I've been so excited about this story!!! Rachel Kovaciny who is both an amazing friend and mentor of mine wrote a Snow White retelling! I have developed a huge attachment to the tale and adore the many versions of it, and I know hers will be exceptional.
It's releasing July 28, 2020
And it has a fantastic cover!!!
Snow
White and the Seven Dwarfs... reimagined.
Fourteen-year-old Levi Dalton is numb. Hands tied behind his back, he's about
to be hauled away for poisoning a beautiful girl and her kind father. The woman
pointing her finger at him and accusing him of murder is the very same woman he
hoped could teach him to heal illnesses, not cause them. The woman he idolized.
The woman he trusted.
Levi knows he should be scared for his own life. But all he can think about is
how graves always come in pairs.
This is my last part of the tour. It's been a blast getting to read all of these retelling. Each one was so unique and fun. I hope to see more by each of the authors, their a talented bunch.
You can find the rest of the tour and a giveaway here
I'm reviewing Wyn's story, But One Life. If that cover doesn't draw you in the story definitely will.
1776. Tory vs. Patriot. British vs. American.
The Revolutionary War divides each of the thirteen colonies, but worse, it divides individual families. As the crucible of war burns red-hot all around them, 16-year-old Ginny Phillips and her wealthy stepmother find themselves on opposite sides of an inexorably growing rift. Her father’s death in battle for the American cause only pulls them farther apart. When a young, handsome American soldier enlists Ginny's help as a spy, will she have the courage to honor her late father's Patriot convictions . . . even if it means risking her stepmother's wrath? Even if it means risking her own life? And what about endangering the gang of lonely orphaned boys hiding in the woods who’ve opened their hearts to her?
Does the shadow of the hangman’s noose dangle over them all?
As soon as I heard this retelling somehow incorporated the Revolution and spies into Snow White. I knew I had to read it. Historical fiction isn't my preferred genre, but I really enjoyed this story despite any misgivings about the genre. The way Wyn spun this tale to coincide with the trappings of Snow White impressed me. Ginny is a spunky character and I loved the banter between her and Ethan who fit into the role of the Prince quite well. I loved Ginny's willingness to become a spy, despite the risks. The way the apple came into play was especially clever and I loved all the little historical details and people that appeared in the story. The romance was also really sweet. It's everything you could want in a Snow White retelling and then some.
Wyn Estelle Owens is the penname of a young woman who’s still figuring out what this whole ‘adult’ thing is all about. She lives in a big, old house in Maryland by a Hundred Acre Wood (dubbed Neldoreth) with her parents, three occasionally obnoxious brothers, her dog Jackie, and her rabbit Joker. She is fond of reading, writing, drawing, speaking in dead or imaginary languages, playing videogames, quoting classic or obscure literature, being randomly dramatic, and generally making things out of yarn. Her dream is to write stories that inspire people to chase after the wonderful world of storytelling. Her favorite all-time authors are Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Christa Kinde, and above all, J.R.R. Tolkien, who first inspired her to pursuing novel writing when she read the Hobbit at the age of seven. Find her online at: Goodreads || Facebook
On this day of the tour, I get the privilege of introducing you guys to Sarah Pennington's retelling 'Blood in the Snow' I feel in love with this cover during the 'Five Poisoned Apples Contest' and I was extremely curious about the story that inspired it.
Her destiny is decided — but betrayal breaks even the best-laid plans. Baili, the princess of the Kingdom of Seven Rivers, has always known what her future holds. Declared the fairest of all by the fabled Dragonglass, she is destined to fulfill an ancient prophecy and unite her homeland with its long-time enemy, the Kingdom of Three Peaks. And in doing so, she may save her country from death and ruin. In order to fulfill her destiny, Baili must travel to the Kingdom of Three Peaks and marry its prince, Liu Xiang. But all Baili's plans and expectations are turned upside-down when her servants and soldiers, acting on her stepmother's orders, turn against her on the road. Baili narrowly escapes with her life, but she's left alone and adrift among strangers. Fortunately, Baili finds refuge in the home of seven animal keepers: servants and slaves to the emperor of Three Peaks. Yet time is running out. Her servants' rebellion was only a small part of a much larger plot. Within weeks, her stepmother plans to unite the two kingdoms, not by contract, but by conquest. Baili must reclaim her rightful place and unite not just two kingdoms but many peoples in order to stop the plan. And if she fails, two kingdoms will be plunged into ruin. Sure to delight lovers of fantasy and fairy tales, this rich and magical Asian-inspired adventure combines Snow White and The Goose Girl in a way you've never seen before.
Review
This story is a brilliant mash up of two beloved tales. Snow White with touches of the Goose Girl. I don't know how Sarah thought of combing the two. They work so well together, and add different aspects and layers to a well know story. Bali is a likable protagonist who has all the odds against her from the first page. She starts the story as a rather naive princess but through some unexpected trials she shows her grit and determination. The setting was unique and fresh, and the characters were a diverse and interesting bunch. I really enjoyed pretty much everything about this retelling. It was a delight!
