Creatively Green is the blog of freelance writer, avid crafter, and La Mamma Verde (the green mom), Wenona Napolitano.
This blog features everything about her creatively green life from green crafting to eco-gardening, green parenting and green living in general.
You will also find articles on writing, being a mom writer, and see guest posts from authors.
Full of green musings, eco-product reviews, book notes, eco-friendly crafts and so much more.
I'm Stella Dale, a romantic fantasy author hailing from the enchanting South. Nestled in Mississippi, I weave tales of love, magic, and adventure. Though I'm immersed in my whimsical world most of the time, my Southern roots keep me anchored to the delights of country cooking. However, with my busy writing schedule, I've had to adapt by creating faster, yet equally delicious meals.
Today, I’m thrilled to share one of my favorite quick recipes: Hot Chicken Salad. This dish is a delightful blend of savory and crunchy, perfect for those days when you crave comfort food but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Hot Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients––
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup diced celery
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken breast
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crushed potato chips
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Spray a 13 by 9 in. baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, celery, almonds, salt, pepper, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and cheese.
3. Place the mixture in the prepared baking dish and spread the crushed potato chips on top.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly.
5. For a perfect finish, serve on a croissant and toast in the air fryer for a few minutes.
For a lighter version, you can substitute mayo with plain Greek yogurt, use reduced fat cheese, and omit the potato chips.
Happy cooking, and may your meals be as delightful as the stories you read!
With love,
Stella
Realm of Dreams and Destiny
Entwined Hearts Series
Book One
Stella Dale
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Publisher: War of Hearts Publishing
Date of Publication: July 22, 2024
ASIN: B0CW19LW6S
Number of pages: 365
Word Count: 102,000+
Cover Artist: War of Hearts Publishing
Tagline: They were bound by destiny long before their hearts were entwined…
Book Description:
They were bound by destiny long before their hearts were entwined…
Aralin's life is a complex web woven with delicate threads of secrets and destinies. Born into a world where supernatural creatures are hunted, she hides a dangerous reality.
She is not human.
As a princess and pawn in the royal games of power, she finds herself betrothed to the emperor’s son. Yet, her heart beats for another––a warrior in the emperor’s army, a commoner unaware of her true identity.
Just as her world teeters on the brink of disaster, a mysterious vigilante enters her life, his dark allure tempting her toward rebellion against the oppressive emperor. His charm is undeniable, and his cause justified. With each encounter, their fates become increasingly intertwined.
Caught between two men who awaken different desires within her, Aralin struggles with conflicting feelings of duty and desire. However, a new obstacle arises in the form of an ancient prophecy. As signs of the prophecy reveal themselves, Aralin must make a difficult decision: surrender to the expectations placed upon her by others, or fight for her own fate?
She was, in every way, an
enigma––a beautiful witch who appeared from the shadows, capturing my heart and
imagination. And leaving me forever changed.
The witch with chestnut hair
and vibrant green eyes has been appearing to me for five years. Each visit is
our shared secret, a hidden world that unfolds within the confines of the
empire grounds. She meets me in the courtyard, gardens, and stable, always
under the veil of secrecy.
She believes I’m a knight in
the emperor’s service because it’s what I’ve allowed her to believe. Perhaps
it’s the way she often finds me in training, always clad in golden armor. Or
maybe it’s the way I carry myself with the discipline and bearing of a soldier.
In her eyes, I see a mixture
of curiosity and innocence. It’s a wonder that the harsh realities of our
worlds have not marred what we share. She speaks to me of her life, her dreams,
her fears. But never once has she asked about my lineage. Never once has she
voiced suspicions that I’m more than what I appear to be.
To her, I’m a knight. Not the
crown prince. Not the heir to the empire. There’s a simplicity in that
identity, a freedom that allows me to be someone other than the person everyone
else expects me to be. With her, I’m not burdened by the weight of the crown,
the expectations of an empire or the gaze of a demanding father.
Our conversations meander
through topics both mundane and magical. She speaks of her world, a place of
beauty and enchantment, so different from the structured life I lead. Her tales
are a balm to my soul, providing a respite from the rigors of my princely
duties.
Yet with each visit, a part
of me aches with the guilt of deception. I long to tell her the truth and
reveal who I am, but fear holds me back. I’m afraid of losing the connection
and bond we share. The truth could tear us apart. I don’t know how I might cope
with losing her and what we have. So I remain silent, cherishing each moment we
have, living in the stolen time of our secret encounters.
