Introduction
Today's "Author Spotlight" features Reba Birmingham, a writer who masterfully balances two distinct worlds: the structured, logical realm of law and the boundless, magical worlds of her fiction. An award-winning attorney by profession, Reba is also the acclaimed author of the Hercynian Forest series, a unique saga that blends urban fantasy, cozy mystery, and important social commentary. The series introduces readers to a modern lesbian couple whose ordinary lives in small-town California collide with an ancient, parallel world of magic.
An Author's Journey: From Law to Lore
Reba Birmingham brings a unique combination of skills to her writing. The sharp intellect and keen eye for detail honed during her career as an attorney are evident in her complex plots and well-developed characters. Her dedication to the craft of writing is also demonstrated by her role as a charter member of the Opus Literary Alliance (OLA), an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the literary arts. It's this blend of analytical thinking and creative passion that forms the foundation of her captivating storytelling.
The Hercynian Forest Series: Magic in Merryville
Reba Birmingham's expansive Hercynian Forest series introduces readers to a world where ordinary life in a small California town runs parallel to an ancient realm of magic. The story centers on a married lesbian couple: Panda Fowler, a practical and skeptical tax preparer, and her wife Mitzi, a free-spirited travel agent who embraces the possibility of the supernatural. Their comfortable routine is shattered when they discover that magic, elves, and mythical creatures are very real.
- Floodlight (Book 1): The adventure begins when an eccentric performance art piece in Merryville goes awry, leading to the appearance of a magical creature and the sudden disappearance of Mitzi. To save her wife, the down-to-earth Panda must cast aside her disbelief and venture into a frightening magical world she never knew existed, facing powerful villains along the way.
- Words on a Plate (Book 2): Now aware that magic is real, Panda and Mitzi travel to Peru in search of Panda's long-lost parents, while Mitzi begins to explore her own latent magical powers. Back in their hometown, their friends face a different kind of battle, confronting real-world homophobia and prejudice sparked by a new feminist art exhibit at the local museum.
- The Wolf You Feed (Book 3): The conflict escalates, hitting the couple on two fronts. They face legal attacks in the ordinary world of Merryville just as an epic war in the Hercynian Forest spills over into their town. With the main villain sowing chaos on their doorstep, Panda must find a way to master her own magical abilities under extreme pressure.
- Circle of Stones (Book 4): In this instalment, Panda grapples with her "sensing magic," which feels tame compared to the abilities of those around her. However, after a near-death experience reveals a powerful connection to ravens, she is tasked with a dangerous mission. All the while, a mysterious, unnatural winter descends on Merryville, forcing the couple to deal with magical threats and real-world emergencies simultaneously.
- Search for the Summer Stone (Book 5): The couple's next quest takes them to Africa in search of the powerful Summer Stone. To avoid their enemies, they must go undercover, but their mission is complicated when Mitzi is drawn into a dangerous side-adventure. Panda must learn to control her raven magic before a final showdown in the sands of Namibia.
What Readers Are Saying About Reba Birmingham's Work:
Readers have embraced Reba Birmingham's Hercynian Forest series for its unique blend of genres, engaging characters, and thrilling adventures that seamlessly weave together the mundane and the magical. Here's a selection of what readers are saying:
- "The story is a mash-up of things - urban fantasy (with good versus evil at play), cozy mystery, and expose of small-town political power plays...There are lots of interesting characters and happenings to keep me engaged and wanting to know more. It reads like a saga and I’ll enjoy reading/listening to more tales of Panda and Mitzi and their adventures." - Katherine Rupley on Floodlight, 5 Stars, Goodreads
- "This tale reminds me of the madcap comedies of yesteryear, of which I am truly a fan. The story bounces from one character to another, with complications piling up in the most delightful way. It is a magical story that I can hardly wait to dive back into, with the second book." - Lisa on Floodlight, 4 Stars, Goodreads
- "The continuing saga of Panda, Mitzi, and friends, as they navigate the perils of Peru and Merryville ahead of the Wolfrum and his pack. Entertaining and full of twists and turns, a good read/listen by any measure." - Katherine Rupley on Words on a Plate, 5 Stars, Goodreads
- "The continuing adventures of our cast of characters presents us a delightful romp alongside them. Traveling the world, engaging with magical creatures, learning a thing or two about art and horticulture, it's all here...Her characters are relatable, even the magical ones, with enough action and surprise twists to keep your nose buried to see how it all turns out." - Jeannie Dunsworth on The Wolf You Feed, 5 Stars, Goodreads
- "All her delightful characters, including humans, elves , fairies, and other mystical creatures, are well drawn and entertaining. I'm looking forward to the next volume." - Tina Tessina on Circle of Stones, 5 Stars, Goodreads
- "Reba Birmingham’s Search for the Summer Stone takes readers on another wild ride in the Hercynian Forest Series, blending fantasy, adventure, and social commentary into one entertaining package...Panda’s narration, laced with dry humor and self-doubt, makes the journey feel personal. She’s not some fearless warrior; she’s a tax preparer who just happens to have a destiny, and that’s what makes her so relatable." - Book Reviewer on Search for the Summer Stone, 5 Stars, Goodreads
A Call to Connection
Ready to explore the magical world of Merryville and the Hercynian Forest? You can connect with Reba Birmingham and follow her work on her website, Facebook, and X.
Her Hercynian Forest series is available for purchase through the Amazon affiliate links below:
For those who love to listen, the first three books in the series—Floodlight, Words on a Plate, and The Wolf You Feed—are also available as audiobooks on Audible & iTunes.
Conclusion
Reba Birmingham has created a truly unique and expansive world with her Hercynian Forest series. Her ability to skillfully blend urban fantasy with the charm of a cozy mystery, the humour of a madcap comedy, and the weight of real-world social commentary is a testament to her talent. Drawing on her sharp intellect as an attorney, she crafts intricate plots and memorable characters like Panda and Mitzi, who readers have come to love. If you're looking for a saga that is at once magical, funny, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, I highly recommend starting your adventure in Merryville.
Thanks for reading!
*This post contains affiliate links. For more information about my affiliate relationships, please see my Affiliate Disclosure.