Jeweler's Apprentice in the Black Friday Sale!

 

Can't believe it's already nearly the end of the year!!
 But it is.

   And that means... that my first book, Jeweler's Apprentice, (the non-illustrated version, but they are BOTH on sale 99 cents!) is in the Black Friday Sale (along with 600 other titles, so it's a big turn out! all under a dollar each, so check those out as well!)

#blackfriday #blackfriday2022 #smallbusinesssaturday #cybermonday #blackfridayindiebooksale #booksale #indieauthor #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram

 (We had internet outages here in the countryside, so only recently got back online... so this is the final hours!)

(And here's the Illustrated by Author version, also at .99)

It's 2022... already???

 Oh, boy, it's 2022 already!!

   I can hardly believe it... it just seems to mind-boggling that this ol' world could have hung in there for
so long , already, since I was a wee tot!!

   (I recall learning to write the date back in the 1990's, and thinking how utterly weird it would be to have to put any other two numerals at the front... and now here we are, and I have to learn to put not just a 2 and a ), but then a another 2 as well, for a full three spaces of "twilight zone, the future is NOW" feel to things!

 
 And yet, the Real World feels awfully un-future-like... the little birds are chattering like crazy outside the window right this minute, even though it is winter...

I share this motivational quote from a mailing I 
receive... always love their tidbit quotes!!

 And I can hear the low thrum of the tractor as the cows are fed their hay...

  And I was informed just now that another two baby goats have been added to the herd... just as they have been born for ages, and for every year since the 90's when we started having goats to be born.


 It just feels so... anti-climactic, ya know?

 Like, forget the fact that hover-boards are not nearly as prevalent as the "Back to the Future" movies would have one believe... but also the discordant unrest in the world at large just seems to get worse and worse, and yet... 

   Birds are still twittering. Babies are still being born. The cows still need feeding... and so What Is Happening? 

   I tend to think the future is not Now. 

    But my saddened heart desperately hopes that True Peace will come as soon as possible, because until that happens it just feels like people will continue to grow more and more destructive and self-attacking, both within and without, and its just super depressing.

   So until then... I guess I'll try to concentrate on the good things which continue to go right, in spite of all the "big bad world out there" goings on.

      Hope you all are finding refuge in good places, as well!!

          Take care,
                      E.

The King’s Spell cover reveal: E.J. Kitchens Realm and Wand, book 1

Today we have a cover reveal from E.J. Kitchens... and isn't this cover fabulous?

A Magic Collectors series, YA fantasy, Christian: release June 17, 2021

Only a king can banish sorcerers and strip enchanters of their power. Only a king is immune to spells and potions. Only a king knows the truth behind the legends. Until now.

Magic Collector Devryn Ashby may have deserved the curse that saps his magic-manipulating abilities, but it certainly won’t help him with the task King Reginald has assigned him. Instead of allowing him to continue hunting for those who stole the powerful Enchanter’s List, the king makes Devryn trainer-in-magic to the mischievous enchantress Lady Meredith Lofton.

Except for an occasional matchmaking exploit, Lady Meredith has little use for her power of enchantment—until the king asks her to train in magical warfare techniques. This both excites and terrifies her. And irks her, for she refuses to be bossed around by the critical 

Devryn Ashby, a man she’s not even sure she should trust. 

But as dangers increase and the sorcerers’ schemes unfold, Devryn and Meredith must choose whom to follow—their own desires and prejudices or their king. Only a king knows how much the kingdom depends on their choice.

Praise for The King’s Spell

I thoroughly enjoyed The King’s Spell. Set in a Jane Austen-esqe world with fascinating magic, mystery, and intriguing and enjoyable characters, this book is a must for readers looking for something more than the usual medieval fantasy fare. I need the next book (and a cup of tea) now!

~Morgan L. Busse, author of the award-winning Ravenwood Saga

A compelling mystery wrapped in a complex and richly detailed world.

~H.L. Burke, fantasy author and Realm Award winner

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The unique, fully realized magic system captured my interest and the realistically developed characters held it, binding me to the unpredictable, compelling plot that kept me guessing. I didn’t want the story to end, and I may have wailed in despair when it did. 

