The Mysterious Arts books explore the intersection of the arts and the magic of Albion. Each book has a romance and also highlights a particular art form. These include:
- Bound for Perdition : Lynet is frantically working on a project to create magical journals during the Great War when Reggie is assigned to help her in 1917. Features bookbinding.
- Shoemaker’s Wife : When Owen returns from the Great War in 1920, he and Clara need to figure out how to turn their quick romance during the War into a lasting marriage. Features shoemaking and Albion’s theatre community.
- Perfect Accord : When Charlotte agrees to go to a remote country house, she doesn’t expect that particular set of nefarious plots – nor stumbling into Lewis, an alchemical perfumer.
- Facets of the Bench : Griffin is one of the people responsible for the Courts of Albion. When one of the enchantments begins failing, he travels to Whitby to find a jet carver who can help. Annice isn’t sure she can help, but she needs a new future. (Also features talisman making.)
Showing books 1-5 of 5
Showing books 1-5 of 5
Content notes
Bound for Perdition
The heroine’s father dies just before the start of the book, from an extended illness. During the book, she is dealing with her grief, isolation, and some frustration. The hero has injuries he considers somewhat shameful or ignoble. Contains people acting from privilege and class without regard for others, and one very manipulative woman out for her own goals.
Shoemaker's Wife
Heroine is the focus of unwanted attention from a secondary character (though it does not progress beyond conversation). Hero dealing with the aftermath of the war and returning to ‘ordinary’ life. Learning to talk about active consent as opposed to assumed or passive consent.
Perfect Accord
While the heroine goes into a difficult situation aware of the risks, the background plot deals with manipulation and possible emotional coercion of people in a group (no details of the coercion are directly depicted.) Hero is dealing with significant pressure from different directions, and is autistic.
Facets of the Bench
The hero is an ambulatory wheelchair user, dealing with bias and misunderstanding from others. Some of the plot focuses on how he answers those concerns. The heroine has lost a number of family members in the last decade. Local customs limit some of her options for making a living.
Weaving Hope
Heroine was widowed in the Great War and is becoming clear that her marriage was not as happy as she’d thought. Hero is in his 40s and has never been in a relationship. Gentle, some physical intimacy on the page, but no intercourse.