Hello, friends! Today is release day for the final Secrets of Ormdale novel, Valley of Dragons. I was once again able to get an ARC of this book, and let me tell you, this is such a good conclusion to the series. I may or may not have stayed up until after one in the morning the night I finished it because I got so invested in the story, and that's something I haven't done in a long time. So, obviously, I have to share my thoughts!

Thoughts on Valley of Dragons

1. The story came full-circle in the best possible way. Secrets of Ormdale closes as it opens: with Edith learning something about her family that she never would have imagined, discovering the darkness hiding behind "the way it's always been," and choosing to find ways to push back against that darkness. However, the story still feels as fresh and exciting as it did in book one, and Baehr ties all the plot threads together marvelously.
2. As always, I love the blend of cozy vibes with intrigue and Gothic adventure. While the stakes are as high or higher than they've ever been and Edith and her friends and family still face danger, Baehr maintains a sense of warmth and coziness throughout the story. We still have the love and support between family members and friends; we still have humor to lighten dark moods; we still have kindness on display and confidence that good will win in the end. That coziness doesn't undercut the danger and excitement at any point (again, I read this into the wee hours of the morning because I had to know what happened next), but
3. It's lovely to see how the characters have changed since they were first introduced. As the last book in this series, Valley of Dragons has to wrap up all the character arcs satisfactorily . . . and I'm happy to say that it's not just satisfying; it's downright delightful. All of our favorites have grown so much, and while I'm not going to spoil anything, I will say that the end of this book finds them all flourishing, freed of what once bound them and able to pursue both new dreams and new responsibilities. I especially loved how Baehr worked out the arcs for Edith's cousins and for Simon Drake. They arguably had the most weighing them down and forcing them into particular molds at the story's start, and now we see them becoming who they were always meant to be. And speaking of that . . .
4. Edith and Simon continue to be the best couple. Their feelings may be out in the open now, but that doesn't mean their journey is any less difficult, as they both (but especially Simon) wrestle with the tension between love and duty. Baehr portrays that conflict and dynamic in a very realistic way, and I genuinely wondered how she was going to resolve it. Again, I won't give away any secrets, but I will say that I really liked how it was handled and how the characters dealt with certain related events and discoveries.
5. Even the antagonists are treated with compassion. Aside from the character arcs, this may be one of my favorite things about this book. Over and over again, Baehr and her characters find the balance between compassion and justice — appropriately, as so many of the antagonists in this series are victims of the same lies, traditions, and cycles of pain they've used to hurt others. Where redemption is possible, it's offered and often pursued, and I loved the fact that this made for so many happy endings. But those who refuse still face the full consequences of their actions, and that's equally satisfying.
   

I can hardly believe this series is over . . . but, happily, Baehr has teased that more stories from Ormdale may be on the way! I can hardly wait to find out what comes of that. In the meantime, are you excited to read Valley of Dragons? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

Hello everyone! You may remember me raving about H.S.J. Williams's wonderful novel Moonscript when it released a few years ago. You may also recall that the sequel to Moonscript, Collusion, finally came out just over a week and a half ago — and that I was absolutely hyped about it. I was so excited, in fact, that I started reading it the very day I got my paperback (putting a Sanderson novel on pause, which I very rarely do), and now I'm here to tell y'all that it is so, so good and y'all need to read it. Well, if you haven't read Moonscript, you should read that first . . . but then you should read Collusion (and, naturally, I'm about to tell you why).

You NEED to Read Collusion

1. The characters are excellent — especially Errance. I raved about this in Moonscript, and I will rave about it here too. Collusion holds so many amazing characters, and even the minor ones shine. However, Errance is the best of them all. He's still healing from all he went through in the first book, and Williams handles that trauma well . . . but at the same time, for all his doubts and fears, all the points where he's broken, he's also courageous and loving and determined to take care of his own, and he holds to what is true even when he's struggling in his faith. I love him so much, and I loved seeing his growth over the course of this book. That said, Errance isn't the only star here. I still love brave, resilient, loving Tryss (and I maintain that we would be excellent friends were she real). And, of course, Coren is absolutely my favorite character after Errance — still as clever and as much of a schemer and talker as ever, and still using his cleverness (and his wisdom!) for the good of others.
2. The antagonists are wonderfully complex. One of the biggest changes from Collusion to Moonscript is the nature of the antagonists. Both have excellent villains, but where Moonscript gave us the utterly evil and terrifying Voice of the Darkness, Collusion's villains are a bit more human, a bit more tangled, and a bit more like people you'd see in our own world. They're just as well characterized as the more heroic figures, and at various points, I found myself wanting to stab them for what they'd done and desperately hoping they might get a redemption arc (if not in this book, in a future one). I can't say more without spoilers, but I think you get the idea.
3. There are so many actually-married couples.  I've been saying for at least a few years now how much I want to see (and like to see) stories that don't stop just because the main couple got married. Wonderfully, Williams has given me (and like-minded readers) exactly what we wanted. Most of the major couples we met in Moonscript are now married, either with kids or thinking about kids, but that doesn't stop them from having adventures and being amazing. In fact, those relationships are, in multiple cases, where they find the support and encouragement they need to keep going on the right path and to be who they're meant to be — and I absolutely love to see it. And, on a related note . . .
4. Family is front and center. Y'all know that family-centric books are like catnip to me, and we see so many different family relationships highlighted here. Errance and Tryss are looking towards parenthood and figuring out what challenges that might hold (with Errance, naturally, worrying about how to be a good father when he's so broken), and we also have Leoren being an Awesome Elf Dad (I would say "best elf dad" but there are too many people in the running for that role for me to actually pick). Errance and Tellie have maintained a sibling-ish relationship even as they've grown, which is lovely to see. The best of the family relationships, though, is Errance and Coren, who spend a lot of the book in each others' company and have some amazing interactions. They make me very happy.
5. The story takes on dark topics without losing sight of the light. I've already touched on Errance's trauma, and I will say again that Williams handles that very well. A lifetime of pain and suffering will take its toll, and many of the internal scars Errance bears have yet to fade. However, healing is still possible, and we see that again and again through this book. On a broader view, Collusion deals with many societal evils, ones that plague our world as well as the storyworld, notably issues of trafficking and sexual slavery. Williams doesn't shy away from the darkness of these issues or the complexity of solving them, but she also handles them tastefully and makes sure to keep hope in sight. Again and again, this story reminds us that whether we're dealing with a broken heart or a broken world, that which is shattered may yet be mended by the One who made all things.
   

Have you read Collusion yet, or is it on your to-read list? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

Lost Kerchiefs Release Week: Goose Princess

Hello, friends! Welcome back to the Lost Kerchiefs Arista Challenge release week! We have two more books releasing, and today's is the long-awaited Goose Princess, book four of the Beyond the Tales series by Tricia Mingerink. This Goose Girl/Wild Swans mashup takes place in an American-inspired world and features protective brothers, backwoods adventure, and animal curses. As usual, I have a couple snippets of the book to share here, and you can visit Light and Shadows for an interview with the author.

About . . .

Goose Princess

Before he can have peace, he has one last curse to face.

