Inspiration for The Bear of Rosethorn Ring (Guest Post)

 I think this is the first guest post I've ever had on my blog! I love hearing about the inspirations behind everyone's stories so I'm glad Kirsten decided to write her post on her inspiration for The Bear of  Rosethorn Ring. Hope you guys enjoy it too!

Inspiration is a funny thing. It came come from many places, be triggered by many sources, and smash into you when you least expect it. Typically, my most inspirational activity is washing the dishes. I’m not sure what it is about leaning over the sink and scrubbing burned noodles off the bottom of a pot, but it sure promotes a lot of story ideas.

            The Bear of Rosethorn Ring, however, was very different. This story didn’t start with a spark of inspiration from an unlikely source. Rather, it was a story built out of desperation. My desperation. Because the story wasn’t ever supposed to exist.

            Marita Kadlec is the Sleeping Beauty heroine of book two of my series, Spindle Dreams. And while I liked Marita and we got on well enough, there was something I didn’t know about her until a few weeks before her book released. She was a twin. Since the two girls were separated only moments after birth, neither knew the other existed and OF COURSE I had to go and write the missing twin’s story. And that was how the Rapunzel story, Diamond, was born.

            Now, I’m a big fan of sibling stories. Most characters in my books have at least one (if not more) sibling and one of the things I love the most is writing siblings interacting. I grew up with five siblings, all very close, so I’ve had a lot of experience living sibling relationships. One of the things that always bothered me with the ending of Diamond was that my two twins, Marita and Diamond, never actually got to meet and interact with each other. Oh, the story definitely ends hinting at their meeting, but they never got to be siblings on the written page.

            Now, do you see my desperation?

            I was desperate to see Marita and Diamond interact. I wanted a good sibling fairytale to retell where they could get to be sisters on the written page. I can’t say that I thought much about which fairytale to retell for their story, since Snow White and Rose Red was definite in my mind from the moment I knew I had to tell their sister story.

            But Snow White and Rose Red heavily features an enchanted bear, and I was briefly stumped on how to write a talking bear without magic. No magic has been a key trait of my stories since the beginning, and I knew I’d have to dabble in some steampunk and other fun elements to pull it off. But where would you find a good bear for the girls to save? I began researching some bear-ish things, and soon pulled up several articles chronicling the bearbaiting in Elizabethan theatre. Alongside of those articles were a number on dancing bears performing in circuses.

            My brain went nuts when I read circus. I’d always wanted to write a circus book, ever since I read Skye Hoffert’s Falling Snow in the Five Poisoned Apples anthology (shameless shout-out to that fantastic story! *winks*). Skye’s epic take on a circus as a setting for a fairytale retelling was so unique, and it made me insanely curious to see what other fairytales would fit into the circus aesthetic. Thus, I was going to write a circus story with a bear – or, more specifically, a man in a bearsuit. It involved a lot of research on my end, since I wasn’t super familiar with circuses and their inner workings, but I created something of my own circus with the traveling Rosethorn Ring. And I was smitten.

            I had my twins, I had my bear, and I had my circus. Now, I just needed to get the story written so I could share it with the world.

            I mean, weren’t you all just as desperate to read Marita and Diamond as sisters as I was? 

   ...

 (Glad I'm not the only one who gets inspiration from doing the dishes. Still can't believe Falling Snow was one of the inspirations for this story. Never getting over that! *cries*)

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 a half other stories she unwisely started all at once.

   Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

Make sure you check out the rest of the blog tour. I'll be reviewing The Bear of  Rosethorn Ring soon!

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

 

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. 

Releases April 6th, 2021

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell review- ish (The Book Spooktacular)

This is my last post for the blog tour. I hope you guys enjoyed it and make sure to go over to Ashley's blog to read the last part of her story.

It's been a blast!

I love this book and the mini-series, it's rare that I love both a book and it's tv adaptation. It's the kind of book I'm always on the hunt for, the timeless kind of story. It's huge, so I understand if it's daunting to pick up. It's over 800 pages.
I for one was excited about its size. I like longer books, I grew up reading LoTR so that's probably why. It's an incredibly crafted story with an expansive world and intricate magic system. It's one of those books that sets the stage for you, and goes slowly into the telling of it and then completely knocks the wind out of you when all the pieces start to click into place.

