Before the Victorians made fairies cute and cuddly, they were naughty and dangerous. It was said they would whisk a person away to dance at their court for what seemed like an afternoon and yet years would pass in the mortal realm. That’s how I feel these days. Like I’ve been taken away to an … Continue reading Lost in the World of Faery
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A Smuggler’s Path by I.L Cruz
In Canto, magic is a commodity, outlawed by the elites after losing a devastating war and brokered by smugglers on the hidden market. But some know it’s more–a weapon for change.
Inez Garza moves through two worlds. She’s a member of the noble class who works as a magical arms dealer–a fact either group would gladly use against her. Neither know her true purpose–funding Birthright, an underground group determined to return magic to all at any cost.
But the discovery of a powerful relic from before the Rending threatens her delicate balance.
Inez’s inherent magic, which lies dormant in all the Canti, has been awakened. Now the Duchess’s daughter, radical and smuggler must assume another forbidden title–mage, a capital crime. This will bring her to the attention of factions at home–fanatical rebels bent on revolution, a royal family determined to avoid another magical war, her mercenary colleagues at the hidden…
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The Spinster Queen
Real fairy tales have no end. And this one in particular makes me nostalgic because reading it was the start of my writing career. Check out Rachel’s other After Ever After stories.
Introduction
Please note that ‘Spinster’ in the title is using the original meaning of the word, i.e. a woman who spins, rather than the modern meaning of an unmarried woman.
This is the third story that I wrote for Christmas 2018, this one for my mum. The story she chose as the jumping off point was Rumpelstiltskin. At the time, I thought this was quite an odd choice as Rumpelstiltskin is not the most savoury of characters. But my mum explained that she chose this because the heroine of the story (the miller’s daughter) saved herself.
I had never thought of the story in that way and had to go back and re-read it to pick up on what she meant.
If you are not familiar with the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, it starts with a miller boasting about how his daughter is such a good spinner…
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A Noble’s Path release: Part II
Anyone who has considered indie publication or is currently engaged in indie publications knows that, to paraphrase a well-known opening line, it is a truth universally acknowledged that no matter how well a plan is executed, something will gum up the works. For me, it's paperbacks. For my last book it took a month after … Continue reading A Noble’s Path release: Part II
After Ever After
Introduction
For Christmas 2018, I asked my family to name their favourite fairy tale or Disney film, and from their answers I wrote a short story for each of them looking at what happened after “Happily Ever After” had been uttered.
Well, I did for the stories based on my parents’ choices. The one for my sister went in a slightly different direction (I’ll get to that at a later date).
Anyway, here is the first of my After Ever After stories written for my dad and using The Sorcerer’s Apprentice as the jumping off point.
Does The Sorcerer’s Apprentice count as a fairy tale? If you’re thinking of the Nicholas Cage film, then probably not; but Disney’s animation of the piece of music by Paul Dukas most certainly does. Dukas wrote the music as a symphonic poem (basically music that tells a story). The story itself was…
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The Continuing Story of Inez Garza
Divided loyalties test Inez Garza. The infamous incident at the Academy of Natural Studies has forced her to work for the King’s Men while continuing to serve the hidden market. Supporting Birthright furthers the cause of Magical Return, but the cost may be the fall of the royal house and losing Zavier forever. And the … Continue reading The Continuing Story of Inez Garza
Early Happy Holidays
Dear FF Readers, The last weeks of the year are running by and like everyone else I have a lot on my plate to include putting the finishing touches on my upcoming book, A Noble's Path. So I want to take the opportunity to wish all my readers a happy and healthy end of the … Continue reading Early Happy Holidays
Interview with me by Ari Meghlen!
Dear FF Readers, I was recently interviewed by one of my favorite bloggers, Ari Meghlen. Check it out HERE and also an interview of her on my sister site, Books by I.L. Cruz. ENJOY!
Reader Blind Date
Hey FF Readers! Happy Valentine’s Day! Reading a new book by a new author is like going on a blind date. You’re taking a chance on love. But you don’t always want to commit to a full meal, or in this case a full-length novel. Why not try appetizers instead? Say a paranormal romance novella? … Continue reading Reader Blind Date
MAIAM Day
Hey FF Readers, Just wanted to let you know that today is my monthly holiday (no, not that) on my other site, Books By I.L. Cruz--MAIAM, Meet An Indie Author Monday! This month's guest is Rebecca Howie, mystery writer. Check out her interview and I'm sure you'll be inspired to read her books. Happy MAIAM!
