Toni

Episode Two Hundred and Nine: The Quiche

Beeping from the kitchen caused me to dash in that direction. “The quiche!”

It sat on the counter, though it didn’t look like a quiche. I touched the center with a finger, and it was still liquid.

“What am I doing wrong with this?” I asked myself, before snagging my phone and quickly scrolling to the comments. I then got out some tinfoil and put it along the crust so the edges wouldn’t burn, then put it back in the oven.

“It will turn out alright,” I muttered...

Episode Two Hundred and Eight: Maps, and magical bags

The golden line connected the Mole to the upright containers of various maps rolled up. Yet, before I could say anything the Cat stepped closer to me. His tail flickered beside me as he tilted his head to one side.

“Ask if he means the actual Tree…” For once, the Cat sounded as confused as I was, and it wasn’t even a coffeeshop day.

“Do you mean the Great Tree that is holding the universes together?” I asked. The Great Tree somehow contained the leylines, and connected...

Episode Two Hundred and Seven: Library near Nowhere

“Need more books,” chirped Indigo, as she flew around the kitchen in lazy circles.

“I thought Lady Twilight sent you more…” I stirred the eggs frantically in a bowl before adding the diced peppers, onions and tomatoes. The round pie pan sat waiting on top of the stove, and I quickly added the egg mixture inside.

Hopefully, this worked.

My last adventure with quiche hadn’t turned out very well.

This time, I’d followed the recipe exactly.

“...

Episode Two Hundred and Six: Reflections

The Cat closed his eyes next to me on the counter, still ignoring his coffee and the cookie.

I wasn’t sure if I should interrupt the conversation or not. All focus in the shop was on it.

“That’s a question for the Fates,” answered Allisa, her voice softer than before. “I have been asking that question since the testing came back clear. The Fates are the only ones with an answer, and we all know they don’t often explain themselves.”

The Fates.

The Cat jump...

Episode Two Hundred and Five: Outcomes

The golden light pulsed from my hand and made me smile as it washed over the room. It felt warm as it sparkled. 

Allisa glowed, but no one else did. Just her. No lines stretching out, nothing else.

I slowly approached her with the second plate of cookies, with a couple more than they’d paid for, and set them down with only a smile.

Fred gave me a nod, along with Samantha, while Allisa texted someone on her phone.

Indigo sniffed in the direction of the plate, her...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Happy Holidays everyone!

I hope no one else caught the head chest cold thing that I did on Thanksgiving. Since then my entire household has gotten sick and we are working through recovery.

Work is inching along on book 3, much slower than anticipated because of the sickness. At least I’m finally starting to feel better, so that helps with getting words in. The brain fog was the hardest because I couldn’t remember side character names.

I am beyond that at this point, whic...

Episode Two Hundred and Four: Chain Reactions

“Her hair is like my scales,” chirped Indigo with a giant yawn. “So amazing and strong. Plus her voice. She should do audiobooks.”

We’d watched the movie at least twice. The second time, we streamed it in a sing-along mode that Indigo loved. Somehow, she still had enough energy to bounce around like she was a pop star. 

My stomach grumbled for some real food, something other than popcorn. I’d finished my bowl, which was probably a mistake, and no...

Episode Two Hundred and Three: Healing Truths

He knew what Indigo was talking about, and this, this I wouldn’t budge on. I needed to know what the Cat had done.

“What does Indigo mean?” I asked, this time a little softer.

The Cat paused his eating and glanced up at me, his green eyes glowing brightly for just a moment. Then he let out a sigh.

“I might have helped him out,” he said, before going back to his breakfast like it wasn’t a big deal.

My hands trembled, and I clenched my coffee mug, before sett...

Episode Two Hundred and Two: Good-bye

Before I could say anything, Onyx beat me to it.

“I thought we weren’t leaving until tomorrow…” he said as he set his mug on the counter. “I wasn’t…”

“Sable obviously has things in order, and she deserves to have an afternoon free from working without us around. Plus, I’m feeling very energetic and want to make some progress on the drive.” Dad nodded like his decision was already set in stone. “I already packed my bags, which are by the door.”

His t...

Episode Two Hundred and One: Stuck as a Cat

“Stuck as cat.” Her voice wobbled a little as she twisted about in a circle, chasing her tail.

“I bet we can figure this out,” I said, thinking of the lesson Lady Twilight had given on becoming a cat to begin with. “You know what Indigo the dragon does, fly… and listen to audiobooks.”

Indigo jerked back as I spoke, letting go of her tail, which she had finally gotten a hold of.

