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The Sassy Heroines We Tend To Read
Dance of Hearts is a riveting retelling of a classic story with a strong female protagonist and some clever twists. What drew you to Cinderella’s story and inspired you to rewrite this fairy tale?
The story began as a writer’s challenge, but I was immediately taken with the idea of re-writing it as a study in manners, like a Jane Austen tale. Re-telling classics so they appeal to a modern reader can be tricky since many of the heroines in these tales aren’t the sassy heroines we tend to read about today. The difficulty for an author is how we can write characters that remain true to the original and to a historical romance, while also making them enjoyable for modern readers.
I enjoyed the direction of Melinda’s character. What were some things you wanted to keep the same from the classic story and what were some new traits you wanted to introduce?
I feel the essence of the Cinderella tale is of a person who is downtrodden but still succeeds despite their challenges. She takes a chance to do something she otherwise wouldn’t and it pays off for her. Similarities to the original tale include a family situation that is not ideal, being the unpaid servant of the family, and a chance at true love.
While there is no glass slipper in Dance of Hearts, there is a magical dress given as a gift by a mysterious benefactor. The role of “prince” becomes someone more real in this Jane Austen world where fairy magic is present.
What was the funniest scene in the story for you to write?
Probably this won’t be the same for readers, but when Melinda has to chomp on her toast in order to remain silent for it was a realistic gesture we all have had to do when around relatives at some time or another. LOL.
Do you plan to write other stories based on literary classics?
Yes, Dance of Hearts is the first in a series where each tale is a standalone. Beauty and the Beast is retold in the next story, Price of a Rose. This collection will include fairytales familiar to many readers but also some lesser known fairytales that will be enjoyable due to being fresh and new.
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Melinda Wychwood managed to stay at her family home after her father’s death by working as her cousin’s unpaid housekeeper. But when a childhood friend returns, playing a game of deception, will she be satisfied acting as the dowdy chaperone? Or will her wild fairy heritage and a magical dress finally win her true happiness?
A Cinderella retelling as a historical romance with a touch of fairytale magic and a happily ever after ending.
Dance of Hearts is a quick read, short story romance that is clean and sweet. Perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances, but who want a dash of fairy magic with their tea and cake.
This short story ebook is a friendly read for teens and adult readers who love Jane Austen and Howl’s Moving Castle.
At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Whales and Magic Sinbad’s First Voyage: The other Odyssey
Sinbad the Sailor sets out over the sea to retrieve his fortune with all his remaining goods on board. They alight on a beautiful island – but no it is a huge whale who, awakened by their shouts, tosses Sinbad painfully into the sea. Magically rescued he is befriended by a great king, and his ship, with crew and full cargo wondrously returns. Sinbad returns to his beloved Baghdad, now a rich man – till the next voyage! A tale from the Arabian Nights, a collection of adventures parallel to Homer’s Odyssey. Like your grandmother told you.
Dance of Hearts: a Cinderella Regency Romance Retelling
![Dance of Hearts: a Cinderella Regency Romance Retelling (Historical Fantasy Fairytale Retellings Book 1) by [Byrd Nash]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41+8CZ3uEVL.jpg)
Six years ago, Melinda was orphaned. Since that day, her life with her relatives hasn’t been the easiest. She is more of an employee to them than she is a beloved member of their family. Of fairy heritage herself, Melinda is quite the enigma to her less-than-caring relatives. When she is presented the opportunity to reunite with the single remaining person from her childhood, only one thing stands in her way–but it’s the biggest barrier she could ever dream to have to fight. To be remembered is divine, but to be forgotten is breaking her lonely heart.
Dance of Hearts: A Cinderella Retelling, by Byrd Nash, is a completely new and wonderful retelling of the classic fairy tale. Of all the variations offered over the years, this one stands out for its time period, the plot twist given its male characters, and the intense emotion exhibited by main character, Melinda. The added charm of the fairy world makes Nash’s tale one to remember.
One of the most striking aspects of Nash’s rendition of Cinderella is the strength given Melinda. She is fierce in almost every way possible. Though her status is perceived to be lowly and her position is not respected by her family and most around her, Melinda speaks her mind, stands up for herself and others, and does not shy away from questioning anything she finds suspicious.
