Author & Educator
Author
Fantasy for Adults &
Picture Books for Children
Educator
College-Level Writing
Elementary-Level Education
Christina's Motto
"Pursue Your Dreams & Thrive!"
Dear Readers,
Writing is often a solitary journey, but as I move closer to releasing Dream Guardian and expanding the world of The Woman in Green from Cromarty, I’ve realized that the most important part of the process is actually you.
My work has always explored the boundaries between protection and peril. Whether it’s a six-winged fairy soldier guarding Earth’s children from nightmares in the science-fantasy world of Dream Guardian, or a mysterious legend haunting the Scottish Highlands in my dark novella, these stories examine the strength we find when we are most vulnerable. This theme of resilience is just as vital in my children’s picture book, Special Memory, where the "peril" is not a monster or an alien, but the very real, internal anxiety of a child facing the unknown. By moving through the fear of a first day of school to find comfort in a "special memory," even my youngest characters discover that the tools for protection often lie within our own hearts and minds. Across every genre I write, the message remains the same: we are never as helpless as we feel.
My goal isn't just to tell you a story; it's to invite you into these worlds where imagination is our greatest weapon.
In my work as an educator, I often tell my students that writing is a tool for survival. Whether we are analyzing complex communication or crafting a picture book, we are ultimately doing the same thing: trying to make sense of our world.
As I’ve been building the world of Dream Guardian and developing the series for The Woman in Green from Cromarty, I find myself returning to that same idea. These stories aren't just fantasy; they are explorations of how we protect the things we love—even when we feel cynical, tired, or lost.
Consider signing up for my newsletter further down this page, where you'll get sneak previews, character interviews, playlists, thematic notes, folklore insights, herbal recipes, writer craft information, and more.
----Christina Francine
Published Work
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Upcoming Books
~~ Dream Guardian ~~
A Science Fantasy Novel
Tasked with shielding Earth's children from soul-stealing nightmares, a cynical Special Forces fairy soldier from another world finds her heart—and her mission—threatened by an abused little girl and the one man she wasn't supposed to fall for. To save two worlds from an encroaching darkness, the disciplined guardian must protect the vulnerable family and rediscover the very emotion she believed was a myth: love.
The Woman in Green from Cromarty
Novella series
Coming Soon: Novellas 2-5
Book 2 of
The Woman in Green
from Cromarty:
The Next Moon
Key Theme:
Survival & Vulnerability
Primary Characters:
Ashley & Kelly
Book 3 of
The Woman in Green
from Cromarty:
The Riddle Master
Key Theme:
Coming of Age
Primary Characters:
Penny & Chait
Book 4 of
The Woman in Green
from Cromarty:
The Black Isle
Key Theme:
Historical Legend
Primary Characters:
Young Gudrun & Chait
Book 5 of
The Woman in Green
from Cromarty:
The Shadow of the King
Key Theme:
Expanding Lore
Primary Characters:
The Entire Family vs. McKinnon
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Joan Schwieghardt
Young readers learn two lessons in this charming story. One, special memories can be deliberately created; and two, memories are great tools for offsetting fears and anxieties. And as a bonus, there is an activity guide at the back of the book that explores the themes therein, and, since the particular memory in the story is weather-related, it also includes a great introduction to some climate essentials.
Mother of Many Bookish, NZ
The Woman in Green from Cromarty: A Legend
Short, Sharp and Fantastic!
With mystery, thrills, and Magic ✨ The Woman in Green from Cromarty will be hard to put down, which is fantastic due to it being a short novel. If you need something to spark a thought and drag you out of a reading slump, this is the perfect piece. Pick it up and don't let go till you're done!
Jillian
Friday Nights Are Not a Good Time to Get Groceries" (short-story in A Scream in the Night anthology
A Scream in the Night 2 was a fun & spooky read. I'm a huge fan of horror anthologies and love that they often give readers a chance to discover new authors. Christina Francine is one to watch from this volume, as her story "Friday Nights Are Not a Good Time to Get Groceries" will leave you wanting to hear more of this ghoulish ghost story.
Cheryl Tardif
A unique, sweet story, perfect for children entering school. And it comes with a discussion guide for parents or children. If your child is ambivalent about his/her first day of school, I recommend you read this book together. Maybe dance in the rain...
Warda Atroun
5 Stars
My daughter Rosa loves reading « Special Memory." She is almost two, but could understand the story through picture descriptions and reading through the Language Experience Approach. This book is a gift to children's libraries.
Kendra Leighson
The Woman in Green from Cromarty: A Legend
5 Stars
This book took me by surprise with how deeply it touched me. Beneath the folklore and danger lies a moving story about family, inner strength, and reclaiming a legacy that was hidden. The pacing is smooth, the imagery is rich, and the emotional stakes are high. Christina Francine has crafted something special.
J.J. Eriksen
The Woman in Green from Cromarty: A Legend
5.0 out of 5 stars
The legend is fascinating. Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024I just finished the novella and it was a very intriguing piece with the legend entwined with personal experiences of the author. This book packed much interest and is a fast, action-packed story. Kudos for pulling in the Celtic accent, that can be hard to do and keep true to the story. I will be watching this author for more of her works!
Carolyn Radmonavich
Friday Nights Are Not a Good Time to Get Groceries" (short-story in A Scream in the Night anthology
Carolyn Radmonavich, author of The Shape-Shifter series, said she absolutely loved "Friday Nights Are Not a Good Time to Get Groceries." She adds that she "loved the mixture of scary with levity. The first sentence starts with a bang, "Lawrence Herkles wanted a gun," but instead gets a branch for his pocket. Right away, he's a good villain or at least a bad guy because he can afford to drink whisky, but his wife and kids are hungry, and he says they whine when they complain about it. There's a bit of a love story going on with Phil and Cheryl. She appreciates him at the end - character change or growth. I absolutely loved bringing in Mrs. Kaminsky and the kosher dill pickles." Radmonavich finalizes her thoughts with the "story [is] clever, well-written, and interesting."
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The Craft of Writing (coming soon)
Writing Workshops (coming soon)
Special Memory is a bookcrossing book and is on the go, traveling around. People are finding it at cafes, libraries, and many other places. If you find a copy, let everyone know where you found it by going to bookcrossing and entering the code from the inside cover. Read the story and then let it go back to traveling.
Where Special Memory lands is anyone's guess.
