Magician's Spell

t war against Napoleon. The naval battles of the Mediterranean are making history. Against this masculine dominated world where women are relegated to roles as wives, servants, or even harlots, one woman rebels.

Lady Johanna Cornehl, daughter of the Admiral of the Fleet, is unwillingly caught up in this cultural caste, until she boards a thirty-six gun privateer bound for England.

Magician, living up to its name, casts a spell on the unsuspecting lady. An enchantment which will involve her in the lives of the crew, but more essentially, with the captain, Harold “Hal” Monroe and his surgeon, Dr. James Emrys. Well after her initial destination is achieved, the snare in which Johanna has been caught will continue to direct her fortune, involving her in romantic collusions, a Scandal-ous role in the theatre, battles at sea, abduction, treason, hidden pasts and revenge on land and at sea.

In the direst of circumstance – her dearest friends kidnapped, Magician forced into sure peril, her husband surrendering the battle waged to win her affection – the lady finally runs aground. Caught in this firestorm of adversity revelation is inspired. Is it too late for Johanna to change course, and secure her fortunes?

Hello and Welcome

First of all thank you for visiting this website. Writing Magician’s Spell has been one of the keenest pleasures I have experienced over my, now middle-aged, lifetime. Now, it is time to find a publisher and/or agent. Already my file spills over with rejections, but I am undaunted! Wish me luck.

I invite you to join Hal and Johanna, their friends, and a despicable villain (for more insight click the links to the right) on an adventure involving treason, abduction, hidden pasts, scandalous theatre, and revenge on land and sea. I ensure a happy ending, but not without some edification.

The second installment: The Apprentice, is written and currently being edited. (click on the link for a preview chapter) Although not technically a sequel, it does involve characters from Magician’s Spell, primarily Timothy Ruhl and Emily Petranella. Their adventures will take them from Malta to Boston, Massachusetts in the months preceding the War of 1812. It also introduces a new character, a clairvoyant named Gallagher, who will have a provocative impact Tim and Emily’s relationship.

I have prodigious notes and an outline for the third book, as yet untitled. Joining James Emrys is a new character, introduced in The Apprentice, Eddy Frederic, who has a unorthodox secret. They, and friends from the first two books, will embark on a theatrical foray around the Mediterranean, with a particularly exciting encounter with the Barbary Pirates. Keep tuned! And thanks for your interest.

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About the Author:

How long does it take to realize your one true passion? 50 years? Egads! What took so long?

For 8 years I reveled in the creative art of college theatre, doing a little bit of everything from make-up to lighting to set drafting and construction, but mostly costume design and construction. Sewing will always be a part of my life. Now it is practical rather than fanciful – hah! costuming was darn hard work.

A move from San Diego to the Detroit suburbs (go ahead, ask me why...I love Michigan weather) prompted an adjustment to the “front of the house” (theatre jargon) as the Box Office Manager for the Birmingham Theatre. It was during this time – perhaps the lack of creativity in punching out tickets every day, and sometimes wanting to

punch out customers as well, (ooo did I say that?) – I first received an inkling of my eventual destiny. A friend asked me to co-write/edit his movie script. Creating the mystical world of The Summoning was inspiring. I was entranced. In 1992, however, the theatre closed and I had to find new employment.

Entrepreneurial-ed into the management of a shared office facility, this career has consumed my life for 15 years as owner and manager. During this time I bought a house, completely redecorated its 6 rooms and changed my back yard from lawn to a “Zen” garden.

What does one think about when wallpapering, digging up sod, or painting walls? I expound my fantasies, beginning to end. Explaining this to another friend, he advised me to “write it down”. Oh, such simple words. All the while that latent desire was there, woven throughout my life, until the incantation was evoked.

How appropriate the title of my first book Magician’s Spell (soon to be published by Tiger Publications - OMG!), the second book The Apprentice well into the editing stage, and already I have a substantial outline and notes for the third (each stands alone and works together).

After such a varied career – an inspiring education – it is really satisfying to say “I found it!”, writing is my passion.

found her behind an 8 foot fence, but still gloriously visible.

As I snapped pictures, yearning to put my hand on her hull or scratch a stay, my dear companion was negotiating our entrance into the shipyard. Yes!

Thanks to a lovely lady, who no doubt bent the rules for an avid fan, we were granted access to relish at first hand, close as you get, encounter with Surprise.

I only regret not being able to set foot on her decks, but I understand she is back in the water and available for tours. Who knows if I wait long enough maybe someday she’ll be taking passengers like me out into San Diego Bay. What a once-in-lifetime experience. Thanks to all!

disappointed? Far the contrary. Californian’s Captain Jack gave us the coordinates of where we might be able to locate the missing frigate. I was determined, even if I could only see her from afar. Sigh!

But no! There she was, off Interstate 5 - her masts clearly visible from the freeway. Navigating our way through the back roads we

Our little group of four (plus many others) sailed around San Diego Bay on The Californian. (pictured left) The crew allows those who are intrepid (or perhaps foolhardy) to assist in hoisting the sails. Yes, that’s me. (pictured just below right) Even with six of us pulling that halyard it took a lot more strength than I imagined.

Though it was a splendid day and uncompromising adventure, my dream was to climb aboard Surprise. Imagine my despondency when I was told she was in dry-dock. Was I going to go back to Michigan