Mysterious Charm Series by Celia Lake

What does it mean to claim your place? Arthur was born to service and war. Arthur has the trajectory of his life mapped out for him. He'll work his way up through a series of Army postings, keeping up the honour and military traditions of his family. He is gifted with martial magics, clever with languages, and sensible enough to avoid getting trapped by bad decisions. It’s given him a head start. Melusina has plans of her own... moreWhat does it mean to claim your place? Arthur was born to service and war. Arthur has the trajectory of his life mapped out for him. He'll work his way up through a series of Army postings, keeping up the honour and military traditions of his family. He is gifted with martial magics, clever with languages, and sensible enough to avoid getting trapped by bad decisions. It’s given him a head start. Melusina has plans of her own. She means to use her talents to their fullest, building a life as an acknowledged expert in warding and protective magics. Melusina loves beauty, fine clothing, and travel. She has no wish to settle down, and certainly not with a military man. How boring! A challenge sparks a change of heart. In 1882, Melusina travels to Calcutta to assist with a small matter of the Viceroy's safe. Arthur is willing enough to lend his assistance, but he expects it to be a purely professional task. When the assignment turns out to be more complex than they expected, they must reevaluate their both expectations and their future. Forged in Combat is a prequel novella of 35,000 words leading into the Mysterious Powers series. (Arthur and Melusina are the parents of Roland Gospatrick in Carry On). Join them on their travels between England and India in the 1880s for competence, the hidden benefits of the Victorian bustle, and a swiftly growing mutual passion. less

Having magic in your blood doesn't make you happy. Rufus Pride lost his brothers to the Great War, his parents to the Naples Scourge, and he's on the verge of losing his cottage, his ponies, and everything else he cares about. Everyone knows his magic is powerful, but no one trusts him, not anymore. When he saves Ferry's charge from a cranky pony on market day, she offers the first kind words he's heard in months... moreHaving magic in your blood doesn't make you happy. Rufus Pride lost his brothers to the Great War, his parents to the Naples Scourge, and he's on the verge of losing his cottage, his ponies, and everything else he cares about. Everyone knows his magic is powerful, but no one trusts him, not anymore. When he saves Ferry's charge from a cranky pony on market day, she offers the first kind words he's heard in months. Ferry Wright became a governess in rural England as a last resort after she refused to marry the man her parents chose for her. Six months later, she's (mostly) figured out how to manage her charges and can finally explore the nearby village and the forest around it. Rufus is everything her family would hate, but he loves and understands the New Forest in a way that enchants her. She'll gladly learn anything he's willing to teach. When a smuggler needs his raw power to handle a rare shipment, Rufus can't resist the chance to make enough money to change his life forever. He has hope for the first time in years until the curiousity of the local lord and a completely inadequate magical education threaten the only home he's ever known and any possible future with Ferry. Outcrossing is a standalone romance of 60,000 words with a happy ending (no cliffhangers). The Mysterious Charm series explores the magical community of the British Isles in the 1920s and can be read in any order. Come to the New Forest in 1922 and enjoy Outcrossing 's magic, romance, and ponies! less

Addictive potions challenge even the best minds. Lord Geoffrey Carillon is well-known as a pleasant and harmless sort of man. On the surface, he's recovered from the Great War, taking his role as Lord of Ytene seriously when he's not seen at any number of house parties, concerts, and balls. When an inquiry agency needs his particular talents to help investigate a mysterious and highly addictive golden drink, he's happy to lend a hand. Lizzie Penhallow wants the simple things... moreAddictive potions challenge even the best minds. Lord Geoffrey Carillon is well-known as a pleasant and harmless sort of man. On the surface, he's recovered from the Great War, taking his role as Lord of Ytene seriously when he's not seen at any number of house parties, concerts, and balls. When an inquiry agency needs his particular talents to help investigate a mysterious and highly addictive golden drink, he's happy to lend a hand. Lizzie Penhallow wants the simple things. Her sister's health and safety, food on the table, and enough income to pay the bills and keep their house in Cornwall. But after her uncle and father were lost on an expedition, she's had a difficult time getting anyone to hire her. This position with the agency is her last chance to find work she's actually good at. She has no time for distractions. There's just one problem. Lord Carillon has the access she needs to keep an eye on her sister and to help her new employer solve a complicated and deadly problem. She can work with that.  There's no choice. Even if it involves house parties around the British Isles, and some quite suggestive dancing. Goblin Fruit is a standalone romance of 68,000 words with a happy ending (no cliffhangers). The Mysterious Charm series explores the magical community of the British Isles in the 1920s and can be read in any order. Join Carillon and Lizzie in 1924 as they investigate the mysterious goldwasser drink in Goblin Fruit. less

