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  • Beatrix Potter: Author and Naturalist, Part III (Conclusion)

    Beatrix Potter: Author and Naturalist, Part III (Conclusion)


    To enjoy the complete story of Beatrix Potter’s early fascination with the sciences, read Part I and Part II!

    What does it take to create a storyteller? I am sure that some of us would be able to spin a fine yarn without ever leaving their homes or venturing into other realms of art and science.

    However, the advice ‘write what you know’ rings true in most situations. A story might fall flat if the author is trying to write something they do not know, or if they try explaining something they have not researched.

    Beatrix Potter’s quest to learn about fungi is one example of this. In her case, she was not only writing what she knew; she was drawing it, as well. At the age of fifteen, she became frustrated by the lack of information about fungi in the forests surrounding her family’s estates. Even in the expensive nature books, it was a topic not often covered.

    Her studies began in childhood, continuing when she became a young lady. She conducted them independently, unable to consult experts due to restrictions imposed on women at the time.

    One of the main hubs for the natural sciences, Kew Gardens, was off-limits to anyone without a ticket (not just women). In order to obtain a ticket, a person needed a recommendation from someone whose name bore weight. In Beatrix’s case, her uncle Henry was the surest source of obtaining a ticket.

    After years of pestering, Uncle Henry finally agreed to help obtain the ticket when she was 33.1 (Read the footnote—it’s important, regarding my first two posts.)

    My previous post ended with Beatrix and Uncle Henry visiting Kew at last. Before consulting the director, he introduced his niece to several professors. Among them was a botanist named George Massee, who had been the first president of the British Mycological Society.

    Massee was now second in command at the Herbarium she was so desperate for access to. He was known as a bit of a romantic; perhaps that’s why he would later be open to conversation with Beatrix. He examined her botanical drawings, though she does not report whether he commented on them negatively or with enthusiasm. He must’ve had some confidence in her work, for his later collaboration would prove to be of great help to her.

    After their promising meeting with Massee, Beatrix and her uncle visited the director’s office in search of that elusive student ticket. This ticket would allow her unlimited access the gardens and Herbarium. It would unlock possibilities that had been unthinkable to her previously.

    Beatrix later wrote that Director Thistleton-Dyer paid greater attention to Uncle Harry. I imagine that the professor was amused by her portfolio, perceiving her as an overly curious young lady who liked to draw.

    We can hardly blame him for this infuriating mindset. After all, ladies at the time were not encouraged to pursue science; ladies were taught to be quiet and marry.

    At the end of this exchange, Beatrix Potter was granted her student ticket. However, she wrote in her journal about being patronized throughout the interview. Later, she was ignored completely, as if the director had forgotten she was there.

    Well, one might think, at least she was victorious in acquiring her ticket. This is true, but I cannot help but think about how I would feel in her position. It must have been bittersweet, indeed; I became frustrated simply reading about it.

    Beatrix would return to Kew Gardens often in the years that followed. She became a frequent face, especially after she was commissioned to make lithographs of insects for a museum. Kew had the fossils and specimen that she needed in order to add detail to her graphs.

    ***

    Though it appears that she cannot escape the title of childrens’ author, Beatrix Potter was much more than that. Her letters and journal entries demonstrate that she was sharp-tongued and iron-willed. It is this attitude that carried her through the many challenges that life presented to her, including heartbreak, loss, and war.

    Beatrix Potter was underestimated by everybody, even her family. Her mother and father tried to prevent her from doing things she was passionate about, even when faced with her success. As she grew older, her writing and illustration brought some financial independence. This enabled her able to continue following her dreams, surprising the world—and, perhaps, herself as well.

    The “fungi fixation” is one of many details that gripped me as I read the book Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear. It is brilliant book, detailed in recounting the most significant moments of Beatrix’s life. I wrote these posts because I thought more people should know about her impressive childhood hobby. It would not remain simply a hobby; later in life, she would become a champion of wildlife conservation, purchasing land to save the flora of the countryside that she had loved and studied.

    Having told my readers about this chapter of her life, I say to Beatrix, “Farewell, for now.” (Mary Shelley and Clara Schumann are demanding my attention next, and I find I can’t say no to either of them).

    In a few weeks, I will begin The Real Beatrix Potter by Nadia Cohen, seeking more of her story. I wish to understand her life from a different perspective as I plan my longer essay. The ultimate goal is to help readers appreciate that Beatrix achieved things aside from The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

    She was an author, of course, but she was also a resourceful and clever businesswoman, in control of her stories and subsequent merchandise. We admire modern figures for protecting the rights to their work. Beatrix Potter could almost be called the original. She was in charge of her career (at least, as much as she could have at the time, when laws where so different and pitted against women).

    I’m eager to present this essay, polished and informative. Once finished, it will be published on Substack behind a paywall. In the meanwhile, I hope you enjoyed these three free posts. I also hope you’re impressed by the great lengths Beatrix Potter went to in the name of education.

    Thank goodness young ladies do not need to jump through so many hoops now in order to learn.

    Note: I must admit to accidentally publishing misinformation in my first two posts. When I began writing, I believed Beatrix was fifteen when she first stepped into Kew Gardens. Such a misunderstanding took place because the book Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature is dense, each page rich with detail. This is my first work of nonfiction in three years; researching/notetaking is something I will improve at in time. The moral of the story is be careful with speed-reading!

    The fact that Beatrix was ignored as a 33-year-old woman somehow makes the insult worse. I could understand a director thinking a fifteen-year-old’s investigation not worth his time, but at that point, Beatrix was not a child.

  • Guest Blog Post: Writing the “Fae” Way by Victoria Rocus

    Guest Blog Post: Writing the “Fae” Way by Victoria Rocus


    Like most authors, I am both excited and terrified when, upon hearing that I’m an author, someone will ask, “So what kind of stories do you write?” Suddenly, I become this person with whole worlds and characters in her head who immediately morphs into a tongue-tied, introvert. When you’re an author of fantasy, especially romantic fantasy, there’s this fear that the general population will, at the least, think you rather silly, or at the worse, smile and give you that vague “how nice” before politely changing the subject..

    The conversation gets far more interesting when I try to explain that my debut novel is about a female tooth fairy. Their general response is usually something along the lines of, “oh…so you write children’s books.” Explaining that my books are actually romcoms written for adults always raises a few eyebrows. This is because modern pop culture equates a fairy, or “faerie” in its archaic spelling, as a happy, helpful, tiny winged creature, portrayed most famously in the 1953 Disney classic, Peter Pan, and exclusively in the domain of children’s stories. According to mythological tradition, nothing could be further from the truth.

