The Littleton Chronicles Book 1: Awakening

Written by Julia Benson-Slaughter with Michael Aurelius

In this alternative Earth, the small Appalachian town of Littleton, NC, is one of the power portals of the North American continent.
Laura Sanders, bookish and shy, and Sam Webster, college football prospect, have known each other casually for years in their former home town. When both end up in Littleton for their senior year of high school, their acquaintanceship quickly deepens into a true friendship. Soon afterwards, they discover that they are bonded as soulmates despite their age, and that they both are Gifted with the power to access and use magic.
With the help of Laura's aunt and uncle, the Guardians of the Littleton Portal, Laura and Sam learn what their powers are and how to use them. In the process, they help take down a human and drug trafficking ring operating out of Littleton, fend off attacks from demonic entities attempting to steal the power of the portal for their own, find other Gifted friends, and still graduate as class valedictorian and salutatorian.

Content warning: this series contains adult language, explicit sex, graphic violence, torture, and sexual assault.