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Tropes—A Good Thing?

Another feature of a good story is tropes. Before you give tropes a bad rap, they actually can be handy. Readers have different expectations for the books they read, and tropes can help you meet those expectations.

In an old blog post, I mentioned the tropes I would be having in my fairy tale retelling.

  • Little Red Riding Hood Retelling
  • Dire Wolf Character
  • Young Teens
  • A Crush on a Prince (Who Can Fly!)
  • Talking Animals
  • Found Family

Here’s more I’m adding:

  • Character With Physical Disability
  • Confronting Bullies
  • Mad Scientist

How does my story fit all these tropes?

  1. It’s a Red Riding Hood retelling (duh).
  2. The wolf character is a dire wolf. So all you dire wolf fans out there, I’m sure you’ll be pleased. 🙂 Plus, she has magic powers.
  3. The protagonist, her love interest, and her personal enemies are young teens, ages thirteen through fourteen.
  4. The protagonist, Nan, develops a crush on Prince Deverell of Lusanda. And because Deverell is Lusandan, he can fly (as well as shoot fires and winds from his hands). I think of their relationship as something like Peter Pan and Wendy. However, their budding relationship gets challenging, as the Prince grows suspicious about Nan palling with a troublemaking dire wolf. But things get straightened out in the end. Overall, this romance is very slow-burn; no kissing and no hand-holding. Though when the Prince catches Nan when she falls, she gets a thrill of sorts.
  5. Yep, I gotta have talking animals in my book. The dire wolf doesn’t talk, but two of the Prince’s friends are animals that can speak: a monkey called Chidike and an owl named Oma. However, one of them proves to be an enemy, and you’ll have to read the story to find out which one.
  6. Found family? Nan becomes friends with the Prince and his sister, Princess Celine. After all they go through together, there is a kinship of sorts.
  7. Nan has a physical disability, probably Cerebral Palsy. She’s forced to use a walking stick when navigating through the woods. Sadly, her disability has become the brunt of the bullies’ jokes.
  8. Speaking of bullying, there’s both verbal and physical bullying. *Trigger warning* The two bullies, Gabrielle and Jared, call Nan Crooked-Limbs, and Gabrielle wrestles her aggressively. They also harass the dire wolf too, pulling her fur. The main villain, i.e. the alchemist, creates a monster to burn down infirmaries, as she despises the sick and weak (However, the burning of infirmaries is only told, not shown). But now for the good news: the alchemist gets destroyed by the Prince, and Gabrielle and Jared are punished.
  9. Let’s talk about the most dangerous villain in my story: the alchemist. If you’re familiar with alchemists, they’re scientists who come up with crazy hypotheses about turning things into gold. However, this alchemist is more sinister, as she uses biology and chemistry to turn animals—and people—into monsters to harm the weak. But again, the good guys win in the end (another trait of a good story).

Does this story sound right up your alley? Here’s the link to preorder the book, where I’m featured with other authors and their fairy tales.

Of Dangers and Dreams Preorder
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Introducing My Wolf Character

I mentioned my main female character and special male character, but I have to mention an important side character: the wolf. Or should I say, the dire wolf.

Nan meets the dire wolf in the woods, and she calls her Silvera. Little does she know that the animal is actually a human girl who consumed a potion by a powerful alchemist. And she’s related to Prince Deverell in some way.

Why does she drink the potion? She’s insecure about herself—her poor athleticism and her not doing well in school. She hopes the alchemist would make her stronger, but she doesn’t think the potion would turn her into an animal.

Note: If you haven’t heard already, I’m writing a book that tells the wolf’s backstory, and you can sign up for my newsletter to get an email every time I post a chapter. Click on the “Bonus Story!” link on the top of this site to sign up. It doesn’t cost a cent.

Here are royalty-free pictures I chose for Silvera’s human self and dire wolf self. The expression in the first picture could possibly be how she looked when she decided to drink the potion. When she’s a dire wolf, she has both blue and violet in her eyes, so I edited the second picture accordingly.

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The Setting Of It All

Every good story must have an intriguing setting, and I aim for that in my “Friend of the Dire Wolf” tale.

Nan, my Red Riding Hood character, lives during a Medieval-like era. She’s an orphan, and back in Medieval times, they didn’t have orphanages or foster homes like the ones we’re familiar with. Rather, she would either have to live with next of kin or live and work in somebody’s business. In her case, she dwells and works in an inn based in a hamlet, or a very small village. It offers mead, pottage, and fresh bread, and with this particular inn, the sleeping quarters are divided into women’s and men’s rooms. What’s super-unique about the building is that it’s made of stone, which makes it extra protective against shady folk. All the staff carry keys, which they use to lock and unlock the doors, ensuring the inn’s security.

[Royalty-free photo]

However, the stone walls prove weak against a mysterious arsonist. An arsonist that flings white fire so hot, it can melt the stone (According to real life science, it is possible for white fire to do that.).

Nan’s country, called Bueron, is a country that’s all forest, and I locate it in the center of my fictional world, called Tarin’e. This here is a map I drew of the world, and it features Bueron as well as Lusanda, which is Prince Deverell’s country.

Who is Princess Fredricka? She’s someone from another Tarin’e epic, for which there is no definite date for its completion.

[An image of Bueron, maybe? It’s a royalty free photo, by the way.]

Not only does Nan live in the forest, but she’s also forced on a journey where she ends up camping with Prince Deverell and hiking through the woods. You may have seen how storytellers are interested in communities and adventures in forests. If you’re a Millennial and familiar with old kid shows like Dudley the Dragon, Once Upon a Tree, and Adventures of the Gummi Bears, you know what I mean. It’s fun to think that “Friend of the Dire Wolf” would fit a trope like this.

