The Unseen by Jacob Devlin w/ Giveaway

The Unseen

Jacob Devlin

(Order of the Bell #2)

Published by: Blaze Publishing

Publication date: May 9th 2017

Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Young Adult

Crescenzo and his friends may have survived their confounding journey to the enchanted realms of Florindale, but now they find themselves fighting for their sanity and lives while stuck on the other side of the very mirror they set out to destroy.

With their families trapped by a former ally with a crippling fear of the queen, Enzo, Rosana, and Zack must play a deadly game in Wonderland, where shadows are on the move, kings are at war, and one of them wants Rosana dead.

As darkness hovers over the world, the friends must lean on each other and stop the King of Hearts from following through on Avoria’s orders: Break them.

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Sequel to:

—

EXCERPT:

Zack wrinkled his brows. “Who are you? Why have I come to see you? I don’t even know you.”

“You wouldn’t know of Madame Esme. But she certainly knows of you. Lady Fortune keeps painting your name in the cosmos. It would appear there is an important role for you in the journeys of Pinocchio’s son.”
“Enzo,” Zack said quietly.
“Yes.” A chill rippled through the air, and Madame Esme cast a wary gaze around the tent. “Now, Madame Esme has very limited time to speak to you. Please listen carefully.” She lowered her voice, reached across the table, and then seized Zack’s elbow. “I have predicted the death of one of your own . . . the son of Pinocchio. Madame Esme cannot be sure of the circumstances, but it is to take place soon in the realm of wonder.”
Zack yanked his elbow out of Madame Esme’s grip. “What are you saying? Why would you tell me something like that, even if it were true? That’s . . . an evil thing to say.”
The woman edged forward, impossibly calm given the horrible news she delivered. “Madame Esme is never wrong, Son of Pan. Oh, how often she wishes she were! Avoria arrived seven days ago, and what a mess we have become! The lands of Roma are falling to ruins once more. The Grand Canyon crumbles to dust as we speak. Avoria seeks a territory in which to build her citadel, and nothing will ever be the same. But the son of Pinocchio is destined to lead us all to battle. Thus, we need you, Son of Pan. We need you all to dethrone Avoria and restore peace. But if The Carver dies, hope dies with him.”

—

TEN TEASERS:

1.  Pino curled up next to Carla, pulled her close, and hugged her. Wherever they were going, they were going together. That was almost all that mattered, except for one thought that would continue to gnaw at his mind; Crescenzo, he thought. My son, please be safe, wherever you are.

 2.  “I’ve seen it all since my arrival,” Geppetto said. “Avoria brought the darkness with her. The land turned against itself. War wiped out the people Avoria left alive. This is important for you to know, my boy, because I imagine we’ll be here a long time. Wonderland is not known for hospitality or unity.”

 3.  “The man bowed so low he came back up with wet specks of dirt on his nose. “Matthew Hadinger, at your service. You may call me Matt. I belong to the court of Wondertown and was on a pleasant mission before that abomination showed up. His Majesty, the King of Spades, requests the presence of a one Miss Rosana Trujillo in his royal court this night. Are you she?”

 4.  A chill rippled through the air, and Madame Esme cast a wary gaze around the tent. “Now, Madame Esme has very limited time to speak to you. Please listen carefully.” She lowered her voice, reached across the table, and then seized Zack’s elbow. “I have predicted the death of one of your own."

5.  While everybody else wore knee-high greaves and heavy boots, the archer woman wore boots that gleamed as though they were made of thin glass. Zack cringed. What if the glass broke beneath her?

Wait, Zack thought. Didn’t I hear a story once that made me feel this way? A woman who ran around with glass on her feet?

Nah. 

 

6.  “Sir,” Hook spoke, “do you know who we are? We hardly see reason to fear a group of grown men riding into town on a parade of ponies.”

The army snapped into a new formation, this time converging on the entire group. Hook began to sweat when the point of a spear scraped his stubble-spattered chin. “Okay,” he croaked. “You’ve made your point. Might I invoke parlay?”

7.  "Carvers are very special people. We feel the living souls of the world around us. We set them free, we tell their stories, and once in a while, we have the fortune of shaping the future. Would you like to know how your father came to be?"

