Transformational Books
In adulthood, it’s all too easy to lose touch with our true self, that part of us that helps us to walk in love and light. We may fall under the spell of the false self, that part that might tell us we’re not good enough, we’re not smart enough, or that nobody loves us. When we listen to the voice of the false self, we can fall out of touch with our inner truths, leading us into any number of situations that can cause stress, burnout, and disconnection.




This is where Grace’s journey begins. Raised in the tropical rainforests of Australia, Grace has always shared a special connection with animals. But when her intuitive bond begins to fade and a mysterious black horse appears, Grace knows she must act. Guided by her beloved horse, Pepper, and her own inner voice, she sets out and uncovers the Three of the Six Keys Forgiveness, Trust, Faith, Happiness, Love, and Gratitude.
Themes: Emotional awareness, intuition, resilience, healing childhood wounds
Perfect For: Middle-grade readers, classrooms, home reading,
parent–child discussions
Benefits for Readers: Helps children and adults explore their inner voice, trust their instincts, and make sense of emotional experiences
in a grounded and magical way.


Grace knew that Amie wasn’t too far up the mountain, perhaps only an hour or so from the valley, so the drop in temperature and the thinness of the air as she and Pepper climbed the narrow mountain road were surprising. They’d crossed a small bridge over the river to get to the road, and unlike the forest in which Grace had spent most of yesterday, this place was almost unbearably silent. There were no animal sounds or anything else to indicate the presence of another soul. Not even the wind blew. Grace attempted to whistle a tune to keep an eerie feeling at bay.
“ You will be there soon.”
Grace stopped Pepper in his tracks and looked around. Where had that voice come from?. It had seemed close, right next to her ear, but when Grace looked around, she noticed she saw nothing in her line of vision, just the puffy clouds on the horizon and a clamp of bushes by the side of the road. But then, she heard a tiny rustle in the bushes.
“Aaagh!” She screamed. Pepper reared up and neighed loudly. Grace felt sheepish as a bandicoot scampered out from the bushes, most likely startled by Grace and interrupted from having a delicious meal of grubs. “It’s okay,” She said to Pepper. But she still felt spooked. She had definitely heard a voice speaking to her, though there didn’t seem to be anyone else around for miles. Was she going crazy after having been on this strange adventure for just over a day?.
This story was inspired by my own journey, growing up on the land, my bond with animals, and a powerful spiritual awakening that changed my life. Grace’s path mirrors the one I walked: learning to reconnect with my inner voice, to trust again, and to find peace beyond fear.
The Six Keys - Forgiveness, Trust, Faith, Happiness, Love, and Gratitude - are universal truths. When we learn to live by them, we start to see ourselves and the world more clearly. They help us grow, heal, and return to our true selves.
While the book is written for children aged 8 and up, it truly speaks to readers of all ages. Adults often tell me they found as much meaning in Grace’s journey as the children they read it with.
The black horse is a symbol of the false self, the fears, doubts, and old stories we believe about ourselves. Grace learns how to observe it, not fear it. This allows her to gently unravel the untruths she’s been told and to grow into her truth.
This book can open up meaningful conversations about feelings, intuition, and personal growth. Pair it with journaling, artwork, or a walk in nature, and you’ll start to see how much children (and adults) connect with its deeper message.




As Grace moved farther into the cave, she felt herself stirred by deep awe. The beauty of the crystals, which seem to shimmer like light over water, made her feel as if she were on a different planet. She walked for what felt like a long distance, but somehow, time didn’t seem to matter in this place. As she breathed in the air around her, she thought she caught a whiff of roses and the mossy smell of the earth. This place felt ancient and new all at once. She wondered how many other people like her had set foot here to find whatever they might have lost.
As she walked a little further still, the air became cooler, and she noticed that the crystals on the walls were becoming fainter and fainter, which alarmed her a little. Grace put her hands in her pockets as she shivered at the coldness that had suddenly swept through the cave.
Strangely, she felt something in one of her pockets. As she pulled it out, she saw that it was a black swan feather Maree had given her. As Grace looked at the beautiful black feather, which was tipped with white, she noticed it seemed to give off an otherworldly glow. She held it up in front of her eyes with awe and realised it was radiating light that bounced onto the cave walls around her.
Grace and the Crystal Cave continues Grace’s journey inward. It’s about learning to listen to your inner voice, trusting the guidance within, and understanding how we unknowingly strengthen our false beliefs. This book teaches readers the importance of presence, forgiveness, and reconnecting with who they truly are.
The book is perfect for children aged 8 - 14, but its wisdom resonates deeply with teens, parents, educators, and anyone exploring personal transformation. It works beautifully in classrooms, at home, and as a shared intergenerational read.
Grace’s experiences help readers understand how thoughts influence feelings and behaviour. Through her lessons with mentors like Van and Amie, readers are introduced to reflection, mindfulness, and emotional regulation in a gentle, story-led way.
In this story, Grace discovers the first three of the Six Keys - Forgiveness, Trust, and Faith. These keys are emotional anchors that help children (and adults!) navigate change, loss, fear, and confusion. They’re introduced through metaphor, visual symbolism, and dialogue with trusted guides.
Yes! Much of the story is inspired by Diann’s own personal awakening and her life in North Queensland, surrounded by animals and rainforest. The themes of nature, intuition, and spiritual growth are woven straight from her heart and lived wisdom.