Speaking of my world Tarin’e, it’s the same world that my story, “The Princess of Lusanda,” takes place. It’s a short tale that’s featured in the Chipper Press anthology The Princess, and it was written back when I was a somewhat new writer. It tells the story of a young Lusandan royal called Princess Raylin, who rescues her infant nephew from danger. Sounds interesting, huh? It takes place many years after the Dire Wolf adventure.

If you’re interested, you can purchase a copy on Amazon, or you can check it out through Hoopla.

The Princess on Amazon
The Princess on Hoopla
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Introducing My Hunter Character

Last week, I announced I submitted my fairy tale retelling. You can read more about it at this link, plus learn more about my heroine.

Introducing My Red Riding Hood Character

Another character bio is here, and it’s on the significant male character in my Red Riding Hood retelling.

Yes, I do have a huntsman in my story. Actually, he’s a prince, too.

Prince Deverell is of the country Lusanda. He’s fourteen years old, and like the people of Lusanda, he has the inborn ability to fly, as well as shoot fire and wind from his hands. Assigned by Elohim (the Supreme Creator God), he hunts for monsters created by the alchemist, who’s intent on harming the weak and helpless.

He’s brave, and he takes his role as warrior seriously. As Crown Prince, the burden of being the best leader is intense, and he doesn’t always know who to trust. While in Nan’s country Bueron, he suspects Nan and her peers of being abettors of the temperamental dire wolf, so he forces them to stay in his camp for a few days. There are moments where he’s too harsh, like when he expresses his doubt in Nan’s innocence. Or when he speaks harshly with his sister, the Princess Celine, which inspires her to run away.

However, when Nan’s innocence is confirmed, he softens, and he expresses regret of his meanness toward his sister. He even stands by Nan’s side as she tells Madame Ethel that she’s been bullied by her fellow wards. Having a compassionate side, he helps her if her physical disability causes her to stumble on the forest floor.

I picture him as having bangs that cover his brows. He’s supposed to have brown hair, but this royalty-free photo can represent light brown hair. *shrugs*

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Introducing My Red Riding Hood Character

I submitted my Red Riding Hood story, you all! Everybody do a happy dance!

The official publishing date is March 3rd, and it’ll be in an anthology by Beyond the Bookery. Hooray!

In the meantime, here’s a bio my main female character, who’s the Little Red Riding Hood character, of course:

Thirteen-year-old Nan is an orphan who lives with and works for Madame Ethel, an innkeeper in the country Bueron. She’s kind, smart, and a problem solver. She has a physical disability that slows her gait, and when trekking through the woods, she needs a walking stick. Having a prideful streak, she likes to show she can do things herself. She loves reading and dogs, and she can shoot a crossbow (as long as her legs don’t wobble underneath her).

When she’s bullied by a couple of Madame Ethel’s wards, she does whatever it takes to earn their respect, even if it means breaking curfew and taking them to see a female dire wolf she befriended. But if the dire wolf proves to be a villain, she will break her friendship with her, though if there’s a chance that the wolf can be redeemed, Nan has hope for her.

Nan has long brown hair, and she wears a red cloak that her late parents gave her. However, her most precious gift from them is a handwoven pink ribbon she likes to wear in her hair.

This is how I picture her appearance, thanks to a royalty-free photo I found. All she needs in this photo is the pink ribbon and red cloak.

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More Fairy Tales Of Course: Part Two—Plus a Call to ARC Readers and Book Promoters

Welcome back to my announcing fairy tale retellings. 🙂 If you haven’t read my last post about some special fairy tale books, you can click here:

More Fairy Tales of Course: Part One

If contemporary fiction is more your thing, Beyond the Bookery has a collection, called To Love You, which contains contemporary retellings of the classic, old stories.

Here’s the blurb from Amazon:

Beyond the Bookery invites you to step into a collection of sweet, fun, and romantic contemporary fairy tale retellings.

Moments in Time by Michaela Bush
A missing-person report turns into a dangerous hunt through the Appalachians…
Olivia’s desperately looking for her mother, who’s been missing for days. Game warden Tucker Blanchard is searching for signs of a little girl lost years ago. When they collide on the Appalachian trail, Olivia is skeptical to accept help—but what choice does she have? As they begin the search for Olivia’s mother, they slowly piece together her story, moment by moment.

Slippers & Starlight by Jennie Marie Ryan
Anna Walter is a perfectionist ballerina who’s trying to make a name for herself outside her small town. After nearly getting kicked out of military school, Garrett Brady’s just trying to keep his head down and figure out what’s next. But sparks fly when Garrett and Anna meet…and their dreams just might change forever.

Of Silence and Song by Cate VanNostrand
Desperate to break free from her overbearing stepmother and the soul-draining demands of the music industry, rising pop star Holly trades the spotlight for a chance at anonymity: starting her freshman year at college. There, she finds a family in the arms of seven quirky roommates who become her closest friends. But when her secret gets out, Holly is forced to choose where she puts her trust: the friends who embraced her, and the God she abandoned… or the life she ran from before it consumes her for good.

To Love You on Amazon

Do you love reading about these fairy tale collections? Want to be a reviewer or a promoter of other books in Beyond the Bookery’s series? Here’s a form to be part of the ARC and Hype Teams! They would love to have you, and my experience as an author writing for this publisher has been fantastic. *smile*

Fairy Tale Frenzy ARC and Hype Team Signups!
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More Fairy Tales Of Course: Part One

Happy New Year, everyone!