~Lauricia Matuska, author of The Healer’s Rune

Book Review: The Bear of Rosethorn Ring by Kristen Fichter

Kristen Fitcher’s The Bear of Rosethorn Ring (A Snow White and Rose Red Story) offers up several 
unique twists on this lesser known, classic fairytale. It was easy to see where most all the elements were included, and the re-worked versions of them added interest for the overall tale.

  An "absolutely zero magic", kingdom adventure, type of fantasy... with horses, siblings, and family dynamics set primarily against a backdrop of circus life and the spectacle of performing, this should appeal to those who like vibes of Once Upon A Time mashed with The Greatest Showman.

 Continuing a narrative from the series as a whole, and leading into the book to come, the characters as emotionally alive and driven by their individual motivations, their quirks and flaws add to the story arc and the eventual resolution is feels satisfying.

 Not overly long, with a pace which clips along, it was a quick read for me, but would last longer for someone who reads slower, without overwhelming them with detail. For fans of fairytale retellings, circuses, and performing in general, the setting is colorful and the tensions rise until the high stakes climax.

  If this sounds like you, check it out! J

Title:The Bear of Rosethorn Ring: A Snow White and Rose Red Story (Once Upon a Twist Tales, Book #4)

 Release date: April 6^th, 2021

 Tagline: How far would Snow White and Rose Red go to save the man behind the bear?

 About the Book:

When their father runs away, Marita and Diamond Kadlec realize how different twins can be. Marita’s ready to forget Lucas entirely, but Diamond wants to give him the second chance she’s never been able to give before. That’s before they discover that Lucas is indebted to the ill-tempered D’vard and his traveling circus, the Rosethorn Ring. The Ring’s entertainment lacks a bear, and Lucas must play the part of the savage creature to regain his freedom.

 Lorcan D’vard cares only for three things: tending to his beloved beard, promoting his Rosethorn Ring, and eradicating the assassin out to kill him. With time running out, D’vard agrees to cancel Lucas’s debt and let him go free – if Marita and Diamond can apprehend the assassin before the assassin ends the show.

 This is Snow White and Rose Red with a twist like you’ve never seen it before.

 About the Series:

Once Upon a Twist Tales are your favorite fairytales retold backwards and upside-down, with a little bit of steampunk thrown in for fun!

 Other Books in the Series:

Book One ~ The Rose and the Balloon: A Beauty and the Beast Story

Book Two ~ Spindle Dreams: A Sleeping Beauty Story

Book Three ~ Diamond: A Rapunzel Story

 About the Author:

Kirsten Fichter is a twenty-something Christian writer who loves being the wife to her favorite person ever, mommy to two precious blessings, a piano enthusiast, a dragon buff, a serious bookworm, and an INFP synesthete. Fairytales have always fascinated her, and she has made it her goal to rewrite as many as possible and become known as the "Grimm Dickens" (i.e. mixing Grimm fairytales with a Dickens style). She is present in many online circles under the name "Kiri Liz" if you care about things like that. As you read this, she'll be somewhere under a maple tree - trying very hard to finish the seventeen and half other stories she unwisely started all at once.

 Important Links:

-        Author’s Pages

o   Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

-        BoRR’s Pages

o   Goodreads | Amazon

-        Series’s Pages

o   Goodreads | Amazon

 Blog Tour Schedule

April 5^th

-        Welcome & Giveaway @ A Synesthete Writer

-        Author Interview @ Living Outside the Lines

-        Favorite Fairytales About Siblings (Guest Post) @ Lands Uncharted

-        Book Review @ Christine Smith

-        Book Review @ Tower in the Plains

April 6^th

-        Snow White and Rose Red Tag @ A Synesthete Writer

-        Author Interview & Book Review @ Madi’s Musings

-        Looking Ahead at the Twist Tales (Guest Post) @ Virtual Paper

-        Book Review @ E. Kaiser Writes

April 7^th

-        Snow White and Rose Red Mad Libs @ A Synesthete Writer

-        Inspiration for The Bear of Rosethorn Ring (Guest Post) @ Ink Castles

-        Favorite Characters from the Twist Tales (Guest Post) @ Living Outside the Lines

-        Book Review @ Shieldmaidens of Shiloh

-        Book Review @ Live. Love. Read.