In the three years since he woke from his enchanted sleep, High King Alexander has faced multiple curses, nearly died, and re-united the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia. He has watched everyone around him find peace and happiness. Is it finally time for him to secure happiness for himself?

When an old enemy strikes once again, Alex finds himself on the run, hunted in his own kingdom, and all alone except for the most unlikely ally: a princess who can't talk to people and her gaggle of goose brothers.

With his enemies closing around him, Alex must make a choice. Will he rescue his best friend or save his kingdom? And, after everything he suffered, does he even want to be the high king or is this his chance to walk away and pursue his own happy ending?

Find it on: Amazon || Goodreads

Tricia Mingerink

Tricia Mingerink is author of adventurous fairytales and action-packed Christian kingdom adventure stories. She lives in Michigan with her dog, horse, and in a house stuffed to the rafters with books.

Find her online at: Website ||  Goodreads || Facebook || Instagram || Amazon 

Goose Princess Excerpts

First Lines

High King Alexander of Tallahatchia dipped his paddle into the still waters of the Kanawhee River. The prow of his canoe parted the shrouding morning mist lying thick over the river and clinging to the surrounding mountains. The faintest blush of pink painted the horizon and highlighted the edges of the summer leaves. 

For a moment, he rested his paddle across his knees and let his canoe drift with the current. He drew in a deep breath of the misty air tinged with the muddy wet of the river and crisp green of the trees crowding the banks. 

