THE TIMELINE UNIVERSE
Magic Inc. is a YA Contemporary Fantasy series that focuses on Jane Roberts, a shy and anxious young girl who discovers magic when Mr. Parker - creator of the Magic Inc. media company - and his family move to her small city. Jane soon begins her long journey of learning how to control her Air Elemental magic and live out her own destiny. Her story deals with bullying, anxiety, and deep emotions.
This story began its life as my little secret world. An escape from the cruelty of my classmates and the loneliness of school life. It blended some of my reality with my wildest imaginings, but it's mostly about a sensitive young girl growing up. Looking for love. Looking for connection. Trying to come into her own power. Magic Inc. is a coming-of-age story. One that comes from the heart and represents my truth.
Jane Roberts never fit in. After years of teasing from her classmates, all she wanted was to blend in and be normal. But on Jane’s first day of fourth grade, her life changes completely when the new girl, Jenny, brings with her arrival the secret of magic. Jane goes into training, where she learns the ins and outs of magic and its great history. But not even magic can top the feeling Jane gets when she meets Chaz Parker, Jenny’s older brother. She’s head-over-heels and wants to be with Chaz forever, but a nine year age difference makes Jane wonder if he’d ever look at her that way. Between learning magic and falling in love, Jane’s year is bound to be anything but normal.
Tragedy has struck. As Jane Roberts tries to help the Parkers through their loss, amidst increased bullying and painful visions, she feels only one thing remains the same: she is still convinced Chaz Parker is her Soulmate. Her feelings are stronger than ever and maturing rapidly in spite of her young age. But there’s a new problem… Chaz has a girlfriend. Desperate to see into her destiny, Jane makes a mistake which pulls her future into her present. And it could change everything at Magic Inc.
Jane Roberts has lost nearly everything. Jenny Parker, her best friend. Chaz Parker, the love of her life. Both have abandoned her in pursuit of their dreams. Even Jane’s own magic seems trapped inside and out of reach in the midst of her grief. As her Air Priestess training officially begins, Jane’s painful visions lead her into dangerous situations and unexpected new connections. All the while, she tries to write the faerie tale story of her heart and embrace the magic that destiny has entrusted her with.
The Timeline Universe is made up of many interconnected stories, featuring elemental magic, prophecies, priestesses, soulmates, dream worlds, and maybe just a bit of time travel. The lives of many characters connect across the ages, starting in the central story of Jane Roberts in Magic Inc.
This universe began when I was a freshman in high school, making my first attempt at a novel called Dreaming in Shadow. Over the next few years, my mind continued to come up with stories that just naturally connected. And I realized there was a whole universe forming in my brain. I started to map out an idea of how all of these stories would play out and called that document The Timeline. And the name stuck. It just felt right.
How far will your obsessions take you?
Jodi Thompson has been in love with her next-door-neighbor as far back as she can remember. After his disappearance, visions lead her into dangerous close encounters with the gang leader she believes to be her lost love. Jodi is willing to do anything to protect Shadow, but her actions lead to upsetting consequences. As she gets closer to Shadow, she will be forced to choose between protecting the boy she’s always loved and saving the lives of innocent people.
Could one little moment really change everything?
Sapphira Farraday is living the life of a typical wealthy teenager in England, but everything changes when she knocks over a bottle of perfume, leading her to witness a murder. Sapphira escapes, living in fear of being hunted by the killer, known to her only as Destiny. Feeling her life may be over at any moment drives Sapphira into making some impulsive decisions. Still, no matter what she does, Sapphira finds herself forced into a world of magic and deceit she wishes she never knew existed.
“My name is Ethan Abbott, and I live in the town where it never stops raining.” That’s how I always introduce myself to people. It’s the only remarkable thing about my life. I’ve got a crappy job and a band that’s going nowhere. No one wants to know about that. Everyone just wants to hear about The Town of Raindrops. That’s what they officially renamed my town about a year ago. That’s what the letters say. Because it’s been raining here for six years, and no one knows why.
Of course, anyone I meet these days knows exactly where I live. That’s why they come here: to see my tiny, insignificant hometown, just because we have rain 365 days a year. Those strange tourists who used to go to England for rain now come here. So, actually, I say… “My name is Ethan Abbott, and welcome to The Town of Raindrops. I hope you have a wonderful stay.”
Life sucks.
I'm Valerie Rutherford, author of the Magic Inc. series and The Timeline Universe. I've been creating songs and stories as far back as I can remember. I began writing in fifth grade after a poetry assignment and had a poem published that same year. My books have a strong emphasis on characters and their relationships. My writing often has a focus on anxiety, bullying, and intense feelings. I write magic as a way of bringing a visual manifestation to emotions and inner strength.
