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    A Little Magic
    A Little Magic
    A Little Magic
    Ebook183 pages2 hours

    A Little Magic

    By Valerie Gillen

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    When the grandmother she never met is stricken by a mysterious coma, Siobhan Kelly finds herself uprooted from her familiar California life and Irish step dancing classes, and dealing with Spring in Vermont, where the roads are muddy, it’s as likely to snow as it is to rain, and the kids there think that since she’s from Encino, she must be a “valley girl” (fer shurr). Out of sheer loneliness, she falls in with a small group of friends including shy hottie David, his academically advanced little sister Fiona, and their cousin Alicia, who claims to be a witch. It doesn’t take Fiona’s telling her that Alicia’s dark magic landed another girl at school in a wheelchair, for Siobhan to know Alicia is not the kind of person she wants to hang around with.

    Unfortunately, Alicia has Siobhan in her sights. Alicia thinks Siobhan is magic. Siobhan thinks Alicia’s read Harry Potter one too many times. Maybe Gran is a witch, but Siobhan herself? No way. She believes this until the day Alicia confronts her in Gran’s sacred garden, demanding that Siobhan help her do a powerful dark spell – or else. Siobhan’s powers manifest with a vengeance and suddenly there are fairies in the back woods, claiming that Gran has stolen the sacred Jewel that is the font of their magic. Siobhan must help them get it back – or else. But when her mother warns her that magic is evil and to stay away from it, Siobhan is at a crossroads. She has promised the fairies to help get their Jewel back, in return for their aid in lifting the curse that has caused her grandmother’s coma. Somehow, she has to find Gran’s spell book, wake her up, avoid Alicia and her evil schemes, and save the world of Fairie. So, no pressure.

    As Siobhan comes to terms with a part of herself she never knew existed, she explores a new knowledge of what family bonds and loyalty really mean, and finds herself bravely entering a whole new world, to save the one she lives in - all with the help of a wise-cracking, blue-eyed cat, who just happens to be the familiar of a local Fairie prince.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherValerie Gillen
    Release dateSep 25, 2011
    ISBN9781466091801
    A Little Magic
    Author

    Valerie Gillen

    Valerie Gillen lives in Vermont with her husband,daughter, 7 cats, 1 dog and a black-and-white rabbit who chews everything. She is a competitive Irish stepdancer and currently working on her next YA adventure.

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    Reviews for A Little Magic

    4.5/5

    3 ratings3 reviews

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    • 4/5
      A little magic was a good read for the die-hard para reader. First off, you can't not love a book with a smart mouthed cat as a main character of the story, especially when it comes to bath time! The cover almost made me avert my eyes from the book but I am glad that I did not after the read. The only problem that I had was the mother's complete lack of feeling toward what her daughter was going through with all that was happening and the changes being put upon her. Otherwise 4 out of 5 stars (Change that silly cover and you get 4.5!)
    • 5/5
      Author's privilege. I love this book, and the story, which I think would appeal to anybody who loves YA, who loves a brave heroine, who loves a bit of paranormal in their stories, a bit of humor, a bit of adventure, and a sarcastic cat. This is a comment that I copied from an irish dance chat board: Replies: Downloaded this today. Very quick and enjoyable read. The main character is a step dancer, but Irish dance does not play a large part in the story. All in all, I would recommend this book as it has good character development, a nicely - thought out plot and I love Snowball the cat. (NT) -- Avid Reader., 27/12/11 2:05:37, Tue
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this book.It reminded me a bit of kim harrison's series but written for a younger group.I read the book in almost one sitting it had me hooked from the first few pages.I dont want to give any spoilers.The book is simply a fun read it really was.I loved the sarcastic twist to alot of the lines it made me laugh out loud a few times.I really hope the author writes another book after this one with what happens next to the family.I would read it in a heartbeat.I would also like to say I love the cover design for the book the colors are amazing.I would recomend this book to anyone the likes a little magic in thier life.This book has witches and fairies and a cat with an attitude whats not to like.

