K.A. Ramstad

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A Sample of My Upcoming Middle Grade Book

We’re one month away from my book’s release! It’s packed with fantastic creatures, wilderness survival, and a character’s journey to discovering where she belongs. Also, it’s an Ugly Duckling retelling, and the finale takes place at Christmas.

Here’s a snippet of the first chapter (Note: This isn’t the fully edited version.):

…

STARLIGHT

March 1995
Four Months Old

Starlight’s legs stood strong, and her nose had the keenness of a growing pup’s. She dove for the discarded food in the city alley, but the other pups knocked her aside and gobbled up all the noodles and chicken. The biggest whine escaped her throat; of course her brothers and sisters would snag the food out of her grasp, since they were stockier than her. She hoped that their mom would return with the food she was hunting in the fields.

A cheesy and saucy scent reached Starlight’s nose, and her whining stopped. She scurried toward a box that contained a pizza, and while her siblings Rocky and Anne managed to nab a couple of slices, she sank her teeth into one before her other siblings could. The tangy sauce covered her brother and sister’s brown and tan fur, while the red glared starkly against her crystal-white coat.

Mom always told the pups they were King Charles Spaniels—she had lived with humans who called her that before they dumped her on the street. But Starlight was an unknown breed that had white fuzzy fur with small, pointed ears—unlike her family’s drooping, wavy-haired ones—but Mom always said she loved her the moment she found her lost and alone, and that the Father of Lights preserved her for a special reason.

The other pups dashed down the alley, which was their home, complete with a heated dog house provided for by the same humans that discarded the food-filled bags. They hurdled over empty coffee cups and takeout boxes. Starlight gallivanted while she glanced up at the sky. Dawn was creeping over the horizon, but before she leaped out of the alley, she took a big sniff. Mom always cautioned the pups to only leave the alley when no humans were out, as they could nab them. Starlight smelled her siblings’ scents of fur and food, and while she caught the aroma of salty sweat that possibly meant humans, it was so faint that the two-legged creatures must have been long gone.

The Spaniel pups dashed across the snow-covered city park. They circled the slides, swings, and merry-go-round and chased whatever sibling came their way. Starlight tingled inside as she jumped right into the snow, but rather than grab a sibling’s ear or tail, she itched to do the thing she loved. She took a humongous leap and dove snout-first into the snow, letting her face sink into the crisp white. The wet flakes stuck to her fluffy coat, and she pranced and bounced before taking another nose-dive, letting her legs dangle in midair. Her brothers and sisters would romp in the snow too, but they didn’t spring high, arch their backs, and slam their faces into the soft white powder like she could. Not to mention they wouldn’t stick their hind legs up in the air once they dove in, which she thought added to the fun.

A growl resounded. She jerked her head up and spied a black figure standing at a distance. The scent said “male,” and a rancid one at that. He stood as tall as a King Charles Spaniel, but he had folded ears, a square jowl that could snap a pup in two, and an underbite with glinting bottom teeth. The animal crouched and crept straight toward Starlight while her siblings trembled nearby.

The dog roared his bark and charged. Starlight yelped and fled, which made the muscular creature howl in laughter. She called the pups for help, but they took off in all directions.

“Help!” She peeked over her shoulder, and the dog neared her backside. He opened his slobbery jowls and clamped them shut, almost nipping her tail. “Mommy!” The toothy menace snapped at her rump. She jumped in time, but she didn’t know if she could escape her pursuer for long.

As her heart thudded in her ears, another set of huffing breaths and footfalls resounded. Starlight glanced sideways and hoped she didn’t mistake whom the smell of earth, birds, and mice belonged to.

Mom bounded toward the dog and growled, almost screamed, as she rammed into him. They both tumbled into the snow, and the strange dog narrowed his eyes at her.

“Emmy?” he said.

He knows Mommy?

“What are you doing with my daughter, Magma?” Mom bared her teeth.

Magma picked himself back up and snorted. “You have a rabbit for a daughter?”

Mom’s fur bristled. “She’s not a rabbit, she’s a dog.”

Magma barked. “Is she now?”

“Can’t your nose tell you she’s no rabbit?” said Mom.

“Hey, a street dog’s gotta eat, you know,” said Magma. “You may want to keep an eye on her, in case any famished dog mistakes her for prey.”

“You should apologize to Starlight,” said Mom.