Sarah Pennington has been writing stories since before she actually knew how to write, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She is perpetually in the middle of writing at least one or two novels, most of which are in the fantasy and fairy tale retelling genres. Sarah's first published work, Blood in the Snow, received a perfect score and Special Unicorn status in Rooglewood Press's Five Poisoned Apples contest. When she isn't writing, she enjoys knitting, photography, and trying to conquer her massive to-be-read list.
Find her online at: Website || Blog || Second Blog || Goodreads || Facebook || Amazon
Once again I just want to say that I'm thrilled to be apart of this blog tour. All of these authors are talented and have their own unique take on a tale so dark and lovely.
The rest of the tour is here
Today I will be reviewing The Princess and the Invisible Apple Tree, written by the lovely Meredith Leigh Burton. I've chatted with her a bit during some launch parties and she was an absolute sweetheart. I jumped at the chance to read her story. The title itself intrigued me.
Princess Snowdrop didn’t mean to kill her mother. And now, no one will believe her story about the mysterious peddler who gave her the poisoned pastry. She’s desperate to uncover the man’s identity, but no one else remembers seeing a stranger at the palace on that fateful day or hearing his melodic voice. When Snowdrop’s father goes on a journey in pursuit of answers, he returns newly married. Now Snowdrop must contend with her new stepmother and a stepsister. Rachel is a lonely, soft spoken girl who harbors a harrowing secret. She also carries a mysterious object close to her heart; a mirror that helps her to survive. Could the mirror have come from the same peddler who ruined Snowdrop’s life? Both Snowdrop and Rachel’s stories converge as dark memories are unearthed. A malevolent pursuer lurks in the shadows, and he will stop at nothing to gain the thing he seeks. Disguises are unmasked, and things are not what they seem. Whom can both girls trust? With the help of two extraordinary artists, a hart and five swans, Snowdrop will discover that courage and sacrifice will be needed if she is to save her stepsister and herself. The Princess and the Invisible Apple Tree is a story where secrets abound, and the path to freedom is not easily obtained.
Goodreads Review
The first thing that enchanted me about this story was the lush and colorful descriptions. Meredith has a way with words that makes you envision everything so clearly like it's being painted in your mind. Her writing style is beautiful, as is the story she chose to tell with this tale. The themes in this book are probably the strongest part, themes like inner beauty and overcoming hardships. That's not to say the setting, characters, and story aren't equally as good. The characters are well drawn and have strong personalities. Snowdrop and Rachel are both dealing with their own issues, but I love how Meredith brings them together to confront them. There was a darker twist with the magic that I really liked. There was also hints of another fairy tale but I won't spoil which one. It's an amazing story! Have something to nibble while reading it because the pastry descriptions are too good.
Author Bio
Meredith Leigh Burton is a voracious devourer of fairy tales. She is a motivational speaker, teacher and writer. She attended the Tennessee School for the Blind and Middle Tennessee State University, where she received a degree in English and theater. Meredith hopes to convey through her writing that people with differences can contribute much to the world. "Snow White" has always been her favorite fairy tale. Meredith has written another fairy tale based on "Snow White" entitled Hart Spring, which can be found in her anthology, Blind Beauty and Other Tales of Redemption. She resides in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Find her online at: Goodreads || Amazon
I meant to do this on time. I really did, but my life got really slow. Then all a sudden I got hit with a million things and was left holding on to what was left of my sanity.
I'm doing it now, even though this linkup is already on the next part oops!
Before I start that I have good news I finished the last of my revisions!!! Hopefully Anne and Co like everything I added and changed. It's been quite a ride with this story it started at 20,000 words, after revisions it was 25,000 words, and now it's sitting at 26,000 and something words. I'm happy with where it is now! There were moments... lots of tear filled moments.
I also finished Driver's Ed and booked my test, so fingers crossed for that.
I finished Chayse's picture too! It's not quite what I envisioned but, it matches the grungy circus aesthetic. Now I can start on Snow's.
Onto the link up.
The amazing Liv created this linkup, be sure to go check out her blog.
Introduce your character and his/her story!
His name is Cynfael, and he is an absolute menace. I'm writing his story now, which is the only reason I chose him for this.
He is the bastard son of the Northen Fae's King. His position in his father's court is a precarious one, and he has no delusions about what little power he holds. His sister is being groomed to take over for his Father. Which has caused some friction between them. His family has no love for each other past what they can use the other for. He has managed to keep himself useful so far.
2. What does he/she (your character) look for in a friend? Consciously or subconsciously?
He isn't in the habit of making friends. If he was to make one, it would be part of some scheme or plot. He would look for someone gullible and trusting.
