description, but when I read the above definition, I think “That’s exactly what I write!”

Fixing a lifetime of bad karma isn’t easy.

Calypso Mendelsohn has a past – but who doesn’t? She’s working off some pretty bad karma from her previous life when trouble saunters into her psychic booth in Salem and gives her a sexy smile.

An art mystery with a paranormal twist.

Good start to a long series, hopefully. That was really subtle. Good characters, good story line. I have always liked a good con artist story and found one here. Hope she is around for a long time.

-Jeffrey C Review on Amazon.com

Fate never liked me much…

Trouble has a way of finding Caly, and this time is no exception. Her new client has a serious problem – one that could lead to a snazzy pair of concrete boots for her and her psychic advisor!

Call me Leigh because my name is pronounced Lee-OH-Nah, but nobody has ever heard of a “silent i.” Talk to anyone who knows me, and you’ll see the irony of that random silent letter. I’m definitely not the girl who should have a silent i—a SNARKY i? An OUTSPOKEN i? YES to both! I’ve been writing for years now, but in 2014, my life got very complicated. It took me a few years to get back to writing, but here I am!

I write fun fantasy stories and an occasional contemporary romance. I love archaeology, legends, and laughter – so my Relic Hunter series has all three. I also love a strong heroine with a less than perfect past, and all my books have those. I think books should take you out of the stress of real life and bring you on a new adventure. Don’t we all need a little more fun? Yeah…and LOTS of magic!

I began writing when my diabetic dog went blind and didn’t want to spend time in the garden. Between belly rubs and carrot snacks, Sandy and I wrote Elementary Magic. It was so much fun that we followed with Destructive Magic before moving on to other characters and adventures. We produced four books over the next three years before life took an unexpected turn. My husband became critically ill right as I was publishing Legendary Magic. Things didn’t improve for many years, so after a 6-year break from writing, I couldn’t contain the stories in my head for another minute. I wrote a contemporary romance and then decided to return to Arienne and her adventures. Jealous Magic was the book in my head, but I needed the quiet provided by the global pandemic to write it all down. I’m back now, and my new dog and I will continue the adventures I started a lifetime ago.

Yes, those are three different dogs. Sandy on the top, ChiChi second row, left. Theo in the middle. The last is me as a “Relic Hunter”.

6 thoughts on “Smart Magic

  1. I do love the research! I call them “rabbit holes” because once I find common ground between cultures or legends, I can’t stop myself! Thanks for reading and binging the series – the latest one is coming out this summer! I know I might be missing a certain group of readers by keeping these flirty instead of steamy, but there is a new series coming out soon – maybe a little more steam in that one 😉

  2. I just binged the 5 Relic Hunter Novels! It really seemed like you enjoyed the research as much as crafting the history and folklore into your novels. They were such a delightful read. I’m going to read the Ari short stories next, but I would love to hear that more Relic Hunter novels are coming in the future!
    ps: you would probably gain traction with a certain type of reader if there was just a little more sex in the novels. Kai is SUCH a tease! 😉

  3. Yes, there are more adventures to come. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the series. I apologize for the delayed response to your comment. I appreciate your taking the time to reach out to me.

  4. I’m so sorry it took me this long to find your comment. My deepest sympathies for the loss of your husband. I truly hope Ari and her friends brought you even a little comfort and escape during such a difficult time. Adjusting takes time—I know it did for me in those first few years—but you do come out the other side, even if changed. Sending you warmth and strength as you navigate this journey.

  5. I am sorry to hear of your husband’s illness. I lost mine last October and I understand completely how it can take over everything, even after the crisis has passed. I really loved Relic Hunter and hope that there are more adventures with Arienne to come! Plus I need to see how her barn house turns out and what happens with Coyote!

    Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!

    Sincerely,

    Melinda

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