Magma stared at Starlight and lifted his upper lip. “Well, I’m sorry . . . Rabbit-Dog.”
Starlight felt smaller than a pinecone.

Mom bellowed and lunged at the burly dog, and even though he sprang off, what he said stuck on Starlight worse than thistles.

Mom took a deep breath, then snuggled up to Starlight and licked her, but the gesture warmed Starlight only a little.

“Let’s go find your brothers and sisters.” Mom trotted off, and Starlight followed.

…

Sound fascinating? Be sure to keep an eye out for the release in December!

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Does My Book Have a Setting?

Of course my book has a setting. I would describe my setting (and characters) as whimsical, magical, and wintry mostly. Readers will tour cities and towns and the woodlands in between.

It also takes place during the 1990s, so how do I make it look like it? I have human teenagers say phrases like:

“Not.”
“Da bomb.”
“Whatever.”
“Take a chill pill.”
“Grunge (for the style of clothing).”

They wear colorful jackets and jeans folded up at the bottom. It was also an era where people listened to cassette tapes. Things familiar to our world make an appearance, such as McDonalds and Pizza Hut (though I describe them in ways where I don’t have to pay royalty fees).

Images of a fantastical world include foxes that make the Northern Lights, a Snow Queen figure, and robotic people covered in ice. Oh, and the finale takes place at Christmas, a holiday when wonder and magic typically happen.

Also, while dogs in real life can understand many human words, I have my dogs understand humans to the point where they themselves are almost humanized. Starlight, my main character, is a fox who learns to talk like a human as well (She learns slowly, but she’s getting there.).

Starlight is coming out December, so be on the lookout.

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What Happened to The Galdur Snow Dog? Plus a Book Review

If you’ve followed my blog for a long time, you may have remembered my work-in-progress called The Galdur Snow Dog. The question you’re dying to ask is probably this: “When are you going to publish that book?”

I’m still looking for a publisher, and when God wants me to be published with a particular company, He’ll let me know. I know, I know. In this day and age, authors self-publish their works all the time, but I prefer not to self-publish for different reasons. For one, self-publishing takes a lot of time and finances, and I’d rather use those resources to work on my other projects, like my Wander Around the Corner series (where Starlight is Book One). Also, God may want me to wait for the right publishing team to work on The Galdur Snow Dog with me. Whatever the case may be, I’d much rather wait than take matters into my own hands and regret it later.

In the meantime, I wrote a review of the board book The Puppy’s Wish. I mentioned this book on this blog before, but this time I’m sharing my personal thoughts on it. Here’s the link to them:

The Puppy’s Wish Book Review

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Sidekicks, Anyone?

Just as a story has to have conflict, there also has to be sidekicks. Friends. Family members. Acquaintances. Mentors. Any kind of ally. The purpose of the sidekick is to encourage the main character to keep going or to think differently about the world.

Here are the friends my main character, Starlight, makes in my upcoming book.

Feature Characters: The Foxes

In this fantasy tale, there are Arctic foxes who live on the streets, and each one has a different personality.

Fairy Floss is the big sister figure who guides Starlight in navigating the big world. She also believes that some humans are good, as some have been changed by the Son of the Father of Lights. Like Starlight, she was also raised by dogs, only instead of living in an alley like Starlight’s old pack, she lived at a campground (where a Bible camp would take place).

Moonglow is a no-nonsence fox who’s more skeptical about humans than Fairy Floss. When she was a pup, she lived at a lumberyard, so she knows what an axe is. She can be bossy at times, but a good thing about her is that she steps up to the plate as needed.

Cinnamon Heart is an innocent soul who’s mute, but she has a special way of communicating with others. She wags her tail for “yes” and says “mm-mm” for “no.” Her old home was in a town, just like Starlight, and like Starlight she was also harrassed by her adoptive siblings.

While Fairy Floss is the mini-mom of the foxes, Glimmer is the super-mom of them. She can fly and create golden light with her tail, and she teaches Starlight how to fly, too. With a mama bear drive, she fights off predators, even humanlike ice beings who wield axes.

Feature Character: Ky-rah the Agropelter

If you don’t know what an agropelter is, it’s an apelike creature from American folklore that can fling tree branches and knock humans out (Picture is from Agropelter – North America’s Aggressive Cryptid.). Ky-rah does the same, only it’s geared toward his enemies. At first Starlight is intimidated by this strange creature; then she gets annoyed by his know-it-all persona (as he lectures her on healthy eating and her so-called lack of intellectual knowledge). However, he proves his loyalty by sticking with her for her protection, and when characters get hurt, he tends to their wounds.