Susanna Clarke is a wordsmith. She's the type of writer who you can tell puts thought and care into every aspect of the story, and it shows.

It's about a prophecy, magic, and the two magicians who unwittingly fulfill that prophecy.

It's very gothic in style, one of my favorite things about it. That and the magical realism paired with the historical setting. It's the fine details in a story that win me over ultimately and this one is full of them.

It's rich and layered... like a cake.

It also has one of my favorite villains, The Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair. He's also a fairy, but not the fairy archetype you're used to seeing in most media. But the rather the darker, more dangerous type that is rooted in Celtic folklore. Basically the type of faeries that I prefer.

He such a creepy presence in this book and show. He's a little bit like an aged Peter Pan, in the way that he is incredibly temperamental and prone to impulsive acts. The best example of what a faerie should be, in my opinion of course.

All of the other characters are amazing too. Strange is my other favorite along with Childermass and Arabella. The storyline is spellbinding and the setting is appropriately moody and magical.

I can't stress enough how fantastic both the book and show really are. They did an amazing job bringing the book to life, which was quite a feat in itself.

It's a stunning work of art, and if you love England, mythology, faeries, magic and any type of historical fiction.  I highly recommend it!!!

A bit of caution though the book and the show are quite dark, and deal with some occult things like tarot cards and scrying. Also has the dead being raised, and the show has a brief scene with some nudity ( Not sexually, just a giving birth scene on a slave ship.) 


I'm going on a hiatus for November. Going to try to focus on writing. Best of luck with all your Nano novels!!!

The Fairy and the Artist ( kinda) (The Book Spooktacular)

I need to preface this. This post is not what I originally had in mind. This was supposed to be a short story involving well a fairy and an artist. But the idea morphed and now has turned into a novel, so instead of a cute flash fiction piece you are getting what is more like an introduction or first chapter of a story. So sorry about that, I almost gave up on this post too. The last few weeks have been a bit tough mentally, and then I got sick.

Cue this getting written last minute in a blind flurry. Whilst stopping to catch up on Buzzfeed Unsolved and read A Darker Shade of Magic. Both preferable options to writing.

Again this is not my best. I wanted to do better I swear!!!

The Invitation 

The icy air had kept most people inside which I preferred, less distractions. I only had a short time between classes and liked to spend it outdoors if I could. The leaves were all turning rust colored offset by the burnt umber bark of the skeleton trees, a stunning contrast my fingers were itching to trace. I wanted to capture autumn, trap its essence in a bottle. Press its dying leaves between the pages of a book. It didn’t want to be caught of course.

It always left too quickly, but part of its beauty seems to be held in the fact that it fades fast.

I nibbled at my poor excuse for a sandwich, ignoring the crumbs falling on my frantic lines. The sketch wasn’t turning out very good anyway. A hollow sound echoed like a dropped coin, drawing my attention off the page. The park trail I had sequestered on was noticeably empty. I couldn’t place the sound. 

A brisk movement startled me, a flash of white fur. An arctic fox loped passed me.

I sucked a gasp in and followed it with my eyes to the edge of the treeline where I lost sight of it. 

I tapped my pencil on the edge of the crumb filled page. I sketched it out with messy lines; the pencil skimmed across the page, the scratching sound it made was comforting to me. I tried to do it justice, but I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen a fox. It was a pale and inaccurate imitation.

Not that I had many opportunities to see them, school had been eating most of my time.

“Cass!” the thin, almost weedy voice was unmistakable.

I shut my sketchbook, feeling a bit insecure about my aimless drawings.

“Yeah,” I called back.

 His voice had arrived ahead of him. He rounded the corner, a compilation of wild curls and spindly limbs wielding two steaming cups. I could only hope they held tea.

“I should’ve known you’d be here.” He slumped onto the worn bench next to me and waved the cup in front of me.