    Faeries, or the Fae as they are sometimes called, have been part of oral and written literature long before J. M. Barrie wrote his play about the boy who refused to grow up. There are ancient references to faeries in Greek mythology, also called dryads and nymphs, who it was said were created by the gods and goddesses to care for the well-being of the earth. The earliest mention of faeries in English literature is often attributed to the historian Gervase of Tilbury, who described these magical creatures in his 13th century writings. The concept of faeries, however, were part of the oral story-telling tradition of many cultures for hundreds of years before Gervase was born. 

    These ancient, mythical creatures are a far cry from the sweet, wood-dwelling benefactors so many are familiar with. Pre-modern Fae folk were originally feared as being magically powerful and quite dangerous, and they could be both kind to humans as well as cruel and mischievous when they felt insulted or ignored. Early Fae were described as human-like, wingless creatures of captivating beauty, and no matter which culture you research, general knowledge argued that it was best to leave the faery folk be, lest you incurred their wrath.

    Some of my favorite faery stories are found in Celtic mythology, the old stories of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which has since become the foundation for the world and character building in my Tooth Fairy Chronicles, as well as its sister series, The Merlin/Morrigan Tales, which is currently awaiting future publication. Originally, these mythological beings were said to live in “faery mounds” found all over Ireland. However,within my own imaginary Otherworld, these Sidhe, a Gaelic word for the mysterious Fae folk, have lived among the human population for over a thousand years, with the Fae Otherworld being separated from the “Mundane” world by a magical “Veil” that can only be breached by those possessing a genetic Otherworldly bloodline. For example, the main character in Tooth Decay With a Side of Fae, Dr. Rosie Parker, D.D.S., is a tooth fairy through her mother’s family tree even while she is her mom’s second daughter, her older sister not possessing a single cell of Fae DNA, and thus born without any magical ability and unable to cross the Veil. In my version of Otherworld social hierarchy, tooth fairies are at the lowest level of magical power and skill, with most of them having a mixed human and Fae bloodline, while their Otherworldly abilities are only available to them from sunset to sunrise due to the interference of the sun’s metaphysical energy. This is the reason tooth fairies have the job they do, collecting the baby teeth at night, which are then used for ritual magic in the Otherworld. Without giving away any spoilers, let me add that in my story, humans in the Mundane world also greatly desire these baby teeth, but that’s all I’m going to say about that in this post. 😉

    On the other side of the magical spectrum lie the Tuatha de Danann, the “ shining ones,” who became the mythical heroes, kings, queens, and warriors of the ancient Celtic world. Most of the writings we have about this race of supernatural beings comes from the literature of the medieval age and were likely written by Christian authors. Thus, the Tuatha de Danann are often described as “fallen angels” who sided with neither God nor Lucifer, and were therefore forever punished by being sent to our earthly world. Other historians of the time consider them to be humans who had somehow found the secret to immortality while conquering the bending of energy to will, i.e., “magic.” Because of these abilities, they were often worshiped as gods and goddesses. There are even some very controversial historians in our modern culture who argue that the Tuatha de Danann were actually alien visitors who sought out human mates and left behind gifted mixed-blood offspring. As I said, that hypothesis is still very much in the minority of educated thinking..

    No matter which theory you might find plausible, there’s no denying the stories of the Celtic Fae are captivating. Like their counterparts in the Greek Pantheon, the gods and goddesses of Ireland, Wales and Scotland are portrayed as having the same emotions as their human brothers and sisters. Their tales are rife with burning lust, blinding jealousy, and destructive greed, and it’s no secret that in these old tales the Fae were more than willing to share their “affections” and bloodline with the human population, thus creating a wealth of demi-god characters with a foot in both worlds.

    One of my all-time favorite characters is The Morrigan, the goddess of war, destruction, and fertility who had the ability to shape-shift into a raven. Some ancient writings describe her as part of a triple goddess, Badh, Macha and Neiman, representing the feminine life cycles of maiden, mother and crone. She’s undoubtedly one of the most powerful female figures in the Celtic tradition, and one I found I couldn’t resist adding to my stories. In both of my fantasy series, The Morrigan is the current Queen of I Idir (“The In Between”), the Otherworldly kingdom the Fae call home. She plays the role of “Puppet Master” in my tales, pulling the strings behind events that change the lives of her subjects and subtly threatening them when they don’t comply. She’s a wonderful character to write, morally gray while being equally hero and villain.

    Celtic mythology is also loaded with tales of other Fae creatures: Brownies, Pookas and Selkies, to name just a few, all with varying degrees of magical ability and roles in the Otherworld hierarchy. I’ve been able to add these colorful personalities and histories to my ongoing stories, making them all subjects of The Morrigan’s kingdom.

    Even if fantasy is not in your normal reading wheelhouse, my Tooth Fairy Chronicles offers you a chance to enjoy these fascinating ancient tales without the sword battles and complex magical systems people usually associate with the high fantasy style of Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. I often joke that I write “fantasy stories for people who hate fantasy.” My characters regularly move their settings back and forth between the urban modern world of today and the Regency-style Otherworld of my imagination, often leaving professional “Mundane World” day jobs as doctors, lawyers and accountants to cross the Veil and partake in a living fairytale-like existence. As Dr. Rosie Parker, the main character of the Tooth Fairy Chronicles, has been known to say, “Going to I Idir in the Otherworld is like going to a Ren Faire on steroids… where everyone is busy throwing magical energy all over the place.” If you’re looking for something just a little bit different, with plenty of adventure along with some swoony, slow burn, closed door romance, maybe you should give the first book in my tooth fairy series, Tooth Decay With a Side of Fae, a try. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

    Tooth Decay With a Side of Fae  Releasing October 21, 2024 Available for pre-order

    Tooth Aches and Wedding Cakes Releasing November 18, 2024

    Also available from Serenade Publishing

    Author website

    Author Bio:

    Victoria Rocus is a retired educator, accomplished miniaturist, and full-time author living south of the home of country music, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. When she’s not writing new adventures for her imaginary friends, catering beach parties for mermaids, or finding homes for orphaned dragons, she’s building and rehabbing one-of-a-kind dollhouses and accessories, just like her favorite character, Dr. Rosie Parker. Many of these miniature buildings are 1/12 scale replicas of settings from her many fantasy stories. Victoria started her writing career as a weekly blogger while still teaching middle school language arts, and once retired, she’s been able to make writing a full-time adventure, penning several fantasy and romance stories for a popular serial platform currently available only in the US. Tooth Decay With A Side Of Fae is her debut novel and the fulfillment of a life-long dream.

  • Beatrix Potter: Author and Naturalist, Part II

    Beatrix Potter: Author and Naturalist, Part II


    If you would like to support my venture into nonfiction writing, please consider subscribing to my Substack site or buying me a coffee.