Don’t forget to check out Starlight when it releases this December!

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My Book’s Villains. Mwuahaha.

I’m back with more character bios, and I have to share the villains in my story. Every good story has to have conflict, and Starlight is up for some major conflict with dogs within and outside her family.

By the way, this book is Book 1 in my series called “Wonder Around the Corner.” It’s a series of fairy tale retellings set in both an urban and woodland world, and this story is a retelling of the Ugly Duckling.

Anyway, here are the villains.

Feature Characters: Rocky and Anne

Rocky and Anne are Starlight’s adoptive siblings, and they’re both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. However, don’t let their cuteness fool you. They harass Starlight for her quirks, i.e. her nose-diving, her slinky-like body, and her graying fur. When they move out of their old pack, they pick the wrong pack to join, and that further endangers Starlight.

Feature Character: Magma

He’s a Pitbull-type dog who has an appetite for rabbits, even if these rabbits are more like dogs. It means Starlight, thanks to her high-jumping, makes her more rabbit-ish to Magma, so he develops a craving for her. He does whatever it takes to get her, and he can even attack her friends if he wants to eat them.

Feature Character: The Queen of Frost

While not as prominent as my dog villains, she is an important character in “Wonder Around the Corner.” She hunts particular foxes for their magic powers, and she hires teenaged boys to do her bidding.

Foxes, watch out for her icicles. She flings them to injure her prey.

Feature Characters: The Boys

Yes, I do have everyday humans in my book, and some of them are teenaged boys who are rebellious against their parents and happy to serve the Queen of Frost. They use axes for their weapons, and the Queen puts a spell on them that makes them more dangerous.

As far as violence goes, very little blood is described, and villains are defeated when they drown, are clobbered on the head, or are electrified. I keep the content fitting for readers aged eight to twelve, but parents of course need to know their kids as far as what violence they can handle.

Is your interest piqued? Look out for Starlight‘s release in December.

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Feature Character: Starlight

You may have seen that I have a middle grade book coming out this December. It’s Starlight, the story of an arctic fox who, after being ostracized by her own adoptive siblings, finds out where she belongs.

During the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing bios of my prominent characters. First up is, of course, my main character.

Arctic fox with gray fur during the summer.

Starlight is a white fox cub who starts her life in the winter. She’s adopted by a family of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, who are strays living in an alley next to a restaurant. What is a hobby of hers? She enjoys leaping high and nose-diving into the snow (If you’ve seen YouTube videos of foxes jumping this way, you know how fun it is to watch.). To add to the merriment, as she’s half-buried in the powdery white, she lets her hind legs dangle in the air.

However, it makes her look funny to her adoptive siblings, who taunt her for it. Also, a ravenous stray dog thinks her more like a rabbit than a dog, which makes him want to eat her. This isolates her from the canine world, and to add to her problems, when summer approaches, her fur turns fully gray. She thinks the color is ugly, and it brings on more ridicule from her siblings.

When she’s fully grown, she leaves to find her own home, which sets her on a journey of found friendship and self-discovery. She gains more confidence in handling the outside world, and in the midst of it all, she has a great love for pizza found in the dumpsters.

Want to read more? Check out Starlight, coming this December.

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Welcome to the Summer Bash!

UPDATE: Don’t forget to join the Summer Bash and enter the giveaway before midnight CDT. There you might win a copy of Of Dangers and Dreams, which includes my dire wolf story. https://www.facebook.com/events/914301054738888/990916297077363/

Hi, Summer Bash guests! Party crashers are welcome, too.

For those of you who followed me for a while, you may already be familiar with what I write. However, let me share more about my writing journey by answering Who, What, Where, How, and Why questions.

WHO am I?

I’m K.A. Ramstad (of course), a creator of fantasy and fairy tale retellings. I write for children, middle grade, and teens, and you’ll see me write a review on a picture or middle grade book every once in a while.

WHAT got me into writing?

While I have enjoyed writing stories since I was a kid, what helped me launch into the career of writing was, of all things, reading a fanfiction story. It was a fun gender bended retelling of Sleeping Beauty (where it’s the prince who’s sleeping), and it got me intrigued with the idea of writing tales.