Potatoes

        Princess Keziah of Buckhannock perched on the edge of her seat at the dinner
table as she plotted how to ask for the potatoes.

~~~

Are you curious about Goose Princess? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

 

Lost Kerchiefs Release Week: Illusion's Reign Is Here!!!

Hello, hello, hello! Today is day five of the Lost Kerchiefs Arista Challenge release week, and that means it's a very special day for me: release day for my newest novel, Illusion's Reign! I'm super excited to be able to share this story with you after having worked on it so long, and I hope y'all will enjoy it. In fact, I'm so excited to share it that I'm posting an excerpt from the first chapter here . . . and if you're still curious after that, you can visit Light and Shadows for a behind-the-scenes look at some of my worldbuilding for the book.

About . . .

Illusion's Reign

A transformed princess is determined to reclaim what's hers — but can truth prevail when illusion wears the crown?

Crown Princess Onora of Atìrse is eager to prove herself as the heir to her parents' throne. Moving into one of her family's holdings away from the Royal Seat offers the chance to put into practice all she's learned and demonstrate what kind of queen she intends to one day be, and even the shadow of an uprising among Atìrse's faery neighbors can't dull her excitement. Yet her plans go awry when one of her attendants proves false and she's transformed and replaced by a faery imposter.

Though cursed and cast into the role of a lowly goose-keeper, with only her beloved cat as an ally, Onora refuses to admit defeat. She'll do whatever it takes to break the curse, expose the imposter, and take back the role that is rightfully hers. However, that's easier said than done when her opponent can so easily manipulate the truth — and the fickle feelings of the locals and the surliness of the miller's strange assistant don't make her task any less difficult.

Time is swiftly passing, and Onora must reclaim her place before the transformation becomes permanent. But can she do so when nothing is as it seems and even her allies have secrets?

Return to the kingdom of Atìrse and discover what happens when "The Goose Girl" meets "Puss in Boots" in this prequel to the award-winning Song of the Selkies.

Find it on: Amazon || Goodreads

Illusion's Reign Excerpt: A New Beginning

The castle came into view as Onora’s party crested the hill, the grey walls and keep rising against the blue of the summer sky. The sight brought a thrill and a thrumming excitement to Onora’s heart. Nearly there!
The road here had been—not hard. They’d spent every night at the homes of nobles, had been welcomed and feted and given every courtesy. The weather had been fair, the road free of brigands and other hazards. And despite all the unrest in Tìr Soilleir, the kingdom of the faeries and Atìrse’s nearest allies, and despite all Onora’s parents’ and grandmother’s worry about trouble with rogue faeries along the road, especially with message mirrors largely unusable, the greatest inconvenience anyone in the party had suffered was the moping of Onora’s maid, Brigid.

No, the road hadn’t been hard. But it had been long. Onora felt she could have done just as well with a faster pace and fewer stops, even if that would have meant staying at inns or camping rough instead of resting in noble houses. Still, that was past. They were here—they were home—at last.

The same excitement that had caught her seemed to have touched her companions as well. The guards and the handful of servants she’d brought with her exchanged jokes and comments about what they’d do first when they reached the castle, laughing and teasing one another. None addressed Onora, but that was fine. She would be their queen someday, and so it was only right that she should stay a little aloof.

The castle remained in view as they trotted their horses down the slope of the hill and along the road that led through the fields. Spirits remained high as well; when Onora glanced back, she saw that even Brigid had perked up—somewhat, at least. Her petulant frown remained, puckering the burn scar that covered one cheek, but at least she had straightened in her seat on the back of the little-used carriage.

Onora sighed and turned to face forward again. When she got to the castle and got settled, the first thing she’d do would be give Brigid three days off to sort herself out. She knew the woman had reason to be upset. Brigid didn’t like travel, she hadn’t wanted to leave her family in the royal seat, and the man she’d been seeing had broken things off with her three days before the party left. 

All the same, Onora had given her the chance to resign, and Brigid had chosen to come. “I’ll manage,” she’d said the day before they departed. “Maybe being far away from Rian will be good for me.”

So far, all Brigid had managed to do was mope, sulk, and be so slow to do as Onora asked that Onora frequently found it easier to fend for herself. But maybe she’d be better once they weren’t on the road anymore—and if not, Onora would send her back to the royal seat and find a replacement among the castle maids. 

Despite her eagerness to reach the castle, however, as they drew nearer, Onora turned her horse towards the sea cliffs and the small, round tower set upon one of them. Though it was still day, a light shone at the top. “We’ll go to the Tùr-Faire first to meet with the priest and ask Dèanadair’s blessing on this next stage.”

Brigid groaned, but the guard commander, Captaen Atholl, nodded and called out the order to the company. They all turned with Onora and made for the Tùr-Faire. 

The doors of the Tùr-Faire stood open, but Onora could see no one inside. That was hardly a surprise. It was too early for an evening service and too late for a morning one, and Onora wouldn’t expect services on Speuratha, two days after the main day of worship, anyway. 

Still, no one visible on the main level didn’t mean no one was present at all. So, as they reached the door, Onora reined her horse in and dismounted, swinging expertly to the ground. As she did, her cat, Càirdeil, roused himself with a sharp “Meowl?” from the nest of blankets Onora had made for him behind her saddle. He stretched and then hopped to her shoulder, landing atop the protective leather she wore there for just such a purpose and hooking his back paws into the chain loops at its edge.

Onora waited for him to settle himself there before addressing Captaen Atholl. “Captaen, will you and one of your men come in with me?” Turning to the others, she added, “The rest of you can come or stay as you please. I do not plan to be long.”

Captaen Atholl dismounted, gesturing for one of his men to do the same. A few of the servants also climbed off their horses or their seats on the carriage. The greater part remained where they were, however, and Brigid sighed wearily.

Was even honoring Dèanadair not reason enough for Brigid to cease her grumbling? Onora shut her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. She would not allow her maid to ruin this day for her, nor would she harbor bitterness in her own spirit when she entered the house of Dèanadair. Her parents had taught her better than that.

Opening her eyes once more, Onora led the way into the Tùr-Faire. It was as empty within as it had looked from outside, but she could hear voices and movement from the second floor, where the priests had their quarters. So, she asked one of the guards, “Will you go inform the priests that I have arrived and wish to speak with one of them, preferably the head priest?” She couldn’t recall his name just now—the one she’d known growing up had stepped down after many long years of faithful service, and she was tired enough that she wasn’t quite sure which of the two possible replacements had been selected.
The guard saluted and obeyed, jogging towards the staircase—cleverly hidden from easy view by a trick in the curving architecture in the walls. He vanished up the steps. Onora heard his footsteps, then muffled voices. A moment later, he returned. Just behind him came a dark-haired man whom Onora judged to be perhaps five or six years younger than her father. He wore the green robes of a priest, trimmed in white to indicate his rank as the spiritual leader of this community. 

As he neared her, he stopped and bowed. “Greetings, your highness. Dèanadair’s blessings be upon you.”
“And upon you,” Onora replied, gesturing for him to rise. “So, you have taken Aoghaire Rowan’s place?”
“Indeed, your highness. Dòmhnall is my name.” Now that he’d performed the necessary formalities, Dòmhnall stood straight before her and looked her in the eyes, much like Deòrsa, the head priest who often counseled Onora’s father, did before King Seòras. Good! Exactly what Onora had hoped for. “And you have come to take the place of her majesty your grandmother?”

“I have, yes.” Not that Queen Moireach would be leaving permanently anytime soon—this was her favorite of the royal holdings, and no one would dream of telling her she couldn’t stay. But this was also one of the holdings where heirs to the throne often dwelt between coming of age and starting their reigns, and in the same way, Onora would now take over the ruling of this castle and its lands, with Queen Moireach serving as an advisor.

In ordinary circumstances, the summer would have seen a slow shift of responsibility from Queen Moireach to Onora. However, the business of the faery uprising had kept Queen Moireach in the royal seat for a month and a half now, and she would most likely remain there until the rest of Onora’s family arrived in a few months’ time to make ready for Onora’s wedding. So, the transition would be much more rapid—but this was a quiet location, safe from most threats, and most aspects of life here managed themselves, and Onora doubted there would be any issue.

Dòmhnall inclined his head slightly. “Then I welcome you once more, your highness, not just as yourself but as the new lady of these lands.”

“Thank you, Aoghaire,” Onora replied. “I have not yet taken up residence in nor command of the castle, for I wished to come here first. I hoped that you might pray over these next steps in my path, that I would have both Dèanadair’s blessing and His wisdom as I walk them, before I truly began.”

A smile spread over Dòmhnall’s square face. “It would be my honor, your highness. Will you come kneel at the altar?”

“Gladly.” Onora did as Dòmhnall had asked, walking to the carved and painted altar and kneeling just before it. Càirdeil leapt from her shoulder as she descended, landing with his stub-tail in the air, and padded off to investigate the corners of the room. 

Onora clasped her hands and bowed her head as Dòmhnall rested his hands on her shoulders. For a moment, he was silent, no doubt finding the right words. Then he spoke, his voice quiet, but authoritative. “Dèanadair, Maker of Earth and Sea and Sky, we praise You, for You set the paths of men both noble and common according to Your unending wisdom. You lead us through green pastures and by clear streams, and You do not abandon us when we walk through valleys of thorns and snares.

“You set our paths, Dèanadair, and You already know each step that lies before Princess Onora. Until now, she has walked beside her parents and been guided by them in Your ways. Now she steps onto a path of her own, yet I pray that she would remain on Your true path, Dèanadair. May she follow in the footsteps of Cìobair, the Shepherd, walking in the way that leads to life and leading others in the same way, regardless of the cost. May the flame of the Gèadh Naomh, Your guiding Spirit, never dim in her heart; may she listen to its warnings and heed its guidance in each decision she makes.”

Dòmhnall’s hands squeezed Onora’s shoulders in a fatherly sort of way. “May she have courage, Dèanadair. A queen needs courage every day; so, too, does a young woman whose kin are far away. May she not forget that You walk with her. May she have wisdom to discern right from wrong and truth from lie, wisdom to find good friends and counselors and to avoid those who would try to draw her off Your way. And in all things, I pray that she would bring honor to You, her heavenly father, and to the king, her father in this realm, and that, despite her youth, she would be a shining example of what it is to walk in Your ways. As we pray, Dèanadair, so may it be.” 

“So may it be,” Onora echoed softly. Dòmhnall’s hands left her shoulders, and she stood. “Thank you, Aoghaire. I appreciate your prayer, and I hope you will not cease to pray on my behalf.”

“I have been doing so long before now, your highness, and I have no intention of stopping.” Dòmhnall looked as though he might have laughed but caught himself just in time. “And if there is aught else a priest may do for a princess, I am at your service.”

“I am of the opinion that a princess always needs a priest.” Onora smiled wryly. “Or so my royal father and mother have taught me. They take council often with Aoghaire Deòrsa, the head priest nearest our castle. I hope I will be able to call on you for advice in the same way.”

Dòmhnall bowed his head. “It would be my honor, your highness, as well as being my duty before Dèanadair.”

“Good! Then I am certain we will see much of each other.” Even from this brief interaction, Onora had no doubt that Dòmhnall would be a valuable councilor. He was younger than Deòrsa, but he was devoted and seemed to know the words of Dèanadair well. “And do not hold back in your council, please. If you see me walking down a foolish path, or a path that would dishonor Dèanadair, warn me of my folly, whether I ask for it in the moment or not. No king or queen is above such warnings when given by a servant of the Maker.”

“I will do my best, your highness,” Dòmhnall replied. There was a hint of humor in his voice as he added, “And you will forgive me if, should such warnings be necessary, I remind you that you made this request.”
“I would expect nothing less.” Onora almost laughed at that. “Thank you once more, Aoghaire, and good day to you.”

~~~

Are you excited to read Illusion's Reign? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

Lost Kerchiefs Release Week: Arabella's Song

Hello, friends! We are now on day four of the Lost Kerchiefs Arista Challenge release week, celebrating the release of Arabella's Song by Meagan Myhren-Bennett. This retelling blends The Goose Girl with The Pied Piper, featuring a kingdom in danger, royals in disguise, and a mysterious song that just might save our heroine's life. Get a taste of this book in the snippet I have to share with you, or learn more about the author and story in an interview over at Light and Shadows!

About . . .

Arabella's Song

A song calls her to her destiny until a betrayal threatens her future.

Arabella's future has long been decided, but she'll have to fight for it when her trusted servant betrays her.

All her life, a song has drawn her towards her destiny, and now it may very well be what saves her life.

With the aid of a talking horse, a mysterious stranger, and a foreign dignitary, Arabella is in a race against time to reclaim the identity stolen from her in this story based on the Goose Girl and the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

This is the first book in The House of Sorah series.

