Fifteen-year-old Orla thinks her life is nothing short of ordinary. Then, a knock upon her door changes her entire world forever. Orla is told she is one of the Seraphium, a society of people gifted with special Talents that can bend time, space, and reality to their whims. In order to learn and master her abilities, Orla is enrolled in Bilarthus Academy, part of a secretive community where she makes her first friends with a girl whose touch can raise the dead, and another whose nightmares come to life. Despite its charming exterior, danger lurks in the Academy. One of their teachers is found dead, and suspicion turns to Orla and her odd friends. To make matters worse, Orla can't be entirely sure one of them didn't commit the crime, not when her own Talent starts to behave violently in the presence of the enigmatic Obscrumancy instructor, Master Atlas Lazarian. One thing is for certain: life will never be ordinary for Orla and her friends again. _________________ Written for National Novel Writing Month 23'

~ Completely revised with improved storyline, additional content, and more smiles for the dreary days! ~ New Description WIP

In the picturesque town of Winter Grove, the tenacious Alicia Whittaker faces off against her best friend's snobbish brother, Zeke Brighton, when his disapproval of his sister's boyfriend threatens to upend their Christmas. -- Tenacious college student Alicia Whittaker wants this Christmas to be the best, especially since it's her last holiday season with her best friend Celeste in Winter Grove. But Celeste's domineering older brother threatens their happy holiday plans when he vocally disapproves of Celeste's beloved boyfriend, Sterling. Unwilling to sit by and let him ruin their Christmas, Alicia is determined to change Celeste's brother's mind... and heart. Discerning and domineering, Zeke Brighton only wants the best--for himself, his family, and his baby sister Celeste. But when he's introduced to Celeste's new beau, Sterling, Zeke is far from impressed. He believes his brilliant little sister is wasting her potential with a low-class bartender, and he is determined to open her eyes. He won't let anyone get in his way... certainly not his sister's charming best friend. -- This is book 2 of the Winter Grove Christmas Series, though it can be read as a standalone. --- ✨ Rankings & Features #1 in #Winter #1 in #Holiday #3 in #Xmas #3 in #NaNoWriMo #5 in #Hallmark