Reading, as well as watching movies, fed my love for stories in general. Additionally, the book God of the Fairy Tale by Jim Ware opened my eyes to see that even secular stories like Cinderella illustrate God’s truths without being on-the-nose. With Cinderella, she was a girl who went from rags to riches, just as Jesus started His life on earth in poverty but now rules as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How cool is that?

WHERE did I learn more about the craft of storytelling?

I became a member of Realm Makers, a Christian group where authors get together virtually and learn from each other. I even joined a critique group through them. Let me tell you, when I shared my writing with my critique partners, I realized I had a lot to learn when it comes to creating a novel. It isn’t just slapping words onto a page and thinking you wrote something interesting. It’s called art for a reason. So, I took my critique-ers’ suggestions and improved my art.

But critique groups aren’t the only way of developing one’s writing, which leads to the next question.

HOW did I improve further?

Did I mention Realm Makers’ has a conference? I attended three of their conferences online, and they’re the best writing events I’ve attended. There’s so much rich information they offer you, and they’re taught by well-known authors like Nadine Brandes, Steve Laube, Kathy Tyers, Steven James, and more.

Oh, and there’s always writing books. The ones I recommend are:

Story Trumps Structure by Steven James

Carla Hoch’s Fight Write books (if you’re interested in writing believable fight scenes)

Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi’s Thesaurus series (The Emotion Thesaurus, The Positive Trait Thesaurus, The Emotional Wound Thesaurus, etc.)

5 Editors Tackle the 12 Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing by C.S. Lakin, Linda S. Clare, Christy Distler, Robin Patchen, and Rachel Starr Thomson

WHY do I write fairy tale retellings?

There’s something about fairy tales that tend to stick with me, particularly their plots involving:

Heroes and heroines braving dangers.

Characters being redeemed and experiencing unconditional love.

People rising up from deathlike sleep.

It’s especially awesome that they’re retold in a way that allows me to experience them in a fresh way.

I discovered Beyond the Bookery, a publisher that releases fairy tale retellings, through Liv Hammonds’ blog. It was that post that announced openings for writers to submit their works. I couldn’t pass the opportunity, and I happened to have a story at the back of my head that would turn into a fairy tale. That story became “Friend of the Dire Wolf,” and it’s a Little Red Riding Hood story that’s now in the anthology Of Dangers and Dreams.

So, if you’re looking for publishers for your story, search the Internet. Even use keywords like “fairy tale [or whatever genre] submission.” You’ll never know what you’ll find.

Bonus Question: What’s next for me?

I’m now writing a middle grade fantasy that’ll be released in December. It’s an Ugly Duckling retelling, where the main character is a pup adopted by a family of stray dogs. The problem is, she’s different from her littermates. She jumps in the snow in a funny way, and her fur turns gray during the summer, causing her littermates to tease her. Not only that, but someone ventured to say she’s actually a fox. Is it true?

In the end, she finds a new family and discovers she has a superpower. What is that superpower? This Elf on a Shelf clip gives a clue.

The fox creating the Northern Lights is from Finnish mythology. However, with my MC, I have her just create the blue light, and other foxes contribute to the Northern Lights with their colors. As you can imagine, these foxes are a fellowship and a family.

How does the MC view humans? She isn’t sure of them at first, but she finds some who are not only nice but also enjoy her unique quirks.

Whew! That’s a lot I just shared. I hope you had fun during the Bash, and enjoy the rest of your summer.

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Don’t Forget! It’s A Giveaway by Me

Beyond the Bookery’s Summer Bash is coming to Facebook. It’s your chance to win a free copy of Of Dangers and Dreams, featuring my retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. That’s right, it’s F-R-E-E.

On June 30, you’ll see a special post by me at 5:00 PM MST. You’ll see how I got into writing, tips on how to be a better writer, and more of a sneak peek of my upcoming middle grade book Starlight.

Don’t forget. June 30 is my special post, and below is where you can find out more about the Summer Bash.

Summer Bash on Facebook

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Beyond the Bookery’s Summer Bash is Coming…and I’m in It!

You may have already heard about the Summer Bash hosted by Beyond the Bookery. It’s an online party where you can explore different authors and potential favorite reads. There’s even a giveaway to win cool stuff, like BtB releases, highlighters, and fun goodies like a possible crocheted bookmark.