8.  A misty shadow materialized in front of Crescenzo, and when the full body appeared, Crescenzo had to squint to be sure he perceived it correctly. It had the right shape and height, the right spiky hair, but everything else was wrong: a foggy black shape clad in leather that seemed to be evaporating without really disappearing. Crescenzo’s blood went ice cold.

9.  Slowly, Madame Esme forced herself to turn around and confront the woman. “Avoria,” she whispered. 

“Is that how you address a queen?” Avoria droned. “Really, Esmeralda, I’d assumed better of you." 

 

 10.  When they were alone, the stranger let go and stood in front of Alicia with arms folded across his thick chest. Alicia wondered if there was anybody inside the cloak. The figure spoke, its voice deep and powerful. “I have seen what comes to pass if you intervene with fate today, Alice. All these people turn to dust. The New World withers to smoke. Wonderland crumbles to ash."

Author Bio:
When Jacob Devlin was four years old, he would lounge around in Batman pajamas and make semi-autobiographical picture books about an adventurous python named Jake the Snake. Eventually, he traded his favorite blue crayon for a black pen, and he never put it down. When not reading or writing, Jacob loves practicing his Italian, watching stand-up comedy, going deaf at rock concerts, and geeking out at comic book conventions. He does most of these things in southern Arizona. 

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Cinderella Countdown: Fairy Tale Flirts! by Lisa Scott

Welcome to the Cinderella Countdown!

At the stroke of midnight New Year's Eve, The Glass Slipper Sisters will present their new book, Cinderella Treasure Trove.

Fifteen romance authors have served up delicious samples of their modern Cinderella-themed stories, along with a feast of tasty treats and glitzy party ideas.

Blog Page ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Fairy Tale Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories By Lisa Scott 

Genre: romantic comedy

Five modern takes on classic fairy tales, and the only magic is the real-life kind. Each sweet, funny, romantic short story is 10,000-13,000 words in length. The stories can be read separately, but are linked together in the collection, and wrap up in the perfect happily ever after. Stories include: 

“Cindi” 13,000 words 

Cindi wants a perfect match—of designer shoes, that is. When her stepmother gets tickets to the Jiminy Shoes trunk sale, it looks like her dreams are coming true. Until her stepmother refuses to bring her along. With a little luck, Cindi finds herself at the sale with the shoes of her dreams, and a handsome man to boot. But when she dashes off with one of the pricey shoes by mistake, her life changes forever. 

“Red” 10,000 words 

When Rose brings her Grandmother leftover goodies from her floundering health-food bakery, she realizes she has bigger problems than Grandma’s daily fiber intake—a hot, young man is prowling around her rich Granny’s apartment. Jack Wolff seems to be preying on elderly women, but despite Rose’s protests, Granny’s not willing to give him up. And the nerve of him, Jack’s hitting on Rose, too. Can Rose save her business and her Grandma’s heart before it’s too late? 

“Belle” 11,000 words 

Belle’s father is sidelined by a stroke, and she’s determined to save his job as a master carpenter for the mysterious Prince Maxim. Despite her training, completing work on the Prince’s library is harder than she imagined, with the elusive prince watching her every move from the shadows. Belle’s intrigued by the intelligent, kind man who won’t let himself be seen. Is Belle the one to help him move beyond his painful past? 

“Snow” 11,000 words 

Shawna White wants nothing more than to land a role in a musical, but she’s running out of cash while she chases her dream. Her stepmother, Veronica Midas, suggests she take a nanny job for the rich man she’s trying to land, and Shawna finds herself in charge of seven kids. But Veronica didn’t realize Shawna would be living there, enchanting Jeremy and his children. Now Veronica will do whatever it takes to win her man. 

“Goldie” 12,000 words 

Goldie Lockston isn’t exactly homeless; she’s just a struggling artist who crashes with friends. When her pal asks her to take over vacation dog-sitting duties for a wealthy client in Grimm Towers, Goldie decides it wouldn’t hurt to move in for the week. But she wasn’t counting on being discovered when Blake Behr comes home early. Or posing as his girlfriend. Or having feelings for this grumpy, wealthy lawyer who’s unlike her in every way. 

