Lia and her family are guardians of a community of little people and telepathic wildlife who live within their estate, Arcadian Alcove. When a self-serving governor threatens to confiscate their sanctuary through eminent domain, they face a corrupt system and a politician’s greed. Magic and reality collide as the fae join the guardians in a battle to protect their hidden world from forces that threaten its survival in this magical adventure.
“…a quiet, warm fantasy…a story that feels like stepping into a sunlit herb garden and finding out the whispers in the leaves are real…and a small creature’s fear can carry as much weight as a courtroom battle.” Literary Titan.
“…a captivating adventure that fantasy genre enthusiasts will fall in love with.” Readers’ Favorite.
“...a heartfelt and charmingly imagined story that is warmly satisfying while carrying a series of quietly powerful messages. Black has created a comforting, dreamy slice of endearing escapism.” Book Review Directory.
“…cozy-fantasy fans will find it just the right temperature. A pleasant, featherlight woodland fairy tale.” Kirkus Reviews.https:
If Arcadian Alcove sounds like a story you’d enjoy, please download a copy. After you’ve read it, I’d appreciate it if you’d consider posting a review.
With so many books available, I aways appreciate it when a reader chooses one of mine.
Greetings everyone! We certainly had an eventful month of July. After a four-day power outage, multiple severe storms, a tornado watch, and a flash flood warning, we spent a week with air quality so bad, it was recommended we stay indoors. (Until a couple of weeks ago, I’d never heard of an air quality level “purple!”)
After all the chaos, Ivan is exhausted and looking forward to a more peaceful August.
If you enjoy a mystery, with suspense, and a touch of romance, you might want to consider Race into Murder. It’s on sale for$.99 from August 10th through the 16th, and always free with Kindle Unlimited.
Jeff Frazier trains racehorses, and his dream of winning a championship is about to come true. But when a jockey is murdered, he realizes his colt is the catalyst, and his dream becomes a nightmare. An innocent man is arrested, the racing world is in chaos, and the future of three families depends on finding the killer.
Editorial Reviews
“A crime tale with an engaging settingand some intriguing characters”Kirkus Reviews.
“…a gripping tale of ambition,betrayal, and justice…”Readers’ Favorite.
“…driven by the strength of its characters…well-plotted murder mystery.”Book Review Directory.
If you enjoy immersive world-building, fierce heroines, and fantasy that cares about the land, and you’d like a story where ecology and magic are inseparable, this is for you. Ancient legends from the Amazon jungle come to life two centuries after discovery. Goldfield Forest’s guardians of the fae unite with a mystical lion clan in a battle against darkness when the Amazon rainforest and it’s supernatural inhabitants are threatened.
“…a narrative filled with intrigue, suspense, and fantastical creatures, keeping readers eagerly flipping pages through fantastical settings to discover the fate of these highly lovable characters.” Readers’ Favorite.
“Engaging and enchanting fantasy. Black’s story is filled to the brim with supernatural elements…intricate worldbuilding…a charming and fantastical story.” Kirkus Reviews.
“This enchanting novel will transport you to a world of magic and wonder, filled with mystery, intrigue, and unforgettable characters that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.” Midwest Book Review.
“Black’s writing is engaging, and you’ll find yourself turning pages effortlessly.” Literary Titan.
Could the unseen world be closer than we realize? A blend of fantasy and reality, Arcadian Alcove follows Lia and Eric, when they inherit Lia’s great-aunt’s mystical estate, uncover the secrets of the family legacy, and discover a hidden and enchanted world inhabited by telepathic wildlife and magical creatures.
Navigating her new role as a guardian of the fae, Lia must protect the delicate balance of this supernatural realm while facing threats of eminent domain signed by the governor of North Carolina, a greedy politician whose self-serving plans for a highway could destroy the territory where the little people dwell. With the help of her nephew Michael, who, recovering from the loss of his parents, possesses an intuitive connection to the mystical beings, Lia, Eric, and Athena, a telecat, enlist the help of the inhabitants of Arcadian Alcove to fight the governor’s threat to their sanctuary and defend the enchanted land they call home.
As they navigate the challenges of grief, magic, and environmental preservation, they learn that some battles are worth risking everything and that love transcends even the greatest of losses. Sometimes, the most extraordinary adventures lie just beyond the ordinary.
Thank you to everyone who has expressed an interest, downloaded, or purchased a printed copy of Arcadian Alcove. With so many books available, I always appreciate it when readers choose one of mine.
Once again, the line between fantasy and reality blurs in an adventure that takes place in the mountains of North Carolina in Arcadian Alcove beginning June 1, 2026.