And guess what? You’ll get a chance to win your own copy of Of Dangers and Dreams (featuring my dire wolf story)!

The event is on Facebook (which will also feature a guest blog post from myself), and it’s happening June 26-30. The link with all the details is here:

Beyond the Bookery’s Summer Bash

For more information about Beyond the Bookery, as well as a peek at their books, check them out at their website:

Beyond the Bookery

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Happy Father’s Day – With a Book

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there.

Here’s a book for grades K-3 about a dad who, even though he’s on the road working a lot, he still takes time to visit his kids. Here’s Brian Monica reading “Always My Dad.”

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I Have Another Book Coming!

Yep. You read it right.

Remember when I told you I have a story about a fox that makes light for the Northern Lights?

I found a publisher for it! It’s going to be the same publisher that did my “Friend of the Dire Wolf” novella. This new book, called Starlight, is fit for a middle grade audience who loves fantasy and fairy tale retellings.

For those who haven’t read my past blog posts, this story is essentially an Ugly Duckling retelling where instead of a duckling, it’s an Arctic fox. The fox’s name is Starlight, and she was adopted by a family of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. She grows up feeling like the odd one, as she nose-dives into the snow, which is something dogs don’t typically do. Her fur also changes color per the seasons, and during the summer, it turns into a dingy gray.

But like the Ugly Duckling, she learns who she really is in the end. For a bonus, this is a Christmas book.

[This photo represents Starlight’s “ugly” season, where she has gray fur during the warm months.]

[Here’s Starlight during the winter, where she’s out of her gray coat.]

[How does Starlight add to the Northern Lights? She sweeps her tail across the snow, and blue light wafts into the night sky.]

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Writing Adventure in Your Story

Writing a search-and-rescue story? Imagining a mountain-climbing expedition? Looking for ideas on how to write an adventure story and make it as plausible as possible?

Check out this article on Hannah Ruth Johnson’s site, where guest M. Liz Boyle shares tips on research and character development. One advice I love is directly asking professionals on how to flesh out certain scenarios. Experts like search-and-rescue dog handlers, small airplane pilots, etc. That way, you get deep insight on their careers and the world of outdoor rescue missions. Also, if you’re a homeschooling parent, it’s a good excuse to teach your kids about real-life heroes (and maybe go on a field trip).

Keep reading!

Make Adventure Accessible: Tips for Researching and Writing an Adventure Novel from M. Liz Boyle

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Tribute to C.E. White

You may have heard the sad news, but author friend C.E. (Connie) White left this world in April after an intense fight with cancer. She is with the Author of Life now, so cancer didn’t win the battle, but let’s pause to remember her as a thought-provoking storyteller and a serious, die-hard follower of Jesus.

I wrote a review of her picture book When Your Dragon Is Too Big for a Bath, which was posted on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog. Click on the button to learn more.

My Review of Dragon Book

She also wrote the middle grade novel Vincent in Wonderland, which I got to read before it was published. Let me tell you, it’s a unique twist on the classic story and the historical artist. Lorehaven wrote a review on it, so click here to learn more:

Lorehaven Review on Vincent in Wonderland

There’s a prequel to the Vincent book, too, and I’m currently listening to the audiobook version of it. I say it’s an intriguing story so far, and it’s great for fans of A Wrinkle in Time. If you’re curious, here’s Lorehaven’s review:

Lorehaven Review on The Worlds Next Door

Rest in peace, Connie. I and your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ will see you soon.

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First Lines of my Novella (Plus My Co-Authors’)

Still haven’t picked up a copy of Of Dangers and Dreams? Here are the first lines of my and my co-authors’ novellas in this volume of fairy tale retellings.

“Water Maiden” by Jenny A. Bee

I’ve been told that when I was just a baby, I was only content in water, be it bath, puddle, or the beautiful Whulge that flowed past the headlands of our home.

“Nottingham” by Liv Hammonds

Once upon a time, in a kingdom called Sherwood, there was a small, poor village called Nottingham.

“Friend of the Dire Wolf” by K.A Ramstad

The voices of the inn’s guests reverberated in the common hall as they stayed up that night and drank mead.

To learn more about Of Dangers and Dreams, check out the Amazon link. It’s available in both Kindle and Paperback.

Of Dangers and Dreams on Amazon

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Happy Early Mother’s Day – Plus A Book Honoring Moms

I want to wish all you moms a Happy Mother’s Day!