I’m announcing more fairy tale retellings from Beyond the Bookery, and these announcements are multiple blog posts during this month. I’ll list the titles with their Amazon blurbs.

Here are the first two. Don’t they strike your fancy?

Of Might and Mettle: A Brave Tin Soldier Retelling by Michelle Emmanuelli

A tin ballerina. A brass soldier. A porcelain princess.
What does it matter who you are, if people only look at what you’re made of?

Twenty-four-year-old Lorelle Jimenez thrives under the spotlight. She’s trained all her life to be a principal ballerina, and now, with a performance before the princess of Monte Rico, her dream is within reach . . . only if she can keep her secret: her tin arm. The stage is the only place she’s called her home, but with the spotlight comes scrutiny and a jealous rival that will stop at nothing to expose her—and even end her life.

For Capitán Antonio Fuentes, failure isn’t an option . . . again. Even though he’s recovered from the accident that took his leg two years ago, he won’t show weakness. When rumors of an upcoming attempt on the prince’s life reach Antonio, he won’t fail to protect his kingdom. Not this time.

When Antonio sees a young ballerina in danger, he saves her life. Now, swept far from home, they must work together to get back to the castle. She can’t lose her only chance at her dream, and he’s the only one with the coveted information that will save the prince. But danger nips at their heels, testing their strength and resolve . . . When put to the fire, will they melt under the heat? Or come out as gold?

Of Might and Mettle is a NA Christian fantasy retelling of The Brave Tin Soldier with a Caribbean-inspired world, a happily ever after, and a very troublesome (but lovable) wolf pup.

Of Might and Meddle for Kindle

Waking Courage: A Collection of Fantasy Fairy Tale Retellings by Madisyn Carlin and Samantha Seidel

Beyond the Bookery invites you to step into a collection of heartwarming, thrilling, and romantic fantasy fairy tale retellings.

A Stitch of Love by Madisyn Carlin
What happens when you combine a matchmaking shenanigans, an ornery dog, and a ball no one wants to attend? When seamstress Samara Perrson agreed to assist with the royal ball, she never expected to find herself unintentionally included in matchmaking shenanigans. She also never expected to fall for Prince Ewan Landreth. Can a troublemaking dog, scheming siblings, and a stitch of love bring these two together?

Princess of Mine by Samantha Seidel
Betrayed by her lady in waiting, Princess Analise Lockhart of Wilkenshire is forced into servitude in the highland empire of the Aurelian Cliffs. As the royal Goose Girl, she learns about the kingdom’s sudden misfortunes and their desperation for the union to succeed. Will she reclaim her title and save Aurel before the crown prince marries the wrong woman, or remain the peasant goose girl of a dying empire?

Waking Courage for Kindle
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Notice Anything New on This Website?

I added something to the menu. No, it isn’t a dinner menu, ha ha. It’s the menu of this website. It says, “Bonus Story.”

There you can sign up and have chapters of my new book emailed to you. These chapters are friendly for both middle grade and teens. The book features the dire wolf of my Red Riding Hood retelling. We see her start out as human, then get turned into a wolf and back to a human again.

Click on the link to join the fun!

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New Book Review! The Nativity by April Renner Curtsinger

I wrote another book review, just in time for Christmas. Are you looking for a book that reminds kids why we celebrate the holiday? And it’s not so that we can get a bunch of presents?

Here’s The Nativity by April Renner Curtsinger and illustrated by B. Teresa Campbell. It’s the Christmas story told by the family dog to the family cat. Quite unique, right?

At the bottom is the link to the review, posted on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog. Enjoy!

The Nativity Book Review
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New Book Released by Fellow Author!

Announcement!

You may have seen me share posts by fellow author and blogger CDPunt(igam). She just released a new book, fit for you parents out there.

Click on the link below to learn more, as well as see other titles by CDP. Congratulations, CDP!

Welcome to the world, Sophia!!
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Happy Early Thanksgiving! With a Game Idea

May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and think of all the things you’re thankful for. It can be friends, family, pets, the roof over your head, the fact that God gave you another day to experience Him, etc.

I came across this idea for a game you can play with your whole family during the festivities. It’s the Thanksgiving version of Pictionary, posted on Somewhat Simple’s website. For now, you can use slips of paper and a marker for the materials, but if you want to make this a Thanksgiving tradition, you can make a long-lasting set using a tin can and craft sticks.

Thanksgiving Pictionary Game
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Have You Heard? It’s a New Fairy Tale Anthology!

Another anthology is here! This one is a collection of historical retellings of fairy tales. Featured authors are Anna Minor-Weeks, Abigail Kay, and Katherine H. Brown.

Here’s a partial blurb from Beyond the Bookery:

Beyond the Bookery invites you to step into a collection of heartwarming, thrilling, and romantic historical fairy tale retellings. 

Cursed and Curiosity by Anna Minor-Weeks

Cat dreamt about adventure, mystery, love. But never believed it was meant for her.

Raised in her father’s bookstore, with her nose in a book, head in the clouds, and face behind a veil. Unfortunately, her father finds himself owing a great debt to Marquess Villeneuve. The mysterious marquess demands her father come to work off the debt at his–probably haunted–mansion. 

However, Cat takes her father’s place.

Oh, The True by Abigail Kay

Goldie Lockes and the Three Barons by Katherine H. Brown

Pressured to find a husband, Marigold Lockes is inspired by The Parable of the Talents to search out a man who will value and grow her inventing skills rather than hide or overlook them.