    Beloved children’s author Helen Beatrix Potter, whose bunny Benjamin would later be immortalized with the alias of Peter, was not only a creative soul but also determined. Her ventures into the forests surrounding her family’s estates cultivated her fascination for nature. At a young age, she used her artistic skills to draw and color plants and flowers, using her brother Bertram’s microscope to include the minute details.

    Note: If you’ve just found this article, take the time to catch up with Part I of this series.

    Potter became fascinated by fungi because a lack of information rendered them a mystery. They were not popular topics of study by most botanists at the time. Beatrix could not bear to paint watercolors of specimen without knowing what they were called or how they could be used. Determined that her questions would be answered, she began her first quest.

    At the age of fifteen, armed with her sketchbook and will of steel, she set off to Kew Gardens. It was, at the time, a science hub almost completely off-limits to women. She went in with the hopes of speaking to director William Turner Thistleton-Dyer, an expert on tropical plants. He was one of the few who might be able to answer her questions, or grant her access to the resources that could.

    Young Beatrix holding a little mouse, one of her many pets and sources of inspiration.

    Beatrix had an astonishing sense of focus for someone so young. During the autumn and winter of 1895, she spent her free time drawing, virtually glued to Bertram’s microscope as she examined her assortment of fungi. Some of her specimen she collected herself; others were given to her by neighbors and friends who were aware of her fixation.

    Linda Lear writes in Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature: 

    Her objectives had changed from simply assembling a collection of watercolours and photographs to discovering how fungi reproduced. Certain that she could germinate some spores herself, she wanted to study the environment in which they germinated, discover whether or not conditions were the same for each species, what the spawn of each consisted of, and whether or not she could reproduce it more than once. She never articulated a final purpose for her experiments, other than the pleasure of discovery.

    Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature,Chapter 5

    These are not activities that we often picture fifteen-year-old Beatrix Potter pursuing. They were far from what was encouraged in well-bred ladies at the time. All the same, she delved into research on the topic for no reason other than curiosity.

    Young Beatrix with her parents and brother, Bertram

    We underestimate the importance of pursuing subjects for the sake of curiosity alone: curiosity, after all, can trigger inspiration. Inspiration brings with it ideas that could change the course of history. But, I digress.

    From her visit with Thistleton-Dyer, Beatrix hoped for access to the Kew Herbarium, among other things. However, in order to meet with the director, she needed to be granted a ticket of recommendation from someone whose name bore weight in the field. Fortunately, she came from a well-connected family.

    Beatrix’s ticket was obtained from an uncle, chemist Sir Henry Enfield Roscoe, who had been made Vice Chancellor of the University of London. Though the Potters had strained relationships with most of their family, it appears that Uncle Harry admired his niece’s curiosity. I suspect that, as they bonded through conversation, they discovered themselves to be kindred spirits.

    Escorted by her uncle Harry, Beatrix met Thistleton-Dyer at last. She would later write with some amusement in her journal, ‘I think he [Uncle Harry] rather wanted to see Mr. Thistleton-Dyer, but he was most exceeding kind.’ (Source: BP Journal, 19 May 1896, 423-4). Similarly, Thistleton-Dyer probably agreed to the meeting as a courtesy to Sir Roscoe.

    According to Beatrix’s journal, Thistleton-Dyer paid polite attention at first. However, when she presented her sketches (which he barely glanced at) and voiced her questions (was he even listening?), his response was unimpressive. Given the attitudes that were common at the time, we must wonder if he might have paid more attention, had Beatrix been a boy.

    Did Thistleton-Dyer grant her access to the Kew Herbarium? Was young Beatrix Potter offered any of the resources she’d gone so far to obtain?

    In Part III, we will learn how this interview carried out—and whether Beatrix continued to pursue her fascination with fungi, after this quest was through.

  • Guest Post: Author Brittany Fichter on PRINCESS OF THE SILENT MOOR

    Guest Post: Author Brittany Fichter on PRINCESS OF THE SILENT MOOR


    This week I read Princess of the Silent Moor, a beautiful fairy-tale retelling by the incredibly talented Brittany Fichter. While I’m writing up my review for this story that captured my heart, I asked the author herself to tell us about the book, and shed some light about the fairy-tale that it is based on.

    Thank you, Brittany, for agreeing to guest post! This book is one of my new favorites! Purchase the book here!

    Princess of the Silent Moor is a fairy tale I fell in love with while still in elementary school-probably because it’s not told in the typical linear format that most fairy tales share. We see a sad, sweet girl isolated with an old woman on a lonely moor, and a poor, besotted dwarf who wants to save her. Despite falling far short of the stereotypical fairy tale hero, as his body is weak and his tongue has been kept mute for as long as he can remember, this dwarf has the courage to save the girl when given the chance… despite losing what little strength he has. But that’s when we find the delicious twist at the end, and we learn that not all is as it seems. Nor has it been for a long time.

    The idea that the fairy tale had a secret beginning always intrigued and tortured me. I wanted to go back and know what had happened before the beginning of the tale, when the main characters’ lives had been so different. How did they get to the place where the story begins? How did they reconcile their beginning and their end emotionally?

    Aside from searching for the answers to those questions, my next challenge was figuring out how to fix this-admittedly gory-story into my fairy tale world. I wanted to retain the true depth of the dwarf character’s sacrifice without cheapening it… and without grossing out my audience. And, of course, there was the issue of the odd little man who acts as a somewhat antagonizing fairy godfather character throughout the middle of the story. I never really liked him as a character, but the story doesn’t happen without him.

    Fixing this problem was really a delight. I decided to bring back a few beloved characters from my original fairy tale, Before Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast. This gave me the chance to provide the help to the main characters that they needed without fixing the problem via Deus Ex Machina. Basically, I couldn’t have the powerful stranger be so strong that he could simply snap his fingers and fix the problem on his own. It was from here that I built out the rest of the story.

    As for the characters, Finola was particularly fun to write. Our family was going through a very stressful time (military life stuff) while I was writing this book, so I lived somewhat vicariously through Finola as I wrote her. Her lack of a verbal filter was particularly fun when I had to bite my tongue and take deep breaths. Declan, on the other hand, was always solid and steady. His character had to be in order to sacrifice for Finola the way he would one day need to.

    The Story I Wanted

    I had another challenge with Finola as well. As readers, we like to cheer for characters who are proactive. But in the original story, the princess is basically imprisoned on a moor and has little opportunity to fight back against those who have imprisoned her. But I also firmly believe that we don’t have to actively wield a sword or shout at people in order to do something good. We can be brave even in the smallest things. Finola is a free spirit, and throughout the beginning of her life, she actively seeks ways to protect her kingdom from the evil she senses on the horizon. But when it comes down to brass tacks, Finola’s greatest strength is her faithfulness.