There’s also a book for kids that celebrates an attentive and resourceful mom. It’s actually the sequel to Rose Wolves, a graphic novel I reviewed on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog.

Book Review on Rose Wolves

In Rose Wolves Book Two: Out of the Blue, it shows the girl going on a picnic with her mom. She introduces her mom to her old friend: a Rose Wolf, or a wolf that lives part of his life as a rose in a bush. In this book, sadly, the rose bush wilts during the cold season, which means the Rose Wolf is gone during that time, leaving the girl grief-stricken. However, her mom uses her cleverness to bring a Rose Wolf to life, and it involves grafting a twig into a plant. This Rose Wolf is different from the original Rose Wolf, but the girl loves him just the same. You’ll witness the joy as she bonds with him, and *spoiler alert* she does see her old Rose Wolf friend again. This is especially great if you prefer happy endings.

Sounds intriguing? Check this book out, especially if you love stories about children with their pets and loving family relationships. You’ll also get a kick as you see the main character play with her beloved Rose Wolf (including the Wolf knocking chess pieces over). It’s also fun to see the girl celebrate the holidays with her new wolf friend, which includes singing Christmas carols. As a big bonus, moms will cheer for the mother as she thinks of ways to keep a Rose Wolf alive during the cold months.

Enjoy this book (It’s on Hoopla, by the way.), and enjoy your holiday!

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Don’t Forget About Fairy Tale Frenzy

To all of you who bought Of Dangers and Dreams, which has my dire wolf story, thank you so, so much.

There are more Fairy Tale Frenzy books, too, all published by Beyond the Bookery. Both contemporary and fantasy retellings are included. Take a look at these gorgeous covers.

For the descriptions of these volumes of fairy tales, check out the link to Amazon.

Fairy Tale Frenzy (14 book series)

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Another Book Review! A Fairy Tale One

I wrote a book review on a collection of short stories by Emmarayn Redding, called The Madman of Elkriahl and Other Fairy Tales. When you read this collection, you will be immersed in the nostalgia that comes with reading a classic fairy tale.

This volume is friendly for both the young and young-at-heart. Click on the link below for the full review.

The Madman of Elkriahl Book Review

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A Wolf Book Review . . . Plus a Summer Bash!

Hi, all.

If you haven’t heard yet, I wrote a review on a fairy tale story, and it’s complementary with my “Friend of the Dire Wolf” novella. It’s the Caldecott Medal winner Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China, and you can find it on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog.

Lon Po Po Book Review

There’s also a summer bash coming! I know, I know, it’s not summer yet, but Beyond the Bookery can’t wait to invite you to join their party on Facebook. It’s their Summer Book Bash, where there’ll be giveaways for you to join. Who knows? You may have fun new books to add to your collection, including clean fantasy.

The bash is June 26th through 30th, and be sure to RSVP.

Beyond the Bookery Summer Book Bash

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Be On the Lookout—More Books!

My publisher, Beyond the Bookery, has more books on the way! They will have a series that fits this description:

A Twist of Tales is a Christian nonmagical fantasy series of genderbent retellings. Be swept away in captivating tales of adventure, sweet romance, faith, and animal companions.

Take a look at all these covers!

Of Ice & Promises: A Retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon by Jenny A. Bee

Of Knives & Nobility: A Retelling of the Princess and the Pea by E.G. Bella

Of Pine & Pretense: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin by Laurie Lucking

Of Minds & Monsters: A Retelling of the Beauty & the Beast by Brianna Lynn Campbell

Of Dreams & Desires: A Retelling of the Raven by Riley J. Perrie

Of Shadows & Snow: A Retelling of the Snow Queen by Kaytlin Phillips

Of Truth & Treason: A Retelling of Mulan by Jaiden Phillips

Of Law & Legacy: A Retelling of Androcles and the Lion by Grace Albert

Of Snowfall & Song: A Retelling of the Snow Maiden by Sienna Peake

Of Forests & Freedom: A Retelling of Aladdin by Ellie Hollows

Of Hope & Hiding: A Snow White Retelling by Abigail Kay

Of Swans & Swords: A Retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses by Sara A. Thren

Of Quivers & Noir: A Retelling of Robin Hood by Kaitlyn King

Cool, huh? Here’s the Amazon link to all the pre-order copies of the ebooks:

A Twist of Tales

Another book that’ll be released this year is Michelle Emmanuelli’s Of Might and Mettle: A Brave Tin Soldier Retelling. If you love a story with a Caribbean flair and a wolf puppy, then check it out.

