Reflections of Lilje Damselfly

In hopes of improving her health, a chronically ill water nymph

goes to an Edwardian spa but quickly falls in love with a human.

This upcoming standalone novel is set in a version of Edwardian Yorkshire, UK where water nymphs and other magical creatures exist unbeknowst to the humans.

It is a low-stakes story about chronic illness and the way disability and health can reshape life as you know it but it also investigate how change can lead to a better understanding of yourself and your place in the world. And of course it’s an unapolegetically queer story about two women daring to love one another regardless of societal norms and expectations.

Pre-Order a hand-stamped copy in my shop today or via Amazon

Digital art of two women holding hands and seen from behind at a 3/4 angle. The women wear Edwardian clothes and are looking at one another.

  • Depression, thoughts of suicide and death. References to witch hunts and homophobia(nothing explicit)

Art by Natalie Kelda

Woman with yellow flower detail on her shirt and a yellow hair band in her light brown hair.
Digital painting of a black haired woman holding a yellow rose. She's looking over her right shoulder rather than at the rose and has a mild smile.

Lilje

Art by CB Lansdell

Mel

When a mysterious ailment refuses to leave water nymph Lilje, her father sends her to a human spa retreat. Lilje quickly discovers she has a lot to learn about human nature and culture when she scandalises the Edwardian spa guests by showing up undressed.

In hope of relieving her chronic pain and fatigue, she tries her best to fit in and silence her ability to speak with the elements, plants, and animals around her. But when the secret of her heritage is revealed and Lilje falls in love with a human, she faces a difficult choice. Give up everything she thought she was, or live forever in pain and regret of what could have been.

My body vibrated for a longing to do something but what I didn’t know. “If you had a flower name, it would be meadowsweet.” The words burst out of their own accord.

Mel’s eyes sprung open and she stared at me like she too felt the energy in the air between us. She picked a small floret and placed it in my hands.

I weighed it for a moment, unsure what to do. Then my gaze fell on a loop of her hair and when she straightened, I stepped forward and weaved the flower into the ringlet. The delicate cream flowers against her hazel locks only made her more beautiful and I couldn’t believe she wasn’t a nymph.

Excerpt from Chapter Ten - Meadow So Sweet

Listen to the book playlist today!

Image grid graphic with 7 images. The images are of water, a water lily, a fores canopy, purple irises and a black damselfly.