3. If he/she could study any foreign language, what would it be?
He can speak a range of different languages, and has a recent problem of swearing at me in Latin.
4. Which person from the Bible would he/she be besties with? Why?
Being honest here, Rahab. They have a lot in common.
5. If he/she were to visit you for a week, what would you do together?
Imagining this is terrifying. I feel like he would want to go to some parties, but the fancy ones mind you with champagne, the good kind. He would probably try to get me to smoke and succeed. I would probably try to get him drunk and have a heart to heart.
I'd then take him for coffee and he would complain.
He wouldn't last a day with me to be honest, he'd find some high society friends and ditch me.
6. What is his/her ideal future?
He used to have an idea about that, about her. Of course he learned quickly that anything can be taken from you, so he really only thinks of revenge and elevating his social status.
7. If he/she were to spend a weekend alone, what sort of pastimes would he/she pursue?
Being a cad, and that's all I will say.
8. If you could send your character a care package, what would be in it?
A Bible, nicotine gum, an apology letter, and a poisoned apple
9. Is there a song that describes your character's journey?
So many, he has his own playlist at this point. The one I really like for him, has one bad word in it regrettably, and I can't find a clean version. Most of the rest I've already posted on here. Here's one I recently found. It really explains his life and family.
10. What is your character's place in the story (hero, antihero, villain, sidekick, etc.)?
Cynfael's kinda hard to pin down, he started as a villain, that became an antihero and everyone seems to think of him differently.
Something amazing happened this weekend, something I had given up on.
I won 'The Five Poison Apples' contest!
I am having the hardest time writing this post! I don't really know how to explain all the things I am feeling. I'm overwhelmed, I've been flooded with comments and congratulations! It all feels like a beautiful dream, that I'm going to wake up from. I'm hesitant to accept that my story made it! My friend Maddie's did too! I am so proud of her!
I have been trying to sort through all of my emotions. I wanted to write something to help the people who didn't make it. Because I've been there, believe me I've been there. Not just losing, but the rejection, the questioning. The constant thoughts that I'm not good enough and I should stop trying. I've been writing for twelve years and it hasn't been an easy road.
Keep going, don't let anything stop you! Take everything in stride, critiques, rejection, and mistakes those things will shape you and help you grow. They will only make you stronger, don't let them break you. Put on the 'The Greatest Showman' Soundtrack and go conquer the world!
I promised to share my party pictures, so enjoy!
I kept telling my parents that this was a pity party, because I figured we wouldn't win, so this was supposed to soften the blow. I had lost the previous contests and this was Elizabeth's first contest. I was hoping for an honorable mention.
Me crying when I found out I won... I'm not usually that emotional. Elizabeth gave me some beautiful fan art, her and her sister Isabelle did. I adore it!
I'm so happy Elizabeth was there, it made everything that much more exciting and fun. She didn't win, but she was super happy for me, I don't know if I would had been able to do that if I was in her place.
I'm so proud of her for entering and pouring her all into her story. It's fantastic.
We laughed, cried, and talked for hours
It was a magical night! Thank you to all my amazing readers and friends! You guys believed in my story and kept me going. It means the world to me!
I wanted to have a good post planned for this week. Maybe some sketches of my characters, a few progress pictures of my ' The Greatest Showman' painting, a book review. Of course all that fell through, so another last minute slapdash post from me.
I've been busy, doing the last minute preparations for a 'Snow White' themed party I am planning for my friend, Elizabeth. We are going to find out if we lost or won 'The Five Poisoned Apples Contest' over fake champagne and candy apples.
It's been a nice distraction for me. Something to put all my nervous energy into. I can't wait to show you guys after it's done.
I was trying to be hopeful, hope is a good thing to have. It's a hard thing to keep a hold of. I'm convinced my story strayed too far from the source material. Or just wasn't what they were looking for. If that does end up being the case I want to be okay with that. I want to still be proud of my story.
It turned out better than I expected. I got amazing feedback, I got some helpful critiques, and another world that I can easily expanded. It wasn't a waste of time either way. I also got my boys! Two irritating fae princes who are polar opposites in every way. Chayse is a shape shifting cat fae, Cynfael is a rich, ego maniac. All of the late nights were worth it simply for them.
I've been writing Cynfael's story lately. I haven't gotten that far in it but I thought I would share what I have. This is unedited, first draft stuff, go easy.
Smoke filled the air, and my lungs. A slow poison I chose to
indulge, among a few other vices. I blew it out, watching it fill the small
space between my father and I. He waved a hand through it, irritation spreading
across his face.
I kept smoking, making direct eye contact as I did, to show
I cared as little about his comfort as he cared about mine. His eyes steeled.
He said nothing, turning his attention instead to the moving landscape outside
the car window. There wasn’t much to see, just shadow coated fields, and red
light from the fire in the distance.