April 8^th

-        The First Chapter @ A Synesthete Writer

-        Awesome and Obscure Fairytales (Guest Post) @ Madi’s Musings

-        SWRR Elements in The Bear of Rosethorn Ring (Guest Post) @ Abigail Falanga

-        Book Review @ Blooming with Books

-        Book Review @ C.O. Bonham

April 9^th

-        Winner & Wrap-Up @ A Synesthete Writer

-        Author Interview & Book Review @ Virtual Paper

-        Retelling an Unknown Fairytale (Guest Post) @ Live. Love. Read

-        Book Review @ Living Outside the Lines

-        Book Review @ Ink Castles

 

The Bear of Rosethorn Ring Cover reveal... by Kristen Fichter

 I'm always intrigued by how other writers put a twist on fairytale re-tellings, and this looks like it might be a fun one! Have you ever read anything by Kristen Fichter?

 Love the cover! So pretty!!!

 Title: The Bear of Rosethorn Ring: A Snow White and Rose Red Story (Once Upon a Twist Tales,
Book #4)

Release date: April 6th, 2021

Tagline: How far would Snow White and Rose Red go to save the man behind the bear?

About the Book:

When their father runs away, Marita and Diamond Kadlec realize how different twins can be. Marita’s ready to forget Lucas entirely, but Diamond wants to give him the second chance she’s never been able to give before. That’s before they discover that Lucas is indebted to the ill-tempered D’vard and his traveling circus, the Rosethorn Ring. The Ring’s entertainment lacks a bear, and Lucas must play the part of the savage creature to regain his freedom.

Lorcan D’vard cares only for three things: tending to his beloved beard, promoting his Rosethorn Ring, and eradicating the assassin out to kill him. With time running out, D’vard agrees to cancel Lucas’s debt and let him go free – if Marita and Diamond can apprehend the assassin before the assassin ends the show.

This is Snow White and Rose Red with a twist like you’ve never seen it before!

About the Series:

Once Upon a Twist Tales are your favorite fairytales retold backwards and upside-down, with a little bit of steampunk thrown in for fun!

About the Author:

Kirsten Fichter is a twenty-something Christian writer who loves being the wife to her favorite person ever, mommy to two precious blessings, a piano enthusiast, a dragon buff, a serious bookworm, and an INFP synesthete. Fairytales have always fascinated her, and she has made it her goal to rewrite as many as possible and become known as the "Grimm Dickens" (i.e. mixing Grimm fairytales with a Dickens style). She is present in many online circles under the name "Kiri Liz" if you care about things like that. As you read this, she'll be somewhere under a maple tree - trying very hard to finish the seventeen and half other stories she unwisely started all at once.

Lovely Irish inspired children's fantasy!

  

Pangur Ban, the White Cat draws inspiration from the Irish monk’s poem penned in a long ago in the

days of painstakingly hand copied books where precious treasures.

 Pangur Ban, the White Cat draws inspiration from the Irish monk’s poem penned in a long ago in the days of painstakingly hand copied books where precious treasures.

  This tale sets the scene immediately like the brisk breeze from the sea across a sun soaked hill of Irish green... and a flare of temper, a sudden death, and banishment for the angered party fleeing righteous revenge.<br /> And the White Cat who started the trouble happens to scurry aboard to save his own skin, and thus inadvertently shares the exile he has carelessly caused.

  This is historical, fantasy mash-up of the finest water, the writing style is lavish and swashbuckling without being over done or melodramatic, the characters are instantly alive and sparklingly unique. The action follows one up on another in a cascade of realistic consequences, and the setting is poignantly drawn and beautifully lighted for an almost cinematic feel which lulls with its loveliness while providing stark contrast to the dramatic conflicts the characters find themselves in.

  Although it's presented as a children's fantasy, this had me seriously sad! I would have serious re-thinking on letting anyone soft hearted/ sensitive read this... it's got some heart breaking moments.

My Goodreads Review

Fairytale Blog Tag... from Fairytale Central!

So, Fairytale Central had a cute blog tag which tempted me out of internet obscurity... and here's my answers to them! 

THE QUESTIONS

– What’s an obscure fairy tale you love?

E. ~ Hmmm...  hard to say!! There are so many obscure tales, and often I like elements from this one and that one... which is one of the reasons why I write! To make a "better story" and iron out the wrinkles which bother me in the originals!!! ;-) 

– If you got to choose Disney’s next animated princess movie, what fairy tale would you choose to be adapted?