Find it on: Amazon || Goodreads || Full Series

Meagan Myhren-Bennett

Meagan's love of words began at an early age - starting with bedtime stories read nightly. Her first foray into the printed word was a collection of poems and stories, which was limited to a one-copy printing when she was eight years old. Unfortunately, this rare single copy was lost in a cross-country move.

When not creating word magic, Meagan spends her working hours among the stacks of her local library, where she has been happily employed for several years.

This Northern Californian native who now calls Wisconsin home, after brief excursions to Florida and Illinois, shares her home with a small herd of Dachshunds.

Sharing my heart through words.

Find her online at: Website || Blog || Goodreads || Facebook || X formerly Twitter || YouTube || Newsletter || Instagram || MeWe || Bookbub || Amazon 

Arabella's Song Snippet

I wanted to get closer. I wanted to see the player's face. I needed to  see his face. The bank was at least twenty feet from where I stood and I was  unsure of the river's depth. The moonlight playing across its surface gave nothing away. I wanted to get the player's attention, but I didn't  want to interrupt the song. I drew as close to the water's edge as I could, but I needed to be closer. I stepped into the river and was shocked by the cold. I was barefoot. Why am I barefoot? I looked down at my feet only to notice that I was dressed in my  nightgown without even a robe to protect me from the cold night air. How did I get here? And why hadn't I changed into more suitable clothing? The confusion was overwhelming, and I felt a sense of disorientation that I couldn't shake off. 

Are you curious about Arabella's Song? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

Lost Kerchiefs Release Week: Wind Charmer

Hello, everyone! It is now day two of the Lost Kerchiefs Arista Challenge release week, and today's book is Wind Charmer by Meredith Leigh Burton. This retelling features an autistic heroine, talking animals, hidden powers, and chosen destinies, as well as a friends-to-lovers arranged marriage romance. You can read a small snippet of the book if you scroll down this post, or you can visit Light and Shadows for an interview with the author.

About . . .

Wind Charmer

Felicity does not conform to her kingdom’s idea of a princess. She is shy, clumsy and very routine in her habits. Yet she is also fiercely protective, adores animals and determined to fulfill her royal duties despite the anxiety that often grips her heart.

Felicity has been chosen to marry Prince Nathan of the kingdom of Fidel, a man whom she has never met. Will her eccentricities upset him? When Felicity sets forth on her momentous journey to Fidel, she quickly realizes that a threat lurks closer than she could ever have imagined.

Thrust into a kingdom with different customs, Felicity struggles to adapt to the changes that she must encounter. The malevolent circumstances that follow her every waking moment begin to encroach upon those she holds dear. Felicity must confront the evil that seeks to devour her, an evil that is as deceptively beautiful as it is deadly. Yet how can she do so when feelings of self-doubt and shame plague her every waking moment? Can she find the courage to leave her comforting routines behind in order to save two kingdoms from an impending tyrant’s rule? A surly goose herder, a brusque groom and possibly the prince himself may be the only ones who can help. But can she trust them?

A story of hidden strength, deception and finding your voice, Wind Charmer is a tale of two kingdoms grappling to survive. Gifts of unusual power can be used to hurt or heal. A golden goose and a kind horse will play pivotal roles in a young maiden’s quest to find the courage to face an insidious threat, and a young prince must face a harrowing past in order that he may become the ruler he is destined to be. Wind Charmer is a tale not to be missed, a story of perseverance and faith in the midst of evil.

Find it on: Amazon || Goodreads

Meredith Leigh Burton

Meredith Leigh Burton is a voracious devourer of fairy tales. She is a motivational speaker, teacher and writer. She attended the Tennessee School for the Blind and Middle Tennessee State University, where she received a degree in English and theater. Meredith hopes to convey through her writing that people with differences can contribute much to the world. "Snow White" has always been her favorite fairy tale. Meredith has written another fairy tale based on "Snow White" entitled Hart Spring, which can be found in her anthology, Blind Beauty and Other Tales of Redemption. She resides in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

Find her online at: Goodreads || Amazon 

Wind Charmer Snippet

Felicity’s head jerked up, and she gasped. That was surely Falada’s voice she was hearing, but it was impossible. Suddenly, Felicity became aware of a gentle cooling sensation upon her wrist, the sensation of an autumn breeze. A scent of apple blossoms and honey permeated the air. Shaking, Felicity gazed at the horsehair bracelet upon her arm. It glowed a deep golden hue, the color of sun-kissed honey. Was she going mad? “Falada?”

What did you think of that snippet? Are you excited for Wind Charmer? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

 

Lost Kerchiefs Release Week: The Handmaid's Blood

Hello, friends! Welcome to release week for the Lost Kerchiefs Arista Challenge! Aka, the week in which we launch seven new Goose Girl retellings into the world and hope they land well. For this week, I'll be sharing snippets and fun facts here on Dreams and Dragons, while Light and Shadows will host interviews with each of the authors. We're starting out the group release with Kendra E. Ardnek's new short story, The Handmaid's Blood, a villain-twist retelling featuring compulsion magic, political intrigue, and an unexpected alliance. Read on to learn more, including some behind-the-scenes info from Kendra on how The Handmaid's Blood came to be!

About . . .

The Handmaid's Blood

Three drops of blood bind her to the princess’s will.

But three drops of blood bind the princess to her mother’s will. And when her mother’s will is to travel to the neighboring kingdom as a bride to its doom, the princess sees only one way out. Can the handmaid carry on the charade long enough to prevent a war? Or is compulsion magic not even enough to disguise a handmaid as a royal?

Find it on: Amazon || Goodreads || Full Series

Kendra E. Ardnek

Kendra E. Ardnek is the self-proclaimed Arista of Fairy Tales. Having just gotten married and moved across the state, she doesn’t know who she is anymore, but once she figures that out, she fully intends to create a new author bio just as silly as her previous bio.

Find her online at: Website || Blog || Goodreads || Facebook || Twitter || YouTube || Newsletter || Instagram || TikTok || Tumblr || Amazon 

The Handmaid's Blood Fun Fact: Changing Plans

While I knew from the start that this retelling would involve compulsion-flavored-blood-magic, I didn't have much else set in stone for this retelling. I really thought that the princess was going to be evil and the handmaid's quest for freedom was going to be the center of it. However, as soon as I sat down to write, I discovered that the handmaid was actually sympathetic to the princess and happy with her lot, and it was the princess who felt trapped. 

Then I had the issue that the original setup for the princess's mission was just a little too close to Elindala's goals in Pumpkin War, and just a little too vague for me to properly foil within the word constraint of the Once Upon a Twisted Time tales. It was actually this plot point that held me in a writer's block coma right up until the day before I needed to upload it to Amazon, when I suddenly realized that there was a much simpler scheme that the queen could employ to get her war, and then everything fell into place from there. I did have a hot minute where I didn't think Falada was going to properly make his way into the story, but then the handmaid and princess both wandered their way into the stable and I knew I had my Goose Girl retelling. 