In her presence, I find a
peace I never knew I needed. It’s a connection that transcends the boundaries
of our respective worlds. As the crown prince and future emperor, my life is
filled with duty and expectation. But with her, I’m just a young man caught in
the spell of a beautiful young witch.
Sometimes I wonder if she
ever looks at me and sees beyond the armor and guise of a soldier. Does she
ever glimpse the prince hidden beneath the golden metal? Does she sense the
lineage coursing through my veins or the destiny that awaits me outside our
secret meetings?
The connection we share has grown beyond mere friendship. I’ve found a
confidante in her, a kindred spirit who understands me in ways that others
can’t. Our conversations drift from the mundane to the profound, each word a
thread in the intricate web of understanding and acceptance we’ve built.
In the quiet moments we
share, I often catch myself marveling at the ease with which we interact.
There’s an effortless flow in our conversations, a rhythm as natural as the ebb
and flow of the tides. She listens with a depth that makes me feel heard in the
truest sense, her responses thoughtful and genuine.
There’s a vulnerability in
our interactions and a mutual openness that has grown. I’ve revealed hidden
parts of myself I’ve kept guarded from the world, and shared fears and dreams
that I’ve never voiced aloud. In return, she’s entrusted me with her own inner
thoughts, her hopes and her sorrows.
The ability to be my truest
self with her is liberating and poignant. In her company, I find a sense of
peace and belonging that eludes me in my royal life. She’s become a sanctuary
and haven where I can lay down the burdens of my title and just be me.
This witch who’s cast a spell
over my heart… I like her more than I ever thought possible. And lately, I’ve
grappled with a startling realization.
I might have fallen in love
with her.
About the Author:
Stella Dale is a passionate storyteller who's always had a love affair with books, devouring stories from all genres since she could first hold a book. She spent years as a dedicated nurse, providing care and comfort to those in need, before embarking on her writing journey. However, her true calling beckoned, and she left the medical field to follow her dream of becoming an author.
Nestled in the heart of Mississippi, Stella weaves captivating stories that are brimming with love, adventure, and enchantment. At home, she is surrounded by her loving husband and their three spirited felines, who never fail to provide inspiration and entertainment. When she's not crafting characters and worlds, she loves to embark on international travels, immerse herself in different cultures and landscapes, and satisfy her insatiable curiosity for life's endless tales.
You’re snuggled up in your bed, blanket pulled over your shoulders, eyes shut tight - and here it comes... Ahh hello there, old friend. Now that we’re alone and it’s nice and quiet, let’s chat.
There is it… it’s the voice. Darn it! Now the wheels in your head are spinning. Inspiring ideas and possibilities race from your heart to your brain. Could I really do the things this voice is telling me? Will it ever just be quiet so I can get a little shut-eye? Sheesh!
Every night when my surroundings are finally silent the voice is at its loudest. In my younger years, it had me envisioning myself as an adventurer, archaeologist, extraordinaire. My dreams would begin with the theme song to Indiana Jones. With my crazy Rod Stewart hair (it was the 80s and I was a serious tomboy) poking out of a dusty brown fedora, I navigated my way through ancient ruins in a foreign land.
On some nights I played the role of a wise wizard soaring over a mystical forest on a beautiful giant bird. When the Indiana Jones dreams intermingled with the wizard dreams, things would get awesome!
Walt Disney was the embodiment of manifesting a dream into reality - listening to that call and believing in it with every ounce of his being. Can you imagine what the world would be like if he acted on self-doubt? No Disneyland? No happiest place on earth? No classic tales spun into the animated movies we adored as children? I keep this quote of his on a wall in my house so my kids see it every day…
“When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.”
We all receive that call. It is the reason I write. I grew up feeling sort of lost; like a leaf blowing aimlessly in the wind. The archeology thing did not pan out because the wizards always got in the way.
After years of adventures playing in my mind like a movie, it was time to listen to my heart and finally start writing them down.
What is your inner voice telling you? I know it sounds silly. I’m not referring to the chatter – “why are hobbit feet hairy?”, “What makes doughnuts so darn tasty?” “I wonder if hobbits would eat donuts… mmm donuts… now I’m hungry…” you get the idea. I am talking about the strongest voice - that voice that has a feeling of joy attached to it. The voice that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and brings you a sense of comfort. Even in your darkest hours when all feels hopeless.