    Book preview

    A Little Magic - Valerie Gillen

    A LITTLE MAGIC

    BY

    Valerie Gillen

    Copyright by Valerie Gillen 2011

    Smashwords Edition

    Dedicated to the memory of my mother and father, writers both.

    Also to my writing friends –

    Lisa, Jeanne, Chrissie and Carla

    – who went down that road with me.

    Chapter 1

    Admit it - your life is ruined.

    Siobhan Kelly covertly stretched her legs out under her desk, doing a series of toe points, then began rotating her ankles, eight to the left, eight to the right, all the while glancing sideways at her new classmates, to make sure no one was taking any notice. Then she shrugged. They all seemed to think she was some kind of freak anyway. A couple of step-dancing exercises would probably just be added to their list labeled: Weird California girl - do not associate with.

    Bad enough that she’d been forced to move from the warmth and sun of California to this freezing Vermont wasteland. To live in Grandma’s house - talk about your gothic monstrosities - and make daily hospital visits to see the grandmother she’d never met. Impossible not to feel sorry for this frail stranger lying comatose, the crisp white sheets barely rising with her every breath.

    Mom and Dad arguing at night, talking in low hissy voices when they thought the kids were asleep. Oddly enough, it seemed like Mom was the one who wanted to bail and move back west - and Gran was her mother. What was up with that?

    DJ was being a pain but that was nothing new. At least he’d made a few friends, but then in first grade, it was a bit easier. They didn’t do circle time to welcome new kids in high school.

    No, the part that ached like a piece of her heart had been torn out was leaving Cronin’s School of Irish Dance. It killed her that all her friends would be performing and competing without her. She’d been hoping to make it into Open championship category this year and now - forget about it. There was supposed to be a school around here, but no one seemed to know much about it and with Gran’s condition and their move, her step dancing was real low on the list right now.

    Ms. Johnson cleared her throat. Uh-oh, here it came.

    Class, we have a new student joining us today, all the way from Encino, California. I’d like you all to welcome Si - Si-ob-han... She gave a help-me grimace of a smile in Siobhan’s direction.

    Siobhan sighed and stood up. It’s pronounced Che-VONNE, she said. It means Joan in Gaelic, which is the Irish language. My friends call me Chevy. Not that it looked like she’d be making any friends any time soon. All last week, while the school had been off for what they laughingly called spring vacation here, she’d felt the stares of the other kids boring into her whenever they passed on the street. For her friendly hellos, she’d received only an assessing glance in return or a nod and a short hey.

    She flopped back in her seat again and her feet began their point and circle exercises of their own volition. The boy sitting next to her looked at her feet, then shifted his glance to her face and said So, what, are you spastic or something?

    Face it. You’re doomed.

    Siobhan scuffed down the road as the bus rumbled away, spattering clots of last night’s snow. Snow in April. God. DJ jigged along beside her, babbling on about his new teacher and how his new best friend Jerry was so cool he could blow milk through his nose.

    Siobhan listened with one ear; the other was cocked back to the group of kids behind them.

    And Chevy, it was so gross. This one kid Matthew, he went into the bathroom to pee only he missed and ...

    "Chevy. What kind of a name is that?"

    Yeah, my dad drives a Chevy.

    Snickers and hand slaps behind her. Cretins.

    Her grandmother’s house stood alone at the end of the road. The other houses seemed to shrink away from it. Compared to their sleek split-level ranch back in California, it looked like something out of a horror movie; three stories of tall windows with tiny panes, a double front door of some dark wood that would be better suited to a funeral home, the whole surrounded by towering pines and oak trees like the thorn wall that encased Sleeping Beauty’s castle. On top of the flat roof of the third story was one square room that appeared to have been stuck on as an afterthought. You could probably see the whole town from up there, but she and DJ hadn’t been able to find the door that led up to it. When they asked Mom, she muttered that it was Grandma’s private place and she wouldn’t want it disturbed.