You might also enjoy Lisa's previous volumes of Flirts! collections, including Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories, Beach Flirts!, Holiday Flirts!, Wedding Flirts!, More Flirts!, Reunion Flirts! and Fairy Tale Flirts 2! Look for Office Flirts! collection in fall 2013 and check out her Willowdale Romance series.

Cindi Midas could still smell bleach and latex on her hands as she rode the elevator to her apartment. Coming home to posh Grimm Towers from her early morning cleaning job at the Castle Hotel was always embarrassing. Most people probably assumed she was the hired help as she rode the ornate elevator to the 55th floor where she lived with her stepmother. But since she didn’t pay Cindi for cleaning their apartment, technically, she wasn’t the hired help; she was the free-room-and-board help. Luckily, Cindi was a horrible cook or her stepmother would probably have her doing that, too. 

It was just before noon and she let herself in the door, desperate for a shower and a change of clothes. Once she got her party planning business off the ground, she’d burn her pale pink polyester uniform and move out. She kicked off her shoes and wandered into the kitchen. 

Her stepmother and stepsister sat at the table, the chandelier twinkling overhead. “Sorry, Cindi. You missed breakfast,” her stepsister, Gloria, said, shoving a croissant in her mouth. 

“I ate when I got up at four this morning.” She opened the fridge and grabbed a yogurt. “This is lunch.”

Her stepmother, Hildy, splayed three golden tickets in her hand at the table. “Forget food, look what Mother got! I’ve been waiting until you got home, Cindi.”

Cindi dropped her spoon. “Impossible,” she whispered, while Gloria clapped and rushed over to hug her mother. 

Once the shock wore off, Cindi practically squealed. “I can’t believe we’re going to the Jiminy Shoe trunk sale today!” Maybe wishes really do come true, she thought, fully aware it was a shallow-as-a-puddle wish, but damn it, she was meant to live in designer wear. Her christening gown had been couture from the looks of the pictures in her old photo album. But that was then. Long before Hildy wriggled her way into her father’s life. 

However, Cindi could find some forgiveness in her heart with one of those tickets. The Jiminy Shoe trunk sale was the most exclusive sale in New Royalton and she’d never been to it. Sure, she’d dreamed of going, making lists in her head of all the shoes she’d buy if she won the lottery; or if her father had set up a trust fund for her instead of leaving it all to her stepmother. 

Oh, she had real, responsible dreams, too: a successful party planning business, moving out, and finding love someday. But her shallow, greedy dreams glittered with the latest shoes and clothes and cosmetics. A pair of Jiminy Shoes was at the top of her list. Every self-respecting twenty-something-fashionista-wanna-be deserved a pair. And for a moment, while wearing those shoes, maybe she could imagine the life she would have led if her parents hadn’t died. Surely, they would have bought her Jiminies.

Gloria had given her a hand-me-down pair that didn’t fit her. Cindi kept them on a shelf in her bedroom because she enjoyed looking at them, and occasionally stroking the luscious, buttery leather. Finally, she’d have a pair of her own. Luckily, she had a few hundred dollars saved. She practically purred like a cat licking its chops before devouring a plate of tuna.

Her stepmother blinked at her. “Oh, no. I’m sorry, Cindi. You misunderstood. I’m not bringing you.”

MoB

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The Witching Hour Collection

The Witching Hour Collection

by Various Authors

Release Date: November 30th 2015

Good witch. Bad witch. White magic. Black magic. Kitchen magic. Pick your potion. Ready for Halloween? The authors of the Blazing Indie Collective, who brought you the Falling in Deep Collection, are brewing up something new. Check out all the novellas in The Witching Hour Collection coming October 2015:

Melanie Karsak: Witch Wood

Claire C. Riley: Raven's Cove

Eli Constant: Sleeping in the Forest of Shadows

Elizabeth Watasin: Charm School: The Wrecking Faerie

Erin Hayes: I'd Rather be a Witch

Carrie Wells: Playing with Magic

Evan Winters: The Witch of Bracken’s Hollow

Minerva Lee: Spun Gold

Blaire Edens: The Witch of Roan Mountain

Poppy Lawless: The Cupcake Witch

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LIMITED EDITION BOX SET! 

This collection will be available until the end of the year only!