If this book sounds like your jam, click on the link to buy:

Capturing Her Heart Kindle Book
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Yet Another Book Review—A Little Red Riding Hood One

That’s right. I wrote another book review, only this one is on a picture book retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. The book is written by Lari Don and illustrated by Célia Chauffrey.

Speaking of which, how is my Little Red Riding Hood retelling going? Still working on the first draft, and the ending is something I’m still puzzling over. I want the ending to be satisfactory on all levels, yet I have to cram the whole story in 25,000 words. Talk about a challenge.

Pray that I’ll have the wisdom to end the story well.

Without further ado, here’s the link to my book review, posted on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog:

Little Red Riding Hood Book Review
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Discovering an Author (Kathy J. Perry)

Are you looking for books that are like Little House on the Prairie?

I learned of a historical fiction series by Kathy J. Perry: the Emeline series. They’re for tweens and teens, and they feature a teenager surviving the wilderness and an economic recession during the 1890s.

Want to get your feet wet before delving into these series? Sign up for Perry’s newsletter, and you’ll get the first ebook in the series for FREE. Click on the following link, and scroll to the bottom to find the sign-up form.

The Emeline Series

Perry has written books for younger kids too: the Bandana Acres series and the Oakwoods series. They all teach children virtues that’ll help them through life . . . and introduce them to special animal friends. Click on the links below to learn more.

Bandana Acres Series

Oakwoods Series

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The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale: a Book Review

You may have seen that I have fairy tales on my mind, so why not indulge a little further by reviewing a fairy tale-themed book? The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller is fit for kids grades fourth through seventh. It’s both an original story and a retelling of five fairy tales: Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Swan Lake, and Brother and Sister.

Lana and her mother visit a supermarket that seemed to come out of nowhere. She meets a strange little man who knows a thing or two about selling stuff, and she and her mother buy a book of fairy tales. Readers will revisit the timeless Sleeping Beauty tale, only this version has twists (e.g. Sleeping Beauty’s mother takes up swimming.).

Lana returns to the supermarket, and she meets the funny little man again. Only this time, he shoves her into a candy bucket, and she finds herself in the Sleeping Beauty story. When she enters another candy bucket, she returns to the fairy tale. Later, she convinces Harrison, her way-too-serious brother, to join her on her fairy tale adventure, and they help a prince find Sleeping Beauty. The prince wakes the princess with a kiss, but not on the lips, respecting that she might have boundaries. Instead, he kisses her hand like a gentleman.

What about the other fairy tales I mentioned earlier? How do they come into play? As Lana sleeps, she receives a vision about Sleeping Beauty being in danger again, and Harrison and Lana read in the book that the princess’ children are Hansel and Gretel. The fairy who had cursed Sleeping Beauty has taken Hansel and Gretel captive. When Lana and Harrison re-enter the world, they find that Sleeping Beauty has turned into a swan. When the two are held captive, Lana tells a story that’s similar to Brother and Sister. But you have to read the book to see it for yourself.

Harrison learns that it’s okay to have fun and not be serious all the time. However, the book doesn’t put down people who have a more serious nature. Because Harrison is studious, he’s a help when he and Lana face obstacles (e.g. He refers to his knowledge of oxbow lakes when they try to cross the river.).

There’s a few incidents of lying (in Chapters One and Four) that parents may need to be aware of. Otherwise, this is a fun story that allows a fresh look at classic tales. If you’re looking for an adventure, give The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale a shot.

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New Website Look

Hi, all.

Notice anything different? That’s right. I changed the look of my website banner.

Why the change? The original forest-y picture was an Unsplash photo (FYI: Unsplash is a site where they offer royalty-free photos for people to download and use for their newsletters and other marketing tools.). However, I felt like I needed a more distinctive look. So, with a little magic of Canva, I edited a different Unsplash photo (Thanks Rita Görtz for capturing the original photo and sharing it with us.). I added more purple tints to it, and I think it gives it a cool, mysterious feel.

I hope you enjoy it!

[The original Unsplash picture by Rita Görtz]

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Let Me Introduce My Fellow Authors

How’s my Little Red Riding Hood retelling going? It’s still in the works, and I’ve had some input from critique group partners along the way. But I will myself to get my story submitted in January.

In the meantime, let me share with you a couple of books my Beyond the Bookery teammates have written.

Do you love girl detectives? Then check out Emma Donovan’s book The Vanishing Body. It’s on pre-order now, but it will be available December 2.

Blurb from Amazon:

The village gossips have had plenty to share lately with the local prodigal son returning home to a less than welcome reception and his elder brother caught in the snares of a conniving stranger. That was before the body was discovered – and then vanished.

Nurse Elizabeth Carruthers never lacks curiosity about her patients, and this occasion is no exception. With her wits at the ready, she sets out to investigate the prime suspects: none other than the village’s leading family. But then, who else could it be? As she investigates, she is drawn ever deeper into scandal, intrigue, and murder, all in the best English tradition.

The more he investigates, the deeper he’s drawn into a web of illusions, secrets, and madness. If he can’t sort the truth from the lies soon, more than one life might be lost.

The Vanishing Body Pre-order on Amazon

Do you have an obsession with chickens? Beyond the Bookery offers a poultry-themed fairy tale retelling. It’s The Chicken Pox: A Feathery Retelling of Hansel and Gretel by Jordan Elise Durbin.

Blurb from Amazon:

Once, chickens were monotone.
Then, came the pox.