I am giving Dance of Hearts: A Cinderella Retelling, by Byrd Nash, an enthusiastic 5 out of 5 stars. This beautifully penned version of a Cinderella story is a quick read, offers readers a totally new take on the age-old story, and will appeal to readers across genres. The unique ending/epilogue truly set this story apart from all other fairy tale remakes.
Pages: 70 | ASIN: B08F38P57X
Snow Dust and Boneshine
![Snow Dust and Boneshine: The Chronicles of Granny Witch (Book 1) by [Grendolyn Peach Soleil]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jPQB6ffUL.jpg)
A lone wolf waits outside the house the night Fawna Belle Darling is born. He knows what her mother, Isleen already understands–Fawna is the granny witch. In her home in Purgatory Bend, Wyoming, young Fawna is blessed with a mother who teaches her the ways of their world. As Fawna grows and matures, it becomes increasingly obvious that Isleen was correct–her daughter is special. When Patsy wanders into her life, she is faced with the realization that he may not be who he thinks he is, but Fawna knows. She, true to her nature, must be the one to tell him and to help him understand.
Snowdust and Boneshine: The Chronicles of Granny Witch, by Grendolyn Peach Soleil, is the first book in a series. The story centers around Fawna, who is a granny witch. Her life in the Midwest in the mid 1800’s in nothing short of fascinating. From her birth in the 1830’s to her experiences as everyone’s go-to for potions, advice, and healing, Fawna is an integral part of her community.
One of the most striking aspects of her life as a granny witch is her responsibility to ghosts, or vespers. Throughout her life, Fawna is able to see them for what they are when no one around her is able or aware. Her gentleness when addressing Patsy and her ability to help him grasp the reality of his situation is enthralling. Soleil’s writing is riveting and the entire storyline surrounding the two characters is gripping.
One of the parallel storylines caught my attention and stuck with me long after finishing the book. Pearl, desperate not just for love but also for a family approaches Fawna for help. I was truly touched by the way Fawna went about making a potion for her and giving her hope for her future. Soleil’s writing is much more than a fantasy–it’s a story of love and faith.
Snowdust and Boneshine: The Chronicles of Granny Witch is a short read, but it is packed cover to cover with an engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and touching events steeped in fantasy with a bit of romance thrown in. I look forward to many more installments and new adventures involving the granny witch and those in her small, tucked away Wyoming town. Fawna Belle Darling is a unique character and one to follow.
Pages: 125 | ASIN: B08RGG5JQ3
Charlotte’s Snowman
![Charlotte's Snowman by [Lainey Dee, Sarah-Leigh Willis]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5187B6OW5VL.jpg)
Charlotte’s Snowman, by Lainey Dee, is an exciting and touching children’s story of a little girl that builds a snowman for Winter. She expects her snowman to be normal when suddenly, he starts talking! He begins to complain of the cold and she does her best to keep him warm. But, the next morning, Charlotte finds a surprise that she never expected.
Charlotte’s Snowman has an adorable storyline that is easy for children to follow. Charlotte is an incredibly empathetic and generous young girl. She’s a perfect role model for anyone to follow, with a great fashion sense too. This is a great story for parents to read with their children, as it provides topics of conversation on helping others and being empathetic. The art is very detailed with a soft color palette that shows emotion and movement well. The illustrations allow the reader to better understand how Charlotte and the snowman feel throughout the whole book. It was an art style that was reminiscent of Charlie Brown and I truly enjoyed it.
Charlotte’s Snowman is a cute and imaginative story perfect for children and parents to read together during the holidays. It teaches a valuable lesson with an easy to follow storyline along with cute artwork.
Pages: 25 | ASIN: B08P1P97F1
My Own Mermaid Story…
Milli Mermaid’s PEARL OF WISDOM is a fun children’s book about a girl who goes on an undersea adventure and learns a valuable lesson. What was the inspiration for the setup to this exciting story?
I lived by the beach when I was a very young girl, and was mesmerised by the mysteries of the ocean.
I dreamed of being a mermaid, hoping for the day a mermaid’s tail would magically appear in place of my legs!