I took it with mumbled thanks. The cup warmed my stilted fingers instantly, making them tingle.

“Christ, it's cold.”

I nudged him, “It’s nice.”

“Only you would think so. All of the other students are enjoying the nice bonfire.” He eyed me with a heavy dose of skepticism. “Part of your charm I suppose, you being a hermit.”

I shoved him, but didn’t bother defending myself. I could be a hermit. The idea didn’t even bother me it probably should have.“You could be with there with them.”

His teeth glinted at me, teeth that were somehow too straight for an odd angle boy. “Then who would save you from freezing to death so?”  

“I’m not even close to freezing.” I stated with confidence, I had layered up my sweaters and even brought gloves. I had forgotten about them, but that was hardly the point. I took a sip of the steaming drink. Not tea, hot chocolate which was acceptable, especially the twinge of peppermint that wafted through it. I nodded my appreciation. He waved me off like it was nothing, which was his default it drove me nuts.

“Liam...” I ground out. “You didn’t have to come find me, you know.”

He squinted at me, his eyes devilish. “O, grand! Guess I’ll head back then.”

He made a grab for my cup, but I held it away from him. “Noo... it’s good!”

I held the still warm cup under my chin and simpered at him.

His grin split his face in two. He had the type of face I liked to draw. Angular and interesting, “It’s not an obligation, Cass. Somebody might actually want to spend time with you... unlikely, but it’s a strong possibility.”

“A strong possibility,” I tossed his words back at him, “Is this that, Irish charm I heard so much about.”

He raked his fingers across his head, disrupting his already wild hair, “As if I’d waste such a thing on a wain like you.”

 “Course not.” I stuck my tongue out.

He sipped at his drink, and adjusted himself across the bench. He never did like sitting still, “Amazing view you have here!”

I ignored his dry observation, as I stood and started picking up all my tools and notebooks. The time had gotten away from me. I needed to get ready for my next class.

Liam picked up my sketchbook and a dropped eraser, “Are you writing letters now?”

“What?”

“There’s a letter under your book, or at least an envelope.” He held it out. The blaring white paper was new to me.

I snatched it from him, hoping it wasn’t a folded up piece of artwork I had forgotten about.

It was an envelope, a sealed one with a small pat of red wax that had some kind of leaf emblem inlaid in it. I flipped it around. My name was on it. My first name at least. Liam leaned over, his interest piqued by my own.

I stared at it, and glanced up at him to see if there was any sign of a tell. He was the only one who could have put it there, and there was no reason for him to give me a card. I lifted the seal gently with my fingernail, cracking it seemed like a waste. I pulled out a thin leaf-like paper. I was almost scared to touch it. I coaxed it out and unfolded it.

Dearest Cassie,

You have been granted the honor of attending to the Autumn Court

An emissary will be sent to collect you

There was a signature of sorts scrawled and unreadable underneath the brief message.

I laughed and waved the page at Liam. “What is this?”

He shrugged, hands hidden in pockets. “It’s not mine if it were it would be much more clever.”

“Sure.” I read it over, ignoring a sudden chill that crept through me. “It’s probably a Halloween party. Jess’s I think. She likes to do themes.”

Liam nodded in agreement, looking rather blasé about it.

 “I’m not sure what theme this would be.” The lack of a time and date was also a bit weird.

“Ren Faire,” He suggested looking over the font. “Autumn court, that’s to do with the fee ain't it.”

“Fee?” I squinted at him.

“Faeries, old wives tales, my Gran used to tell me stories.” He rubbed his arms and looked around the woods with a strangled smile. “She told me they would take me away.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that, “Take you where?”

His face crinkled emphasizing his now pink nose. “She never said...somewhere quite bad I’m sure.”

I folded up the letter, that didn’t sound too bad. In fact, getting taken by a fairy sounded like a dream.

*From a beneath a blanket* Hope you guys like it! There is going to eventually be a shapeshifting fox fae in this story, and I'm so sorry he didn't show up in this like he was supposed to. 