A washed-up bar maid-hen, a twisted and wicked step-chicken, and a mischievous pair of chicks swirl through a medieval world of chickenry in this charming retelling of ‘Hansel and Gretel’. Blanche is a middle-aged tavern owner running out of hope that Prince Charming might walk through her door. When a wealthy guest is stricken with a mysterious illness, Blanche’s livelihood is destroyed. But she wasn’t hatched yesterday and seizes an opportunity for the domestic life she’s always dreamed of. Unfortunately, it comes with a pair of chicks that are far more demanding than Blanche had ever dreamed.

Henrietta and Grittel are determined to brighten Blanche’s dull world. But when they follow their step-chicken to a tasty cabin deep in the woods, the chicks discover secrets darker than any they could imagine.

Admirers of folk-lore, poultry, and fairy tales will adore this hilarious twist on the classic children’s story.

The Chicken Pox on Amazon

On that note, have fun reading!

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Animal Books for World Animal Month?

Hi, friends.

You’ve probably gotten a clue that I love animals. Well, October is World Animal Month, as well as a plethora of other days dedicated to God’s creatures.

I wrote reviews for Story Warren on the three animal-themed books pictured here:

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In the reviews, I take a look at the treatment of the animal characters and content that parents need to be aware of. I also note the voices Helen Moss and Anna Sewell used when recounting the stories of Balto, Togo, and Black Beauty. Moss and Sewell’s books are targeted for a middle grade audience, and Gayle C. Shirley’s book on famous Montana animals is for grades fifth through twelfth.

Thank you, Story Warren, for allowing me to partner with you in finding the right books for growing kids and teens.

Selections for World Animal Month
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Yes, It’s Another Fairy Tale Anthology!

Another anthology from Beyond the Bookery is here! This one is Of Beauty & Bravery, featuring authors Deigan Marie, Dawn E. Dagger, and S.M. Shigemitsu.

Click on the link below to learn more:

Of Beauty & Bravery Amazon Link

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Dogs Dreaming, According to A Dog Guide

Here’s a fun and insightful blog post by A Dog Guide, and it’s all about the science of canines dreaming and sleeping.

Thanks for sharing, A Dog Guide.

Can Dogs Sleepwalk? 9 Fascinating Insights You Shouldn’t Miss
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A Beauty and the Beast Collection

To all you fairy tale lovers out there…

There’s another fairy tale anthology from Beyond the Bookery’s Fairy Tale Frenzy. It’s a collection of Beauty and the Beast retellings by Tabitha Bouldin, Megan Charlie, and Heather Flynn.

What’s the title? Evermore. Very appropriate, right?

Here are the blurbs from Amazon:

Falling for the Beast by Tabitha Bouldin
Belle never asked to inherit a curse that stripped her of magic. Mordred never expected to be cast from his realm, trapped in a body of gears and wood. Bound by fate and desperate bargains, the two must risk trust—and their hearts—to survive Castle Graymoore’s secrets. But when betrayal and sacrifice collide, will love be enough to shatter the curse before it consumes them both?

Dust Clothes and Dumbbells by Megan Charlie
Bernie has been a maid in a cursed household for nearly 20 years. If the Beast/prince can’t find love soon, everyone on the estate will die.
Nothing is working out as it should and Bernie’s growing feelings threaten to jeopardize everything. How can one maid save a cursed prince?

Beauty in the Shadows by Heather Flynn
A shepherd, who is more than he appears to be, is injured in an accident. In desperation he finds himself at the mysterious Langley Manor, a subject of many rumors in the village of Enulmoor. There he meets a woman who hides herself in shadows, loaded down with guilt of the past. Together they must take on the challenges that bring her face to face with her past, while he must face his destiny.

To order your own Kindle or paperback copy, here’s the link:

Evermore on Amazon

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Two Fairy Tale Books Have Been Released!

Have you heard? Two anthologies from Fairy Tale Frenzy have been released. They’re both collections of historical retellings of classic tales. Think The Ugly Duckling, Beauty and the Beast, The Snow Queen, Cinderella, and Snow White.

Below are the links to the books on Amazon. And they’ve added blurbs, too.

This I Know Amazon Link
Worthy Love Amazon Link

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A Book Review of The Blue Bird of Happiness

Hi, all.

I have another book review published on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog. It’s on The Blue Bird of Happiness by S.M. Shigemitsu, a retelling of Maurice Maeterlinck’s play “The Blue Bird.” I share the differences and similarities between the play and Shigemitsu’s version.

Fun fact: Shigemitsu is part of the Fairy Tale Frenzy series, just as I am. Only she’s in a different book from me, i.e. Of Beauty and Bravery. It will be released September 23 for Kindle.

The Blue Bird of Happiness Book Review

Of Beauty and Bravery Pre-order

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More Fairy Tales Coming!

As you may know already, I’m writing a Little Red Riding Hood retelling that’s fit for middle grade and teens. It’s going to be featured in an anthology that’ll be published by Beyond the Bookery. In fact, the anthology is part of a series of anthologies called Fairy Tale Frenzy.

Speaking of Fairy Tale Frenzy, the first four anthologies will be published soon. Some are fantasy retellings, and others are historical retellings.

If you want to whet your appetite while waiting for my story, check out these books. Here’s the link if you want to preorder them.

Fairy Tale Frenzy Preorders
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A Book Theme . . . And a Movie

Hi, everyone.

As I continue sharing with you my Red Riding Hood retelling, I’ll ask a question: What is the theme of my story? Or a theme, anyway?

Let me stall in answering by talking about a movie I’ve just seen.