“Think about flying, and soaring around my room,” I continued. “You can’t re...

Episode Two Hundred: Campfire Song

Thinking of a life partner brought me some joy, yet my life was already so full of wonderful people. I’d need to really think about it. The shop didn’t give me many options, and I already had so much to do.

Someday, maybe. But not right now. 

Right now, I had bigger problems to focus on, like freeing the Cat, my Dad’s cancer, and making sure Indigo grew up right. I had plenty of time for love later.

“None of that now,” said my Dad, this time pointing at Onyx. ...

Episode One Hundred and Ninety-Nine: Outside?

Worry weighed down on me through the chit chat while Onyx grilled the meat and served us all around the island.

It felt like I was torn in two different directions, between the conversations happening in front of me and wondering what I’d missed back home. Wondering what else had changed while I lived and worked in the shop.

Indigo leaped onto the counter just as we finished eating. I still had some steak and veggies on my plate, which I quickly lifted into the air as she skidde...

Episode One Hundred and Ninety-Eight: Grilling

Her head moved back and forth as Onyx cleaned the patio.

My insides remained frozen as her words repeated themselves inside my head.

Smells wrong, sick.

I swallowed hard and cuddled Indigo closer. There wasn’t anything to do about my dad. Though, I had to ask myself, was that really true? Could magic help him get better?

Maybe I could find something in the massive collection of books I had on my magical book reader, or in the bookstore. Once they were on the...

Episode One Hundred and Ninety-Seven: Family Promises

Onyx relaxed, and he nodded at me. “Promise me you’ll come back, even if it’s just a visit.”

I blinked twice at his sudden tone shift. “I promise, like I said…”

“Good.” He turned back to the windows, yet things felt different between us.

The silence weighed down on me. “What about your work, how are things going?”

This time he chuckled. “I finished my next book, and now it’s off with editing. I think it’s going to do well, but you never know...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Where did November go? Did someone steal it and stuff it away somewhere? If so, I’d really like it back…

This week I have been doing my last pass on book 2 so I can get it sent to the final proofer. Even going through the proofing process typos always get through. I had some lovely ARC readers find them and let me know so I could fix them before the final book was released which was amazing.

It always amazes me how long it takes to go from a completed story to actually holding...

Episode One Hundred and Ninety-Six: My wandering brother

“Does anyone know when he is coming home?” I asked, glancing between the two of them. “I want to talk to him as well.”

Dad shook his head, as he continued to pet Indigo. “You know him, he goes where the jobs take him.”

Onyx rolled his eyes. “He likes to wander, that’s for sure.”

“Someone in the family needed to be the odd one out,” said my dad. “Sable, even, settled down, just not as close to the rest of us as your mother would like.”

Episode One Hundred and Ninety-Five: Unpacking

I lifted the Cat off my lap slowly and he stretched out, glaring at me.

It made my father laugh as I left the living room and headed down the short hallway to the front door.

Onyx approached with a cooler, as the door closed behind him.

I snagged the cooler from him and he jerked back surprised. “I can unload this if you want to grab anything else?”

“There isn’t much left in the car,” he muttered before turning back.

“You’re already snow-covered!”...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed the book. Reviews help spread the word so others can find our wonderful little bookshop. I still cannot believe this book is out in the wild world for people to read. The lovely posts on Instagram, and Tiktok are so much fun. 

I’ve been writing this week and getting caught up again on extra chapters. Book 3 is coming right along and I finally figured out the area I got stuck on. Which feels good.

Edits for book 2 came in and, ...

Episode One Hundred and Ninety-Four: Family

“Oh, I’m a little jealous of that,” he said with a chuckle.

My father didn’t add anything as he stood and started looking at the artwork that I hadn’t paid any attention to at all on the walls.

“Still not sleeping well?” I asked, concerned. 

Onyx hadn’t slept well for the last couple of years, but everyone always hoped he’d get over the nightmares he had.

“Oh, no, not like that.” He let out a sigh. “Things are much better than when you left...

Episode One Hundred and Ninety-Three: Good Surprises

I spun quickly toward the front door, thankfully not dropping my mug.

Indigo landed near my feet with wide eyes and a flutter of wings. She dove closer to the Cat, who sat in the middle of the living space in front of the couch.

“The thing!” Her voice came out in a rush as she stared at the Cat.

“You'd better answer that,” said the Cat in a happy voice. This had to be part of the surprise.