Make sure you go read the third part of Ashley's story Ghost and Persie on the 28th. It's soo good, if you like Greek Mythology, coffee, graveyards, and ghostly girls this is for you.

My Fall Essentials- (The Book Spooktacular)

I hope you guys have been enjoying the blog tour so far. I highly recommend stopping by Ashley's blog and reading her short story Ghost and Persie it has fantastic characters and a spooky autumn setting. It's just what you need to get you in the fall spirit.

Fall is my favorite season which you've all probably either guessed or I've mentioned. I'm a bit over the top when it comes to it. I like to squeeze out every drop of the season I can. I love the aesthetics of it, and I no longer try to be aloof about it.

I'm going to try to make this list interesting but if it's super basic and boring. *shrugs*


Corn mazes

A relatively new thing, at least for me. I went to my first scary one with my older brother, younger sister, and a few friends. It was fairytale-themed and we had a complete blast. It wasn't too crowded or cold, so we got to enjoy it.

There was a moment where a chainsaw-wielding actor jumped out at us and after the initial jumpscare, I was admiring his mask not realizing that my group had already taken off. (They had all bolted as soon as they saw him) and this was after my sister and friend had promised not to leave me. He revved the chainsaw and started chasing me, he was so close I could feel the air coming off the fake chainsaw. I ran flat out screaming and laughing right out of the maze. I also might have grabbed my brother's friend and let her pull me along.

It was too much fun. There were themed houses all throughout the maze, like a gingerbread house, goldilocks, and such. There was even Alice's tea party, which was appropriately nightmarish. We all got scared multiple times only to laugh it off a second later. I think the creepiest thing they do is have specific actors follow you quietly only to chase you later, usually herding you in the direction you need to go. Surprisingly effective.

If scary is not your thing, you can go to mazes during the day which is also a blast.


Fall scents and bath bombs

Another thing I only recently started doing. I really love stores that do seasonal scents and themed items. It's cute and I tend to have a lot more baths when it's cold. I've been especially obsessed with glittery bath bombs, smelling good is just a bonus.

Candles are another thing I love to purchase in the fall, the scents are always amazing.

Fall books

This one I know a lot of you already do. I was more selective this year and picked only four books to read, but since then I bought more and have borrowed a few. So my attempt at being selective failed.

So far I've read

The Girl Who Drank the Moon- 5 stars- gorgeous prose and story.

Something Wicked This Way Comes- 5 stars- Better than I even expected. I also swear the antagonists were fae.

The Princess & The Goblin- 4 stars not quite what I was expecting, but it inspired me.


Fall themed media

I have specific things I like to watch each year, much like Christmas. Like It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown  with my younger siblings and cheesy Halloween shows with my older siblings like Hangman's Curse (based off Frank Peretti book of the same name) Monster House and Paranorman

There are also quite a few tv show episodes I like to watch.

Bad Blood- X-files, this one is so funny and even if you're not familiar with X-files I think you could enjoy it. It involves vampires but fairly cheesy ones. It's my favorite episode. It also has the best example of differing POV's, the way that both Mulder and Scully relay the same events is hilarious.

Boy Meets World- And Then There was Shawn

This one is classic. A 90's show, that I could never see airing on the family channel now.

All of Psych's Halloween specials. I think if I had to pick one it would be Tuesday the 17th

I also always tend to watch The Hounds of Baskerville- Sherlock episode.

Doctor Who- Blink and Hide

Both of these are completely different styles of episodes and in different seasons. Both so good and a bit spooky.

There are probably more but I'll stop there.



Fall photos

I haven't done this as much as I like. There's just something about the air and the changing leaves, topped with everything slowly dying. An eerie beauty if you will. Cue the most random pictures ever.

Fall playlist

I listen to a variety of genres and a lot of what's trending sadly. Here are a few that I've been loving.

• Graveyard- Halsey
• Circles- Post Malone
• Dog Days Are Over- Florence + The Machine
• Boys Like You- Dodie
• Young- Vallis Alps
• Teeth- 5SOS

That's all from me, make sure you check into Ashley's blog for the second chapter of her story on the 24th

The Oddmire, Book 1: Changeling/ A Review

I'm thrilled to get to be a part of this blog tour. I adored the Jackaby series, so finding out that there was going to be another series set in the same world was exciting. The Goblins were just a bonus.

