My Windflower series is part of the Contemporary Witchy Fiction project – a collection of witchy novellas from different authors set in New Zealand. These books are lighter and faster reads than most of my other fiction; a good way to pass a cosy afternoon at home or some time outside in the sun.
Succulents and Spells
Laurel Windflower is a witch from a family of magic workers – but her own life is going nowhere. Living in the damp, sunless side of Aro Valley, she works in a café, unable to produce anything more powerful than the most basic herbal potions. Until, one winter morning, Marigold Nightfield knocks on her door.
Marigold is a scientist, but she knows plenty about magic. There are strange things happening in her house, and her future discoveries require careful negotiation with monsters.
Laurel can’t walk away from a mystery – and she can’t walk away from Marigold either. But what lies ahead could reveal all of her shortcomings to the woman she’s trying to impress… or uncover the true nature of her power.
Short stories
First-years and Familiars is set before the events of Succulents and Spells (you can read it at any point though).
University accommodation has rules that can be difficult for young witches to follow. But Laurel is determined to make the most of her first year in the city.
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“Magic on the Waves” is a short story set between Succulents and Spells and Microscopes and Magic. It’s included in the Jingle Spells anthology, a collection of seven Christmas stories by Witchy Fiction authors.
Find out what happens when Marigold meets Laurel’s family, how they celebrate Christmas, and why Laurel’s young cousin seems to be hiding something.
Microscopes and Magic
Some magical problems take spells and potions to solve… but others can only be understood through the lenses of a microscope.
Marigold Nightfield’s life changed when she absorbed the magic stored in a family heirloom. Now, she’s part of a growing network of magic-working scientists who are trying to change the world for the better, and has a girlfriend from a sprawling, powerful, witchy family.
Things should be coming together perfectly for her… but her magic has a time limit. It’s not hers for keeps and one day, she’ll lose it for good.
When her girlfriend’s work is destroyed by possible sabotage, and strange things start appearing in Wellington’s green belt, Marigold’s amazing new life starts to unravel. With unknown motives and dubious players at work, she faces a destructive force spreading through the city and beyond. She’ll have to not only draw on her scientific background and magical abilities, but make new connections and grow in confidence to face this new threat.
Alpaca and Apparitions
Mildred Windflower – witch and successful fibre artist – has been touring the world, demonstrating her craft and taking up prized residencies.
Now back in Aotearoa, she hopes an isolated farm cottage will give her time alone to work out what to do next.
She expected quiet. Instead she finds strange noises in the attic, and signs of an old mystery, while across the fence the quirky, gorgeous Anneke has returned to the family farm and is building up a herd of alpaca.
Something supernatural is going on: it’s up to Mildred to determine what is warning and what is threat. And ideally withough making a total fool of herself in front of Anneke.
Alpaca and Apparitions is the third in the Windflower series that started with Succulents and Spells, but can be read as a stand-alone.
Data and Divination
Jasmina thought she’d left witchcraft behind her.
She’s worked hard to leave the abusive magic-filled compound she’d grown up in. Her life was normal now: a public service job, a town house, a book club. Normal.
Until Larch shows up. A cousin, expelled from the same compound she fled, all those years ago. And now Jasmina’s his only contact in the outside world.
With Larch, Jasmina finds herself hurtling back into the world of witchcraft, getting to know a whole new group of people. Is it possible for magic to go with kindness, goodwill, even love?
Weddings and Witchcraft
Planning a wedding is stressful at the best of times. A wedding followed by an overseas move just weeks after? Laurel and Marigold are rising to the challenge. Fortunately they have friends to help with the preparation and families full of witches to ensure the weather is just perfect.
When a series of unwanted deliveries starts to throw everything into jeopardy, it looks like someone is trying to sabotage their marriage before it even begins. Or is one of them having second thoughts? Laurel and Marigold have to find a path to happiness without putting everyone they love in danger. The answer may lie in the past, and the solution in a younger generation of witches.
Join Laurel, Marigold, and all your favourite witches from the series in this 5th and final Windflower novella.