When Two World & Two Magic Spells Collide

This five book series plunges five friends into a realm of magic and monsters, separated from our world by a secret doorway that only a few can enter. What begins as an innocent exploration of a strange and fascinating land becomes a dangerous quest for answers, even as they are forced to deal with magic, monsters, and a growing mystery. And there are those that want to stop them, unaware the hidden world of Chimera is being threatened by a rising tide of wild magic that threatens to tear it apart.

Each of these friends has their own struggles, self-doubts, and triumphs, driving the story forward and drawing readers into their adventures.

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At the beginning of the series, the characters are just entering their teens. Each book sees them another year (or two) older. They are nearly ready to leave their teen years behind by the end of Book 5.

There are normal teen issues: Friendships, what's important to them, dealing with bullies, times of bravery and of self-doubt. There are also not so normal issues: Monsters, dangers, encountering the unknown around every corner. Each of these characters are tested, along with their friendships, what they belief is truly important, and what they are willing to do to set things right.

The books are described in greater detail below, and a link where you can learn more.

Be Careful What You Wish For…

Hiding from bullies in the town cemetery seemed like a good idea. Right up until we fell through a creepy secret doorway into a magic land called Chimera.

That changed things. My friends think change is cool. But me? Not so much. What’s wrong with how things are? I mean, it’s already plenty weird around here!

In our town, people still talk about that time twelve years ago — the year we were born — as THE STRANGEST YEAR EVER. Yeah, like that. ALL CAPS. Turns out, only someone born that year can get through that secret doorway.

Too bad school doesn’t teach what’s really important. Like what to do about fog that smells so bad you can hardly breathe. Or an enchanted forest where you can get lost forever. And shrieking monsters that want to eat you for lunch.

Or what to do when everything you say can trigger a magic spell. Actually, some spells are pretty cool. But others — Ugh!

My friends and I promised to keep Chimera a secret, but that’s hard when you're there every month, and the town bullies keep trying to make you tell them all about it.

Who knew being born in THE STRANGEST YEAR EVER could change…everything!

Available in paperback and ebook.

It’s All Upside Down!

Last year, the coolest thing in my life was entering the secret world of Chimera. I was really scared about turning 13, but I always knew my friends would be there for me.

My biggest worry was being pushed around by the town bullies. The ones I’d named Rejects.

 This year is different . I’m totally cool with being 13, going on 14. But I’m scared about what might happen while we’re in Chimera. ‘Cause things are getting bad in there. Even worse – I don’t know if Olivia and I can stay friends, and that's killing me.

And okay, being pushed around by the Rejects is still my biggest worry, though I am getting used to it.

I’ve learned to expect strange things in Chimera, like trolls and dragons and magic storms, but now weird things are starting to happen at home. Almost like THE-STRANGEST-YEAR-EVER is coming back.

 We still need to keep Chimera and it's magic a secret while we go back there each month. We promised to find out why the people and other things - well most other things - that should be there have disappeared.

 And oh yeah, we really have to be careful what we wish for in there. Because it just might come true - and that might be the scariest thing of all.

Available in paperback and ebook.

Lions and tigers and bears don’t scare me. Not after goblins and dragons and trolls.

 I’ve seen strange, beautiful, and terrifying things in Chimera – the land created by magic hundreds of years ago. It exists just outside our space and time, and only a few can enter. It's where myths and legends from our world moved to be safe from their deadliest enemy - the Mundane. You know, regular human beings - like me and my friends.

 This year we’re exploring the forest - part of the forest - because we're still trying to find the reason why everyone disappeared. We had to swear not to enter the 'Dark Side'. Lucky thing, since there’s a dragon in there and Doug keeps insisting he’s going to ride it. (Though he’s been warned it’ll just eat him!)

But I'm not just worried about man-eating dragons. There's the psycho-boy the bullies are trying to recruit to their cause, and the monsters in Chimera that just keep getting creepier. We’re all feeling the strain as things get worse, but it's really affecting my friend Faith. I think she’s more scared than the rest of us combined!

 And if all that's not enough, strange magic has begun to spill into our world. And that may be the most frightening thing of all…

Available in paperback and ebook.

For three years, my four friends and I have searched through a land created by magic hundreds of years ago, existing just outside our space and time. We’ve seen incredibly strange, beautiful and terrifying things in Chimera.

We’ve been on a quest in that world, trying to find out why so many magic beings have disappeared. Thank goodness for my friend Brady’s science-techno-geek brain – it’s come in handy fighting monsters, following bizarre clues, and interpreting prophecies of doom.

Unfortunately, his super-brain may not be enough to stop the wild magic leaking into our world. It’s causing terrifying storms and freaky things like birds flying backwards and toads falling from the sky.

For the record, when I found out we were going to start searching through an abandoned town this year, I thought we’d have it easy for once. Shows what I know.

Magically booby-trapped houses are even more dangerous than monsters. No lie. I hope we survive - that’s not a sure thing, with acid-spitting doors, carnivorous books, and quicksand floors!

And somewhere in the middle of all this, I’ve got to figure out what the heck is up with Brady and my best friend Olivia. Because their constant snarking at each other is driving me crazy.

Available in paperback and ebook.

What happens when Secrets End?

Things are going from bad to worse.

Someone needs to make a record of what’s happening, and I guess that’s me, Katherine Alice Taylor. This journal might become essential, because it feels like something is trying to stop me and my friends.

The magical world of Chimera is being ripped apart. Wild magic, caused by two conflicting spells, is destroying that realm. And now, it’s leaking into our world.

The blue lightning storms and corrosive fogs in Santa Ramona are escalating, and we have to act soon. No matter how dangerous it gets.

I don’t really expect anyone else to read this. Not if I have anything to say about it. But I need to write it down. Just in case something goes wrong.

If the five of us fail, someone else will have to set things right. Too much depends on it.

Available in paperback and ebook.