The Cupcake Witch by Poppy Lawless

HOLDING THE WHISK TIGHTLY, I swirled the pale-yellow batter around the bowl, the sweet scents of vanilla, brown sugar, and bitter dark chocolate perfuming the air. Even though it was a cool autumn morning, the heat from the oven made the kitchen feel toasty warm. I’d been baking all morning: expresso mini cupcakes with cappuccino flavored frosting, matcha green tea macaroons, and strawberry rhubarb coffee cake. The kitchen smelled divine. Now, with a pot of coffee brewing and a batch of chocolate chip walnut cookies just about ready to go into the oven, I could almost relax.

“Here, taste this,” I said to Dad, scooping up a small bite of the dough with a spoon and sticking it into his mouth before he could protest.

“You’re going to give me salmonella poisoning,” he said then sighed deeply. “A little food poisoning is worth it. So good, but they taste…different.”

“Bad different?”

Dad shook his head. “Tasty different.”

“Organic brown sugar and sea salt.”

“I’m going to gain ten pounds before you go back to college next week,” he said with a laugh then turned back to his paperwork.

Sighing, I placed the cookie dough on the baking sheet and stuck it in the oven. How was I going to tell Dad I wasn’t planning on going back? With Mom gone…well, I just didn’t even know why I was there anymore. It wasn’t like I had ever wanted to go to college. I wanted to be a baker. But Mom wanted me to be a dentist, so I was studying pre-dentistry. Now, Mom was gone. The pain of her loss still felt like a huge lump in my chest.

I poured Dad and myself coffee and sat down at the table. He was thumbing through a heap of real estate briefs. Dayton Real Estate was busier than ever, and with Mom gone, an agent short. Dad was running himself ragged.

I spooned some raw sugar into my cup and tried to think of something to say other than the fact that I hated school. It was nearly the end of October and thus far junior year had been a bust. I told Dad I wasn’t ready. After losing Mom that summer, I just couldn’t get my head back into the game. I didn’t want to waste my life pursuing a career in dentistry just because everyone, but especially Mom, thought it would be a good move for a smart girl like me. Mom’s death had taught me many things, the most important being that life was short. Why was I working so hard for a future I felt pretty apathetic about?

“Here is the property in Chancellor I was telling you about,” Dad said, saving me from having the dreaded conversation once more, as he handed me an envelope. From inside, I pulled out a yellowed photograph of a tiny little Tudor-style cottage. Under the photo, the words Serendipity Gardens had been written in faded pencil.

“It looks like a witch’s cottage. Mrs. Aster, the woman who left us the building…how did you say we were related again?” I stared at the photograph as I twirled one red dreadlock around my finger. The little building was a mess, the glass nursery overgrown, but there was something quaint, almost fairy tale like, about it.

Dad was eyeing the table full of sweets, finally settling on one of the mini cupcakes, popping it into his mouth. “These are amazing, Julie. Seriously,” he said after a moment. “Mrs. Aster was Grandma Belle’s husband’s sister.”

“And how does that make her related to us?”

“Through marriage only, but we are her closest living relatives,” Dad said then shrugged. “I’ve got the property into the MLS system, but I need to run over to Chancellor this week and put up the signs. Probably won’t be hard to move the old place. I already have a message—which I haven’t even managed to return yet—from Blushing Grape Vineyards inquiring on the property. Need to get that sign up, see if I can fish any other bids out of the pond. Maybe the college will want the property, turn it into an office or something. On the corner of Main Street and Magnolia, the location is great. We’ll probably get a good price if we can get some competition,” Dad said then paused. He looked up at me, a serious expression on his face. “You know, Chancellor College offers science degrees. Jules, I know you aren’t happy…” he began then stopped. Trying again, he switched directions by saying, “Maybe if you were closer to home, things might be easier.”

Panicking, I picked up the envelope. “Chancellor, eh? Don’t they have a harvest festival at this time of year? Why don’t I take the signs over? I’ll grab a pumpkin spice latte or something.”

My dad pushed his glasses back up his nose then ran his hand through his hair. Was it my imagination or did his hair look whiter? His face was certainly more drawn. He must have shed twenty pounds from his already thin frame. Mom’s death had hit us both hard. It was just manifesting differently. Dad was running thin, and I was running scared. I didn’t want to waste my life following the dream Mom had lain out so neatly for me. My real passion had always lain in the kitchen. Fondant. Buttercream. Meringue. Ever since I got my first Easy-Bake Oven, I knew what I wanted to do, who I wanted to be. My dream, however, had never jelled with what Mom had wanted. And as much as it hurt, Mom was gone. I could keep going to college for her, but that didn’t feel right. I needed to do something. Something needed to change. And in the meantime, I was failing my classes.

