Mysterious Arts Series by Celia Lake

New magic brings new challenges. Charged with creating a magical journal that would allow rapid communication during the Great War, Lynet has worked with a papermaker to overcome the technical challenges. But brilliant magical innovation isn't enough. When she returns from a leave after the death of her father, Lynet is told they have to make more journals, cheaper and faster... moreNew magic brings new challenges. Charged with creating a magical journal that would allow rapid communication during the Great War, Lynet has worked with a papermaker to overcome the technical challenges. But brilliant magical innovation isn't enough. When she returns from a leave after the death of her father, Lynet is told they have to make more journals, cheaper and faster. The last thing she needs is a set of unskilled hands assigned to help her at this impossible task, and she's dubious that a man will be more of a help than a hinderance given her ongoing problems with most of the men of the research department. Reggie is recently invalided out of the Army but has no relevant skills other than being a magically trained Schola man. When he's assigned to help Lynet, he's not sure how much use he'll be. He’s soon swept up in Lynet’s ambitious project and fascinated by her skills and knowledge. Together, Reggie and Lynet must figure out how to get the magical materials they need for the project and move forward despite unexpected obstacles. Their mission is quickly complicated by odd goings on with other research in the department, something that might change the War itself! Bound for Perdition is the first book in the Mysterious Arts series. A cosy historical fantasy romance set in 1917 in the magical city of Albion, Britain’s magical community, it is a great entry to Celia Lake’s Albion books. Bound for Perdition is full of bookbinding, coming to grips with injury, navigating class differences, and making a new future in a rapidly changing world. less

1920 should have been a wonderful summer. The Great War is over, and Clara's husband Owen has finally come home. All he wants is to set up as a shoemaker and enjoy a peaceful marriage. Nothing about Owen's return is easy. There's not enough money for Owen to start up his own business. Worse, he's having trouble finding work, like many other returning soldiers, and everything's getting more expensive. Clara's worried about running her aunt's apothecary shop while her aunt is away... more1920 should have been a wonderful summer. The Great War is over, and Clara's husband Owen has finally come home. All he wants is to set up as a shoemaker and enjoy a peaceful marriage. Nothing about Owen's return is easy. There's not enough money for Owen to start up his own business. Worse, he's having trouble finding work, like many other returning soldiers, and everything's getting more expensive. Clara's worried about running her aunt's apothecary shop while her aunt is away. Things at home are awkward and uncomfortable. Neither of them knows how to turn a wartime romance into a proper marriage. When a lucky break gets him a new job backstage in a magical theatre, Owen is hopeful that his life - and Clara's - are beginning to turn around. Unfortunately, the new job brings new worries, and one of Clara's customers is taking a more personal interest in her than she's comfortable with. There might be a way to solve all their troubles, if they can just remember why they fell in love in the first place, and learn to trust each other. Shoemaker's Wife is a romance about falling in love for a second time and learning how to have a happy marriage. Join Clara and Owen for shoemaking, a winter pantomime, the challenges of rebuilding a life after war, and all the ways kindness makes a difference. The second novel in the Mysterious Arts series about the magical community of Great Britain, it can be read in any order. less

Nothing too horrible can happen in a fortnight. Charlotte is worried. Her friend Victor - the man everyone expects she’ll marry - has fallen in with a new circle. Growing up in the family she has, Charlotte knows there’s something odd going on. The new friends are older, united in a passion for ancient legends, and there’s something just a bit too intense about all of them... moreNothing too horrible can happen in a fortnight. Charlotte is worried. Her friend Victor - the man everyone expects she’ll marry - has fallen in with a new circle. Growing up in the family she has, Charlotte knows there’s something odd going on. The new friends are older, united in a passion for ancient legends, and there’s something just a bit too intense about all of them. When Charlotte and Victor are invited for a fortnight at a remote country house with the rest of the group, she goes along to keep him out of trouble. It’s hard to get by as a working alchemist. Lewis hopes his arrangement with Morgen will let Lewis keep his brother in a much-needed potion and begin to build up his own business as an alchemical perfumer. He doesn’t mind being stuck in an isolated cottage on a rural estate while he does it. But when Charlotte appears in his kitchen - an impossible idea - they have to figure out what’s going on at the main house and how to stop it without causing more problems. All they have to work with are the skills they already have and whatever is stocked in the alchemy lab. Perfect Accord takes place in the magical community of Great Britain in 1923, as Charlotte is preparing for her older brother Gabe’s wedding. Third in the Mysterious Arts series, it can be read in any order. Join Charlotte and Lewis for a short tour through mangled Arthuriana, a long stint of forced proximity, and a sensual romance full of perfume, cooking, and time in bed. less

