“MAGIC IS NEVER AS SIMPLE AS THE RECIPE SAYS”
Scarlett Penny inherits a small witchy shop in Pebblethorn-on-Sea, expecting nothing more dangerous than fussy customers and leaky windows.
She is wrong.
Something old has been watching the town for generations. It does not threaten. It does not bargain like a human would. It simply waits, patient as stone, certain as the pull of water. And when it decides the debt is due, it arrives without knocking.
Scarlett was never trained for this. She is not a confident coven queen or a spell-slinging heroine. She is practical, stubborn, exhausted, and carrying a legacy that was deliberately kept from her. But the shop remembers its witch, the town is threaded with unseen rules, and the sea has started to move like it knows her name.
In Pebblethorn, protection is never free. Family history is not a comfort. And magic does not care what you feel ready for.
Steve Kelly writes gritty crime, near-future thrillers, and warm coastal romances under multiple pen names. From cyber-noir detectives in Neo Glendale to seaside love stories in Cornwall, his books blend sharp character work, strong atmosphere, and emotional depth. Also known for his satirical sci-fi and author guides, Steve lives in the UK with his wife and Labrador, always planning the next big idea.View all by Steve Kelly
