Shropshire author brings childhood Highland memories to life in new fantasy novel
Shropshire author creates magical adventure inspired by Scotland’s Highlands
Inspired by childhood holidays in the Scottish Highlands, the magical world of Mystica first began taking shape in Susan’s imagination more than 20 years ago.
Although an early version of the story was published many years ago, Susan always felt it did not fully capture the world she had created in her mind.
Life then took her in different directions as she focused on raising her family, but Mystica never truly disappeared. The story remained quietly with her until, years later, when life had settled and her daughters had grown up and started families of their own.
Susan decided it was time to return to Mystica and completely rewrite the story from the beginning, determined to bring the magical world she had always imagined to life.
The result was Mystica: The Star of Mystica, the first novel in a fantasy series inspired by the Scottish Highlands. The book follows two sisters who discover a hidden world beyond a mysterious Veil.
Since publishing the first instalment, Susan has completed the second novel and is now working on the third. She has also created original musical soundtracks, cinematic trailers and artwork to accompany the series.
To mark the publication, Susan will be donating signed copies of Mystica: The Star of Mystica to local schools and nurseries, with the hope of inspiring a love of reading and imagination among young readers.
Susan said: “Looking back, I realise Mystica never really left me. Even when I wasn’t writing, it was still quietly growing. Perhaps I didn’t find Mystica after all… perhaps Mystica found me.”
Mystica: The Star of Mystica is available in paperback, hardback and Kindle editions on Amazon.