    Your dad doesn’t have an orange Chevy, does he?

    Well, he had a rusty one once.

    Ha-ha. Now they were getting in some not-so-subtle digs at her red hair. Oh please let Grandma get better soon so they could get out of this place.

    Yeah, but I bet your Dad’s Chevy didn’t have such a nice a -

    That was it. Siobhan whirled around, her hair flying out around her head, and fixed the jerks behind her with a killing stare. In case you hadn’t noticed, my little brother is present, she snapped. Try being appropriate.

    Most of kids behind her looked shamefaced and mumbled apologies, but there were one or two still smirking, a curly-haired boy with startling green eyes and a sultry looking girl with a sweep of black hair who gave her a superior little smile. There was a boy with glasses behind them who smiled shyly and next to him, a ditzy looking blond who was bouncing in place. Her brain was probably bouncing too.

    So you’re from Encino? she chirped. That means you’re, like, a Valley girl, right? She snapped her gum.

    I’m so sure, Siobhan replied. Valley girl. Were they kidding or what? She turned away from them. Come on, DJ, we have to get home. Mom will be wanting to visit Grandma this afternoon.

    See you tomorrow, the boy with glasses mumbled. They way he said it, it almost sounded like a question.

    Siobhan turned back and gave him a good look. Behind the black horn rims, his eyes were kind. Sure, she said, smiling a little. See you tomorrow.

    Siobhan’s mother was in the kitchen, puttering. In fact, she’d done nothing but putter since they got here. Siobhan thought maybe Mom missed her job and didn’t know what to do with herself, but she acted like she was in some stranger’s home, rather than the one she’d grown up in.

    Her dad, on the other hand, seemed fascinated by the funky stuff Grandma had in her house. So what are these? he was asking curiously as Siobhan and DJ came in.

    These? her mom replied, gazing blankly at the weird looking plants she’d been expertly pruning. Oh, they’re just - um - She shoved the pots back into the kitchen window. Plants. Um - herbs.

    Herbs, huh? Maybe I could put some in my spaghetti sauce tonight.

    No! Everyone jumped at the volume of her mother’s voice, including her mother. They’re not that kind of herbs, she went on more softly, her gaze jumping around the room. They’re - um, that is, I don’t know what they are.

    DJ had been looking from his mom to his dad and back again, wide-eyed, and now he said, Haven’t you ever been here before, Dad?

    Well, no, I guess I haven’t, Dad replied, with a sideways look at Mom that seemed full of hidden meaning. Siobhan’s eyes narrowed, as she looked from one to the other.

    Do you come and visit Grandma? DJ asked his mother, who was puttering again.

    Well, it’s been a while, said Mom.

    Like how long?

    I don’t know, Mom replied, looking hunted. A few years, anyway.

    How come? Don’t you like Grandma?

    Sometimes DJ was a pain, but there were moments when he came in very handy, especially when the questions he was asking were the ones Siobhan wanted answers to. If she’d asked them, she would have gotten the mind your own business thing, but since DJ was little, they still felt like they had to give him some kind of explanation.

    Of course I like Grandma, Mom replied, with a smile that didn’t look real. Now we’ll be leaving for the hospital shortly, so don’t go anywhere, you two. As if there could be anywhere to go that didn’t require snow gear. It must really have been a long time since Mom had visited Vermont, because she’d forgotten what the weather was like and none of them were prepared, garment-wise.

    Siobhan threw on the two sweaters she’d brought from home and wandered out the back door and down into her grandmother’s garden in back of the house. It was a cool place really, walled in on all sides with smooth stoned walls over six feet high. Here and there, a stone ledge would jut out of the wall, upon which were placed tiny little vases, candlesticks with beeswax candles, or ceramic pots with some unidentifiable plant inside. The weird thing about the plants in the little pots was that they were all green and healthy looking, not withered and dead from winter’s cold. The plants in Gran’s garden were also green, and some were even blooming. In California, that would have been the norm but here in Vermont, where the temperature had dipped below freezing last night?

