This World Bites Fairy Tales!

Do you love fairy tales?

Today I'm excited to share in the

with a GIVEAWAY! But first...

Several months ago I was contacted and offered the opportunity to contribute to a fairy tale retelling anthology, and seriously, it's about fairy tales. How could I not? So today, let me introduce: 

Enter the world Of Mist And Magic, where fairy tales are reimagined under the influence of Really Slow Motion and Epic Music Vn’s inspiring music, in this enchanting anthology of short stories. Proceeds of the Amazon exclusive ebook will be donated to Elevate Life and Art studios, an amazing youth organization in Asheville, NC.

To celebrate, I'm sharing an excerpt of my contribution, THE FOURTH WISH:

Belina could not believe her luck. Fresh out the gate, wings still glittering and she had her first chance to use her powers! She zipped past clumps of knotted thorns, glimpsing the sleeping castle through twists and brambles.

Her fairy mentor’s words still rang in her head: “Give. Always give, and you will find joy. The greatest happiness comes from giving.” 

The prince was already in the tower when Belina reached the window. She wanted to clap for joy as he settled onto one knee, bending over an eternally-slumbering girl in rose satin. So gallant. He didn’t notice Belina, hovering just behind his shoulder, or the sparkles of light gathering at her fingertips. 

This was it, her chance to shine. She reached into her heart and summoned the strength, the life beating within. 

The prince’s lips lowered.

Belina focused on the sleeping princess, on her stilled heart. Make it live again! She begged silently, and touched a single finger to the prince’s neck. Her magic, her strength flowed into him, and through his kiss, into the sleeping girl. 

He pulled back, jolted by the shock. 

Belina fled to the drapes, hiding as he turned, but peaking from just behind the musty fabric. She wanted him to believe the power came from true love, not the gift of a fairy child recently set free to spread miracles upon the earth. True love would lead to his happily ever after.

His gray-green eyes scoured her corner. She tilted her head, wondering what his happily ever after would look like, how adorable he would be—brown hair mussed as he bounced a newborn on his hip. Age would turn his chocolate tresses white, and he would hold the hand of his dainty bride, still as in love with her as the day they first kissed.

But of course he would be happy—he was fairy-touched. All things fairy-touched prospered.

He squinted, eyes narrowing on her location.

She gasped. Had he seen her? 

He jerked back around. The slumbering girl’s hand rested on his, a dazed, but happy smile curling her lips. 

For half a second, Belina wondered what it would be like—to be human, to have only one life and to love so deeply that no other person would ever do. 

The prince assisted the princess from bed and Belina slipped out the window. Her cheeks ached from her wide grin. She couldn’t help it. The couple would have the joy of a lifetime because the princess lived again, and Belina had been the one to grant their wish. A little corner of her felt empty, as if she’d given them both a piece of her in the process, but that was okay. Her sparkles had disappeared. They had gone to a good cause.

Get your copy now, support the youth & arts, and read on for just 99 cents. 

Now let's give away some reading joy!

Last week Sheena Boekweg, Melanie Crouse, and Sabrina West shared their co-authored release, PROPHECY OF THE SIX, along with three truths and one lie Those who guessed were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win book 1, ALCHEMY and PROPHECY OF THE SIX.  

The game: 

1. They all got to go to lunch together for the first time this last summer.
2. For a long time, Sheena didn't know which girl (if any) Sam would eventually end up with.
3. Melanie chose Carlsbad, CA as the location for book 2 without knowing that Sabrina's day job is based in Carlsbad.
4. Nothing cheers Sabrina up quite like a random animal riding a rumba. Except maybe baby owls.

And the lie is:

#1. Despite being collaborative geniuses, these ladies have never all been in the same state at the same time.

Way to guess everyone who got it right! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Sherry Ellis!

Congrats Sherry! 

And now for the blog tour and FUN!

It’s her first day on a new world and Cera’s already found trouble. Michael, her guardian, has been bitten by a zombie and will soon join the undead ranks.

Everyone tells her there’s no cure, but Cera isn’t one to be deterred. She’s willing to face off with zombie hordes, demon slavers, and black market informants if it means she’ll find a cure for Michael. But she’s not the only one hunting for something.

Something is hunting her.

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author? 

By day, she writes code. By predawn darkness, she writes fantasies. All other times, she writes in her head. People call her peculiar with a twisted sense of fashion, but don't let those understatements fool you. Her behavior is perfectly normal for a squirrel disguised as a human. That's part of being a ninja—blending in.

She makes her home in Idaho with her sadistically clever—yet often thwarted—husband, two frighteningly brilliant children, and three sneaky little shibas.

Find her on her blog or social media.

Loni gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of THIS WORLD BITES!

You have until Tuesday, February 17 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on February 18.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Loni has dyed her hair every color from midnight blue to Tostito yellow to fire-engine red. She saved purple for last because she held the opinion only old ladies had purple hair. Occasionally, she changes her hair color just to match her outfit for the day. It currently has silver, pink, and blue highlights.

2. Her two favorite cassettes growing up were New Kids on the Block and The Ninja Turtles' soundtrack (the latter, she stole from her brother). You could find her singing "Hangin' Tough" and "Turtle Power" at the top of her lungs in her bedroom. 

3. She has an uncanny sense of direction. It really saved the day when her car's oil pump went out and the engine seized. She had to walk 3 miles along the freeway to get to the closest off-ramp and gas station, and then deliver directions over the pay phone to her dad. 

So which is the lie? Are you a fairytale lover? Fantasy fan? Have you snagged yourself a copy of either of these books? (And if not, what's wrong with you? Get to steppin', eh?) What is your favorite fairytale?