Chayse was burning his prison down. I envied him, the fact
that he could simply burn away his mother’s entanglements, reducing an empire
to ashes as if it had been built of paper. If only mine were as easy to burn. I
could feel the necklace hidden away in my coat pocket. The blood coated pearls
could buy my freedom. I couldn’t run, I would have to settle for retribution.
“She is dead then.” Father’s words were cold and
calculating. Free from the slur he had, when he was playing the drunken fool.
I nodded; the blazing fire was confirmation enough.
He poured himself some scotch, “That bodes well for our
business.”
Which just meant more money in his overflowing coffers; I
took a long drag, and flicked ash to the ground.
He stared at the ash.
“Whatever will you buy? A small country perhaps,” I crushed
out my cigarette, “Oh wait…”
He took a slow sip of the amber liquid.“Don’t be short-sighted; I’m not looking for
more money for your mother and Isabelle to fetter away.” He looked at his cup,
“I plan to fund a war.” He slid a round cube of ice into his cup.
I blew more smoke, “A war with whom?” This was the first I
heard of it.
“If your Mother has her way, the bloody world,” A thick
cough punctuated his words.
I usually post way more snippets when I'm doing a contest. I have found myself strapped for time, but since I didn't have a post planned and I am working on the final chapter.I thought it would be fun to comb through the document for my favorite bits.
I
snapped up, thick strands of black hair plastered to my face. I peeled them
away and flipped around on the taut cords that formed the net. The speaker was
standing in the shadows. I recognized his cocky stance and my initial panic
quelled. It was just Chayse. -Snow
It was an odd thing to say, but he was an odd boy. He
dressed like a vagabond, even though his mother owned the circus. Clunky black
boots, paired with an oversized and ratty, fur lined coat. A full collar cut
around his sharp features.
He smiled crookedly, a
Cheshire cat smile. That combined with his mess of tawny locks and flashing
green eyes made him look almost vicious in the torchlight. - Snow
I glared at him, he knew he was
playing with fire, but he was a boy who didn’t seem to burn. -Snow
Mother was beautiful, even I
couldn’t dispute it. High, sharp cheekbones paired with vibrant, glowing skin.
She only looked to be in her mid thirties which was a far cry from her true
age. The price of it was more than I could stomach. It made her beauty
grotesque, dead even. - Chayse
Her frosty eyes were clear as she
took in her flawless complexion with a critical eye. She picked her way through
her assortment of beauty products and jewelry. The silver canisters caught the light, shimmering
amongst the crystal perfume bottles. I always wanted to take a couple of the
more valuable items to a local pawnshop; I would probably get a nice sum. -Chayse
She smiled and turned to me. “One
cannot trust a charmer like you not to lie. I raised you to be far too good at
it.”
I smirked; stretching out on the
soft cushions. “Never.” I wondered if she could see the deception in my eyes. I
wondered if she hated me, like I hated her.- Chayse
I shook out my hair and dried the
ends with the towel, as I set about removing the half washed off makeup. The
water was actually helpful for that.There was a boudoir for this task, so in the dim light with a dirty
mirror, I rubbed at the pools of black under my eyes.
“So there is a girl, underneath
all that.” A voice spoke from behind me. It was unmistakably male.-Snow
I
made a sad face; that wasn’t all that hard to express at that moment. The crowd
laughed, enjoying the clumsy clown getting its comeuppance. I stalked off
stage, miserable and dripping. - Snow
He seemed unbothered, “fortunately
for you, I know the owner. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind me taking a look around.”
He looked completely out of place
in our dingy surroundings. An immaculately tailored suit, complete with shined
shoes, he made an impression. The look on his face showed that he was well
aware of it.- Snow
“Chayse, old boy.”The cultured tone was mocking. He seemed to
wear the word “haughty.” His suit was perfectly cut and probably made of silk
woven by fae weavers.He held a lit
cigarette in his hand, and it was the only thing that seemed uncouth about him.
He took a quick drag and seemed to take in my rumpled appearance. -Chayse
I pulled off my leather gloves
with my teeth, and placed them in the ridiculous top hat. The costume was a
glitzy atrocity that mother had made. She had chosen red, circus colors, the color
of blood. I hated it in all its garish glory. I shed it at the first
opportunity. Mother liked her things to be presentable and shiny. I made a
point to be anything else.- Chayse
It looked magical; it was
magic and I was tired of it.The cheap
glamour to cover the broken bodies and blood spilled to create it. Mother
cocking her head in a laugh, gold lips parted over too white of teeth. Her eyes
lined to look like a cheetah’s, her gold painted lids a sharp contrast to the
black. She looked fierce and ready to devour. - Chayse
So those were a bit random, and the fonts are all different. It's a mess, but so is my mental state. Also published this post early. Sorry about that.