    Faithfulness is an undervalued virtue in our society-that willingness to stay true to what’s right even when everyone around us is shouting that we’re wrong, or encouraging us to act against our conscience. If we peer back through history and examine all the people who moved mountains, we often find the seed of faithfulness at the very core. And sometimes, that faithfulness wasn’t even their own. It belonged to their mother or father, or a grandparent, or someone else they knew. Our society today often tries to cancel people if they don’t conform to the image society believes they ought to take, and it takes a great deal of courage to remain faithful to what one knows is true.

    I think my final favorite thing about this story was getting to feature the “knight in shining armor” trope. And yes, I know it can be cliche. But there’s a reason we fantasy readers are still touched by that overly-shared image of a beautiful woman knighting a man in armor. You know the one I’m talking about. We want to see someone who is good and true riding into danger with his sword drawn. With the news as unpleasant as it often is today, we long for heroes who are honorable and trustworthy, and that hero in this story is Declan.

    Between my Classical Kingdoms Collection books, Nevertold Fairy Tales, Entwined Tales book, children’s fairy tales, Clara’s Soldier, My Air Force Fairy Tales, and more, I’ve written over two dozen fairy tale retellings or fairy tale-inspired stories. But I can honestly say that Princess of the Silent Moor is one of my very favorites, despite its shorter length. Writing this book was kind of like stepping back into childhood and handing that hungry little reader the story she wanted so desperately to find. By God’s grace, I somehow wrote it over the length of our crazy summer. And I hope and pray now that despite all that chaos, it’s given other readers the very story they were hungering for as well. 

    Visit Brittany’s website here, and be sure to check out her books. She has a magical way of spinning stories that feature characters who creep into one’s heart!

    -Mariella

  • Hexes & High Society: A Blend of Magic, Gilded Age Intrigue, and Forbidden Romance

    Hexes & High Society: A Blend of Magic, Gilded Age Intrigue, and Forbidden Romance


    Hexes & High Society: A Blend of Magic, Gilded Age Intrigue, and Forbidden Romance

    Hello, I’m Julia Crane, a multi-genre author, and I’m thrilled to share a deeper dive into my latest work, Hexes & High Society. This story has a special place in my heart, blending my love for historical settings with a twist of magic and supernatural intrigue. Today, I’ll take you behind the scenes of the inspiration, introduce some key characters, and give you a sneak peek at the cover!

    The Setting: New York City & Jekyll Island, Georgia

    One of my greatest inspirations for Hexes & High Society comes from the beautiful and mysterious Jekyll Island. Located off the coast of Georgia, Jekyll Island has long been my writing retreat—a place where nature, history, and the sea come together to form an atmosphere perfect for crafting stories. I enjoy the area so much that my family bought a place there, allowing me to escape to write whenever I need inspiration.

    For those unfamiliar, Jekyll Island is steeped in Gilded Age history. In 1886, it became a secluded retreat for some of America’s wealthiest families, forming the Jekyll Island Club. Known as the “Millionaire’s Club,” this exclusive gathering brought together the likes of J.P. Morgan, the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Astors. At its height, the club represented one-sixth of the world’s wealth, and the island became a private, luxurious escape for industrial titans and political powerhouses.

    I’ve spent years walking through the island’s historic district, imagining the lavish parties and private gatherings that once took place there. But what intrigued me the most were the untold stories—the whispers of the past—and I began to weave those real-life figures into a world where magic and supernatural forces exist right alongside the wealthy elite.

    How the Story Came to Life

    When I heard about the Kindle Vella contest, I knew it was the perfect moment to bring this idea to life. I was actually on Jekyll Island when the concept crystallized, making the connection even more special. Hexes & High Society is currently available exclusively on Kindle Vella, but I’m excited to announce that the story will also be released in print and ebook by November.

    And now, to give you a glimpse into the magical world I’ve created, let’s meet some of the key players in Hexes & High Society.

    Meet the Characters

    Amelia Aster
    Amelia is the heart of Hexes & High Society, a powerful witch from one of the oldest and most influential families in the supernatural world. Raised among the magical elite, Amelia is a master of magic, but her true challenge lies in navigating the treacherous social and political alliances of both the mortal and mystical worlds. As she grapples with her growing feelings for Jameson Cabot, a forbidden romance that threatens everything she knows, Amelia must choose between her duty to her family and her desire to follow her heart.

    Amelia’s story is one of self-discovery, as she struggles to reconcile her place in the world with the weight of her family’s legacy. 

    Jameson Cabot
    Jameson is a charming, enigmatic dark fae with a mysterious past. His rebellious nature and undeniable allure have made him a dangerous figure, both in the eyes of the Shadow Guild and in Amelia’s heart. Though their love is forbidden, Jameson’s return to New York stirs up old emotions—and new dangers.

    With secrets of his own to protect, Jameson’s motives are always unclear. 

    Oliver O’Meer
    Oliver, a key figure in Amelia’s life, comes from the powerful O’Meer family, known for their mastery of alchemy and their ability to shift forms. The O’Meers have long been influential within the Shadow Guild, and Oliver is no exception. Bound to Amelia by a family rite that is set to take place during the fall equinox, Oliver’s role in her life is complicated. He represents tradition, obligation, and the future her family expects her to embrace.

    Oliver is strategic and loyal, yet his deeper motivations remain unclear. As Amelia’s bond with him strengthens in preparation for the rite, her growing feelings for Jameson create a dangerous conflict of heart and duty. Oliver’s presence in her life is a constant reminder of the expectations she must fulfill.

    A Sneak Peek at the Cover!

    I’m also excited to share that we’re offering an exclusive sneak peek of the cover for Hexes & High Society! The design perfectly captures the blend of elegance, magic, and danger that fills the pages of the story. 

    Story Overview

    Set in an alternate version of 1889 New York City, Hexes & High Society blends the world of the elite mortals with a secretive supernatural society known as “The Others.” At the center of this world is the Shadow Guild, an exclusive group of powerful magical families who rule from the shadows.

    Amelia Aster is thrust into a dangerous game of power and politics when her forbidden romance with Jameson Cabot, a dark fae, threatens to unravel the delicate balance between the mortal and magical worlds. Their love ignites a conflict that forces Amelia to confront both external enemies and the dark secrets lurking within her own family. The Shadow Guild has its own agenda, and as tensions rise, Amelia must navigate dangerous alliances, ruthless rivals, and the haunting legacy of her family’s past.

    Can Amelia master her magic and protect those she loves, or will she be forced to choose between love and duty in a world where magic is both a gift and a curse?