“Walk around the campus while you’re there. Check out its vibe. See if you like it.”

“Or not,” I said absently. The last thing I wanted was more college: more homework I couldn’t get myself to complete, more classes I couldn’t get myself to go to, more anything.

“You know, they also have a culinary program,” my dad said carefully. “A letter came from your college’s advising office. It said you’re failing all—”

“I…I know,” I stammered, standing. “Can we talk about it tonight?”

He nodded. “I love you. We’re both just trying to manage here.” He lifted a macaroon then looked from it to me. “The culinary program. Mom and I always disagreed...tonight, let’s talk. But you’re making dinner.”

“Of course. It’s pizza night! I bought portabella mushrooms, arugula, and goat cheese.”

“You had me at portabella,” Dad said with a chuckle. “Anything would be better than those damned frozen dinners.”

“Dad! You can’t eat that garbage.”

He shrugged. “What can I say? I don’t have time to cook. Speaking of which, did you know it only takes five weeks to get a real estate license? Without your mom, I could use the extra help,” he said then patted the massive stack of inspection reports, loan documents, and other paperwork that was my dad’s—and had been my mom’s—life’s work, “and a home cooked meal, on occasion.”

I picked up the envelope then kissed my dad on his balding head. “Home cooked meals I can handle.”

My dad patted my hand.

“Take the cookies out when the timer goes off?”

“Of course. I’d never let a Julie Dayton cookie burn. Too precious a commodity.”

I wrapped my arms around my dad and hugged him tight.

“Love you,” I said.

“Love you too, Julie bean,” he replied.

Letting him go, I grabbed my purse and keys and headed off to the witch’s cottage.

The Cupcake Witch by Poppy Lawless (Sweet Romance with Paranormal Elements)

When Julie inherits a magical recipe box, she never could have dreamed it would turn her life upside down. Too bad Horatio Hunter wants to turn those newfound dreams into ashes. They say the course of true love never runs smooth. That’s nothing a magical cupcake can’t solve.

WITCH WOOD BY MELANIE KARSAK (Dark Fantasy)

Harm none, and be ready for zombies. 

In the little town of Brighton, Amelia’s practice of Wicca marks her as a curiosity both at home and at school. However, when modern treatments fail to make a dent in the flu outbreak sweeping the globe, those who once ridiculed her white witchcraft turn to Amelia for help. The residents of Brighton soon depend on the very magic they once ridiculed to save their lives. 

THE WITCH OF BRACKEN’S HOLLOW BY EVAN WINTERS (Horror)

Damon knows that the Witch of Bracken's Hollow is just a myth. However, when a voice whispers Damon’s name at the witching hour, he must sort out history from myth, fact from fiction, and he must do so before the children he is charged to care for suffer the same fate as Rachel.

TWISTED MAGIC BY CLAIRE C. RILEY (Fantasy Romance)

It’s a darkness that doesn’t want to let go... 

'The only way for Sarah and Peter to rise out of the ashes is to first burn everything down to the ground.

SLEEPING IN THE FOREST OF SHADOWS BY ELI CONSTANT (Dark Fantasy)

Going to the voice that summons her may heal Tilda’s body, but it will also cause her to lose everything she’s come to love. And once she enters the forest of shadows, returning to human life might prove impossible.

PLAYING WITH MAGIC BY CARRIE L. WELLS (Paranormal)

Liza Scott is far too busy enjoying life in college and playing video games to be bothered by recurring dizzy spells. But she is soon faced with life-altering information about herself medically and metaphysically. Overnight, Liza has to face the changes in her life and her new role as witch royalty. But what she really wants to focus on is the gorgeous Fathom Burke who suddenly seems to know who she is. Maybe it’s coincidence, but maybe, just maybe, it’s magic.

