Sense of Home

A lyrical, low-stakes magical realism novel set in a modern-day, fictionalized Earth.

Perfect for readers who love cozy storytelling and prefer emotional, character-driven journeys.

“Sense of Home is a delightful, genre-blending magical realism novel about family, loss, and self-discovery. Tyra is a terrific heroine: gifted, brave, and driven, regardless of the depth of her grief. Kaminsky surrounds her with intriguing characters and atmospheric, wonderfully descriptive prose when Tyra enters the magical worlds, embarking on an otherworldly voyage—one of lucid dreams, self-discovery, and healing from trauma.”
— The BookLife Prize

"Sense of Home is an emotionally interwoven tale of literary fiction and mystical realism that beautifully explores themes of resilience, loss, family, and inner strength. This compelling book is ideally suited for readers who enjoy reflective-style storytelling with a trace of the surreal. I fell in love with it, and you will, too."
— Readers' Favorite

In a world where everything is taken from you, dreams have the power to
heal…

Tyra Blair’s world is broken when the beasts attack. Forced to flee her beloved
homeland in the land of Azure, suddenly she and her family are outsiders in a
fractured existence she doesn’t recognize.

As her parents struggle to reconcile their fate in the wicked, gloomy village of
Marigold, and later in their grim reality of Moonvine, Tyra’s disconnection from
everything familiar and those she loves threatens to devastate her completely.

Only a mysterious encounter with an intelligent squirrel offers Tyra a glimmer of
hope. He gifts her with a refuge from her isolation and introduces her to a
magical world. But as Tyra grows, so does her ability to enter these hidden
realms, and she must learn to navigate adulthood alone.

On her journey of self-discovery, Tyra’s lucid dreams become the bridge to inner
transformation, helping her to face her shadow and find the truth in her
invisibility. But will the magic that exists within her give her the strength to heal
and finally return home?

A Sense of Home is a heartfelt blend of literary fiction, cozy fantasy, and a coming-of-age, psychological fiction featuring nine original black-and-white illustrations, each handcrafted by a gifted artist.

By setting the story in a contemporary reality free from real-world historical references, Sense of Home creates a universal, timeless space to explore the aftermath of war, family bonds. immigration, intricate romance, and loss.

If you love immersive, psychological fiction wrapped in a comforting dreamworld, enter today!

Finalist International Book Awards (IBA) 2025