    Hexes & High Society is perfect for readers who enjoy historical fiction infused with dark fantasy, romance, and intrigue. It’s a tale of magic, power, and the fine line between love and betrayal.

    About the Author

    Julia Crane is an author across multiple genres, from young adult science fiction to supernatural fantasy. With a passion for weaving imaginative stories, she brings magic to life in her latest work, Hexes & High Society. When not writing, Julia runs her witchy shop, Bespell & Co., in Savannah, GA.

    Learn more about her work at juliacrane.com and follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @juliacrane_jc

  • Beatrix Potter: Author and Naturalist, Part I

    Beatrix Potter: Author and Naturalist, Part I


    Beatrix Potter. If you do not recognize her name, you’ve probably heard the name of her most famous character, Peter Rabbit.

    He is one of the first protagonists to capture young readers’ imaginations. I was one of them, sitting on Grandma’s lap as she read the book aloud to me. I delighted in hearing about Peter’s antics in the garden with cranky Mr. McGregor. That book is a relic to me; I’ve held on to that copy, for it is so colored with personal memories. The illustrations in The Tale of Peter Rabbit were drawn by Beatrix herself.

    She was a prolific artist. As a storyteller, she possessed a bright and vivid imagination. Three years ago, I wrote a blog post sharing facts about this fascinating woman. Like most authors, she’s become obscured by the stories she told and characters she created.

    Having read further about the life lived by this headstrong woman, I was delighted to discover that her passion was not limited to art for art’s sake. Linda Lear’s book Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature has helped me to see her in a new light. I admire Beatrix even more than I did before.

    Helen Beatrix Potter was born to wealthy parents Rupert and Helen on July 28, 1866 at West Brompton, London, England. Her family on both sides were practicing Unitarians. This meant that her social life was limited, in spite of her parents’ comfortable lifestyle and position in Society. This led to an absence of close friendships, driving her to form bonds with animals in the garden.

    She and her younger brother, Bertram, amassed an impressive collection of critters inside of the house itself, from butterflies to bats, many of which would serve as inspiration for her stories. As a child, Beatrix also found diversion in her father’s collection of books. It fed her young imagination such that, later in life, she was able to write and paint scenes that engrossed audiences of all ages.

    When it became obvious to Rupert Potter that his daughter was gifted in the arts, he was incredibly supportive. Himself also a devotee of the arts, he was happy to hire tutors to refine her talent. Beatrix’s early years saw her working with at least three art tutors. While she benefited from the lessons, she was a free spirit. Diary entries written at the time reveal that she did not like being told how to draw her pictures. Once finished with her third and final instructor, she was glad to explore her own style.

    By that time, she was skilled enough to go into the world and sketch to her heart’s delight, developing a palette of her own. She explored the gardens of her family’s various estates, as well as the forests surrounding them. This is where her interest in drawing nature began: the common flower in the back-yard.

    Soon her interests shifted from depicting plants to learning about them. Beatrix Potter wanted to know what the plant was called, what it was used for, and where to find it.

    Thus began the scientific journey of the future author of Peter Rabbit. Her childhood saw her as a lonely girl seeking comfort in art. By the time she became a young lady of fifteen, Beatrix had developed an interest in matters not proper for females. She gathered fungi in the forest, scouring her father’s books in the hopes of learning their Latin names. She placed them under Bertram’s microscope, drawing them to the minute detail. Unfortunately, few of these illustrations survive.

    Any serious interest in the sciences would not do for a well-bred lady. Regardless, Beatrix would not renounce her passion. She would stop at nothing in her attempts to break free from the restraints of society. She did so in a quest for answers to her inquiries: What is this plant? What does it do? How does it reproduce?

    Finding insufficient information about fungi in her father’s books, she began what would be a long journey into a male-dominated field. Imagine such determination at the young age of fifteen!

    Beatrix went to various universities and conservatories on her own. She went in search of professors who could tell her about the plants that had gripped her curiosity.  It was the beginning of a long, frustrating struggle against Society. She was constantly told by her mother that she was doing severe damage to her name and that of the family.

    As we will see in part two of this essay, which I will publish next week, Beatrix proved to be a fighter, insistent in acquiring the information she desired.

    The Tale of Peter Rabbit had not been born yet when Beatrix walked to one of the exclusive scientists’ hubs, Kew Gardens. I picture her holding a parasol, sketchbook gripped under her arm. She was likely wearing a pair of gloves—for what lady would be seen without them? Beatrix was always sensibly stylish. Her head, I imagine, was held up high as she braced herself to knock at each and every door until one of them opened. 

    Beatrix wanted to know these things—needed to know—and it is a good thing that she sought this knowledge persistently. She would one day become a pioneer in the natural sciences, a woman to be admired for many reasons other than her storytelling.

    If you haven’t been convinced yet to read The Tale of Peter Rabbit, I suggest you do so. It is more than just a children’s book. You learn about an author through the stories they tell.

    Was Peter Rabbit one of the first books you read as a child? Did you know about Beatrix Potter’s unusual interest in science? If you could ask her one question, what would it be?

    Feel free to comment and answer these questions, or make any remarks that you desire!

  • I Finally Saw Little Women

    I Finally Saw Little Women


    Recently I (finally) saw the movie Little Women (2019). I know; when it comes to films, I’m horribly out of the loop. Books are more of my realm; I find my escapism between pages of novels, and I’ve always been that way. Many people have been bemused by this fact and struggled to understand it, but I digress.

    While it isn’t completely true to the novel, and there are certainly flaws in some elements of the story, I found it a delight to watch. The music, for one, was excellently arranged. The dancing, and every scene with Laurie in it, and the cinematography were fantastic to me. Mind, I do not watch many movies, so I do not consider myself a very adequate movie critic.

    I will say that, aside from Titanic and Theoden’s last scene in LOTR3, this is the only film that has managed to make me cry honest-to-goodness tears. The concept of four sisters enduring harsh times together—in the past and in the future—is simple enough that it creeps into the most basic and tender corners of the human soul.

    What I really want to talk about, though, is the scene where Amy burns Jo’s manuscript. It’s a scene in the book, as well, but seeing it played out so excellently by these actresses, seeing Jo’s anguish when she realizes that her life’s work is lost to her, is heartbreaking. As a writer, Google Docs is my back-up plan, and tentative at best; there is always the chance that something might go haywire and my work will vanish for eternity.

    Amy in the film is portrayed as a vain and jealous thing. When she admits that Jo cares nothing for her dresses, so she burned the manuscript instead, the only thing in the world that she cares about, that was a punch that I felt in my own gut. It is romantic to think about those days when novels and love letters were written with pen and ink, but I’m grateful on a practical level that flashdrives and backups exist.