I’D RATHER BE A WITCH BY ERIN HAYES (YA Fairy Tale/Paranormal)

Jordyn wasn’t careful with what she wished for. After making a reckless choice that destroyed her life along with the life of her high school sweetheart, Jordyn fled her small town and became a professional mermaid. Being around water suppresses her earth-based magic, something she desperately needs. Yet Jordyn can't suppress who she really is --- a witch. And she will finally have to embrace being a witch to learn the truth which will change her life forever.

THE WITCH OF ROAN MOUNTAIN BY BLAIRE EDENS (Paranormal Romance)

Campbell and Maeve are thrown together in a quest to find out why Delphine was branded a witch. It will take both of them to get to the bottom of a nineteenth century story love story that may impact them more than they realize. Can they banish a ghost without rekindling an old flame of their own?

CHARM SCHOOL: THE WRECKING FAERIE BY ELIZABETH WATASIN (Lesbian Romance)

Teen witch Bunny has a perfectly wicked girlfriend in vampire biker Dean, until a dark faerie comes along. When Bunny resists Fairer Than's charms, what will Fairer Than do about it?

SPUN GOLD BY MINERVA LEE (Fairy Tale Retelling)

Spin this straw into gold or die... Will Stiltskin is last of his clan and heir to its fortune and sorcery. Lyra, the shy, beautiful daughter of the town's Miller, prefers books and walks by the river to suitors. But when her foolish father's boast lands her in the king's dungeon, Will's love unlocks Lyra's secret and forbidden magic. Together they must save her life and the future of their love from a cruel King's impossible task....And keep the power of gold away from selfish hearts.

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Poppy Lawless

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Melanie Karsak

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Evan Winters

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Claire C. Riley

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Eli Constant

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Carrie L. Wells

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Erin Hayes

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Blaire Edens

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Elizabeth Watasin

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Minerva Lee

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Rebecca's Initiation by Gary Green

Title: Rebecca’s Initiation
Author: Gary Green
Genre: YA Fantasy

Rebecca’s Initiation is a fast paced fantasy adventure about a young girl who loses her mother in a car accident and has to go live with her grandmother. Her grandmother, Naomi, is an extraordinary woman who lets Rebecca in on her secret and initiates her into a world of magic populated with fairies, gnomes, elves and a dragon. Rebecca soon learns that her mother’s death was not an accident and that she was the intended victim. An ancient god has marked her for death and without the help of her new magical friends she is doomed. She has to learn how to defend herself—and learn fast. Rebecca’s Initiation will keep you guessing from beginning to end. 

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As got deeper and deeper into the woods, Rebecca found herself staring up into the tree tops. The trees were tall, really tall; with long straight trunks and no limbs until way at the top. She was staring up as she walked—not really looking where she was going—when she walked right smack into Pip.

“Hey, look where you’re going.” Pip said. He had, in fact, deliberately stepped in front of her when he noticed her looking into the tree tops because he thought it would be funny. He still thought it was.

“Oh, sorry.”

Pip chuckled then replied, “No harm done. Magnificent, aren’t they?”

Rebecca looked up too. “Yes, they’re so tall.”

“Yes, and look at how big around they are. I bet you couldn’t even reach around one. Go ahead and try, It’ll be fun.”

Rebecca, feeling kind of dubious about this suggestion because she clearly could not reach around any of these trees, decided to humor Pip. She stepped up to the nearest tree and wrapped her arms around it—barely reaching half way. Then she felt it. The tree started to vibrate. She jumped back. Then she heard it. It was like a low hum, then it got louder.

“Mmmmmm . . . . . thank you.” It was a deep quiet voice.

Rebecca looked at Pip, who was cackling with laughter. She started to suspect something was up, so she asked, “What’s going on?”

The deep voice again, “I was thanking you for the hug.”

Pip paused his laughing long enough to say, “You’re a tree hugger!”

Rebecca, who was a sharp kid by anyone’s standards, stared quizzically at Pip for a moment, then said, “Was that the tree? The tree is talking?”

“I knew it. You are a smarty-pants. I don’t care what anyone says. Yup, it was the tree.”

“Trees can talk?”

“Well, obviously.” Pip quipped, wiping tears from his eyes—his laughter finally subsiding. 

“Well, not all trees. It has to be an old one.”

“What do you mean, old?” The tree rumbled.