So, all told, I think this was a fun first stab at the fairy tale, and I should do it again sometime. 

~~~

Are you excited about the Lost Kerchiefs releases? Have you ever changed your plans on a project at the last minute, and how did that work out for you? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

 

Illusion's Reign COVER REVEAL + Preorder Info!

Hello, everyone! I've been talking for a while about Daughters of Atìrse #2, the prequel to Song of the Selkies, and I'm happy to announce that it now has a title, a cover, AND a release date! So, if you've been eagerly anticipating a new story of Atìrse, or if my mentions of it have gotten you curious, you're in luck. It's coming, and it's coming soon. Comparatively, anyway.

I could talk more about this, but I think I'll just show y'all the cover first.

A transformed princess is determined to reclaim what's hers — but can truth prevail when illusion wears the crown?

Crown Princess Onora of Atirse is eager to prove herself as the heir to her parents' throne. Moving into one of her family's holdings away from the Royal Seat offers the chance to put into practice all she's learned and demonstrate what kind of queen she intends to one day be, and even the shadow of an uprising among Atirse's faery neighbors can't dull her excitement. Yet her plans go awry when one of her attendants proves false and she's transformed and replaced by a faery imposter.

Though cursed and cast into the role of a lowly goose-keeper, with only her beloved cat as an ally, Onora refuses to admit defeat. She'll do whatever it takes to break the curse, expose the imposter, and take back the role that is rightfully hers. However, that's easier said than done when her opponent can so easily manipulate the truth — and the fickle feelings of the locals and the surliness of the miller's strange assistant don't make her task any less difficult.

Time is swiftly passing, and Onora must reclaim her place before the transformation becomes permanent. But can she do so when nothing is as it seems and even her allies have secrets?

Return to the kingdom of Atirse and discover what happens when "The Goose Girl" meets "Puss in Boots" in this prequel to the award-winning Song of the Selkies.

Releasing September 27, 2024

Preorder on Amazon || Add to your Goodreads shelf

Those of you who've read Song of the Selkies are familiar with Onora already, of course — she plays a pretty significant role in Ceana's story as Ceana's wise older sister, guide, and confidante. Illusion's Reign jumps back ten years to a much younger version of Onora who's facing her own trials and, in the process, becoming the person we know she will be (with the help of her own mentors and allies). Be ready for schemes and secrets . . . but also community, a magical cat, an arranged antagonists-to-lovers romance, and a protagonist who will let nothing stand in the way of making the truth known (even when that means her determination is sometimes at war with her common sense).

As a story, Illusion's Reign can be read on its own. However, it will be best enjoyed if you've read Song of the Selkies. Haven't had a chance to pick up that story yet? It's available on Amazon, and if you like reading books on Kindle, you'll be happy to know that the ebook will be on special in September. Keep an eye on my blog and socials for more details regarding that.

Illusion's Reign will release in September as part of the Lost Kerchiefs Arista Challenge, alongside books from Kendra E. Ardnek, Tricia Mingerink, and other authors. Check out last night's Facebook party to learn more and discover all the Goose Girl retellings coming out next month!

What do you think of the cover? How excited are you about Illusion's Reign? Please tell me in the comments!

Hello all, and happy release day to The Erlking's Daughters by Claire Trella Hill! This epic romantic fae fantasy was the last of my Highly Anticipated spring reads for this year and the last of the four books by four of my favorite authors released in the last not-quite-a-month. And what a high note to end on! I loved Claire's debut, Black and Deep Desires, and The Erlking's Daughters is every bit as good (and, in some ways, better). I think y'all will love it too, and I have five good reasons why!

 

Reasons You'll Love The Erlking's Daughters

1. It's all about family, with sibling relationships center stage. Y'all know how much I love a story that focuses on family bonds just as much or more than it focuses on romance, and The Erlking's Daughters absolutely delivers on that front. Morwë, Enzella, Arken, and Micah are all motivated first and foremost by family, for good or for bad, and that's particularly true of Morwë and Arken, both of whom are driven by their need to protect their younger siblings. The family relationships here run the gamut from abusive (I was rooting for Morwë's father and brother to get stabbed from early on in the book) to oh-so-sweet and loving, but all of them are drawn with care. And, really, if you give me a book that's primarily about a pair of older siblings ready to move heaven and earth (possibly literally, if necessary) to protect their younger siblings, there is no way I'm not going to love it.
   
2. It's a dark story with a bright ending. This is true both literally and metaphorically, ha! The story chronicles the main characters' escape from the darkness of the Unseelie fae's cavernous home to the light of the human world. In the process, it also takes us from a beginning that has a lot in common with grimdark fantasy to a brilliant, hope-filled ending — and while that might sound like a jarring tone shift, it's not. It's a beautiful, gradual change that mirrors what's going on in the characters' hearts. Speaking of which . . .
3. It's a lovely, lovely redemption story. The Erlking's Daughter isn't an allegory, but it is a magnificent picture of spiritual redemption. As I said, this story has a grimdark beginning due to the culture of the Unseelie fae, and at the start, Morwë is very immersed in that way of life. She's better than many of those around her, thanks to the influence of her sister and mother and her love towards them, but she's still cold and vengeful and caught in darkness. It takes someone from outside that culture to push her to choose a different path, to leave the darkness and begin to change. And the ending completes the picture . . . but, of course, I can't say much about that because that would be a spoiler.
4. It has a slowburn romance that never overwhelms the rest of the plot. Better still, it's slowburn enemies-to-lovers romance. Or, antagonists-to-lovers, at least — Morwë and Arken might start out on different sides, and their first interactions are far from friendly, but they're both trapped by the Erlking, just in different ways. Seeing them come to understand each other, then come to love each other, is wonderful — and the tension inherent in both of them trying to figure out their feelings and Morwë worrying about hurting Arken (and others, but especially Arken) is absolutely delicious. However, at no point does the romance overwhelm the rest of the plot, and both characters are restrained enough (and sensible enough of the seriousness of their situation) that they're not letting their feelings overwhelm their view of what needs to be done.
5. It's set in a rich, lore-filled world. While this is a fairly localized story, taking place mostly in three locations and the wilderness between them, you can tell that there's a larger world outside the immediate narrative. Additionally, we get snatches of lore here and there: tales of the Unseelie history, legends of monsters and forest cats, whispers of magic and other magical beings. It's all fascinating, and I look forward to future books where we'll hopefully get to explore more of it.

How are you ready to pick up The Erlking's Daughters? What do you think you'll love most about it? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

Hello, all! It's time to spotlight another release I'm super excited about: Christina Baehr's Castle of the Winds. This is the third book in the Secrets of Ormdale series, and you may recall my raving over book one, Wormwood Abbey, and book two, Drake Hall. Now we're back with my thoughts on Castle of the Winds, which sees Edith (and others) venture away from Ormdale, into the mountains of Wild Wales . . . and find themselves in a very unexpected sort of adventure altogether. Once again, I absolutely loved this book, and naturally I have to share my thoughts.

Thoughts on Castle of the Winds

1. Edith continues to be the most relatable protagonist. And no, I'm not just saying that because we're both writers — though I do love that about her, and I'm pleased any time it comes up. (There's one brief scene wherein she tries to solve a problem by considering how her protagonist would address her, only to admit that her protagonist never would've gotten himself in the situation in the first place, and . . . Girl, same.) But she's simultaneously sensible and eager for adventure, equal parts practical and appreciative of drama. She's intelligent, but she's still allowed to make mistakes — and, I'll admit, she flubs a bit more in this book than she does in others. However, at no point was I actually frustrated with her because every time, I had to admit that I probably would've done the same thing, probably for the same reasons (those reasons being dragons and responsibility, but especially the former).