    I must also mention the scene where Jo does forgive Amy, but it only happens after Amy nearly loses her life in the frigid water while chasing after Jo and Laurie while they’re ice skating. To a writer who is truly devoted to their work, erasing that work from existence is about the lowest blow that you can manage. It is low, and it hurts, but since these two sisters do love one another, forgiveness is possible.

    You can forgive, but of course it is difficult to forget. If I recall correctly, Jo is dejected and reluctant to take up writing again for a long time. She does not cave until Beth makes her promise to continue telling her stories, no matter what. If you’ve read the book or watched the movie, you’ll understand why Beth’s words held such significance, and why they compelled Jo to write again.

    I wish I had seen more of Emma Watson, but I understand that with four sisters and four stories, there had to be a strategic way to write out the script. I chuckled during that scene in the attic when Emma is speaking like an Englishwoman, ‘speaking like herself,’ just for a few moments.

    And of course, I think that Laurie is one of the best characters in the film; he dances like a dream, and his emotions are palpable as he finds himself confused between past and present. Also, I might have a crush on the poor guy.

    I wish I’d seen the movie sooner, but I’m glad that I finally did. What are your opinions on the film? Which sister did you sympathize with most? What scenes do you believe will stick with you for the rest of your life?

  • Guest Post: Author K.R. Richards

    Guest Post: Author K.R. Richards


    Hello everyone. I’m K. R. Richards. I write historical romance, historical paranormal romance, historical romance adventure, and contemporary paranormal romance. I would like to thank Mariella for inviting me to her blog!

    I have been writing since I was a teen, but didn’t publish until 2012. I have nine ebooks on Amazon and five stories on Kindle Vella. I have two “Book 3’s” of book series in the works that I need to finish and release, and two of my completed Vellas that I plan to get ready to publish in book form.

    My first book was Lord of the Abbey, and four more books and a novella followed that to make up the Lords of Avalon (LOA) series. That series needs to be re-edited and someday I’ll get around to doing that. Life, other obligations, and day jobs have proven to be obstacles to that endeavor thus far. But I garnered a loyal fan base with that series and have fans who reread my books often. So, I decided long ago that because it is still being read and enjoyed and all books have over a four-star rating, that I will simply re-edit them for grammar and punctuation and leave them as they were originally written. That series has a lot of sex scenes in it, (Fifty Shades was the rage back then. Lol) But with each book, the sex becomes less and more tasteful. By book four of the LOA series, I was feeling more comfortable with writing. I feel it was from that point that my books really improved. I took some classes and learned over the past years how to self-edit. I have four very loyal Beta readers who let me know when something’s working and when it’s not.

    The LOA series serves as the backbone for two other series, the Quest for the Shroud series, which contains some characters from the LOA series, and my new Lords of Avalon: Next Generation series, which I started on Vella and plan to publish.

    The LOA Next Generation series focuses on the children of the heroes and heroines of the Lords of Avalon series. I am having a blast writing this new series. I get to figure out what the children of my old characters should look like and what traits (good and bad) they will have. Then I get to give them their own personalities. I get to cameo some of my old heroes and heroines in their middle-aged years, and as parents. That’s a lot of fun.

    The LOA and Quest series I consider to be historical romance adventure (with a bit of paranormal thrown in from time to time) as is my Vella-soon-to-be book, Finding Avalon. Finding Happiness has less adventure, there is still some, but I consider it to be more of an emotional romance. The Next Generation stories will each be stand-alone books, however, I may set up a romance or two to be continued in an upcoming story here and there. I plan for the Next Generation series of novels to be published as merely “A Lords of Avalon: Next Generation Novel”, whereas the books in each of the LOA and Quest series are related with the same search or quest ongoing, each with one or two HEA in the romance area per book.

    My contemporary paranormal series, The Decker Brothers Trilogy, is also a favorite of fans. It centers around three brothers of Irish lineage, the Flynns of the ancient O’Flynns. The brothers and three women are brought together due to a chance meeting of the hero and heroine in Decker’s Fate, Book One, which brings in an old Irish demon connected to a forgotten O’Flynn family curse. The Deckers meet Irish relatives and learn more about the curse. The brothers and the ladies must learn magic from the Irish O’Flynns in order to protect themselves from the demon. And they must find a way to break the curse. Think Friends theme with magic, action, and demons. Books One and Two are out. Book Three is not completely written yet. Nor is Book Three of The Quest for the Shroud series.

    There was not much time for writing during the four years I was a caregiver for my mother before she passed. I started writing Vellas in 2021, as I felt I could manage writing short episodes, and it was something I could do while being a caregiver. I’m so glad I did because writing Vellas has definitely improved my writing skills. I have made many friends in the wonderful Vella community, have widely expanded the genres I read, and in the Vella-verse I have found some fabulous authors whose work I love to read, like Mariella’s.

    Now I’m writing Vellas and slowly working on two Book 3’s of the Decker & Quest series. I plan to soon focus on getting my first Vella, The Guardian of Elphinstone published in book form and do the same with my first LOA Next Generation story, Finding Avalon. I plan to also publish Season One and Two of Witchery into book form, but I’ll save that project for next year, so they are ready to be released in Autumn for Halloween. Witchery is a lot of fun to write. I still have a couple of seasons planned for it. Think Downton Abbey but with Scottish Witches. Lots of magic, mayhem, drama, and romance, Victorian style.

    Recently, I started back to work with a second part-time job. My writing time has considerably lessened, so I’m only working on two Vellas at a time now. I was about to start the third Season of Witchery when the Vellys contest came along.

    I had to use a brand-new story, so I had about fourteen episodes of a project written, The Athena Society Chronicles, that I worked on here and there. That became my Velly submission. The Athena Society is born from a Ladies Literary Society, the members of which help a Duke and two of his friends search for proof that one of the Society’s members, the Duke’s sister was murdered by her husband.

    There are a lot of characters in my books and Vellas. I like it that way. Some people may not. But they all have a purpose. I’ve learned how to use my cast of characters without confusing the reader. (I hope) I confess the LOA series has a problem with that. You will also find there are sometimes more than one romance within a book. Sometimes it’s setting up the romances for another book, sometimes there is just more than one romance going on. But it all works with the plot.

    I love history, so you will find some history in most of my books. Myth and Legend also weave through most of my stories. And the paranormal. There is more in some books than others and so far, there is no paranormal whatsoever in Finding Happiness.

    The Lords of Avalon series begins in Glastonbury, England in the 1830’s. Glastonbury is steeped in myth and legend, and the place has always fascinated me. The whole premise of the series is the hero, heroine, and friends search for some of the lost treasures from Glastonbury Abbey that disappeared during the Dissolution of the Abbeys during Henry VIII’s reign. The locations change throughout the series, from Glastonbury, to Devon, to Cornwall and back to Glastonbury. Myth and legend tie in with the different locations used in this series.