“Oh, sorry, mature then—no sense of humor, really. Anyway, Rebecca, forgive me. I just couldn’t resist. Opportunities to play that joke are almost nonexistent. I thought you should know. All things, living or otherwise, have Spirit. Trees, for example, can live so long that they develop personalities and the ability to talk. Although, they don’t talk to many people. So, I don’t want you to be surprised if you discover that babbling brook is actually babbling.”

It has been a long journey from depressed, lonely and alcoholic farm-boy to internationally known, award winning author. Using insight he gained from his own struggle he helped hundreds of individuals move from misery to joy during the many years he worked in the human services field. During his journey he also taught many other care-givers how to improve their ability to help others. 

During this time he became a practiced listener and a good story teller.

Now he divides his time between his small farm and writing inspiring and educational books.

His writings have helped many learn the skills needed to:

~ Reduce feelings of worthlessness and isolation

~ Increase feelings of happiness

~ Conquer addictions

~ Reach new levels of spiritual understanding

~ Improve relationships

~ Find hope

He has long lived by the motto “Inspire Joyful Sanity”. So, what the heck does that mean? Well, the inspire part is obvious. His definition of sanity is to understand and accept the universe and the rules that make it work. The joyful part refers to the idea that joy is the default state of the human mind. The idea is that as you understand and accept the rules of the universe you remove the barriers to being in a joyful state. His goal is to inspire joyful sanity in himself and others.

His first books were inspirational self-help. However, all his life he has been a fan of sci-fi and fantasy. Rebecca’s Initiation is his first attempt at writing fiction and the first of a planned series called Redemption.

Author Links:

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Cinderella Countdown: Cinderella Series ~ The Collection by Kae Elle Wheeler

Welcome to the Cinderella Countdown!

At the stroke of midnight New Year's Eve, The Glass Slipper Sisters will present their new book, Cinderella Treasure Trove.

Fifteen romance authors have served up delicious samples of their modern Cinderella-themed stories, along with a feast of tasty treats and glitzy party ideas.

Blog Page ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Cinderella Series ~ the collection By Kae Elle Wheeler 

Genre: historical

Enjoy Kae Elle Wheeler's twist on Cinderella all in one set. 

The Wronged Princess – book i 

Finding his mysterious princess by trying her glass slipper on every maiden in Chalmers Kingdom sounded like a brilliant scheme until the silly thing slid quite easily on the foot of the wrong girl. Now how is Prince Charming supposed to find his true love? Unbeknownst to either, his mother, the queen and her feisty twin (Cinderella’s infamous fairy godmother) have a lesson to impart—impulsive decisions, do not a future king make! 

The Unlikely Heroine – book ii 

Lady Pricilla is a modern woman. Marriage and children? Hah! She has brains and intends to use them. But Sir Arnald is different. Isn’t he? And how will they survive when they discover villains embroiled with smuggled goods and danger? 

The Surprising Enchantress – book iii 

Delusions of grandeur? Happily-ever-after? Lady Esmeralda is destined for life with a fluttering eye syndrome—a deterrent to any prospective intended. Alessandro de Lecce’s efforts to save Chalmers Kingdom and future heir are nil without Lady Esmeralda’s assistance. There is more to this fluttering-eye miss than meets the . . . eye! 

The Price of Scorn – book iv 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0103IA1IE 

Fourteen years after Prince Charming and Cinderella are crowned as King and Queen of Chalmers, Cinderella and her sisters gather at their mother’s deathbed. Lady Hildegard Roche has nothing but resentment and scorn for the stepchild who culminates all that was stolen from her. 

Stunned to silence, the sisters learn how tragedy shaped their mother into the woman she became. The question is: Can they forgive her? 

***

"Sweetly Enchanting." – Rita Nominee, Amanda McCabe 

"The timeless Cinderella tale travels in a whole new direction." Silver James - Two time IDA Winner 

“A delightful twist on a classic fairytale.” Award winning author, Alicia Dean

***

 

Cinderella snatched one arm and Essie the other as they dragged Pricilla into the first unlocked chamber they could find. Lucky for them, Pricilla’s amusement was so great it lessened her resistance.

“What?” Pricilla choked out, laughing so hard she bent at the waist. “I am just having a bit of fun.”

“You terrified that poor chambermaid out of her wits,” Essie accused.