Of Might and Mettle

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Happy Resurrection Day! With Donkeys

May you all have a wonderful Resurrection Day, remembering that Jesus washes away the sins of anyone who asks Him to. Let’s praise Him for that! Once He makes you righteous, He gives you the gift of eternal life, and nothing and no one can take away that gift. Hallelujah!

You may have heard the fictional story behind the marking on a donkey’s back. A marking that looks like a cross. Here’s a video where the Free-Ranging Morgans share the story, and we get to see donkeys be themselves. 🙂 They even include the legend for why the donkey has dark markings around its legs.

Thank you, Free-Ranging Morgans, for sharing this on YouTube.

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A “Dire Wolf” Quiz

Hi, friends.

Of Dangers and Dreams is now available in ebook and paperback. There you’ll find my “Friend of the Dire Wolf” story, great for tweens and teens.

Of Dangers and Dreams on Amazon

To feed your curiosity, here’s a quiz where you find out which character of the story you are most like. Who knows? You might find a new friend.

Quiz:

1. Your ideal home would be:

A) A cozy cottage in the forest.

B) A majestic castle on a cliff by the sea.

C) What home? I’d rather travel the world and stay at different places.

2. It’s lunchtime. You pick:

A) A pork and vegetable stew with a fluffy roll.

B) A lobster bisque with a crab cake.

C) A chicken sandwich with berries on the side.

3. Your favorite accessory is:

A) A cute ribbon or hair clip.

B) A shiny crown.

C) A fake fur scarf.

4. Your favorite exercise is:

A) Hiking.

B) Jumping on a trampoline.

C) Running.

5. Your peers describe you as:

A) Sweet.

B) Go-getter.

C) Spontaneous.

6. You like to:

A) Read.

B) Climb a tree.

C) Make a craft.

7. Your friend is sad. You:

A) Comfort that friend with kind words.

B) Offer advice on how your friend can fix it.

C) You don’t talk. It’s better to listen than to say something bad.

If you answered mostly A’s:

You’re like Nan, someone who’s sweet, intelligent, and resilient. Click on the link to learn more about her.

Introducing My Red Riding Hood Character

If you answered mostly B’s:

You’re like Prince Deverell. Brave, assertive, and quick on your feet, that’s what you are. Learn more about this amazing prince:

Introducing My Hunter Character

If you answered mostly C’s:

You’re like Silvera. She has the body of a dire wolf, but she’s actually a human changed by an alchemist’s potion. She can be impulsive at times, but she can wow people with her artistic feats. Learn more about this mysterious wolf here:

Introducing My Wolf Character

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Take a Look at These Books!

I know, there are more books in the market. *grin* But this is a special catalog where you can find Christian-friendly books in a wide variety of genres. Histrical fiction, contemporary fiction, romance, fairy tale retellings, you name it.

Also, ahem, you’ll see Of Dangers and Dreams, a book yours truly is in.

Check out “The Bookworm,” your friend in introducing new reads.

The Bookworm: Spring Edition Download

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More Book Releases in March

Apparently, my novella isn’t the only book released in March. Lou Allen of Christian Faith and Fiction has made a list of new releases, covering a wide range of genres for adults and teens.

Which books look interesting to you?

New Christian Fiction Releasing in March 2026

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Book Is Here!

*Trumpet resounding*

Today is the official release of Of Dangers and Dreams, containing my Red Riding Hood story!

My story is novella-sized, complete with its own chapters. It even includes a theme verse, and as you read, you’ll know why.

“He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” – Psalm 147:10-11, KJV

Here’s a big bonus:

Do you love playlists for books? I created one right here, and each song goes with each of my chapters. Enjoy!

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New Book Coming Tuesday! Plus More Magic Creatures

Look out! A new book is coming Tuesday, March 3rd!

I have to mention Silvera the dire wolf again. Did I say she also has magic powers? Due to drinking the alchemist’s potion, she can fly, create constellations, and make fire.

There are other animals with magic powers, but one is gifted by Elohim, the great Creator God, while the other was changed by alchemist chemistry. You have to read the story to find out which one.

