Ties that Bond in Gretna Green
It’s Valentine’s week in the Gateway, and Niki McKnight is preparing to conduct her first bondings for the fated, soul-bonded mates of the Kingdoms.
She was a registrar who married thousands of people in her former job—this will be a breeze ... Right?
Wrong!
The bondings don’t quite go to plan. Cue hilarity, heartbreak and mysterious magical prophecies for some of our favourite characters.
Niki's goddaughter Autumn is visiting, and her heart's desires are to ride a unicorn and be a bridesmaid for the first time. So no pressure then!
And there are mysteries to solve:
Why is the Recorder forbidden from bonding the members of an entire race?
Why is Prince Charming Dai, her childhood crush, suddenly avoiding her?
Why were so many bond mates trying to deceive her gran?
Why is Dola sending everyone gifts?
Why are there no doughnuts, brownies or other sugary goodness?
But in what's supposed to be the busiest week of the Gateway's year, Niki finally has some time on her hands to sort her own life out. Even if she still can't manage to get her hair cut.
In this full-length, light-hearted addition to the Midlife Recorder series, you'll find humour, tension and magical food as the Recorder confirms the soul bonds for Celts, Galicians, Vikings, Hobs, Picts and Fae.

Cozy Pairings

Witches Brew is an earthy and softly floral fragrance that opens with warm clove and gentle spice, creating an immediate sense of familiarity. At its heart, delicate violet brings a subtle sweetness that lifts and softens the richness of dark patchouli. The base is deep and grounding, with smoky, woodsy notes that linger in the air, balanced by a soft warmth. Smooth and atmospheric, this scent feels both comforting and a little unexpected, blending warmth, earth, and soft florals into something subtly captivating.
Why we chose this: Niki McKnight arrived in Gretna Green with no idea what a Recorder was, and found herself in a sentient Scottish house managing Celtic gods, Fae kings, Viking royalty, and a talking cat with strong opinions about everything. Witches Brew is the candle for every book in this series, earthy and ancient, with the soft floral depth of a place where old magic has been living quietly for centuries. It smells like a hearth in a house that knows your name, like something brewing that has been brewing for a very long time. Light this candle and let the grounding warmth of patchouli and violet fill the room like a magical estate in Scotland where the past and the present are always in lively, occasionally chaotic conversation.