Who would visit me? Well, make that, who could…

Episode One Hundred and Ninety-Two: Solstice Gift

I stretched, reaching up to the skylight, when I paused, hands still raised in the air. Soft snoring still filled the room from Indigo, yet sunlight streamed in from above. And not just a little.

Bright beams of light filled the room, and faint birdsong as well.

Within seconds, I’d dressed, brushed my teeth, and raced out of my room, leaving Indigo behind, still sleeping.

I found the Cat across the balcony in his cat tree, staring out the window to the rooftop deck....

Contracts & Cats is LIVE! A HUGE Thank You to Our Patrons!

The day we've all been working toward is finally here: Contracts & Cats is officially released and available to the world in ebook, audio and paperback! 🎉

Our Story, Built By You

I truly cannot put into words how much your support, encouragement, and early feedback meant during the creation of this book. For many of you, you were reading the chapters of Meow right here as I wrote them. Seeing your reactions and getting your input...

Episode One Hundred and Ninety-One: Popcorn

“I hope she doesn’t burn the popcorn again,” said the Cat. “And that she makes the buttery kind and not the sweet kind.”

I chuckled. “You might want to supervise if you have such high standards.”

His tail flickered back and forth on the couch, and his whiskers twitched.

“You’re right.” He said as he lazily climbed to his feet and padded down the spine of the couch. He slowed down as he reached the arm. Then his head twisted in my direction. “I apologize...

Contracts & Cats, Book 1 of Meow: Magical Emporium of Wares

Welcome to the Magical Emporium of Wares, a bookshop that appears only to those who need to find it.

When Sable answers a too-good-to-be-true job posting—cozy bookshop, perfect espresso machine, adorable black cat, and an apartment upstairs—she thought she'd finally caught a break from her crushing student loans.

But the ink on the deal is barely dry when Sable re...

Episode One Hundred and Ninety: Be a cat

Indigo’s claws dug into the wooden table, but it smoothed out almost immediately after.

“Being a cat is dumb,” grumbled Indigo.

The Cat laughed, a deep laugh that filled the room. “You are correct, little one. Being a cat is hard. I guess it’s so hard, you cannot accomplish it.”

Indigo jerked back, then her eyes narrowed.

The Cat turned away and padded closer to me. His tail flickered in the air like a banner as he leaped onto the couch. 

Episode One Hundred and Eighty-Nine: Glamourous

“Today, we will focus on how to glamour yourselves. This will let you be around non-magical people and remain safe.” Lady Twilight’s eyes focused on Indigo first, then on Aurora. “All of us are responsible to guard the secret of magic. Do you understand?”

Indigo nodded solemnly. “I will do better!”

“Aurua?”

The smaller dragon nodded, but said nothing.

“This will help.” She motioned to the Cat with a claw. “You are going to practice making yourse...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

It’s in my hands.

I ordered 20 copies and they have arrived. I cannot state how much this means to me without starting to cry. It’s here, it's actually here. And only 9 days until everyone can have an finished copy as well.

Indigo would be pleased to note that we will have an audiobook as well.

It’s unbelievable yet, its actually happening.

I’ve been hard at work pulling together a way to get signed copies for those who want them. Either in the US or beyond. I ...

Episode One Hundred and Eighty-Eight: Playdate

“Today, you swear…?” asked Indigo with her snout tickling my ear.

“Yes, she said she’d be back today. Which is good, since you slept all night without waking.” 

Without Lady Twilight’s reassurance, I might have worries. Indigo hadn’t twitched at all on the couch, wrapped in the warm blanket, only snored occasionally. The Cat and I ate dinner together near her, and nothing.

Even through a movie, she didn’t stir at all.

It took until break...

Episode One hundred and Eighty-Seven: Lady Sable?

The first time I’d asked Lorestone that question, he hadn’t said he served me or called me a Lady.

A rush of emotion crossed Sapphire’s face as the Lorestone spoke. Longing, sadness, then shame, before it all vanished.

“Interesting that he sent this to you, now of all times.” Lady Twilight glanced at Sapphire with a smirk. “Might even say it's a work of the fates.”

“The fates don’t care about someone like me.” The words rolled off her tongue with disdain,...

Episode One Hundred and Eighty-Six: Dragon Soap Opera

Turns out I didn’t have a ton of time to come up with questions for the dragons before they arrived. Lady Twilight knocked on the door, much sooner than expected.

“Betty, can you open that?” I asked, as I leaped up from the chair on the balcony. I brushed several strands of hair out of my face, as I hurried down the stairs.

The door unlocked and opened just as I arrived at the counter.

“Welcome!” My voice trailed off as another entered behind her, this dra...