It was such a FUN fantasy, that was perpetuated by any book, movie, or tv show I saw on the subject… This inspired me to create my own Mermaid story…
I enjoyed the moral at the heart of this story. What were some themes you wanted to explore in this book?
Thank you.
Some of the themes explored in my book include: Empowerment, Individuality, Bravery, and Friendship… just to name a few.
What was the funnest scene for you to draw?
That is a really hard question to answer. Each and every page was so much fun to draw!
I loved drawing every colourful scene, with Milli Mermaid, Sammi Seahorse, and the colourful fish, and shells. I also really had fun drawing the scary sea creature scene…
You may have noticed, I drew everything by hand, then experimented with mixed media, drawing the bubbles and pearl on the computer, just for fun… I realise now, I can’t say for sure which scene was the most fun to draw, because they were all so much fun to draw!
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I don’t want to give too much away just yet, however, I can tell you the next book is part of the “Milli’s Musings” series, and is in the process of being written and drawn. It will be out this year, in 2021!
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Seahorse Schoolhouse teaches her a thing or two, but is it what Sammi Seahorse intended to do?
Be the best you that you can be…
There is only one you, and only one me!
Milli Mermaid’s PEARL OF WISDOM: An important Discovery
![Milli Mermaid's PEARL OF WISDOM: An important Discovery by [Amelia Gleeson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Hd4vaRtXL._SX260_.jpg)
Milli Mermaid’s Pearl of Wisdom by Amelia Gleeson, is a charming and fun filled children’s story about a young girl, named Milli, who finally gets to be a mermaid. She wakes up in the ocean to find that she is a mermaid. With her seahorse friend Sammie by her side, she is able to explore the ocean and learn a valuable lesson along the way.
Author Amelia Gleeson has written an enchanting kids picture book. The hand drawn art provides a unique touch that I enjoyed and added to the overall charm of the book, but I felt that the mixing of art style made things feel a bit inconsistent. The story follows Milli as she learns to love who she is. This is a valuable lesson to teach young kids and this book makes it easy to approach that topic in a fun and gentle way. This is a great conversation starter for parents and a good topic of discussion for teachers. The book includes simple rhymes that move the story along and keeps the text engaging.
Milli Mermaid’s Pearl of Wisdom is a fascinating kids book with an amazing message. I think children will be able to relate to the hand drawn art, and there is plenty of fish and other interesting things on the page for children to point out, giving this book an interactive element. This is a good book for parents and children to read together.
Pages: 43 | ASIN: B08P4X9Y37
The Doing of Good Deeds
Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge is the children’s edition to your previous award winning book. What motivated you to turn your story into a book for kids?
Hello! Thank you so much for inviting me here. To answer, the adult edition of the book had several themes and lessons and was too complicated for younger children, but I felt children could learn a valuable lesson from a children’s edition. I selected one of the major themes of the book that children understand and can relate with readily.
What were some parts of the story you absolutely had to keep when condensing this for kids?
1) Kindness to others. Something we ALL can do that can change the world, in my opinion. 2) The lesson that WE continue the goodness that is in this world that we inherit from those who came before us. Life goes on and so must also the doing of good deeds from generation to generation. Of course, all the main characters are there: Tiny Tim, Ebenezer Scrooge, Becky, and Jimmy!
The art in this book is stunning. What was the art collaboration process like with Voxillustrations?
Voxillustrations was such a great partner in capturing the essence of each page of story text in their art! I gave them detailed ideas of what I was looking for such as character actions, expressions, backgrounds, and the little details of Victorian life, and they worked hard to get each illustration just right for the story. This art style they call ‘Fantasy’. Love them!
What part of the classic Charles Dickens story speaks to you the most?
That we are all redeemable, no matter what the situation we are in, how hopeless things feel, or how far down we are. Thank you for letting me speak with our readers! It is such an honor!
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In the continuation to Charles Dickens’ beloved classic, ‘A Christmas Carol’, a troubled Tiny Tim, now grown-up, has ghosts of his own and is gently reminded what Christmas is all about.
Beautifully illustrated and told in verse, narration with audio Christmas Carols and print music editions add to the Christmas charm of this classic holiday sequel. (Christmas, Holiday, Children, Classics, Gift Book, Narrated, Christmas Carols, Picture Book)
LITERARY TITAN 