Taking those moments of silence to listen to the call will lead you to your purpose.
~ Listen to your own voice, your own soul, too many people listen to the noise of the world, instead of themselves. Deep inside, you know your path, let no one decide that for you.
Quest for Copia
John William Drake
Book Two
E.P. Bellows
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Publisher: Azra’s Pith books
Date of Publication: 11/1/24
ISBN: 979-8865821205
ASIN: B0CLJ2BQDP
Number of pages: 197
Word Count: 38,000
Tagline: Join John William Drake and his friends on their Quest for the Lost City of Copia… but beware, something evil lurks in the shadows.
Book Description:
John William Drake believed there was something special about the medallion Celeste found. It chimed and sparkled in the sunlight. He was right; the medallion was from Copia, a lost city masked in time. Legendary tales were repeated of a golden city inhabited by Empyrean Wizards until it was plagued by dark sorcery when a meager fledgling magician by the name of Imperious the Great wandered in.
Some did not believe the city ever existed; others who knew better wanted it to stay lost. How did it all start? How would it end? The answer simmered for hundreds of years waiting for the right moment to escape.
John and Celeste were more than ready for another adventure. The journey to Copia was also a search for his missing father. They were unaware of just how dangerous their quest was until it was too late. The medallion’s power could bring the lost city to life again, unlocking the dark past dormant within its walls. The young explorers were in the middle of a battle of ancient sorcery that could end with an evil capable of destroying the realm and they held the key.
~The Copian Mediallion is
discovered after being buried for years by layers of the realm.
Come on, wings! Don't fail me!" Gusts of wind blew the
little bird in all directions. Her vivid red feathers stole the sun’s beams
from the sky.
This was not an ordinary bird. This was a young Empyrean
wizard named Celeste. Empyrean wizards lived in an extraordinary place where
fantastic creatures and magic were a part of every day. All Empyrean Wizards
have a bird form appropriately coordinated with their personality. This
particular Empyrean was fearless and kind. She also had a knack for finding
"Made it!" Her small but determined wings descended
into the trees below. There was a peculiar tree she heard whispers about, and
she was on her way to see it for herself. The tree was believed to be a
passageway to the other side. Of course, she had no idea what the other side
was, which only drove her curiosity. She perched on a boulder next to a single
dead tree that boasted the broadest tree trunk in all of Copious Forest. The
tree was surrounded by a blanket of thriving greenery. Celeste cautiously
glanced around and gave her feathers a ruffle. A young girl emerged through the
feathers with wild hair the same shade of vibrant red.
“Incredible!” she gasped and scuttled over to the tree. She
poked her fingers out of the sleeve of her cloak and ran them along the rigid
bark on the trunk. The bark chimed a soft melody as her fingers went along.
“So it is real.” Her eyes beamed. She stepped back and pulled
a scroll out of her cloak. As she unraveled the scroll, the verses of an
ancient spell were revealed. “The Tunnel of Light Enchantment ...
Cuniculum lucis incantationis tempus sit, electi
ingrediantur. Cum tempus est, electi per cuniculum lucis relinquere possunt.
When it is time, the chosen may enter. When it is time,
the chosen may leave through the tunnel of light." She gazed at the dead
tree, waiting for even a small flicker of magic. The trunk looked like it had
not been seen or touched in years. “Hmm ..." Celeste raised her brow.
A prickly chill traveled down her spine. She squeezed her
arms across her chest to soothe her goosebumps. "Hello? Is-is someone
there?" Celeste frantically glanced around.
An angry groan rumbled through trees.
“I'm not afraid of you!" she declared. “Come out and
show yourself!”
Twigs and bits of forest flew past her curls. She scrambled
behind the boulder. Sharp whispers buzzed through the gaps in the trees.
“The moan went from a groan to a vicious roar. A wind funnel
shaped like a pair of long, wretched claws appeared.
“Oh, no—it’s the Rive.” Her body tensed.
The dark spell was strong enough to twirl her straight into
the air with one dizzying burst. It plowed through trees and shot rocks in all
directions. Celeste's cloak whipped around in a frenzy. She crouched behind the
boulder and gripped her hands around the base. Then her body lifted off the
ground. Inch by inch, her fingers slipped from the boulder. "Oh no!"
Her head throbbed from intense pressure as the wind consumed her.
"Where is it? I must find it," the Rive whispered
sharply, bringing a sting to Celeste's ears.
"Where is what? What are you talking about?" she
shrieked.