2. I enjoyed seeing Edith and Simon's relationship continue to develop. I can't say a lot on this point because, y'know, spoilers. What I can say is that they make very good friends who support each other, protect each other, fill in each other's blind spots, and try to make the other better . . . and they're both aware of how they feel about each other (in a deeper-than-friendship sense), but they're handling those feelings like mature adults. Which is to say, they both also have lines they're not willing to cross, and they're not letting feelings carry them off into making foolish decisions, either in how they treat each other or how they relate to other people.
3. On that note, I also loved seeing Simon continue to come into his own. He is finally really having an opportunity to determine who he is and who he wishes to be, aside from the expectations laid on him by others, and I love that for him. Again and again, he has opportunities to display his character, and again and again he proves himself to be a man of quality (especially held up against certain others). In particular, he demonstrates a great deal of courage and trust throughout the book, sometimes in obvious ways and sometimes in less obvious ones, and . . . I just love him, ok?
4. Getting to see another part of Baehr's version of the world was so exciting. As I mentioned in the intro, this book takes us to Wild Wales, to the holdings of another family of dragon keepers, and this one is very different from Ormdale. Discovering this new area, with its unique dragon types, culture, and lore, was fun and fascinating — and I loved the inclusion of some Arthurian and Welsh myth references! Beyond that, though, this new region and its people allow Baehr to explore new facets of her series themes: the dangers of the lure of traditionalism and "the way it's always been done" and the ways family can build a person for better or worse.
5. Though it's more adventurous than other books in the series and has higher stakes, it maintains the cozy vibes. As you might have gathered from the last point, Castle of the Winds is a book of discovery that takes place mostly away from Ormdale, and the characters are often caught off-guard by the differences between this place and their home. This unfamiliar setting also brings new dangers, which are simultaneously more insidious and more threatening than what we've dealt with in previous books. The climax and ending of the story are also quite thrilling (and the very end of the book made me gasp). However, Baehr keeps the overall tone cozy through the narrative voice, through the focus on character relationships, and through the details she chooses to emphasize. So, this is still a low-stress read — relatively, anyway.
   

Are you excited to visit Castle of the Winds? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

Good morning, everyone, and happy release day to Dark & Dawn, book 4 in Suzannah Rowntree's Miss Dark's Apparitions series. Now, by the time you get this far into a series, you pretty much know what to expect from the rest, so if you liked the first three Miss Dark books, you'll be delighted by Dark & Dawn, and if you didn't care for the previous three, you'll feel about the same about this one. And if you haven't read any of the series, you really ought to go back to Tall & Dark and give it a try! (It's great; you should read it; I reviewed it back when it released.) However, reviews also give me a chance to externally scream in delight over this book, rather than just keeping all the screams internal, so let's go!

 

Dark & Dawn Is a DELIGHT

1. The character development is magnificent. We've known these characters for three books now, and it's magnificent to see how far they've all come since met them in Tall & Dark (or in Miss Sharp's Monsters). Vasily, of course, gets the star for having come the furthest and going still further in this book. He's still far from perfect, but he really is learning to be good and trying to be worthy of the trust and affection he desires. But he isn't the only one who's growing. We see Molly do a lot of working through her own long-held hangups and insecurities, figuring out how to really trust the rest further than she ever has before, and unraveling some of the lies she's believed for a very long time. And we also see developments from Schmidt, Nijam, and Mimi, though Vasily and Molly very much take center stage.
   
2. Vasily and Molly's relationship gets better and better. Part of Vasily trying to be worthy of trust and Molly working through her insecurities is, of course, prompted by their continued relationship. They are, both of them, figuring out what they want and what they can give, whether it's what they expected or not. And, thank goodness, that means some actual mature, difficult conversations that, while hard for the characters, are delicious for the reader.
3. Delving into Molly's family history (and family present) is thrilling. For the past several books, the imprint of Molly's father has been a constant . . . and now we get to find out just why he's stuck around, which involves confronting Sir Humphrey, her family's supposed benefactor. Of course, it quickly becomes evident that something is fishy and that Sir Humphrey might be less benevolent than he seems. Unwinding the truth of the past while navigating present villainy provides plenty of challenge for the crew, as well as abundant reason to keep readers turning the pages!
4. The setting is wonderfully lifelike. Rowntree always does an amazing job with her settings, of course. You can tell in every book that she's done a great deal of research, even as she wreaks merry havoc on history by filling the ranks of the monarchy and upper-class society with monsters. However, the setting in Dark & Dawn is especially vivid and lifelike, enough that I found myself actually cringing at the humidity and decay in some parts of the setting and as awed by beauty as the characters were in others. And this vividness extends to the people of the setting; Rowntree does a masterful job of capturing the different groups of the era and the tensions between them.
5. The ending is absolute perfection. Obviously I can't get into detail about it because, you know, spoilers. But I will say that there's poetic justice for some thoroughly despicable villains, as well as trust and sacrifice and love and humor sprinkled in for flavor. Plus, where the individual characters' arcs and relationships wind up is as satisfying as the end of book three was heart-rending. It almost feels like a series-ender ending . . . but, happily, we have one book more to look forward to!

How excited are you about Dark & Dawn? What are you most looking forward to? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

Hello, everyone! March and April are full of exciting book releases, and today, I'm helping to celebrate the first of these: Katie Hanna's Water Horse, a Western fantasy coming in just a few days, on March 19. Katie has published many short stories in anthologies and through Havok, but this is her first full-length nove release, so I'm absolutely thrilled for her. I was also thrilled to get my hands on an ARC of her novel so I could read this tale of magic, murder, and marriage as soon as possible — and, of course, so I could share my thoughts with y'all.

Thoughts on Water Horse

1. I love the blend of a Western setting and Irish mythology. You all know that I'm a fan of unique fantasy settings, especially for historical fantasy — while I love the classic medieval-Western-European-inspired stories, it's delightful to see how authors merge magic and fantasy elements with other eras. And since the Old West is already such a legendary era and region on its own, combining it with fantasy seems such like such a natural choice, I'm always surprised that there aren't more fantasy Westerns out there. Happily, Water Horse fills a little bit of that void. I can't speak to the book's historical accuracy, but it hits the right notes of ranchers and cowboys, wild horses, isolated settlements, and adventure. And Hanna blends in Irish mythology, specifically the water horses (similar to kelpies, but sea-dwelling), along with other magic and magical beings in a way that works very well.
   
2. I enjoyed the characters and their dynamics. This book features a very colorful and varied cast of characters, both magical and mundane. I enjoyed the characters themselves, and I also enjoyed the dynamics between them: the wary alliances, the friendships, and, yes, the romance — Meg and George end up in a marriage of convenience turned second-chance romance (for one of them, anyway), and it's very sweet. That said, the friendships — between George and his ranch hands, between Meg and the magical beings with whom she can communicate, and between Meg and Brian (a ranch hand who's also from Ireland) — are also a strong element of the story, and they were all written very well. Plus, there's a magical cat in this story, so that's obviously a plus.