    The Quest for the Shroud series is based on the premise that when the Knights Templar were arrested some of them escaped and took much of the Templar treasures, including the shroud of Jesus, to Scotland where they were welcomed by Robert the Bruce who was fighting the war for Scottish Independence. In 1835, the Avalon Society (some members from the LOA series) must search for the shroud, as an unknown enemy is murdering shroud scholars. The Shroud Guardians in the series are my invention, but much of the myth, legend, and history about the Templars, the Shroud, and their connection to Robert the Bruce come from the pages of history books.

    In Finding Avalon, my first LOA Next Generation Vella, my characters are searching for the Holy Grail in Glastonbury, where Arthurian and Grail myths and legends abound.

    Finding Happiness is about second chances for both the hero and heroine. There is some adventure, but mostly it’s about the hero and heroine and their journeys of change and finding happiness together.

    The Guardian of Elphinstone is set in Cornwall. I decided this area full of ancient monuments was the perfect place for a portal between our world and Elphame to exist. My hero in this story is the Guardian and protector of this ancient Fae site. There’s murder, romance, magic and cheeky fairies in this one.     

    I want to thank Mariella again for giving me the opportunity to tell you about myself and my stories.  

    K. R. Richards likes to garden, loves history, metaphysical studies, and is a collector of crystals, minerals, and gemstones.

    She is a transplant from Arizona to Mississippi. She is mother to two amazing sons, has a beautiful daughter-in-law, and two wonderful grandchildren. She is owned by a mischievous orange tuxedo cat and an active Border Collie mix, both of whom keep her on her toes.

    Find her on Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, and this is her Amazon author page!

  • Review: A Tempest of Tea

    Review: A Tempest of Tea


    I do not typically grab books about vampires. Vampire burnout after the Twilight craze weighed heavily on me, and I was not impressed by the vampire books that I tried after that series finished.

    For several years, I was averse to this category of fiction. It seemed to me that finding a vampire book that was unique, one that didn’t lean too heavily on cliches, was no longer possible.

    Mind, I’m not judging people who write vampire books and like to read them. We all have different tastes; we all have favorite mythical creatures. My favorite creatures are Mermaids, as you could probably guess (I am writing a series featuring them). This is my opinion on vampire books that become wildly popular. I’m positive there are gems out there which do not get the same level of promotion.

    When I saw the book cover for A Tempest of Tea, I would never have guessed there were vampires in the story. The word tea is what convinced me to give this novel a try. Since it had been popping up on Bookstagram so much, I was tentative. There was always a chance it’d be one more book of vampire cliches.

    I was surprised when I began to read.

    A Tempest of Tea follows several viewpoints (which is awesome, since multi-POV stories show us a tale from different angles). Its focus is heaviest on the character of Arthie. Her story is heartbreaking, though I won’t speak much about it lest I spoil the ending (which I believed was a perfect way to wrap up this first installment). 

    She owns an illegal ‘blood-house’ called Spindrift. Using the appearance of a simple tea shop, it caters to vampires. They go in secret to mingle and to drink cups of (consensually donated) blood. This must all be done in secret, because the society they live in does not understand vampires or half-vampires; they are shunned and feared. There is reason behind such fear, too: a hungry vampire is something to be terrified of. 

    Spindrift is a solution to that problem; it provides vampires with a place get the nourishment that they need without having to become violent or kill. However, humans always fear what is different, shying away from what they don’t understand. When Arthie receives a warning from “the Ram,” the mysterious king of the city, stating that Spindrift will be shut down, she refuses to defer without a fight.

    Arthie deals in secrets and blackmail. She is determined to save her blood-house, regardless of the cost. Having been roughened by the cold and lonely childhood she lived, there is nothing she’s unwilling to do, if it’ll save her business and the people she loves.

    As a leading character, Arthie is powerful. We find ourselves rooting for her the entire time. There is also the POV of Jin, her “chosen brother,” who helps her to run the blood-house and keep business smooth.

    My favorite POV, though, is that of Lady Felicity “Flick” Linden. She’s a wealthy young lady who wants for nothing but the love of her mother, who pulled away emotionally with no explanation, leaving her daughter to feel very alone. In her mother’s absence, Flick found distraction and purpose in becoming a “professional forger.”

    All was going smoothly until Flick was caught and arrested. Not even Flick’s arrest could bring her mother to care; Lady Linden didn’t even visit the prison to see if her daughter was unharmed.

    Felicity has no choice but to accept that her mother does not care for her. She decides to choose her own path, becoming the newest member of the Casimir family (Arthie and Jin chose it as their new surname). Though Flick does not adopt the name Casimir herself, she is a part of their group by the end of the novel.

    Two romances unfold throughout the book. Both are delightfully slow-burn, because the characters are more focused on their challenges and on saving their own skins. However, we are not denied sweet moments and gentle touches.

    Now I understand why A Tempest of Tea has been so popular on Bookstagram. It’s beautifully written with prose so colorful that I scribbled quotes from it into my reading journal.

    This book is more than a pretty cover with a compelling title. It’s a new take on the myth of the vampire, and it will make you want to be a part of that world, chaotic as everything might be by the final chapter.

    A Tempest of Tea is about more than vampires. It’s about family, forgiveness, betrayal, and believing in oneself no matter what. I recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy literature and slow-burn romance.

  • Review: A Match for a Bookish Bride

    Review: A Match for a Bookish Bride


    I did not read as many books in the month of August as I could have, distracted as I was by my new fixation with learning the guitar. (I reckon you’ll be hearing a lot about my musical ventures as I make a point to update my blog more often.)

    One of the books I did get in was a prequel to the Ella Pointe series by Tess Thompson. The prequel is called The Making of a Matchmaker; it was short enough that I could finish it in an hour, and it set the stage cleanly for what sounded like a promising a series I would enjoy following.

    My first read for September is A Match for a Bookish Bride, which is the first proper novel in the Ella Pointe series. It takes place on Whale Island, a seaside town described so beautifully that it reminded me, many times, of Avonlea in Anne of Green Gables. The characters had an echo of L.M. Montgomery as well, varied and solid as they were in their virtues and flaws.

    The series follows the wealthy Tutheridge family. At the start of the series, it consists of Mrs. Tutheridge and her four children, Benedict, Hudson, Briggs and Ella. There is no Mr. Tutheridge in the picture because he has been murdered, and the plot arc of the series seems to be a whodunnit.

    Mr. Tutheridge was a cruel man who used people, kept mistresses, beat his sons, and mocked his daughter. His misdeeds extended to the people living in town as well; the wealthiest man in town has more power than a lowly teacher or fisherman. As a result no one is truly sad that he was shot. However, justice must prevail, even if his family is better off without him.