The War changed everything. Annice grew up wanting to carve jet. Born and raised in Whitby, on the Yorkshire coast, she learned from her father and grandfather, drawing beauty out of ancient stones. But now she’s on her own, there are customs against women carving jet, and the stone’s fallen out of fashion. It’s 1927. People want to forget their grief, not wear it for all to see. For all those reasons and more, Annice is at a crossroads in her life... moreThe War changed everything. Annice grew up wanting to carve jet. Born and raised in Whitby, on the Yorkshire coast, she learned from her father and grandfather, drawing beauty out of ancient stones. But now she’s on her own, there are customs against women carving jet, and the stone’s fallen out of fashion. It’s 1927. People want to forget their grief, not wear it for all to see. For all those reasons and more, Annice is at a crossroads in her life. Griffin has lived in Trellech, Albion’s magical city, all his life except for his service during the Great War. He’s loved the city nearly as long, years before he made a place for himself tending the magic of the courts as a solicitor and specialist. After the War, he came home willing to use whatever tools he needed - wheelchair, crutches, canes - to keep doing what he loved. But other people don’t think he’s still capable. Griffin’s been stuck in a professional limbo that hasn’t budged for years. When the magic and the jet of one of the courtrooms starts failing, Griffin is the one who has to figure out how to fix it. On a trip to Whitby, it becomes obvious that he needs Annice’s help to keep the inheritance court working as it should. If he can convince her to be confident in her skills - and give Trellech a try - there’s a chance for the two of them to do much more together than they could on their own. Facets of the Bench is about loving a place and sharing it with others, competence, and making the most of an opportunity. It features an ambulatory wheelchair user, a woman whose skills just need a little encouragement to blossom, and a city full of magic. Set in 1927, it’s a romance with a happily ever after ending. less

Jeremy has a house. To be precise, Jeremy has unexpectedly inherited a large country house in a remote area of Norfolk. Jeremy knows how to manage accounts, thanks to his work at Albion’s Ministry. But he has no idea what to do with an estate, how to talk to the staff, or how to keep everything working for another generation. And he certainly doesn’t know anything about tapestries, and he’s inherited those as well. Eda has a good life... moreJeremy has a house. To be precise, Jeremy has unexpectedly inherited a large country house in a remote area of Norfolk. Jeremy knows how to manage accounts, thanks to his work at Albion’s Ministry. But he has no idea what to do with an estate, how to talk to the staff, or how to keep everything working for another generation. And he certainly doesn’t know anything about tapestries, and he’s inherited those as well. Eda has a good life. She’s built up her weaving workshop from scratch, and it’s now overflowing with apprentices, commissions, and looms. Widowed during the Great War, she’s happy with her comfortable kitchen, colleagues in and out at all hours, and a range of people asking for her expertise. When Jeremy asks her to come evaluate a set of tapestries, she’s glad enough to do so. It won’t even be a problem to do an initial set of repairs, to better judge how long tending the set of ten tapestries might take. Once she’s in Norfolk, however, she and Jeremy keep stumbling over other mysteries. Weaving Hope is the fifth book in the Mysterious Arts series exploring the arts in Albion in the 1920s. It can be read in any order. Come enjoy the pleasures of weaving, ancient family secrets, and a beautiful garden with elusive gardeners. less

Vega is a singer. Hard work and talent have brought her to a long-term contract at London’s best magical night club. There’s plenty to keep her busy: new music, reading the mood of the audience that night, and exploring the city. When her family asks for her help, she thinks they need an archaeologist instead. Farran loves art in all its forms. As he nears the end of his apprenticeship with one of Albion’s magical auction houses, he needs to decide what to do next with his career... moreVega is a singer. Hard work and talent have brought her to a long-term contract at London’s best magical night club. There’s plenty to keep her busy: new music, reading the mood of the audience that night, and exploring the city. When her family asks for her help, she thinks they need an archaeologist instead. Farran loves art in all its forms. As he nears the end of his apprenticeship with one of Albion’s magical auction houses, he needs to decide what to do next with his career. After taking a short-term assignment in London, Farran wants to help Vega. The question is how. Together, they explore the magic of London in all its forms and the songs of its history. Their explorations take them from the Guildhall and Tower of London into hidden spots underground. Along the way, Vega has to decide which of her secrets to reveal, and whether Farran will understand what she loves. Harmonic Pleasure is full of music, London’s many-faceted history, and varied forms of magic. Set in 1928, join Farran and Vega as they navigate what loving their families and homes mean as they live their lives. Harmonic Pleasure can be read in any order. less

Gemma is rarely bored, but she's often on her own. Coming up on her fortieth birthday, Gemma has a wonderful life. A father who adores her, projects that challenge her, and a range of people to talk to. When she remembers to get herself out of her alchemy lab at a reasonable time of day for the rest of the world, that is. She's the first to admit that her focus can be scattered and chaotic. Especially compared to the steady consistency of other people in her life... moreGemma is rarely bored, but she's often on her own. Coming up on her fortieth birthday, Gemma has a wonderful life. A father who adores her, projects that challenge her, and a range of people to talk to. When she remembers to get herself out of her alchemy lab at a reasonable time of day for the rest of the world, that is. She's the first to admit that her focus can be scattered and chaotic. Especially compared to the steady consistency of other people in her life. Sam keeps wanting things to be better. Widowed two years ago with two growing sons, his life has many good things in it. But it's also full of constant worries: how his brewery is doing, what changes in the law will mean for sales, and the trouble his sons get into at school. He had big ideas that might help out other veterans of the Great War, but only if he can actually get the brewing to do what he wants. The problems popping up with contamination at a number of breweries are even more urgent. When Sam asks for help, he doesn't expect anyone like Gemma. She certainly doesn't know much about a commercial brewery and her home and family are nothing like anything Sam understands. When she keeps sticking with the problem, at least Sam doesn't feel so on his own. Join Gemma and Sam for a tale full of the many brews that make up a life as they tackle practical problems together. Distilling Sunlight is a later-in-life romance about looking ahead to a different future than you expected, working with the skills and resources you have, and bringing a little sunlight back into the world. Set in 1928, this book involves a number of characters seen in previous books, but can be read in any order. Content notes can be found on the author's website. less