3. There is a lot more swearing than I expected. Is it worse than Critical Role (aka, the very upper limit of what I can tolerate)? No. Is it worse than some other books I've read? Also no. Was it enough to detract from my enjoyment of the book? Yes, yes it was — language used included pretty much everything except the f-bomb, and the s-word showed up with surprising frequency. And, yes, I know, this is a story about cowboys, and realistically speaking, they probably wouldn't exactly be clean-spoken . . . but I think that it should be possible to strike a balance between realism and not making readers uncomfortable in that way. If a book is going to make me uncomfortable, I would prefer it to be because it challenges my view of the world in a good way, not because the characters have overly dirty mouths.
4. On a nitpicky note, there's something about either the writing style or the POV that I don't love. I think this has to do with the fact that Water Horse is written in first-person POV that switches between three characters, and while I love single-lead first-person POV, switching first-person POV has to be done really, really well in order to not bother me. Technically, Water Horse checks the main boxes — the characters have fairly distinct voices, they don't switch mid-chapter, and chapters are labeled with the POV character — but something about it still bothers me, and it kept me from enjoying the book as much as I could. This is very much a personal thing, though, so others might not be bothered at all.
5. This is, in many ways, a story about secrets and second chances. The events of this story are a second chance for many characters, whether that's a second chance at life, at love, or at being better than you used to be. It's also about secrets, how they divide characters and how they threaten the second chances that are on offer. And while I did occasionally get frustrated with how long some of those secrets were kept, the way in which they came out and the results of the reveals played well with the overall theme.

Does Water Horse sound like something you'd enjoy reading? What's a setting you'd like to see more in fantasy? Tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

Hello friends! Some of y'all may remember that back in October, I absolutely raved over Christina Baehr's Wormwood Abbey, a cozy gothic fantasy about family and dragons and tradition and change. Well, the sequel to Wormwood Abbey, Drake Hall, just released this week (the week of Dragon Appreciation Day, very appropriately), and I am here to tell you that it is every bit as delightful as the original — and in some ways, it's even better.

 

Reasons Why Drake Hall Is an Absolute Delight

1. It's grounded in family (for better and for worse). This was one of the things I loved best about the first book, and it continues here. Since Wormwood Abbey, Edith, her immediate family, and her cousins have all grown closer, and it's beautiful to see the bonds that have formed (and continue to grow) between them, whether that's Edith encouraging Gwendolyn as she steps outside of what was expected of her and towards her dreams of the future, Gwendolyn helping Edith navigate life as a keeper of dragons, or just George, Violet, and Una having their own adventures in the background. That said, this book also hits on the ways that family shapes you — and, particularly, how family can cause pain and hurt, whether that's intentional or not. We see this in multiple characters, particularly Gwendolyn, Una, and Simon. However, Baehr keeps the promise that there can be change and healing firmly in view, so this never becomes overly disheartening.
2. There are so many lovely dragons! Wormwood Abbey gave us a glimpse of a few notable dragons — but now that Edith, her parents, and her brother have been initiated into the secrets of the abbey, we see far more of these magnificent creatures. These include both the familiar — Francis and the wyvern both are frequently present on the page — to new types of dragon like the river dragon on the cover. We also see dragons from many different lands: European, Asian, and more — plus, more dragon lore! Y'all know I love lore.
3. It's simultaneously the perfect summer book and the perfect winter read. I have, to this day, only read one series that is quite as infused with the essence of summer as Drake Hall is. (That series, by the way, is the summer-vacation half of the Penderwicks books.) Baehr's description brings the lush warmth of this glorious season to life alongside the feeling of possibility that summer brings. Those qualities, plus the highly enjoyable voice, make it the perfect book for enjoying on a summer afternoon . . . or on a winter night, when the narrative will make you forget the snow outside and feel as if some of that summery-ness has found its way to you.
4. We get to know Simon Drake much better. We knew from Wormwood Abbey that he is, of course, an Excellent Gentleman well-versed in the secrets of the abbey and the dragons it guards. In Drake Hall, as one might expect, we see more of him than almost any character aside from Edith — it's not quite his book as much as hers, but it certainly comes close. As one might expect, that means we get to understand him — and the forces that shaped him into who he is — far better than we did when we started the book. And while I can't give spoilers, I will say that getting to know him more is a very pleasant experience . . .
5. The tension between tradition and change is handled very well. Aside from the family elements, the other big theme in the Secrets of Ormdale books seems to be the tension between tradition and change. Wormwood Abbey, Drake Hall, and Ormdale are very rural, traditional places, and some of those traditions are good . . . but sometimes, clinging to tradition because it's traditional or it's how things have always been can cause more hurt than harm, and we see that quite clearly in these pages. Baehr acknowledges both sides of this conflict, recognizing the good in each, and as with the family themes, she never lets the reader lose sight of the hope that things can be better than they are.
   

Are you excited for Drake Hall? What's another grounded-in-family fantasy that you love? And if you haven't read Wormwood Abbey and you're curious, you're in luck — the ebook is on sale for $0.99 through January 20, so make sure you pick that up!
Thanks for reading!

Mantles of Oak and Iron Release: Interview with Captain Marik

Hello, friends! Today is the release day for Mantles of Oak and Iron, book two in Jenelle Leanne Schmidt's epic gaslamp fantasy, The Turrim Archive! I'm super excited to help celebrate this release — moreso because I got to interview my favorite character in the series, Captain Marik of the airship Valdeun Hawk! I'm also sharing my thoughts on the book over on Light and Shadows, so make sure you check out that post as well. And if you're entirely new to the Turrim Archive, I have good news! Book one, The Orb and the Airship, is currently on sale in Kindle format for $0.99, so you can pick that out and get started on your adventure! Or, again, you can stick around here for the interview.

About Mantles of Oak and Iron

Grayden thought he had four years to decide his future… he was wrong.

War is imminent. The Igyeum has already begun incursions across Telmondir’s borders. The headmaster of the military academy issues a new directive: all students will be fast-tracked through the program. They will be full-fledged defenders by the end of the year. But when a training exercise turns deadly, Grayden must keep his head and become the leader his friends need.

Captain Marik has witnessed evil beyond imagining. Enough to make him sign on to the wizard Dalmir’s cause. But will the council of the west accept a pirate among their ranks? And will Marik’s crew join this mission, or will they consider him a traitor to all they once stood for?

Meanwhile, deep in the mountains lurks a hidden danger that threatens them all.

Find it on: Amazon || Goodreads

Find Jenelle online

Interview with Captain Marik

Captain Marik, art by Chloe Grace

Hello, Captain Marik! Welcome to the blog! I have to say, I'm a big fan of yours . . . but not all my readers know you, so to start out, please tell us a little bit about yourself: who you are, what you do, anything that you feel is important for us to know so we can understand what makes you, you.

