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Dancing to Her Own Music
Dancing Valley follows a grieving woman seeking solace in nature who gets lost and winds up in a mystical valley where magical beings she once thought imaginary are not only real but deeply connected to her. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have a friend who dances through life to music only she can hear. There’s something a bit mystical about her. I expanded on that magic by creating Anita, a woman who can talk to elves and faires, but who has been convinced the little people exist only in her mind.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
As Anita evolved, I realized she would have fit into Goldfield Forest, a book I’d recently published. I hadn’t intended to write a series,but Anita’s character demanded it. She led me to Dancing Valley which became Book Two in the Unmistakably Mystical series.
Your characters go on a deeply emotional and transformative journey in your novel. Is this intentional or incidental to the story you want to tell?
It is intentional. My stories are always character-driven. I want the readers to relate to them. In Dancing Valley, loyalty, adventure, strength and a touch of romance combine to allow the characters to confront the challenges that ultimately show good prevailing over evil.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes. Heritage Mountain, set in the Adirondack Mountains, is book three in the series. My intention is to have it ready for publication by the end of the year. Like the first two books, some characters will carry over, but it is also a standalone, filled with adventure and magical realism.
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Abandoned by her mother, when she was hours old, Anita’s only clue to her history is an emerald pendant tucked into the pocket of the shirt she’d been wrapped in. After the unexpected death of her adoptive parents, Anita sells everything and heads to the wilderness. During a week of hiking unmarked trails, she becomes lost and roams for days until she sees a fairy, a creature she’s been convinced doesn’t exist. Anita follows the tiny creature, who leads her to Carolyn, who leads her on a journey to learn about her past and discover her destiny.
When Dancing Valley is threatened, Anita stands beside Carolyn, risking her life to fight for her new home and her mystical family.
Dancing Valley
Karen Black opens the door to a spellbinding realm in her sequel, Dancing Valley. This fantasy novel brims with magical creatures of all kinds—fae, pixies, goblins, and even a dogman. For readers craving a story steeped in enchantment, this book delivers in spades. At its heart, the narrative centers on two remarkable women whose lives intertwine in the midst of extraordinary events. The first protagonist, Carolyn, serves as the guardian of the fae, devoting her centuries-long life to protecting the magical inhabitants of Dancing Valley. Her counterpart, Anita, has a far different path. Orphaned at birth and later losing her adoptive parents, Anita seeks solace in nature. During a fateful hiking trip, she loses her way and stumbles into the mystical Dancing Valley. There, she meets Carolyn and discovers that the magical beings she once thought imaginary are not only real but deeply connected to her. A biologist with a passion for cultivating rare plants, Anita becomes a target of Bagrim, a malevolent goblin intent on exploiting her skills. Together, Carolyn and Anita must rally their magical allies and newfound friends to defend their home. But will their combined efforts be enough to thwart evil?
One of the novel’s strengths lies in its rich cast of characters. From the many mystical beings to the two leads, each one is carefully crafted with a distinct personality. Despite the abundance of characters, Karen Black manages to give them depth, making them easy to remember and relate to. The background provided for each adds dimension, creating an immersive world full of life and variety. The book’s short chapters contribute to its readability. The pacing keeps the story engaging, pulling readers into a steady rhythm. It’s one of those books where you find yourself saying, “Just one more chapter,” until suddenly, it’s finished.
I feel the writing style may divide readers. Magical chants are frequent in the narrative, and while they attempt to rhyme and evoke a sense of wonder, they often come across as ordinary monologues. This detracted somewhat from the immersive quality of the magic. The story delves into every character’s thoughts, giving insight into their motivations but sometimes at the expense of pacing. While this approach makes the plot easy to follow, it can feel dense, with details that are easy to forget or skim over due to the volume.
Dancing Valley is a vibrant and imaginative fantasy tale. Its compelling world-building and memorable characters make it a must-read for fans of magical adventures. Though the writing style may appeal to a specific group of readers, the story’s charm and creativity shine through, making it a worthy addition to any fantasy lover’s collection.
Pages: 239 | ASIN : B0DPLKBN9S
LITERARY TITAN 