They’re Chidike the Medicine Primate and Oma the Owl, both talking animals and each with their own special feats.

[royalty-free photo]

Chidike is a grouch, but he’s a help to his friends, especially as he’s gifted in medicines. He can also fly.

[royalty-free photo]

Oma is a grandmotherly type who can call you “dearie.” She can fling fire from her wings.

What are the themes in my story? Justice, kindness, and being comfortable in your own skin. The story also shows resilience against bullies, as well as being okay with not being superhuman. There’s a part in the story where Silvera loses her magic, and it seems that her only talent now is making art on pumpkins. She uses her teeth and claws to make scratch marks on the pumpkin’s surface, forming a picture. After this happens . . . well, here’s a scene from the book.

The group marched on, and the pumpkins gave way to bare grass and sporadic bushes. Nan hobbled up to Silvera’s side and said, “You know, you’re still talented, even without your magic. Imagine the kind of pictures you can make with human hands.”

In other words, one doesn’t need magic powers to be gifted.

Note: Are you on Goodreads? Be sure to like Of Dangers and Dreams there.

Of Dangers and Dreams on Goodreads

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My Author Friends in Of Dangers and Dreams

I absolutely cannot talk about my Of Dangers and Dreams story without mentioning my friends Liv Hammonds and Jenny A Bee. Their stories are also in the book.

First is Liv’s story “Nottingham.” You guessed it; it’s a retelling of Robin Hood.

Blurb: Anwen, the Sheriff of Nottingham, is determined to capture a masked vigilante called The Robin, who repeatedly undermines the king’s brutal tax schemes. Unbeknownst to her, The Robin is Marion, the town blacksmith … and her closest confidante. As she closes in on the thief, Anwen’s loyalty falters, and soon, she is forced to choose between her unwavering devotion to the crown and the desperate needs of her village.

Here are the main female and male characters:

Anwen: Orphaned by a devastating plague and driven by sheer willpower, Anwen rose from peasantry to become the Sheriff of Nottingham. Fiercely loyal to her king, she believes that order is the only thing keeping her poor village afloat – until a band of thieves turn her world upside down. Disciplined, capable, and yearning, Anwen must decide whether duty alone is enough to save her people.

Marion: A skilled blacksmith with steady hands and a guarded heart, Marion has learned to survive where order has failed. Kind, observant, and deeply rooted in his village, he becomes a masked thief called The Robin, returning stolen taxes to impoverished villagers. Torn between love for Anwen and loyalty to his people, Marion must decide if and how the two can coexist.

Take a look at Jenny’s story “Water Maiden,” a retelling of the Samish Indian myth “The Maiden of Deception Pass.” You’ll be sure to have some Little Mermaid vibes as you read this tale.

Blurb: Marius and Nerida meet as children and become the best of unlikely friends – he is Sea Folk and she’s human. Their friendship grows into love as they come of age, and Marius wants Nerida to be his wife and go live with him in the sea, but will her father let her go, and what might happen if he refuses?

Here are the main characters and their bios:

Nerida is the daughter of the coastal village’s chief. She has long, straight black hair and is most content when in the water. Because of her curious and adventurous spirit, she explores the coastline when a young girl and meets Marius.

Marius is the prince of the Sea Folk. He is described (by Nerida) this way: “His skin was pale and slightly green-tinged, and his hair had a strange quality to it, reminding me a bit of the big bull kelp that grew under the waves in the deeper parts of the Whulge.” And he has a tail, because he’s a merman.

They grow up as the best of friends and that friendship blossoms into love as they mature.

Does this all sound exciting? Be sure to pre-order your own copy through this Amazon link:

Of Dangers and Dreams Pre-order

If you want to join the hype for Beyond the Bookery, my publisher, and spread the word on their books . . . and if you have your own blog or social media outlets, fill out this form to join the Hype Team. Also, you can fill out this form to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of my book and others, and you can share your review/s on Amazon, GoodReads, Bookbub, and your blog.

Fairy Tale Frenzy Collection ARC and Hype Team Form

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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?

It’s a Red Riding Hood retelling (duh).
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.
The protagonist, her love interest, and her personal enemies are young teens, ages thirteen through fourteen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I want to wish you all a wonderful holiday. With your family, with your friends, and most importantly, with Jesus.

And now, a little Trans Siberian Orchestra.

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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!

Featured

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:

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

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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