Every journey has a beginning, and for Morwenna Willowheart Brightwood, that beginning is a decommissioned lighthouse on Portland's "Driftwood Coast" in Maine. While her lighthouse home might seem like an unusual choice, it's just the first chapter in a story that will sweep her across the Atlantic to the mist-shrouded shores of Scotland.

Living with her adopted sister Ava and their father Seamus, Morwenna has carved out a comfortable life as a freelance writer in their coastal home. The locals know this stretch of coast for its storm-tossed driftwood and the migrating birds that frequent its shores. What they don't know is that this lighthouse holds secrets – including the mysterious disappearance of Morwenna and Ava's adopted mother, Miread, during a fierce storm years ago.

But Maine is just where our story begins. Morwenna's true adventure lies ahead in Scotland, where ancient mysteries await in places like the "lonely city that remembers" in Edinburgh, the mythical Selkie's Tear on the Isle of Skye, and the enigmatic Cove of the Songless Islands. Her freelance writing career might have given her the freedom to travel, but it's destiny that will call her across the sea...

Like many of us, Morwenna thought she had her life figured out. Her days had a comfortable rhythm: writing articles from her lighthouse office, sharing coffee and laughter with Ava, and listening to Seamus's endless stories about local maritime history. But sometimes the most important journeys begin when we think we're exactly where we should be.

What makes Morwenna unique isn't just her circumstances – it's who she is at her core. She's practical enough to build a stable freelance writing career, yet there's always been something pulling her toward the extraordinary. Maybe it's the way she can sometimes hear whispers in the wind, or how the sea seems to call to her in ways she can't quite explain. Or perhaps it's the mysterious circumstances surrounding her birth and adoption that have left her with more questions than answers.

When the signs begin pointing her toward Scotland, Morwenna does what any sensible person would do: she books a flight and packs her laptop, ready to chase down a story. What she doesn't realize is that she's about to become part of a story far bigger than anything she's ever written – one that's been waiting for her since before she was born.

The magic in Morwenna's world isn't about waving wands or casting spells. It's deeper than that, as ancient as the Scottish shores she'll soon call home, and as natural as breathing. But first, she needs to learn who she really is, and sometimes that means leaving everything you know behind...

Of course, no story worth telling stays in one place forever. When Morwenna boards that flight to Scotland, she's not just crossing an ocean – she's crossing a threshold between the life she knows and the one that's been waiting for her. The misty Scottish Highlands hold more than just stunning views and ancient legends; they hold answers to questions she didn't even know she needed to ask.

Edinburgh becomes her first taste of Scotland, a city where history whispers from every cobblestone and magic lingers in the shadows of centuries-old buildings. But it's not just the tourist spots that catch Morwenna's eye. She finds herself drawn to places that don't appear in any guidebook, places where the veil between our world and the magical one grows thin enough to slip through.

The real magic begins when she reaches the Highlands. Here, among the heather-covered hills and fog-shrouded lochs, Morwenna discovers that some stories aren't just stories. The legends of selkies – those mysterious creatures who can shed their sealskins to walk as humans – start to feel less like folklore and more like family history. And suddenly, those odd moments from her past – the inexplicable pull of the sea, the strange dreams of seal-filled waters – begin to make a different kind of sense.

But uncovering the truth about herself means navigating a world where not everyone welcomes questions about the old ways. Some secrets are kept hidden for a reason, and some people would prefer they stay that way...

What makes Morwenna's journey unique isn't just her destination – it's how she faces each revelation. As a writer, she's used to crafting stories, not living them. But in Scotland, she finds herself in the middle of a tale that's been centuries in the making.

Ava, her adopted sister and constant companion, proves to be more than just family – she's a vital part of this unfolding mystery. Together, they form a team that's both endearing and formidable. While Morwenna tends to approach situations with careful consideration (and maybe a touch of skepticism), Ava brings an enthusiasm that's contagious. Their dynamic creates a perfect balance as they navigate this new world of ancient magic and modern challenges.

The Scottish Highlands become more than just a setting for their adventure – they become a character in their own right. From the misty shores where selkies once danced to the hidden coves that hold centuries of secrets, each location holds another piece of the puzzle Morwenna needs to solve. And with each discovery, she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about her past.

But not all discoveries come easily. Some truths test not just Morwenna's courage, but her very understanding of who she is. When you've spent your whole life thinking you're one thing, only to discover you might be something else entirely... well, that's the kind of change that challenges everything you believe about yourself.

What started as a simple journey to Scotland becomes something far more profound for Morwenna. Like the ebb and flow of the tide she left behind in Maine, she discovers that identity isn't fixed – it's fluid, ever-changing, shaped by the truths we uncover and the choices we make.

But this is just the beginning of Morwenna's story. While Whispers of the Selkie introduces us to her world, there's so much more waiting to be discovered. The magic she encounters in the Scottish Highlands isn't confined to ancient legends or dusty tomes – it lives and breathes in the misty corners of Edinburgh's streets, in the depths of hidden coves, and in the hearts of those who keep the old ways alive.

For those wondering about Morwenna's further adventures, you can find regular updates in my newsletter's "Tales from the Tide" section, where I share more glimpses into her world and the magic that shapes it. And while The Crooked Candle may be a mysterious magical bar that appears later in her journey, that's a story for another time...

What makes Morwenna special isn't just her connection to the selkie legends or her journey of self-discovery – it's her relatability. She reminds us that sometimes the most extraordinary stories begin with ordinary people who simply choose to follow the whispers of their heart, even when those whispers lead them far from home.

After all, isn't that what we're all looking for? A place where we truly belong, even if it's not where we expected to find it?