I watched the movie version of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Shiloh. I’ve read the book, though I like the movie version better as it has a lot less language. Also, I think it better addresses the importance of keeping a promise and telling the truth. When Shiloh’s abusive owner, Judd, goes back on his word by not giving Marty the dog, Marty tells him, “Shouldn’t your word be enough?” That is huge. Talk about teaching an important lesson without being on-the-nose about it.

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That’s what I strive for when writing my stories: illustrating a virtue without spelling it out. It’s something that readers appreciate, because instead of being preached at, they’re so immersed in the emotions of the story, they can’t help but think and ponder.

Kindness is a theme in Shiloh, and it’s one of the themes in my book, too. My main character, thirteen-year-old Nan, has compassion on an injured dire wolf, just like Marty cares for an injured Shiloh. She wants to be the wolf’s friend (even giving her the name Silvera). Yes, my wolf character is a girl, and Nan and the wolf develop a sisterly friendship.

My story is different from Marty and Shiloh’s, though. Even though the wolf is open to human contact, she can be aggressive when threatened, which can cause her to be more dangerous. However, Nan goes on a camping adventure with the wolf, and her kindness plays a key role in taming the beast.

I know, it sounds a little like Beauty and the Beast, but my story still has elements of Little Red Riding Hood (i.e. befriending a wolf, the dilemma of trusting a stranger, an older woman in a nightgown, a villain disguised as a grandmotherly figure).

Isn’t the above picture gorgeous? I found it on Pexels’ website of downloadable photos. This wolf’s eyes are closed, but if Silvera had her eyes open, they would be part purple and part blue. Why? You’d have to keep reading to find out. 🙂

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An Update on Writing, Plus a YA Author

Hi, friends.

Today, I edited two hours’ worth of my Little Red Riding Hood story, and I’m happy with my progress so far. I had editing “sprints,” where I edited for an ex-amount of minutes, took a break, and then edited again. In a way, it’s like a HIIT workout.

My plan is to write the best draft possible; then I’ll share this with others for input. I strive to write this story so that it’s for both middle grade and YA. In other words, I want to be low-key in violence, but I also want to address the teen’s inner desire to fit in. And romance? I’m keeping it at the level of the main character having a crush, which is something both middle-graders and teens can relate to.

In light of young adult stories, check out M Liz Boyle interviewing YA author Christina Shaw. Christina shares her past experience as a high school teacher, as well as what she thinks good, God-glorifying YA should look like. Thanks for sharing, M Liz.

Note: Christina has published the middle grade book she mentioned in the interview. It’s called Flibbertigibbet, and it’s Book One of Big Family Adventures.

Author Christina Shaw Joins Me Today
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What I Have Been Doing . . . And a Fairy Tale Retelling

Okay, everyone. It’s time to let you know how I’ve been progressing in my writing.

I pitched my Galdur Snow Dog book to a publisher, but sadly, my book and the publisher didn’t mash. So, I’ll keep my eyes open for another publishing opportunity.

In the meantime, something definite is happening. Another story? Yep, and it’s a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood!

I’m going to be featured in an anthology from Beyond the Bookery, and my novella-sized story will be friendly for teens and tweens. I think the following picture gives a cool ambience to my retelling, and I complement it with a list of things to expect. I’ll be adding more to the list as I edit and refine the story further.

  • Little Red Riding Hood Retelling
  • Dire Wolf Character
  • Young Teens
  • A Crush on a Prince (Who Can Fly!)
  • Talking Animals
  • Found Family

The anthology will be released March 2026. Keep following this blog as I share updates on my progress as well as behind-the-scenes glimpses of my tale.

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Homeschooling Kindergarteners?

I know, summer isn’t over yet. But it’s good to be prepared, right?

One of the most vital things to learn in life is reading, and a big highlight of kindergarten is developing that skill.

Reading Head Start has tips on how to teach your kindergarteners how to read, and the following link is one of the articles they have.

Teach a Child to Read – 7 Easy Steps You Can Use

Do you use other methods of teaching children to appreciate words and stories? Feel free to share in the comments. *smile*

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A Picture Game With Liu Bolin

Have you heard of Liu Bolin?

He’s a Chinese artist who’s the innovator behind a series of pictures where he’s the “hidden Mickey Mouse” in each one. He’s actually blended into the background, so you can see his shape only if you look closely. In a way, it’s like I Spy or Where’s Waldo?

Thank you, Rick Mallery, for sharing this on your blog. Now we all can have fun playing this picture game.

Okay, so the above Liu is easy to find, but the following link shows more challenging images.

Invisible Art – Liu Bolin

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A Historic Dog Story (Thanks, Jeff Maxim)

Did you know there was a canine mascot at the Hoover Dam? It happened while the historic structure was being built.

I came across this story shared by fellow writer Jeff Maxim. The dog was a friendly companion to the construction crew at the dam. His life ended tragically, but he was loved by the construction crew so much, they took time to make a grave for him.

Thank you for sharing the story with us, Jeff.

A Dog’s Life

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Reminiscing on Children’s Stories

What was your favorite picture book?

When I was little, I loved the book Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban. To this day, I have fond memories of my dad reading it to me. Another one I liked was In the Forest by Marie Hall Ets. See? Even as a little kid I loved adventures with animals.

The thing with picture books is that even if your children don’t know how to read yet, they can still appreciate the book by looking at the illustrations. I used to have the Big Golden Book version of Peter Pan, and I especially liked the pictures. As if that Disney movie hadn’t fed my obsession with Peter enough. 🙂

Author Lara Lee shares more titles that might add to your child’s TBR list. Or they might bring you memories of the stories you enjoyed. Take it away, Lara.

My Top 20 Favorite Books for Children 5 Years Old And Younger
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Happy 4th…and Christmas in July!