    On thing is for certain: When everyone in town is a suspect, we have an intriguing series.

    The plot for book one, A Match for a Bookish Bride, follows Benedict Tutheridge. He is the son who inherited the family business and fortune. Benedict is a clever man, but he has an unfortunate problem with reading. Since he was a schoolboy, words and letters swam on the page before him, meaning that he received consistent low grades. Each time, he was punished mercilessly by his father for shaming the Tutheridge name.

    Now Benedict has inherited the brunt of the work, in spite of not being the oldest; it comes off as a cruel post-mortem joke arranged by the father whose dark spirit will always haunt him.

    His mother, Mrs. Tutheridge, knows that Benedict is capable of managing the business, as well as so much more. He only needs the right assistant–a secretary to do the reading and writing portion, so that he can focus on the broader decisions.

    So she begins a search for someone to fill in the position of secretary. However, she has more in mind than secretary. All of her children have lived their lives not knowing love; now that her husband is no longer alive to make them miserable, Mrs. Tutheridge has hired a matchmaker, in the hopes that there will be four weddings–four happily-ever-afters.

    Benedict is not informed that the secretary his mother hired is a woman. He is told that the newcomer is called A.M. Young, so it never crosses his mind. He’s flabbergasted when he walks into the library to meet his new secretary, only to find a beautiful, shy young lady with red hair and eagerness to take on the secretarial role.

    In my opinion, it’s love at first sight, but–stubborn as a man can be–Benedict fights his attraction to Amelia until he is no longer able to. His father’s cruel words left marks in his soul and on his self-esteem. Surely a woman as remarkable as her could never love him?

    For a Christian romance, I enjoyed this one in particular because, though it had no inappropriate scenes, there was mention of the physical aspect of falling in love. I believe that physical attraction is mistakenly omitted from a lot of Christian romance. When a person truly falls in love, it’s all-encompassing; they want more than a person’s company, but to be with the person in the most sacred of contexts, in marriage. Thompson presents this aspect of love tastefully but realistically.

    This is a quick read for a sleepy day, perfect with a cup of tea as autumn begins her approach. You will find yourself longing to live on Whale Island with its beautiful scenery and quirky characters. As a fan of happy endings, I was very glad that this book included one.

    I can’t want to find out which of the siblings will be next in finding their one true love.

  • Review: A Thousand Heartbeats

    Review: A Thousand Heartbeats


    “Love has a sound. … It sounds like a thousand heartbeats happening at the same time.  … The thing is, some of us have been taught to listen for it, so when it comes, it’s all too easy to hear over the noise. For others, there are too many other sounds drowning it out. … But when it finally breaks through, it’s a symphony.”

    from A Thousand Heartbeats

    The Selection series by Kiera Cass was a treat for me to read when I was younger and developing a taste for literature. Not only were the dresses on the book covers breathtaking, but I enjoyed the story. It was lighthearted, bright, and magical—three traits that I love in any book I am reading. 

    After finishing The Selection trilogy, I hadn’t touched another book by her again. A flood of other titles in my TBR came pooling in, so I forgot and was not keeping up with Cass’ new releases. I am delighted to see that there are more books by her for me to read.

    A Thousand Heartbeats has been tugging at my attention since I saw its cover and read the blurb. The model’s purple dress caught eye first—purple is my favorite color, particularly that shade. I saw the book at a thrift store, was teetering on whether to betray my TBR and read it. I finally caved and got it on Kindle Unlimited, eager to revisit my late teens and become lost in a happily-ever-after love story. Now I’m determined to get a paper copy.

    As a Swiftie, I was not disappointed by the emotions that this story evoked in me. If I recall correctly, The Selection was popular around the time of the release of the Fearless album. (Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong in my dates!)

    There’s something about Cass’ writing—I really think it is the “color” she adds to her characters—but the book made me nostalgic. It felt like I was listening to Love Story for the first time, as I was introduced to Annika and Lennox.

    These two characters’ POVs form the novel, telling a dynamic story. They are both broken, in desperate need of the sunshine that only comes when the heart is opened. Lennox, in particular, had many reasons for shutting his heart away—so when the scene came when he at last allowed himself to be happy, I nearly teared up. In that scene, he is a broken soul accepting happiness he thinks is undeserved. What a powerful thing to read!

    As princess, Annika is determined to do what she must in order to serve her people and maintain a stable kingdom. She has felt alone in the world since her mother’s disappearance, suffering since childhood as she wondered if her mother was alive somewhere, or had been killed. Her father has his demons, and is not who he used to be. Only her brother and her ladies’-maid, Noemi, are worthy of her trust. In all, hers is a lonesome existence, and it’s bound to become lonelier when she agrees to marry a man she does not love, a man who is boring as cardboard, and one who tries to tell her how to wear her hair. How dare he!

    Annika and Lennox are complex and endearing, flaws and all. I was satisfied with the ending. I’d spent an entire day glued to my kindle, waiting for the moments that make love stories worth it. This is a profound yet light love story, a quick read, a suitable escape.

    I am glad I returned to the world of Kiera Cass, and look forward to more books by this nostalgic author!

  • A Witchy Sort of Reading List

    A Witchy Sort of Reading List


    As I type this, my feet are feeling the chill from a draft creeping in from the outside. Our days are warm and sunny; nights and early mornings bring chill, nature’s routine promise of rest for the earth and all creatures that live on it.

    I’ve always been quick to admit that autumn is my favorite season, with the laid-back atmosphere and the spooky stories that crop up due to Halloween, autumn’s grand finale. We are entering pre-autumn, so I’m looking to build a season-appropriate reading list that will allow me to immerse myself in the season, the way small creatures immerse themselves in piles of fallen leaves.

    This year I began toying with the idea of writing a story about a wood witch—and I did. The very first draft is available on Vella, and it is called The Looking-Glass. It’s unfinished as a Vella, but the first draft of the novel was completed at over 100k and I hope to share it soon.

    As a novel and series, this story will be different. It will have longer chapters, and several characters will be tidied or cleared out—but I digress.

    In order to write about a wood witch, I sought to read books about witches who are unafraid of what they are or who are only just discovering it. I will soon make a blog post about the witchy books I’ve already read.

    Recently, I discovered that this series exists; I was drawn in by the beautiful cover of the third book. I think I might spend the autumn devouring literature by Paula Brackston (as well as other witchy/spooky books, as I find them; do share your suggestions!)

    How could I not have become hooked by a cover as beautiful as this?

    Have you read this book? Do you have any recommendations for my autumn/spooky reading list?

    Please comment with your suggestions, and tell me your plans for the crisper weather!