    Siobhan came to a niche in the wall and peered into it, squinting. There was something shiny. She reached in and pulled out a stoppered crystal bottle full of red liquid. She held it up to the rays of the late afternoon sun. It sparkled like rubies. It was as dark as blood. Swallowing, Siobhan lowered the bottle. This must be Grandma’s. She shouldn’t mess with it. But what was it, wine or something? Biting her lip, she levered out the stopper and took a sniff.

    It was indescribable. It smelled like summer roses, like cedar, like sandalwood and mint.

    Wow, Siobhan whispered softly and closed her eyes to savor the fragrance. The sun pressed against her eyelids like warm fingers. A breeze blew through her hair.

    She opened her eyes and saw a door in the far wall that she was sure hadn’t been there before. The air was hazy and her hearing was muffled, as if her ears were plugged. Siobhan looked down at the bottle in her hand and a shiver went through her that had nothing to do with the chilly spring air. What the heck was this stuff? Thank God she hadn’t taken a drink of it.

    Okay, she reasoned with herself. There probably had been a door, she just hadn’t noticed. Don’t freak out over nothing.

    Her head snapped up. There was something behind the door. Something moving. Something growling. Oh God ! –

    Siobhan, time to go! Her mother’s voice cut through the air and Siobhan gasped. She closed her eyes and listened to her heart thumping. When she opened her eyes again, the door was gone.

    With shaking hands, she put the blood-red bottle back into its niche. And ran.

    In the car on the way to the hospital, Siobhan tucked herself back against the window and tried to calm down. There was a rational explanation for this. That hadn’t been growling she’d heard, it was two tree branches rubbing together. The door - well, the wall probably just looked strange if the light struck it in a certain way. Tomorrow she’d go back into the garden, march right to the back wall, and see for herself it had just been markings on the stone, or vine tendrils coincidentally assuming the outlined shape of a door.

    Mom, she said, leaning forward suddenly. I went into Grandma’s garden just before...

    Don’t touch any of her things, her mother replied immediately. That had become the automatic answer to anything she or D.J. had asked about since they’d been here, like Grandma had the plague or something. Don’t touch it, don’t move it, don’t breathe on it, don’t go into Grandma’s room.

    I didn’t, she fibbed, but anyway, what I wanted to know, is there a door in the back wall, and where does it go?

    Her mother’s eyes met hers in the rearview mirror and Siobhan realized with a thrill of fear that her mother looked completely horrified. You saw a door? she whispered.

    Well, I just thought I did, Siobhan backpedaled. Clearly seeing the door was a really bad thing. It was probably just a trick of the light.

    Her mother was still staring at her, her eyes wide and lost-looking. Siobhan saw her mom’s mouth move, it looked like she was saying oh, no, but at that very moment, D.J. chirped, Look out, Mom!, and her gaze snapped forward to see a very large truck bearing down on them, its air horn blaring.

    They all screamed as Mom whipped the wheel to the side and swerved around the truck, just missing its front bumper. Thank God for the four wheel drive Dad had rented from the car place. The wheels slid, then gripped and the car straightened out. Mom pulled it to the side of the road and they all just sat there, trying to remember how to breathe. Mom’s hands were still clenched white on the wheel.

    Uh - dear? You seem a little stressed, Dad said, the understatement of the year. Why don’t I drive the rest of the way?

    Mom pried her fingers from the steering wheel and took a deep breath. I’m fine. Just - wasn’t paying attention, that’s all. Let that be a lesson to you kids. Driving is a serious business. Her voice was calm, but her fingers were shaking as she pushed them through her hair. Uh, Siobhan - you didn’t really see a door in the wall, did you?

    No, Mom, Siobhan quickly agreed. I think it was just vines in the shape of a door.

    "Good. Well, you know, that is Grandma’s garden and maybe it would

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