Grace thought she was just moving cattle. But as the road bends and the lake shimmers on the horizon, she begins to see signs, whispers of magic, riddles from the past, and choices that could change everything. Guided by the lessons of six hidden keys, Grace must find her true path in a world that doesn’t always show you where to step
Themes: Transformation, oneness, integration of the Six Keys.
Perfect For: Young adults, spiritual seekers, book clubs, intergenerational storytelling.
Benefits for Readers: Encourages emotional maturity, empathy, and insight into the power of personal evolution.


That night, the house was wrapped in quiet. Grace lay curled beneath the pink quilt in the little back bedroom. The walls still held the faint scent of lavender and old rainwater, and above her bed, someone had left a few glow-in-the-dark stickers on the ceiling: a crooked moon, a scattering of stars, and one tiny comet.
She blinked sleepily at the shapes, letting her breath slow. Jack the dog had taken his place at the foot of her bed, his steady sighs soft in the quiet of the room. Grace closed her eyes. A breeze moved through the trees outside, and in the stillness, she felt it again. A warmth beside her. A breath on her skin. The soft press of a muzzle - just at the edge of her hand.
Grace didn’t open her eyes. She didn’t have to. The white horse was there. Not in body, maybe. But in presence. In the way her chest didn’t feel tight anymore. In the way her thoughts had quieted.
As Grace travels toward Swan Lake with her family’s precious heifers, the drought around her mirrors a deeper thirst within. Guided by the presence of two symbolic horses - one black with fear, one white with wisdom -Grace must choose, again and again, how to move through uncertainty. Each step brings her closer not only to the lake, but to the truth of who she is.
The cygnet symbolises transformation. As Grace cares for it and watches it grow into a majestic swan, she recognises her own transformation. What once felt weak, uncertain, or unlovable now becomes strong, wise, and beautiful. It's a reflection of the power within all of us to grow beyond our old stories.
In this book, Grace applies the full set of Six Keys - Forgiveness, Trust, Faith, Happiness, Love, and Gratitude. Through emotional trials and triumphs, she learns that true power comes from softness, awareness, and compassion. The story offers tools to help readers embody these values in everyday life.
This is a story for the “young at heart”, those still finding their place in the world or returning to themselves after a long journey away. It's ideal for children 10+, but also speaks deeply to adults walking their own paths of healing, reconnection, and self-belief.
This book can open up meaningful conversations about feelings, intuition, and personal growth. Pair it with journaling, artwork, or a walk in nature, and you’ll start to see how much children (and adults) connect with its deeper message.
Absolutely. Grace’s final adventure brings together everything she’s learned, offering readers a gentle, empowering way to face fears, let go of old programming, and return to truth. It’s a book designed to uplift, reflect, and nurture resilience and hope.




Black Swan is for adults, seekers, and anyone feeling disconnected from their true self. It’s a heartfelt, vulnerable look at my own six-week awakening, written like a journal, to help others begin observing their inner world and dissolving the old patterns that no longer serve them.
That we are not our thoughts, our past, or our pain. We are something deeper, more profound. When we learn to observe without judgment and gently become aware of our triggers and programming, we find our way back to peace, love, and truth.
The black swan represents the part of ourselves we may not have accepted or understood yet, our hidden power, intuition, and ability to rise. It’s the moment we realise we were never broken, only conditioned to forget our wholeness.
It’s both. Black Swan blends storytelling, reflection, and spiritual wisdom in a way that feels like sitting beside someone who’s walked the path. It doesn’t tell you what to do… it helps you see what’s already within you.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain, this book offers a compassionate mirror. It gently reminds you that you can slow down, breathe, and observe the patterns that no longer fit, and in that awareness, real change begins.


Invitations to pause, reflect, and return to the quiet wisdom that lives inside each of us. They are mirrors and maps, revealing the threads that connect us to nature, to others, and most profoundly, to ourselves.
Through Diann Maree’s storytelling, readers of all ages are reminded that healing is possible, that intuition is powerful, and that the journey inward can be just as thrilling and transformative as any grand adventure.
So, if you're ready to reconnect with what truly matters, to walk beside Grace, and to rediscover the truth of who you are, your journey starts here…
Are you ready to turn the page?

Looking for something truly special?
Order a personally signed copy of one of Diann Maree’s inspiring books today. Whether it’s a heartfelt gift or a treasured keepsake for yourself or a loved one, Diann will include a personalised message tailored just for you.

Dear Reader
Diann Maree



Join Diann Maree's Story Telling Circle
Nurture The Heart | Awaken The Spirit | Stay Connected
© 2003-2025 Diann Maree - Author, Speaker & Storyteller. All rights reserved. ~ Design