Hi, all.

Happy Independence Day to all you Americans! Just be sure to stay safe around fireworks.

If you also observe Christmas in July, I wrote a book review on an adorable holiday picture book. It’s posted on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog, and if you love sled dogs, it’s the book for you.

Oh No! Reindeer Flu Book Review

And speaking of sled dogs, I’m still on the hunt for a publisher who would be interested in my “Galdur Snow Dog” book. It’s a middle grade fantasy about malamute-like dogs with magical traits, and they can talk to us humans. I’m actually going to pitch it to a publisher soon, so I’d appreciate your prayers that things will go according to God’s plan.

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Map of Your Imaginary Planet?

Hi, all you writers out there.

If you’ve been following my blog for a long time, you may remember me posting the benefits of creating a map of your fantasy land. Benefits include helping your reader visually picture your land, thus easing their comprehension as they read. If you haven’t read it, you can click on the following link, where I feature author Krystine Kercher’s map (pictured below).

Why Make a Map?

Are you a sci-fi author? Author Joseph Ficor shows that you can create a map of your planet’s diversity of climates. It’s helpful for both you and your reader, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Check it out.

Project Love Hand Surface Map 1
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To All You Dads Out There! (See Note)

NOTE: I wrote this post on the day of Father’s Day, but I’ve been a bad girl and neglected to select the “Sticky” feature. So, this post wasn’t featured on the top of the blog. Aaarrrgh!

I greatly apologize for this, and to all you dads, I still remember you. The following activity from Clubhouse Magazine will still be fun for your family to do together.

Don’t worry. I did not forget about Father’s Day, and neither has Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Magazine. They have a puzzle activity that kids can do with you dads. It involves finding names of Bible dads in pictures like this (image from the activity’s web page):

Interesting, huh? Check it out!

Bible Dads Puzzle
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Tolkien Dramas and Girl Heroes with Lou Allen

Hi, all.

Does your teen prefer listening to stories over reading them? Or do they enjoy audio dramas?

Here’s the latest article/podcast episode by Lou Allen, aka Christian Faith and Fiction. Here she shares a few recommendations of Christian-friendly stories, including dramatized retellings of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

For those who still want physical books, she also mentions two:

A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter (a Regency-period fiction)

Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur (a Narnia-like fantasy)

I actually have my own copy of Arthur’s book (which I found at a library book sale of all places). I haven’t read it yet, but it sure looks intriguing.

Book reviews — Christian Fiction and Fantasy (Podcast E234)

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Stories of Rescue and Survival

Do you crave the excitement that comes from a search-and-rescue story? Is your teen or pre-teen looking for peer role models who would help them handle risky wilderness situations? Try M. Liz Boyle’s Off the Itinerary: The Search and Rescue Files.

The author herself shares more of her book in the following link. Thank you for sharing, M. Liz!

Off the Itinerary: The Search and Rescue Files Released Today
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Book Review—The Bobtails Go to France by Arthur Yeomans

Do you want to tour Europe with characters you’ve read about and bonded with? Or maybe you’d like to meet new characters while you travel? Look no further than The Bobtails Go to France, a historical novel by Arthur Yeomans for fifth and sixth graders.

This is Book 3 of Bobtails Adventures, a series of novels about four orphaned siblings, nicknamed the Bobtails. Only by this book, they’re adopted by their aunt and her husband. I wrote reviews on the first two books for you to check out.

The Bobtails Meet the Preacher’s Kid Review
The Bobtails and the Cousins Review

The Bobtails Go to France starts in August 1889 and ends in September 1889. Aunt Grace, or Mother, receives an inheritance that requires her to visit France to claim it. The family and their friend Geoffrey join her, and they take marvelous tours in New York, London, and France.

The book introduces us to two boys the Bobtails meet on their trip. The first one is Charles, a boy from an English upper-class family with a French-speaking nurse. He meets the Bobtails on an ocean liner and helps them with their French. Even though the Bobtails aren’t upper class, he’s happy to befriend them, and as the story progresses, he’s more used to being with people not of his class.

The second boy is Francois, an orphan who’s easy to sympathize with. He’s poor and starving, and the Bobtails hire him to be their guide in France. While he stays with the family, though, he fears they would make him leave. However, rather than be thrown into the streets, he finds a home in a way he doesn’t expect.

Geoffrey, the Bobtails’ friend, is made babysitter of little Ruth, which I think is sweet. It’s adorable when Ruth calls him “Pweachew’s Kid,” using his nickname in her toddler lisp. When she runs off in Paris, Geoffrey chases her, adding humor and intensity to the plot. Thankfully, he catches up. One of my favorite scenes is where he and Ruth have their portrait done by an artist, and I’m sure they further bond then.

It’s endearing that Bobtail Roger struggles with his French grammar yet does his best. Interestingly, even though English is the Bobtails’ primary language, French isn’t too foreign to them. They live in Vermont close to the Quebec border, so their English has a hint of a French accent. Also, they call their girl cousins “cousines,” which comes from the French.

Throughout Bobtails Adventures, characters ride on trains, and Yeomans continues the train motif while adding hotel rooms and an ocean liner. The world building is superb, and there are curved dinner plates on the liner. Those are meant to keep food from sliding off with the waves. Coca Cola makes an appearance as well, as it was invented in 1886. Yeomans takes liberty in bottling the drink, and bottled Coke wasn’t in circulation until after 1889, though I speculate somebody might have bottled it before that became a trend.

Experiencing the Bobtails’ journey will be perfect for anyone who wants a vacation, even in their imaginations. So, read The Bobtails Go to France in between your summer trips.