“We shall never survive the aftermath,” Cinderella muttered. Her heart pounded furiously against her chest. She had to get that stick out of Pricilla’s hands, and soon, before she set the entire castle afire or turned everyone into chirping crickets.

“Where are we?” Pricilla asked, swiping tears from her eyes. Once she’d finally calmed enough to pose the question.

“Some poor unfortunate’s sitting room from the looks of it,” Essie said.

“Well, poor they are not, I would venture.” Cinderella cast a nervous glance round. Heavy brocaded drapes blocked out a good portion of the daylight but for a parted sliver. Heated coals smoldered in the hearth, and an empty brandy glass sat on a nearby table.

Cinderella had trouble believing Pricilla bore a single stint of remorse for her theft of the magic stick. In retrospect, it had mattered naught for Pricilla to steal the bread from Cinderella’s plate. She supposed that could not compare to a powerful silver baton.

Why, the two carried on as if Pricilla had not just whipped up a flock of butterflies scurrying round the palace, worthy of Essie’s batting eyes. Thousands of them: monarchs, tiger swallowtails, gossamers of every shape, size and color, all flitting about, covering every conceivable surface. Sending the servants into a horrific frenzy, with the betrothal ball just days away.

Cinderella had to admit, the situation would be outrageously comical, but for the consequences of their shenanigans. She, apparently, harbored enough terror for the three of them. “Do not touch a thing,” Cinderella hissed as Essie picked up the empty brandy glass and brought it to her nose. 

Unfortunately, Cinderella’s stark command managed to trigger the opposite effect. Startled, the glass slipped from Essie’s finders. Thankfully, the elaborate rug padded the fall, and the glass rolled to a slow stop.

Cinderella stilled, breath stuck in her throat. Her pulse flailed wildly against the open palm she laid across her neck. Pricilla and Essie froze too. Not for long, however.

“Watch this,” Pricilla whispered, grinning. She extended the silver bar towards the glass, now laying on its side. 

Cinderella watched, enthralled, in spite of her misgivings. The glass levitated from the floor and floated to mid-air, swaying precariously under Pricilla’s concentration. 

Under her carefully guided journey, the glass was near complete to the table, a spectacular sight—until an adjoining door to the chamber burst open. 

Pricilla and Essie’s gasps drowned Cinderella’s. Pricilla snatched her hand behind her back and the glass crashed against the edge. No graceful set down this time as it shattered in pieces when it hit the floor. 

“Good afternoon, ladies. To what do I owe the pleasure?” Prince smirked from the doorjamb his arms folded across his chest.

Cinderella could not have moved had someone set her feet afire. He moved to the windows and whipped the drapes aside, flooding his features with late afternoon sun. The effect accentuated chiseled cheek bones and streaks of dirt over shirt open at the neck. His hair was plastered against his head in an unsightly, quite un-princely manner. He reeked of rich soil and fresh air. He was the most beautiful sight she’d ever laid eyes on. Her breath caught in her throat.

“Please tell me you had nothing to do with the mayhem thundering the halls?” Amusement colored his tone. 

Heat that flamed Cinderella’s cheeks. Dear heavens, they were sunk. If Pricilla was able to keep the silver baton hidden, mayhap they could escape any real dire consequences. It took every ounce of restraint Cinderella could muster to not drop to her knees and beg for mercy. 

She snuck a peek at Pricilla. But before Cinderella could screech out a warning, Pricilla whipped the cursed stick from behind and it slanted to the prince. 

Her Prince. How could she!

Rendered immobile, Cinderella’s life flashed before her eyes in a series of dark stone dungeons equipped with a stretching rack, or worse—The Wheel. Administered by an evil, mustached-man armed with a leather strap to snap across her bare back. Essie’s cries would bounce off the dank walls she’d be manacled to. Rodents and other vile critters would pick over their broken bones. The pictured, so vivid, had her gasping for air.

Riveted and unmoving, except for a furious blinking that had the drapes fluttering with the shift in current, showed Essie suffered a similar vision. 

Pricilla, however, was not to be deterred. Arm raised, she wore a vague smile on her lips. “My apologies, Sire,” she said softly. She flicked her wrist.

Prince—her wonderful, beloved, Prince—slumped to the floor like a lump of coal.

MoB

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