“Arcadian Alcove” is available for pre-order now, and it’s Ivan approved!
A blend of fantasy and reality, the story follows Lia and Eric, when they inherit Lia’s great-aunt’s mystical estate, uncover the secrets of the family legacy, and discover a hidden and enchanted world inhabited by telepathic wildlife and magical creatures.
Navigating her new role as a guardian of the fae, Lia must protect the delicate balance of this supernatural realm while facing threats of eminent domain signed by the governor of North Carolina, a greedy politician whose self-serving plans for a highway could destroy the territory where the little people dwell. With the help of her nephew Michael, who, recovering from the loss of his parents, possesses an intuitive connection to the mystical beings, Lia, Eric, and Athena, a telecat, enlist the help of the inhabitants of Arcadian Alcove to fight the governor’s threat to their sanctuary and defend the enchanted land they call home.
As they navigate the challenges of grief, magic, and environmental preservation, they learn that some battles are worth risking everything and that love transcends even the greatest of losses. Sometimes, the most extraordinary adventures lie just beyond the ordinary.
With so many books to choose from, I aways appreciate it when a reader chooses one of mine. Thank you for considering “Arcadian Alcove!”
Wishing you a joyful and inspiring New Year as I say thank you to my readers. With thousands of books available, I’m appreciative when someone chooses one of mine.
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As we welcome 2026, I’m excited to begin the year with exciting news: my new novel, Heritage Mountain, is now available! Filled with adventure, romance, and a touch of mystery, it’s the story of a world where the mystical and the actual coexist to the benefit of all.
Early readers have already embraced the story with warmth and enthusiasm. Kirkus Reviewswrites, “Black’s latest tale offers a delightful romp through a magical forest, brimming with charm, adventure, and romance… and foregrounds a genuine concern for environmental conservation that’s sure to resonate with many readers.”
Literary Titan says, ““…a gentle, enchanting read full of heart, hidden magic, and unforgettable charm...the supernatural just slips in like a whisper. Nothing is overexplained or flashy. And that makes it feel real.”
And Readers’ Favorite calls it, “…a richly woven tale blending archaeology, magic, and mystical creatures within the majestic Adirondack wilderness.”
Take a break with a short story I hope will make you smile.
It’s All About Attitude
Karen Black
I woke up flat on my back, the sun blazing in my eyes, and a seagull standing near my feet. To my left, the ocean stretched as far as I could see. To my right, the white sand of a pristine beach reflected the sun. Waves slapped at the sand near my left arm. I had no idea where I was or how I’d gotten there.
Think, Jeremy. What in heaven’s name have you managed to get yourself into now?
Bewildered, a fuzzy memory surfaced. I’d eaten dinner and consumed several glasses of an outstanding cabernet while listening to a rock band until the last song had been sung. After saying good night to the others who had stayed until the end, I stumbled to my stateroom. With a glass of wine in my hand, I strolled onto the small, private balcony to enjoy the cool night air and sip my drink as the ship rocked and swayed over the ocean. Sitting on the rail in the quiet darkness, I’d closed my eyes.
I flexed my ankles, slowly stood, and tested my limbs for mobility. My arms and legs still worked, despite the scrapes and bruises scattered across them. I needed help but saw nothing to suggest any would be found nearby. An inventory of my pockets found a lighter, a wine cork, and a slightly smashed, cellophane-wrapped cigar.
If I had planned a day at the beach, I couldn’t have imagined a more spectacular setting. Unfortunately, my current situation wasn’t planned. I was stranded. Realizing there was no sense in wallowing in self-pity, I pushed myself to my feet and began walking along the spectacularly gorgeous beach. A bird swooped down and landed beside me.
“Are you lost, too?”
He tilted his head in response. The bird reminded me of Hector, a character in one of my favorite books. He should have a name, so that’s what I named him. “Looks like it’s you and me, Hector.”
After walking for a short distance, I noticed a few coconut trees. A single coconut sat on the ground. Scooping up the coconut, I glanced at my new friend, and asked, “Do birds eat coconuts?” He didn’t answer.
After another few minutes’ trek, I noticed something glistening in the sand near the edge of the water and headed toward it. Hector waddled ahead of me. He seemed curious, too. Since it could have been a dangerous creature, we approached cautiously and verified that it wasn’t a sea monster. At least not a live one. Grasping the edge, I pulled the shiny object free. Hector flapped his wings twice, as if he were clapping, then he hopped closer to me.
“These masks were worn for fencing practice,” I explained to the bird. “That’s why the front is steel mesh. It can be useful, but I wish we’d found a sword. We could use one to open this coconut.”