Hello, thanks for having me over to this… blog, you said? I’m not sure what a blog is, but it’s always nice to meet a fan. I am a pirate by trade, though I started out as a treasure hunter. Unfortunately, we soon discovered that there wasn’t much treasure in the treasure hunting business, so we had to make a switch to piracy. Crew needs to eat, airships need cynders, pesky things like that drove us to it. We try not to harm people, but sometimes you can’t avoid it. Personally, I try to make sure that those who pay the most are those who have harmed others, or that I’m the only one in my crew who has to make the hardest decisions. I’m under no delusions that I’m the good guy, you see. But if I can protect those under my care from having to descend into the same darkness I walk alongside, then I will.

I know that you do your best to protect your crew, and that's one of the reasons I'm a fan. I understand you're currently making a career change of sorts — pirate to, well, something else. What's been the biggest struggle with that shift for you? Conversely, what's something that's come out of it that you've really enjoyed or appreciated?

I didn’t realize that was already common knowledge, but… yes. My crew and I recently encountered a man named Dalmir who helped change the trajectory I was on. I was mostly bent on survival and revenge, you see, and he showed me that I could do more to right some wrongs.

The hardest thing about this shift is not really knowing exactly what my responsibility is at any given moment. Working for the Council of Telmondir is not something I saw myself doing… working on any side of the law is not something I ever saw myself going back to. But here I am. For better or worse.

Something that’s come out of it that I appreciate is, well, a sense of working for a much greater good than I could have done on my own. Having a clear conscience, I suppose you might say.

It's not common knowledge (unless you read the blurb at the top of this post). I just know things. Moving on, as an airship pirate, I can imagine you've had some pretty impressive adventures. Can you tell us about one that's particularly memorable for you or that you felt was an especial triumph?

My favorite place in the world is a little hamlet in Vallei. The houses are small and humble, but the walls are covered on all sides with rice paper that has been painstakingly decorated by the people living in each home. Green mountains rise up on all sides and people work out in the fields from dawn till dusk just trying to carve a living out of the meager crops that grow in the area.

(Marik shakes himself here and gives a rueful little smile.)

Of course, the whole village is gone now, just a pile of ash left in wake of a regiment of Igyeum soldiers.

As for where I’d still like to go, I’d love to explore beyond the edges of the continent someday. Maybe fly out over the ocean and see if there is anything out there.

I'm sorry that your favorite place is no more, but I hope you can explore like you hope to someday. Changing topics a bit, a good captain needs a good crew . . . so tell us a little about some of the people in yours. Anyone you're especially close to?

My crew mostly consists of Oleck, Raisa, and Mouse. We hire others on at times, but those are the three that stay with me and live on board the Valdeun Hawk. Oleck is my first mate and right hand man. He’s steady as a rock, despite his fairly pessimistic outlook on life. I always know I can depend on him to have my back. Raisa is like a little sister to Oleck, and I sort of see her like a niece. She’s got a steady hand and a weather eye, and there isn’t anyone else I’d trust more at the wheel. Mouse is our little scamp. Kid sort of followed me home one day and I can’t get him to tell me where his family is. I couldn’t just leave him on the streets, but someday I’ll figure out how to take him home. I’m happy to have him on board, though, kid is quick-witted and good with locks.

Sounds like you have some good friends, then. I have to say, I'm curious about Mouse . . . hopefully someday he'll decide to reveal his background. One last question: how do you hope that people, either those in your world or those who read about you, remember you?

Like I said earlier, I know I’m not the hero of any story. There are things I’ve done that I’m not proud of. But I also know that there are monsters in our world, masquerading as men, and if I could take them with me, then I’d be happy to go out fighting against them to my last breath. I won’t ask anyone else to risk their lives for it, though.

I think you might be wrong about not being the hero of any story, Captain. If you're not there yet, your answers say you're headed in that direction . . . and I look forward to seeing where that path takes you. Until then, thank you for appearing on my blog and answering my questions; it's been a pleasure to have you!

Are you excited to meet Captain Marik? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!

Hey'a, all! If you recall from my Fall 2023 Reads post, this season is absolutely bursting with magnificent reads, and one of the upcoming releases I was most excited about was Christine Baehr's cozy gothic debut, Wormwood Abbey. And if you read last week's Doings post, you know that this book did not disappoint . . . but I'm still so excited about it, and it's pretty much the perfect non-spooky October read, so guess what! I'm talking more about it! And giving you five reasons why you should absolutely pick up Wormwood Abbey this fall!

First, though, a quick side note — if you're in the Northern Virginia area, don't forget that I'll be at Cascades Library tomorrow, 11am to 2pm, for Eat Local, Read Local! I'll be selling and signing books alongside 70-ish other local authors, and it'll be a great time. You can find out more by clicking here. I hope I'll see you there!

You Should Absolutely Read Wormwood Abbey

1. It's gothic! With dragons! Honestly, for some of y'all, that's probably all you needed to hear. Or, quite possibly, dragons was all you needed to hear. But if you think spending time in an ancient, crumbling abbey (and an equally ancient, but less crumbling manor) that hides scaled secrets sounds like your cup of tea, well, you're in luck. This isn't a spooky read, but it's full of ruins and mysteries, of secrets long kept by oath and family tradition, of midnight ventures through dark hallways, of strange inheritances, of hidden dangers and the meeting of the supernatural with the natural. And, of course, full of strange creatures that just might be the dragons of legend . . .
2. Edith is such a lovely lead. I simply adore her, and that's a fact. Outwardly, she's a proper clergy's daughter — but at the same time, she's secretly a writer of sensational mysteries. Given that I am also a writer of (hopefully) sensational mysteries, I feel a proper kinship with her, and I wish she were real so we could be friends. Besides that, though, she's reasonably sensible and good-hearted, but not without a proper appreciation for drama and adventure. And while she does occasionally slip up or procrastinate on telling people things, there was never a point where I was genuinely frustrated with her.
3. The family elements are so wonderful. Edith has an excellent relationship with her immediate family — she loves and gets along with her parents and much-younger brother, and they support her in turn. I particularly loved the fact that Edith's parents are still an important part of her life, even though she's at the age where a lot of authors would have her be aching to be free of them. Her relationships with this part of her family grounds the book, providing steady footing as we and Edith explore the secrets of her extended family. I also enjoyed seeing the tentative friendship growing between Edith and Gwendolyn, her oldest cousin. Gwendolyn, we find, has borne the weight of her world for quite some time, so she's slow to trust, but it's lovely to see her and Edith eventually come to support each other.
4. The writing style is delightful. It's first-person narration with lovely little asides here and there — much like the style of Rowntree's Miss Sharp and Miss Dark books, it feels period-appropriate, yet still modern. And Edith is an excellent narrator — it's like hearing a story told by a new friend. (Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part . . .) Plus, she's both a writer (as already mentioned) and a reader, which means we get her occasionally doing things like referencing Austen and Bronte or considering how her lead character would handle particular situations. It's such fun!
5. It's just a lovely comfort read. The stakes are high enough to keep you from easily setting the book down, but not so high that reading this will stress you out. There's loveliness amid the mysteries and ruins and friendship and familial love despite the long-kept secrets. It's like the literary equivalent of enjoying a cup of hot tea-with-cream-and-sugar and several slices of pumpkin bread (or insert your hot-beverage-and-fall-treat combo of choice). And, truly, I couldn't recommend it more.
   

Does Wormwood Abbey have you intrigued? What about it sounds most interesting to you? What's a little-known dragon book or fall comfort read you love? Please tell me in the comments!
Thanks for reading!