Can three unlikely companions, each hiding a secret, survive one deadly quest? When Tessa Skye’s father is killed by order of a powerful conjurer, her world is turned upside down. As a locksmith’s apprentice with a magical amulet that lets her transform into a sparrow, Tessa is determined to do the impossible, bring him back. Her only hope lies in stealing the Dreadmarrow , the conjurer’s most prized artifact, said to hold power over life and death. But she won’t make the journey alone. Ash, a quiet boy with unmatched skill in swordplay, is desperate to avenge his twin brother’s mysterious death. Calder, a wandering fortuneteller with a bag full of clever tricks, is searching for the girl he once loved, now vanished into the conjurer’s shadowy world. Together, the three must cross the dangerous Cursed Wood, survive attacks by monstrous boarmen and wraiths, and outwit the deadly forces that guard the conjurer’s fortress. Each of them has something to hide. Each of them has something to lose. And if they fail, more than one life may be lost forever. Full of danger, heart, and magic, Dreadmarrow is a tale of unlikely friendships, unbreakable courage, and the powerful choices that shape who we become, even when all hope seems lost. Some doors were never meant to be unlocked. DREADMARROW (BOOK ONE) GRAND PRIZE WINNER, Cynosure Screenwriting Awards 2nd PLACE WINNER, Stories for Children contest run by California Writers Club SILVER AWARD WINNER, SPR Book Awards: "An enthralling foundation for a new fantasy series." BRONZE MEDAL WINNER, The Wishing Shelf Book Awards: " A gripping fantasy adventure. Highly recommended." SEMIFINALIST, Novel-in-progress category of the William Faulkner - William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition "A novel that celebrates life and love the way only the best fantasy tales can." —Kirkus Reviews "For those who enjoyed Harry Potter but who seek a feisty, determined female protagonist." —Midwest Book Review "The quest narrative is exciting and compelling... a work of classic fantasy." —The BookLife Prize " A cracking adventure of discovery for all the three of them... A book that could be read as a stand alone but I am very fascinated to see where it will take me next." —Susan Hampson, Books From Dusk Till Dawn " An epic quest takes three young people on an unforgettable adventure... this book is wonderful." —Desert Rose Book Reviews The narrative here is tightly woven and compelling, moving the action forward at a brisk pace while allowing the reader to fully give themselves over to the immersive experience of the book, without rushing through key moments. - Judge, 5th Annual Writer's Digest SP eBook Awards GRAVENWOOD (BOOK TWO) Benedict "plots shrewdly, nesting quests within quests and mysteries within mysteries, keeping the story exciting while still finding time to lay bare the hearts of her heroes." —The BookLife Prize "Full-bodied, engrossing, and hard to put down." —Midwest Book Review "Grounded, likable characters with complex emotions anchor this excellent series installment." —Kirkus Reviews "A strongly-plotted fantasy adventure packed full of charismatic characters. A finalist and highly recommended to young adults." —The Wishing Shelf Book Awards "This fast-moving second installment of Ash, Tessa, and Calder's story is full of compelling emotional vignettes and creative magical moments." Rated 5 (outstanding) for Character Appeal and Development. - Judge, 27th Annual Writer's Digest SP Book Awards KINGSHACKLE (BOOK THREE) QUARTERFINALIST, The BookLife Prize run by Publishers Weekly: "Suspenseful and full of surprises." "Masterful pacing... takes readers through a bevy of betrayals, startling deaths, and exhilarating action... An exciting, inventive finale." —Kirkus Reviews "A powerful and fitting conclusion to the series... Very highly recommended." —Midwest Book Review Margie Benedict writes emotionally charged, genre-spanning fiction centered on one powerful theme: second chances. Whether set in a magical kingdom, a dystopian society, or a time-twisted reality, her stories follow women and girls as they rediscover their strength, rewrite their stories, and reclaim their power. Formerly publishing under the name Marjory Kaptanoglu, Margie is an award-winning author whose books have earned praise from Kirkus, the BookLife Prize, and Publishers Weekly. Her work blends emotional depth with genre thrills, resonating with fans of Outlander, The Hunger Games, and Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness series. Before turning to fiction full-time, she helped develop pioneering software at Apple and wrote screenplays that were recognized at Slamdance and produced for film. Margie is now building a brand readers can trust for gripping, transformative storytelling—books that don't just entertain but empower. From middle grade fantasy to adult thrillers, sci-fi, and women's fiction, she invites readers of all ages to ask: What would you do with a secon