Secrets in the stones Proserpina Gates thought she had a straightforward research question. A widowed bookseller keeping things running on her own, Pross has taken on a research project to help ends meet. All she wants to do is help her client discover the truth about the stories of a hidden hoard on the family estate in Norfolk. But the Research Society has changed, and the only person who shows any interest in helping her is Ibis Ward. And he's rather prickly about it... moreSecrets in the stones Proserpina Gates thought she had a straightforward research question. A widowed bookseller keeping things running on her own, Pross has taken on a research project to help ends meet. All she wants to do is help her client discover the truth about the stories of a hidden hoard on the family estate in Norfolk. But the Research Society has changed, and the only person who shows any interest in helping her is Ibis Ward. And he's rather prickly about it. Ibis knows that his colleagues don't care for him. He's not their sort at all, especially since he's both half-Egyptian and competent at research. His life has taught him to expect that and nothing more. Instead, he spends his time using his fluency with hieroglyphs, his archaeological skills, and his gifts for magic to translate and describe objects in the Petrie Collection. Despite himself, he's intrigued when Pross comes to him for help. As it becomes clear that there's more going on, he finds himself trusting her more than he has trusted anyone in years. Together, they are drawn into a web of magic, mystery, and those who would use magic and power for their own ends. Magician’s Hoard is a standalone romance of 67,000 words with a happy ending (no cliffhangers) and the world's most adorable hedgehog. The Mysterious Charm series explores the magical community of the British Isles in the 1920s and can be read in any order. Join Pross and Ibis as they explore archaeology, secrets, and spontaneity together. less

Collaboration and curiosity can get through the thickest thorns. Giles Lefton has an excellent life. He enjoys his mathematics, his teaching at the University, and his cryptography assignments. When a manor missing for centuries suddenly reappears in the middle of Oxfordshire, Giles is glad to take on the project. Figuring out magical puzzles and patterns is one of his specialities, after all. Blinded during the Great War, he knows he needs an assistant to help. One who meets his standards... moreCollaboration and curiosity can get through the thickest thorns. Giles Lefton has an excellent life. He enjoys his mathematics, his teaching at the University, and his cryptography assignments. When a manor missing for centuries suddenly reappears in the middle of Oxfordshire, Giles is glad to take on the project. Figuring out magical puzzles and patterns is one of his specialities, after all. Blinded during the Great War, he knows he needs an assistant to help. One who meets his standards.Kate Davies can be relied on to do her duty without complaint. A full member of Albion's Guard, she is glad to serve where she is assigned. While she is glad the Great War is over, she quietly misses the greater range of duties she had while so many men were overseas. Now limited to portal duty and seeing to minor scuffles about the local river traffic, she isn't sure what to make of her new assignment. Or the fact she keeps failing at what Major Lefton expects of her. Together, Kate and Giles tumble into a maze of historical investigation, obscure folklore, and more than a touch of magics neither of them understand. Wards of the Roses is a standalone romance of 63,000 words with a happy ending (no cliffhangers). The Mysterious Charm series explores the magical community of the British Isles in the 1920s and can be read in any order. Face the roses with Kate and Giles in 1920 Oxfordshire, and discover the mysteries of the manor. less