"Where is it? I must find it!" the Rive's whisper
was now at a rattling shrill.
Celeste closed her eyes and fisted her trembling hands. She
felt herself drifting into a dizzying slumber. “I have to channel the élan.
Come on, Celeste ... concentrate. I can do this!"
She took a deep breath. "Azra lucem tuam ostende. Azra
tua industria illuminet …
Azra lucem tuam ostende. Azra tua industria illuminet."
A warm, vibrant energy burst through her cloak. The dark
spell released its grip. It hissed and hurled rocks at Celeste. She stood her
ground and
Celeste collapsed to the ground, breathless. “I just did
that.” She examined the palm of her hand in astonishment.
She scooped up the shimmering clump and scraped the forest coating off
it until all that remained was a medallion with strange markings and feathered
wings carved in the center. It chimed and sparkled in her hands. Celeste
stuffed it in her cloak and cautiously looked around. An excited giggle slipped
out just before she morphed back into a little red bird and flew above the trees.
About the Author:
A little about me…
Let's see... When I was eight, I had a pet turkey. I used to take it with me on my short-lived paper route. Needless to say, I was terrible at delivering the paper. No one wanted a "Dollar Saver" with turkey poop splattered across the best coupons on the front page.
Books... "Treasure Island" is a fantastic pirate tale. I love just about anything by Roald Dahl. Who could ever leave out Tolkien? I would also like to thank C.S. Lewis for sending me on an unrelenting childhood quest for portals to amazing worlds.
I write fantasy stories for children. Yep - proud fantasy geek here. It's pretty darn awesome to escape to another realm with sorcerers and wizards for a chunk of the day. The underlying theme in my stories is empowerment and living purposefully. We all have that spark inside just waiting to shine ;)
When football is on I turn into a cookie-eating pottymouth. I have a theory that avocados are the Jedi of all foods. I also believe the aroma of garlic and butter sizzling in a pan is pure magic.
Last random nugget… few things make me smile more than chocolate, cheese, and a nice splash of vino... AND, if the Chargers would make it to the Super Bowl again - just once
Guine: I...walk on earth, if that's what you mean? The ground? Most people do.
Kari: What is earth? Like…the land we’re on? I mean…I don’t know.
Interviewer: Right…right…okay. Thank you both for being here! If it’s okay, I’d like to ask you both a few questions. Get to know you.
Guine: Sure, why not? KARI never asks.
Kari: You don’t tell me anything when I do ask!
Interviewer: Let’s start off! So, uh…you’re from…Taris? Okay. And what are you both?
Guine: Why do people always ask me that…? I'm HUMAN, okay?
Kari: Because you’re so weird it’s questionable. I’m a wolf demon.
Interviewer: Interesting… What was a favorite place of yours to go when you were a child?
Guine: Couldn't say! I don't really have memories of being a kid.
Kari: There’s a field of flowers I loved going to, but it’s been a long time now…
Interviewer: What is your biggest secret?
Guine: I once hired some guys to paint Kari's bedroom green with glow-in-the-dark paint while I was out of town.
Kari: I KNEW that was you! It took Ari HOURS to get that off the walls!
Guine: And I enjoy imagining every second of it!
Kari: *growling*
Interviewer: SO! Are you still in touch with your family?
Guine: If you mean blood relatives, then no. Definitely not. For...a multitude of reasons.
Kari: They’re dead.
Interviewer: …Oh. Let’s try for a lighter question! Who is your oldest friend?
Guine: Valid question. Kari, are you older than Ari?
Kari: No. He was born in the warmer months.
Guine: So…I guess Ari?
Kari: *shrugging* He’s mine, too.
Interviewer: He sounds like a nice guy! And who don’t you trust?
Guine: Most people. Trust is earned, not given.
Kari: Agreed.
Interviewer: What is your biggest fear?
Guine: Well, it WAS that Kari would find out about the bedroom thing.
Kari: You’re sleeping somewhere else for the next month.
Guine: Come on!
Interviewer: Well, this was a very enlightening conversation! Thank you both for being here. Maybe we can do this again sometime?
Guine: Sure, why not?
Kari: You’d be better off inviting Ari. I’m no good at this stuff.
Guine: You can say that again…
The Storm Breaks
Demon Storm
Book Six
Valerie Storm
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Shadow Spark Publishing
Date of Publication: 7/13/2024
ISBN: 978-1-956883-22-0
Number of pages: 416
Word Count: 102,166
Cover Artist: @Ginkahederling
Tagline: Cast into the hands of enemies old and new, Kari is losing her grip. Will she fall?