About the book:

The first book in an action-packed fantasy adventure series featuring witches, shape-shifters, and other creatures of fairytale and folklore, including two brothers—one human and one a goblin changeling—on a life-changing quest into the Oddmire.

“Funny, exciting, and ultimately epic. Wow. I can’t wait for the next one.” —Adam Gidwitz, author of the New York Times bestseller A Tale Dark and Grimm

Magic is fading from the Wild Wood. To renew it, goblins must perform an ancient ritual involving the rarest of their kind—a newborn changeling. But when the fateful night arrives to trade a human baby for a goblin one, something goes terribly wrong. After laying the changeling in a human infant’s crib, the goblin Kull is briefly distracted from his task. By the time he turns back, the changeling has already perfectly mimicked the human child. Too perfectly: Kull cannot tell them apart. Not knowing which to bring back, he leaves both babies behind.

Tinn and Cole are raised as human twins, neither knowing what secrets may be buried deep inside one of them. Then when they are twelve years old, a mysterious message arrives, calling the brothers to be heroes and protectors of magic. The boys must leave behind their sleepy town of Endsborough and risk their lives in the Wild Wood, crossing the perilous Oddmire swamp and journeying through the Deep Dark to reach the goblin horde and discover who they truly are.

In The Oddmire 1: Changeling, the New York Times bestselling author of the Jackaby series brings to life a bold new adventure, the first in a series about monsters, magic, and mayhem.

Review:

As soon as I saw the title of this story, I wanted to read it. I've been on a bit of a goblin kick since a rewatch of Labyrinth and this book was a perfect chaser for that.    

Not every author can write both young adult and middle-grade novels, but Ritter sure can. While it's completely different from the way that Jackaby is told. It's captivating none the less and carries the same spirit and flavor. From the fantastical and eerie creatures to the constant sense of impending danger. Which makes sense due to it being set in the same world. 

The writing is witty and concise. The narrative unfolds like a classic fairytale and keeps you turning the pages. Tinn and Cole are the type of characters you instantly find yourself rooting for, the brotherly bond between them is the heart of the story. I  loved the tension that was created by neither of them knowing who was the changeling and their separate fears regarding it. Their dynamic was especially interesting and real.

Kull was my favorite character. He's the goblin who messed everything up but tried his best to fix it. He's gruff and not really accustomed to humans, but the way he cares for the two boys is heartwarming. His unexpected team up with their mother brought a lot of humor to the story and a lot of frustration for him. As they chase after the boys through the enchanted and somewhat deadly Wild Wood.

There is a host of colorful and odd forest occupants, that the boys encounter on their journey some far more intimidating than others. They all added to the eerie and somewhat off-putting air of the wood. Creating a perfect fairytale atmosphere, you were never quite sure who they could trust.

The atmospheric settings pull you further into the story. The Wild Wood is almost another character itself. It feels very much alive with its strange mists, twisting trees, and creatures than it houses. Threating to swallow up anyone who decides to tests their luck.

All throughout the book, there's a sense of urgency. That something dark and evil is coming to claim the boys. As soon as they cross into The Oddmire, you can feel it watching them. Biding its time. I loved the creepy element it added to the story, the dangers of the wood were very real. And the story doesn't shy away from that fact, building to an incredibly chilling climax.

At its core, this is a family story. One younger readers will relate to and older readers will undoubtedly enjoy. Full of mishaps, darkness, and of course hope.

Which is a brilliant combination if you ask me.

(I received this e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. )

About the author:

William Ritter is an Oregon author and educator. He is the proud father of the two bravest boys in the Wild Wood, and husband to the indomitable Queen of the Deep Dark. The Oddmire, Book 1: Changeling is his first book for middle-grade readers. Visit William Ritter online at rwillritter.wordpress.com and find him on Twitter: @Willothewords.