In the turbulent aftermath of the Blackthorn legacy’s awakening, young Elspeth stands at the threshold of a perilous journey that will test her courage, her heart, and her growing magical abilities. Book Two, The Hollow Hills, continues her coming-of-age story in the Scottish Highlands, where ancient magic, shadowed enemies, and the echoes of a cursed lineage converge.

Elspeth awakens haunted by visions of the past and future, bearing the pulse of the blackthorn branch—a powerful relic that connects her to the long-forgotten rites of her ancestors. Joined by her steadfast companions, Morag and Callum, she faces a land restless with supernatural unrest: wells turn bitter, livestock falter, and shadows stir beneath the earth. Guided by her visions and a growing sense of destiny, Elspeth embarks on a quest to restore the broken Circle of Blackthorn, retrieving three sacred branches essential to the survival of both the village and the Highlands themselves.

Their journey leads them through the perilous Fen of Whispers, where spirits and dark forces guard the first stone, and deeper into mist-shrouded forests to uncover the second, under the watchful gaze of ancient keepers and the mysterious Ailis. The trio must navigate both the treacherous land and the intricate web of prophecy, confronting spectral adversaries and shadowy factions intent on seizing the Blackthorn power for themselves.

As the stakes rise, Elspeth discovers allies in unexpected places, including Aiden, a youth attuned to the old ways, and a hidden council of magical guardians in Glenbrae. The third and most sacred branch lies within the Glen of Mists, protected by the legendary Fenrir—an ethereal trial testing the very essence of her heart and integrity. United, the three branches awaken an ancient harmony of earth, shadow, and life, but they also draw the attention of a formidable enemy whose plans threaten to unravel all that Elspeth has fought to protect.

Throughout the narrative, Elspeth wrestles with the weight of her omniscient gift, the loneliness of her burden, and the moral complexities of wielding ancestral power. She faces omens and encounters enigmatic figures—like Anara of the Hollow Hill and the cryptic old weaver—who challenge her understanding of destiny, trust, and the price of magic. With courage, wisdom, and the bonds of friendship, Elspeth must navigate the delicate balance between light and shadow to restore the Circle and safeguard the legacy of the Blackthorn clan.

The Hollow Hills deepens the darkly enchanting world of Whispers of the Witch, blending folklore, high-stakes adventure, and psychological depth as Elspeth grows from a reluctant inheritor of power into a determined guardian of her people and their mystical heritage.

Beneath the endless skies of the Australian Outback, the land remembers.
When Jack Turner inherits his grandfather’s remote cattle station, he trades the noise of city life for the brutal beauty of the red desert. Determined to prove himself worthy of the legacy left behind, Jack faces drought, failing fences, restless cattle and the crushing isolation of life on the land. But the Outback holds more than harsh weather and hard work—it holds secrets buried deep in its red dust.
When strange events begin to plague the region—missing cattle, broken machinery, eerie lights in the night and whispers of an ancient curse—Jack finds himself drawn into a mystery that stretches far beyond his station’s boundaries. With the help of seasoned police sergeant Tom Langley, local neighbours, and Indigenous Elders who understand the land’s deeper truths, Jack uncovers a dark history surrounding the sacred Bloodstone outcrop and the murder of Murunji, a respected custodian of the land generations earlier.
As the past collides with the present, Jack must confront forces both human and spiritual while learning that the Outback is more than harsh terrain—it is living Country, rich with memory, law and responsibility.
To survive, Jack will need courage, humility, and a willingness to listen to the ancient stories written in stone, wind and fire.
Because in the Outback, the land never forgets—and some debts must be paid before balance can return.
Outback Trails is a sweeping Australian tale of resilience, mystery and connection to Country—where the fight for survival becomes a journey of healing, truth and belonging.