Book Description:
Wolf and demon born…under storm the land is torn.
Tendrils of darkness reach from the depths of her mind and shadows flicker around every corner. Still reeling from Raven’s horrific display of power, Kari suffers in silence.
When Guine finally returns with stories of a mirror that could help him with his problems, Kari finds herself hoping that maybe, just maybe, it could help with hers as well.
With the promise of a relatively straightforward outing, Kari, Ari, and Guine set forth to find the mirror.
But what they find beyond the looking-glass threatens not only Kari and her sanity, but also the world she loves.
Suddenly a hand shot out of the wall
ahead of her, giving her no time to react or slow her pace as it grabbed her
shoulder. Kari pulled at the fingers, tugging at their grasp, trying to hurry.
She had to escape the damn water!
Lightning
sparked along her claws. She raised her hand to attack again, intending to cut
the fingers right off of her.
A familiar voice growled, “Do it
and we’re dead.”
Kari
froze long enough for the hand to pull her straight into the wall. She stumbled
through and fell face-first on something hard and cool.
Groaning, she rolled onto her
back and looked up into the sweat-dotted, strained, and frowning face of Guine.
Above him hung a ceiling of some kind of jagged, translucent, blue rock.
“Why
did you stop?” he demanded rather angrily. “I said we had to keep moving,
didn’t I?”
For
a moment Kari thought she was still waiting for the water to overtake her. That
filthy, disgusting-smelling, murky water. Slowly she realized they had changed
locations again; now they were in some sort of cavern. Completely dry and
relatively safe, at least for the moment.
Kari jumped up and bared her
teeth at Guine. “You didn’t say if I stopped that would happen!”
“Why would I say, ‘don’t stop’ if
that wasn’t a vitally important thing to do?!”
“You’re often unclear and
exaggerate!” she snapped back.
They
glared at each other for a long time. He was mad, but she was madder. He had
not been very upfront with her about this wretched maze, and that enraged her.
She did not need the Catalyst to fuel her anger; her heart thrummed against her
ribs, taking all of her breath with it, and it had not stopped since that first
room.
The
danger here was real, and yet intangible. She had faced so many people who
wanted her dead, or worse. But this place would kill her at the slightest
mistake.
Finally,
Guine sighed, his face relaxing into exhaustion. He turned away from her.
“It
doesn’t matter now. It’s done. But now…now we face a problem.”
The
walls were just like the ceiling, seemingly made of something crystalline.
Ahead of her, she could see an opening in the circular room.
“What
problem? Besides being in this yutemi you’ve created, that is.”
Guine
chose to ignore her snappy tone. “We got off-track. Things will change now. I
can find the way since I did make this as an option, but now it will take us
longer.”
Kari’s
gaze slowly trailed back to him. He’d said…what? Two or three days? Without
food.
Now
it would take longer?
“Just
how much longer are you talking about, Guine?” Kari hissed.
He
shrugged, not quite nonchalant, but rather resigned. “Maybe tack on a week. At
the very least.”
Kari’s
mouth dried. Already her stomach rumbled; now that the adrenaline had passed
through her system, she was hungry. She wasn’t stupid. She knew her body would
be capable of going quite a long time without sustenance, but that long? And
what of their water supply?
She
felt for the bag, but her fingers were too numb to reach inside for the
waterskin. The cavern suddenly seemed very small.
“Guine…”
“Thirst
will not be a real issue,” Guine said as if he had read her mind. “When I
designed this way, I made a room for myself so that I could survive if I
slipped up. There will be a room ahead that provides fresh, drinkable water.
Hopefully, we can store enough to last us the rest of the time if we ration
it.”
“And
what about food?”
He
hesitated. “The room…also has a solution for that. For humans. There’s no way
we could know it would work for you, or at the very least not kill you.”
Kari
stared past him. The only exit out of the cavern they were in was a single
tunnel that turned sharply into darkness.
“I
will not die in here, Guine.”
“I
don’t intend for you to,” he said wearily. “But if things were serious at all
to you before, it’s worse now.” He walked to one of the walls and sat down. “We
should rest before we go on. Exhaustion and stress make the mind do stupid
things.”
Kari
didn’t move. She thought of a time long ago when she had left behind Snow
Shade. Then she had perhaps gone a day or so without a real meal. It was like
torture to her, weakening her body and senses until she had come across
something to eat.
