Hello friend. I’m Olivia Rockefeller. My home sits on the main road in Destiny Falls, and I’ve lived here for over thirty years. If you want to know anything about anyone, I’m your gal. I’ve learned that people don’t always tell you their secrets, but that doesn’t mean that they hide them. Oh, they like to think they do, but it just takes a bit of effort to see right through their shields.
That nice girl, Hayden needs a bit of help figuring out who’s who around here, and I’m more than happy to help. The funny thing is, when you’re new to an area you don’t even know what questions to ask. Lucky for her, I know how to give a nudge to the conversation to get us where we need to go. She’s sharp, that one. A little bit of hinting and she can guess what I’m trying to say.
The easiest way to get people to talk is to be down-home hospitable, and I know how to do that. A cup of icy lemonade and a try of cookies seems to loosen people’s tongues right up. And, by the way, if you’re ever in town please stop by! I’ll be happy to whip up a pitcher of lemonade just for you.
EXCERPT from Falling in Magic, Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic, 1
“You must be the famous Hayden Caldwell,” Olivia said.
“Famous?” I laughed. “Not so famous, but yes, I’m Hayden.”
“What a treat it is to meet you,” she said. “Axel! Why didn’t you introduce us properly?”
Axel looked at her the same way I often looked at Nana. A smile that said, “Oh, dear, here we go again.” I could tell. I’d had many such moments.
Olivia looked to be in her sixties, about Nana’s age. And like my Nana, she looked youthful and healthy. She had that glow about her that said she was happy with her life. Her greying blond hair was thick and wavy, and she wore it up in a ponytail. She was wearing blue yoga pants, white sneakers and a Styx Concert t-shirt. One of Nana’s favorite bands.
“Olivia, this is Hayden,” said Axel. “Hayden, this is Olivia Rockefeller, our neighbor and a good family friend.”
“Hi Olivia,” I said. What a wonderful place you have here! Just across from the park. Your view is amazing.”
“It is, isn’t it?” she said. “People often say thank you to those kinds of compliments, but I didn’t build the park now, did I? And I’m certainly not responsible for the mountain behind it. And I agree. It is amazing. I love it, too. I’m lucky to live here.”
Olivia invited us to visit and she went inside to get some refreshments for us. I usually didn’t like to cut my run short, but it was worth it to meet a neighbor, particularly one who lived on what had turned out to be my daily route.
While she was inside, I noticed that she had a stack of entertainment magazines on her table. Great! A fellow fan. I had a sudden pang of missing Nana. This trip had already felt very long, and I still had no idea how much longer I’d be here. Luckily, she had been very supportive of my trip and encouraged me to stay and make the most of it.
Olivia came outside with a large tray filled with lemonade, cookies, and huge red strawberries. She seemed happy to have guests.
Falling into Magic is a full-length magical cozy mystery novel with a touch of humor and a hint of romance. It is the first book in the Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic series, released November 12, 2020.
When Hayden was a child, she lost her cat. Adults told her the cat ran away, but she knew the truth. The mirror had taken her.
She knew because the mirror had given her a glimpse of an alternate world and had nearly pulled her in, so she was certain the cat had suffered that fate.
Twenty years later Hayden discovers the secret of the mirror when she is thrust into it. She learns of a world she never knew existed, and a family she never knew she had.
But danger brought her here, and it followed her. Now, Hayden is on a mission to remove the threat, so that she can begin her magical, meaningful new life in this enchanted world.
Meet the author:
Elizabeth Pantley is the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives near Seattle and is the mother of four and nana to one. She’s excited to present her first work of fiction. You can follow Elizabeth at her website, on Facebook, on Instagram, or Pinterest, or on her blog.
All comments are welcomed.