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Reviewing A Tween Book — The Tower of Geburah

Hi, everyone.

Do you have a young person who’s a teen and into fantasy? OR is your young person a kid but wants to graduate into “older kid” books? Give The Tower of Geburah by John White a try. I reviewed it on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog, and while it’s Book 3 of a series, it’s great as a standalone.

And it would pique the interest of fans of The Chronicles of Narnia.

Review of The Tower of Geburah
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Selkies

If you’ve seen the movie The Secret of Roan Inish, you might know what selkies are. But in case you don’t, they’re fae who disguise themselves as seals, but when they crawl onto land, they shed their seal fur and walk the earth as humans.

Sarah Pennington wrote a Selkie retelling of the Little Mermaid called Song of the Selkies. I have a copy, and it’s sitting in my to-be-read pile. Have you read this book? Comment below and let me know what you think (Just don’t give me any spoilers. 🙂 ). If you haven’t read it yet, I would place it in the teen-read category, but adults can certainly pick this up, too.

Another selkie tale was written by Lara Lee. It’s a short story of a man telling a college student about his experience with a selkie wife. The seal-fae left him, but she didn’t forget him and surprised him with a gift. Here’s the story, fit for teens and adults with a bittersweet ending.

Short Story: The Selkie’s Gift – by Lara Lee

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Easy Puzzle Craft to Celebrate Moms

Happy Early Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.

Here’s something for you and your kids to do together: create your own jigsaw puzzle.

Don’t worry, the puzzle isn’t as complicated as the one in the above picture. Clubhouse Magazine offers the instructions on how to not only craft it but also make a game out of it.

Note: If you don’t have foam core at home, you can maybe use cardboard instead.

Clubhouse Magazine’s Love Mom to Pieces

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A Story and A Recipe by CDPunt(igam)

Ever struggled with following a recipe? I one time made a chicken stroganoff, and I mixed in uncooked noodles like the recipe called for. Though the noodles didn’t cook in an ex-amount of time, and I had to add more liquids (i.e. water and chicken broth) to soften them. The problem was that I poured in whole noodles instead of crushing them, as per the recipe. I guess to make it easier on myself, I’ll crush the noodles so that they absorb the liquids better and soften more easily.

Speaking of recipes, here’s another short story from CDPunt(igam)’s blog, and it has a shortbread cookie recipe. Yum!

Pondering
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Picture Books About Creativity

Believe it or not, there are books about creativity for kindergarteners through second-graders. Here are readings by different You-Tubers on the following books.

Note: I’m not sponsored by any of the You-Tubers I share on my blog.

Regina’s Big Mistake by Marissa Moss

This one is especially good for aspiring artists, and it demonstrates working with your mistakes and how to get inspiration from others without plagiarizing.

Read by Story Time with Kim Hobson Richardson.

Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One by Kate Duke

This is a great book about what makes an engaging tale: excitement, conflict, unique heroes and villains, and even romance.

Read by Melissa Walker.

The Color Collector by Nicholas Solis and illustrated by Renia Metallinou

Here’s a story of how creativity can occur in any place and with any medium. It also takes recycling to a whole new level.

Read by The Bookworms.

Do you know of any books that show characters drawing, painting, storytelling, sculpting, etc.? Share in the comments below!

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Video of The Legend of the Easter Robin

Resurrection Day is tomorrow, so today, I’m wishing you a blessed holiday. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!

Here’s a book based on a Pennsylvania Dutch legend about the Easter Robin. It’s written by Dandi Daley Mackall, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey, and read by Hip Hop Reading.

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Resurrection Day Is Coming!

April 20 is Resurrection Day, also known as Easter. While bunnies, eggs, and candy are fun, may we never forget Jesus’ death and resurrection. He did it for us so that we can experience freedom from sin and friendship with Him.

Do you have gift bags sitting around? Here’s a neat craft that makes dioramas out of them. The following link is instructions from Clubhouse Magazine.

If you have Christmas bags, you can always snip Santa out. 🙂

Clubhouse Magazine Easter Story Bags

And if you’re a fan of silly food, here are instructions on how to make eggs and bacon.

No, I don’t mean real eggs and bacon. They’re eggs and bacon made out of candy. That’s right, candy. This recipe is from Clubhouse Magazine, too.

Clubhouse Magazine Eggs-tra Fun Surprise

Next week, I’ll post a You-tuber reading an Easter-themed picture book to continue the celebration. Stay tuned!

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Book Review—Hannah Hattington Goes on an Adventure

Imagine being in a world where you’re stepping on clouds and trees hang from the sky. In other words, the sky and the ground have switched places.

You’ll enter this world in Hannah Hattington Goes on an Adventure, written by Gracie York. I wrote a review on this chapter book for early middle grades, and it’s on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog.

Enjoy!

Hannah Hattington Book Review

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A Peter Pan Book – Captain Hook’s Shadow

Hi, all.

Here is a treat for you: a read-along of “Captain Hook’s Shadow.” It’s read by Big-Mamas Storytime, a channel on YouTube that has a plethora of read-along videos.

[This is the cover of the ebook version found on Amazon.]

Peter Pan was my favorite Disney movie when I was little, back when we had VHS tapes instead of DVDs. It’s amazing that our old VHS copy hadn’t worn out after my watching it so much.

Without further ado, here’s Big Mama reading “Captain Hook’s Shadow” from Disney Scary Storybook Collection. Don’t worry, this story isn’t scary at all. Besides, you get to see little Michael be a hero, fighting the pirate’s shadow to protect his big sister.