E. ~ I might get yelled at by some, but after recently seeing Frozen 2, and loving it even more, perhaps, than Frozen 1... right now, I'd vote for Frozen 3. I love the sister dynamic, and exploring more about how to grow up and yet stay close... a theme that's often ignored in entertainment.
   (And personally... as someone who gets super tired of that beaten-into-the-ground trope; I love that "Twu Wuv!" is NOT the focus.)
  Also, my soul adores the Nordic aesthetic for that world... it's beautiful in ways I can't even articulate here!

Such details! Such inspiration!

– What is the first fairy tale you remember hearing when you were a child?

E. ~ I can't recall... perhaps Red Riding Hood? I've always hated that one... the "oh, they're still alive!" twist at the end can't make up for all the deaths that batter you right off the bat in that tale!

– If you were to embark on a fairy tale quest, what necessities would you pack in your bag?

E. ~ Oh, definitely a water canteen, a dagger, and fire starter, and pens and paper to make maps and notations so I'd be less likely to get lost!! ;-)
  Then I'd wrangler up a couple horses, because I'm all about the ability to get away fast, and having multiple horses to switch through boosts the chances of success on that!! 

– What’s your favorite fairy tale trope?

E. ~ I love the "misfortune-befallen royalty"... the idea that true worthiness will show through even under the worst circumstances, and that you can still tell someone's mettle no matter how disguised their state may be. I definitely "heart that", big time! 

– If you could be any fairy tale character archetype (the princess, the soldier, fairy godmother, talking animal, mischievous imp, wise old woman, evil stepmother/sister, etc.), who would you want to be and why?

E. ~ I've always had a deep affinity for the Cinderella archetype... I suppose it ties in with my answer above. So the Princess and the Pea is a great one (though I've always had mixed feelings about the Pea part of that tale... I prefer "actions speak louder than words" type of solutions! :-) )

– What animal/mythical creature would be your sidekick for fairy tale adventures? 

E. ~ Well, a horse would be invaluable for traveling, but dogs are fantastic, so I'd not want to be on an adventure without one.
 Also, goats are terrific, and so devoted and generous... so I guess I'd be the classic "Dairy maid with goat herd in tow, accompanied by dog/s and with a stout, sturdy horse to complete my animal friends."
   (Is that allowed? ;-) )

– What is your favorite historical era, and what fairy tale would you love to see in that setting?

E. ~ I like certain elements from many eras, and yet dislike other parts of each, so for my "perfect world" I pull from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Victorian eras... and enjoy the mashup!

– If you could change a fairy tale’s villain into a hero, who would you choose and why?

E. ~ I'm generally okay with the villains being bad... I mean, that's the point of fairytales. To show Bad Things, in extreme focus, so hopefully they're easier to recognize in the real world?
  But... as much as I enjoy the Frozen movies.... I get very irritated when tales represent the polite, well mannered, and dignified (usually a prince!) as a the "Horrible Person" TM... It really makes me angry.
   As someone raised to by a mother who instilled manners and expectations of  gracious behavior... and who schooled us to value those things in others, it makes me see red when those merits are treated as signs of despicability.
  (And the vice versa trope, where ill-mannered boors are naturally the Hero (TM) Ugh. Hate that!) 

– Do you prefer fairy tales with happy endings or sad/tragic endings? why or why not?

E. ~ Oh, they must be happy. Of course... nothing else would be worth while!!!

Welcome to an Iconic Year...?

Sci-Fi Movies Set In 2020 (& What They Got Right

Wow! 2019 flew by, and I can hardly believe it's 2020 already!!!

  The year that in so much past fiction has been treated as "science fiction Is Here!" and yet... it seems a lot like the past couple of decades, in real life.

 I guess there's a strange, anti-climatic feel to this year, because it's been so talked about in the past... So that it kind of feels like "Oh, nothing like that is likely!"
 ...and yet on the other hand, almost a hint of "well, what if something Big did happen...?"

   One can never rule that out, and it gives the year an almost eerie quality... perhaps having too much to live up to does that!

 On the other hand, 2020 has provided plenty of fodder for the meme-makers, and I've been laughing at the "2020 vision" memes, 

 ...as well as the "--20's, has historically had plague outbreaks"... somehow, that punchline just cracks me up every time!)