Using the mask as a basket, I placed the coconut in it and continued on my quest to locate humanity.
“Do you suppose there’s a grocery store around the next turn?” Hector squawked.
A steady breeze fluttered through the leaves of trees that became more plentiful the longer we hiked. Except for the sound of the waves, and my occasional comments to my sidekick, I’d heard nothing until a fluttering sound caught my attention. Scanning the area, I located the source. With its pages quivering and flapping in the breeze, an oversized dictionary lay open under a tree. It made me smile. I closed the cover and sat on the book. It made a decent little seat. Hector kept his distance but watched.
From my seat under a tree, I dumped the coconut onto the sand, lifted the mask above my head, and slammed against the fruit as hard as I could. A small crack appeared. The second hit sent a piece of the shell flying, which sent Hector airborne. But the coconut had opened.
“Dinner is served,” I announced, and Hector landed.
Nothing had ever tasted as marvelous as the coconut milk, which I guzzled. Breaking a piece of fruit from the shell, I tossed a morsel to Hector before eating the rest for dinner and plotting my escape from the island.
The ship can’t be far away, I reflected. Otherwise, I would have drowned getting here. I need a signal.
Using the coconut shell as a shovel, I began digging. Soon, a ten-foot-long, five-inch-deep trench, shaped like the letter S marred the smooth sand of the beach. Pleased with my effort, I dug a circle of similar dimension to the right of it, and then another S-shaped ditch.
I stuffed the coconut shell with dictionary pages and dried seaweed that lay scattered along the beach. Ripping the remaining pages from the dictionary, I scattered them throughout the SOS trenches, added dried brush and seaweed to the pile, and waited for a plane or a ship to pass.
The rumble of an engine sounded before the lights of the small aircraft appeared above me. Like a Boy Scout, I was ready. After lighting the pages in the coconut shell, I used it to transfer the fire to my trenches and had a flaming SOS signal within seconds. Then I lit my cigar and waited. Life was good.
The plane circled twice. My signal had been a success. A couple of hours later, a helicopter landed on the beach. I was rescued at dusk, and Hector flew away.
I’ve always loved birds, but never expected a pair of them to move in!
Coming back from the garden one morning this summer, I saw a blue bird on our deck. When I realized he was a budgie, I tried, unsuccessfully, to coax him into my hand. While my husband knocked on neighbors’ doors to ask if anyone lost a bird, I stayed and talked to the little guy. He’d approach me, but never closer than about 18 inches. Because he appeared to be in good weight with sleek feathers, I thought he’d recently escaped from somewhere nearby.
As I continued talking to the elusive creature, a green and yellow flash caught my eye. Yes, it was the other bird in the picture. She flew onto the table beside him. The two were obviously a bonded pair. They stayed for a little while, then flew away. I figured they were gone for good but when they returned a few minutes later, I filled a shallow dish with water, and my husband brought cracked corn and bird seed. After a few pecks at the food, off they went. When they hadn’t returned an hour later, I doubted we’d see them again, and hoped they’d found their way back to their owner. Budgies aren’t native birds and are chased and attacked by the wild birds in the area. The colorful little creatures are also a favorite meal for hawks. Although parrots typically have little homing instinct, I left the food and water on the table, just in case.
For the rest of the day, I checked often but they hadn’t returned. Near dusk, I went out to bring in the dishes and the birds were there, interested in “talking” to me, but not considering allowing me to touch them. Armed with a fishing net and a spaghetti strainer, I caught the female, put her in a cat carrier and brought her into the house near the door. The male came inside to sit with her and we herded him into the carrier, too.
My husband headed to the pet store to buy a bird cage and supplies, while I searched the internet, the humane societies, pet rescues, neighborhood chats, etc. attempting to find someone who’d lost a bonded pair of budgies. After a week of searching with no luck, we ordered a flight cage and gave them names, Kai and Kani.
Kai is named after Malacai, the dragon in my novel “Goldfield Forest,” and Kani’s name came from Makani, a dragon in the novel “Sanctum,” a story I loved, by PTL Perrin. I’m now in the process of taming the feathered dragons and am grateful they don’t breathe fire!
Has a furry or feathered creature ever adopted you? I’d love to hear the story!
As it so often does, summer has flown by. Speaking of flying, two budgies landed on our deck in July. After weeks of trying to find out where they’d escaped from, and a mantra, “I cannot keep these birds,” I gave up and moved them in.
Adjusting to the budgies has been my summer adventure. What was yours?
If you enjoy short stories, LONG STORIES SHORT contains ten of them. It’s on sale for $.99 through August 18th, and is free with Kindle Unlimited.
Stories By Karen 