Family brings out the best and worst in all of us. Having survived tuberculosis, a family scandal, and a dangerous magical drink, Laura is ready for a quiet visit to a beautiful home on a remote island off the coast of Cornwall. She finally has a chance to meet more people near enough her age, and begin to build her own connections in the world. It's more than past time.   Galen knows his mother wants him to marry, and soon... moreFamily brings out the best and worst in all of us. Having survived tuberculosis, a family scandal, and a dangerous magical drink, Laura is ready for a quiet visit to a beautiful home on a remote island off the coast of Cornwall. She finally has a chance to meet more people near enough her age, and begin to build her own connections in the world. It's more than past time.   Galen knows his mother wants him to marry, and soon. Laura seems more promising than the other young women who have been invited to stay. But there are things in his family and in the house he doesn't understand. Even his best friend Martin's investigative skills as a journalist haven't helped. When one of the other house guests is murdered, Galen, Laura, and Martin have to work together to protect the innocent and make sure the murderer is caught. New alliances are forged, old bonds are renewed, and nothing is quite what it seems. In The Cards is a standalone romance of 80,000 words with a happy ending (no cliffhangers). The Mysterious Charm series explores the magical community of the British Isles in the 1920s and can be read in any order.  Uncover the murderer and explore the twists of romance in the Isles of Scilly in 1925 less

Mistress Castalia Jones has built up her dressmaking business stitch by stitch. Comfortably middle-aged, she has apprentices to train, interesting clothing to design, and the freedom to make her own choices. When she overhears uncomfortable gossip about one of her best clients and his fiancee, she finds herself sharing the details with his valet, Benton.Benton has served Lord Carillon since the Great War, not only at home in Albion, but on a variety of expeditions to distant parts of the globe... moreMistress Castalia Jones has built up her dressmaking business stitch by stitch. Comfortably middle-aged, she has apprentices to train, interesting clothing to design, and the freedom to make her own choices. When she overhears uncomfortable gossip about one of her best clients and his fiancee, she finds herself sharing the details with his valet, Benton.Benton has served Lord Carillon since the Great War, not only at home in Albion, but on a variety of expeditions to distant parts of the globe. Now that his lordship is preparing to marry, Benton knows that things must change. Cassie's information leaves him determined to untangle the confusing hints she has heard.When an encounter with a difficult rooster leaves Benton in need of more direct help - and a steady hand with a needle - they begin to look at each other in a different light. As people with very different lives and commitments, nothing could possibly come of their growing friendship.Join Cassie and Benton in Albion of 1926 for a wardrobe full of fabulous dresses, three dangerous birds, and a historical costume party that sends the characters reeling.On The Bias is a standalone romance of 85,000 words with a happy ending and no cliffhangers. The Mysterious Charm series explores the magical community of the British Isles in the 1920s and can be read in any order. less

What if you had ancient magic on your side?Vivian has become a trifle bored with the routine of her inquiry agency and her commitments to the fae-blooded community. When a young man asks for help stopping mysterious events at a boarding house his uncle runs, she takes the case. Cadmus knows a great deal about classics and ancient Greek, but this is beyond his ability to translate. He’ll do anything to keep his home safe and give his nephew a proper start in life... moreWhat if you had ancient magic on your side?Vivian has become a trifle bored with the routine of her inquiry agency and her commitments to the fae-blooded community. When a young man asks for help stopping mysterious events at a boarding house his uncle runs, she takes the case. Cadmus knows a great deal about classics and ancient Greek, but this is beyond his ability to translate. He’ll do anything to keep his home safe and give his nephew a proper start in life. If he must, Cadmus will even wrestle with his quite sensible fears of unfathomable magical beings.Dangerous flowers, ghostly figures, and spooky lights were bad enough, but then Cadmus stumbles across one of Vivian’s most closely held secrets. If they don’t learn to set aside their old habits and trust each other, things could end horribly for everyone else in the house. Join Vivian and Cadmus near Oxford in 1922 as they take part in a seance, dive into the past, and just possibly dance into a new future together.Seven Sisters is the final book in the Mysterious Charm series. The series explores the magical community of the British Isles in the 1920s and can be read in any order. less