And then I hear there are even memes about WW3... all things that have been talked about so many times, the concepts sound almost worn to death... and yet.....

   One can never rule it out, either!!

  Anyway, could be an interesting year.

Have you heard...about Fairy Tale Central?

Once Upon a Time two girls had

a dream. A dream of a fairy tale site, an internet library, if you will, for all the fairy tale lovers of the land to gather and converse. To learn, to read, to fangirl/boy, to bask in the goodness that is fairy tales.

As this dream blossomed, the two girls recruited a third. Because, after all, all good fairy tales come in themes of three.

With the third member in place, the girls got to work. The dream began to take shape, until it was no longer just a dream. But something real.

Introducing…

Check it out and share with your fairy-tale-loving friends!!! 

There is a blog attached, which you should check out... I love this topic of "Rumpelstiltskin"! 

Illustration release; Road to Bremen by Kelsey Bryant!

In the midst of preparing the release events for Kind's Ward and the Five Gems relaunch, there happens to be even more news!
  This past year I was honored to be asked by long time editor, friend, and fellow author, Kelsey Byrant, to help with The Road To Bremen; her middle grade fairy-tale retelling of the Brementown Musicians.
   She did such a delightful job with that tale, and the animals' personalities all really shine through, and definitely made me laugh as well as touched some poignant nerves while reading through their adventures.


    Working with her was especially fun, since she'd already done a lot of the visual research for her setting and era, and we were able to showcase some local breeds and plants as our illustration models.

Their lives are saved by a dream. 

But only friendship can make that dream a reality.

Once upon a time..

Etzel the donkey is getting old, but he works hard on his farm—until the day Herr Hoffman decides he is no longer worth keeping. With no choice but to escape, Etzel sets off on the road to Bremen to seek his fortune as a musician. On the way, he rescues three other animals—a dog, a cat, and a rooster—who are also old and destined for death.

Will these four new friends find their success and worth as musicians in Bremen? Or does the road hold something better?


Based on “The Bremen Town Musicians” from the Grimms’ Fairy Tales. Ideal for kids from 7 to 11 years old, but great for all those young at heart.

Author Bio:

Kelsey Bryant lives in Central Texas, but being one-quarter German, she’s always wanted to visit
Germany. Bogged down during the crafting of a much longer book, Kelsey started writing a retelling of one of her favorite fairy tales, “The Bremen Town Musicians,” to resuscitate her creativity. She rather liked the result.

Kelsey is the author of the Six Cousins series and Suit and Suitability, part of the Vintage Jane Austen series. The Road to Bremen is her first book for children. Besides writing fiction, Kelsey is a copyeditor, a martial arts instructor, and an avid student of the Bible. Visit her at kelseybryantauthor.com or on her blog, Kelsey’s Notebook.

  

Links:

Purchase on Amazon

Paperback available now, e-book available for pre-order, releasing on February 22.

Add on Goodreads

Announcement Post on my blog

King's Ward release and Blog Tour!

The re-launch & release is here! It kicked off on Homeschool Authors, with a Author Interview,  then Rebekah Stargazer's take-over guest post "Eight Reasons Why I Loved Traitor's Knife". And  then as a wrap up for the Big Release, advance readers Rebekah and Kelsey Bryant chatted about King's Ward.

  Their conversation was my absolute favorite of all!! (You gotta check that one out!)

  Then a blog tour hosted by Silver Dagger Tours kicked off on their blog: with a Rafflecopter giveaway featured. There are 4 swag packs up for grabs, so make sure you enter and let us know which prize you'd choose!!!

 And both Jeweler's Apprentice and Traitor's Knife are currently on sale at 99 cents, so everyone can get caught up on what's happened so far!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

King's Ward upcoming release!

All right, now hear this!
  King's Ward is nearly finished being polished, and we're working hard to get everything in order for it's release February 9th!

 I know a lot of wonderful readers have asked and asked when it was coming, and the Big Move and everything really postponed it's arrival for a while... but the wait is almost over!!!

    So... how about a cover reveal?

Anyone want to be part of a blog hop, cover reveal post, general release announcement?

   Or review sometime in Feb?

                   Let me know!!!