She
could have adjusted to the idea of three days with no food. But more than a
week?
About the Author:
Valerie Storm was raised in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up, she fell in love with everything fantasy. When she wasn’t playing video games, she was writing. By age ten, she began to write her own stories as a way to escape reality. When these stories became a full-length series, she considered the path to sharing with other children & children-at/heart looking for a place to call home.
Tell us a little about your latest or
upcoming release.
I published book 1 in my series A Tale of
Something New in March, and book 2 A Tale of Something Red will come
out at the end of July (25th for the ebook). I describe it as low,
supernatural fantasy with a healthy dose of family drama, slow-burn romance, mystery,
and (from book 2 onwards) political intrigue. The world is loosely based on Europe
(Switzerland, Southern Germany, and Great Britain) around 1800. It is a series
for readers who don’t mind surprises and prefer to read a bit outside the
mainstream.
The story follows a young woman who finds a wounded
stranger in the forest and decides to bring him home to her father’s farm to
nurse him back to health. However, when he regains consciousness, he doesn’t
remember who he is or what happened to him. Little does she know that the
appearance of this handsome stranger might endanger everything and everyone she
holds dear …
Have you ever based your book or
characters on actual events or people from your own life?
I want to say no, but then my family will point out
everything I have in common with the main character Liliana, so I guess there’s
no escaping it. I don’t purposefully base events or characters on my life, but
ultimately, that’s where my understanding of what it means to be human comes
from. Leaving the family you grew up in to build your own family (in whatever
form that may be), and life in the countryside are some of the more obvious experiences
I have incorporated in my series.
Is there a theme or message in your work
that you would like readers to connect to?
My current series has several themes that are important
to me and to the story. One is motherhood and the value of life. Another one is
making decisions and taking responsibility. My protagonist Liliana makes
several decisions that completely change her life as well as the lives of those
around her. Often, we can’t possibly foresee the consequences of the choices we
face, and to me, owning them anyway is a crucial part of life.
The willingness to discuss moral questions is
another theme as well as love and allowing oneself to be vulnerable. Sometimes
what we feel can be scary or painful, especially if it involves empathy and
caring for others. But feeling those things is important, and so much better
than getting to a point of not feeling anymore.
When you’re not writing what do you do?
Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures?
My daughter, my husband, and I have little dance
parties in our living room – or sometimes we do Bluey fitness, featuring the
floor is lava and hopping races. I occasionally tend to our big,
wild garden full of abandoned vegetable boxes and the worst kinds of weeds.
Also, I love drinking tea and eating chocolate (but I’m Swiss, so the latter is
expected of me, right?).
Of all the characters you’ve ever
written, who is your favorite and why?
That would probably be Eldric (the stranger from
book 1). He combines so many interesting contradictions in his person, and he
will always be close to my heart because I seem to have equipped him with my
fears and some of my coping mechanisms. Oh, and of course, because he’s the
cold, broody type of guy I would totally fall for, too, if I were Liliana.
If this book is part of a series…what is
the next book? Any details you can share?
I have planned 4 books in total for this series
(although I want to offer my readers two alternative paths or perspectives for
book 3, due to … reasons *cough*).
In book 2 A Tale of Something Red, Liliana gets
dragged into the affairs of the scheming nobles and does her best to protect her
loved ones while also trying to uncover a traitor lurking in Castle Finsterwald.
What is in your to read pile?
My TBR pile is constantly growing, and I’m starting
to think that a lifetime is not enough to read them all. But I want to finish
the Daindreth series by Elisabeth Wheatley, and the Stormlight Archive, which
in itself is quite the task.
A Tale of Something New
Book One
D. S. McColgan
Genre: paranormal fantasy, romantic, gaslamp
Publisher: A Tale of Ltd
Date of Publication: 22 March 2024
ISBN: 978-1-7385050-0-5
ISBN: 978-1-7385050-1-2
ASIN: B0CW1BZRZT
Number of pages: 242
Word Count: 69’522
Cover Artist: Lukas Lauener
Tagline: Saving a mysterious stranger might come back to bite her.
Book Description:
Liliana is shocked to find a dying man in the middle of the forest, surrounded by the remains of a brutal fight. She brings him home to her father’s farm to nurse him back to health. However, when the stranger regains consciousness, he doesn’t remember who he is or how he came to be there.
Intrigued by the mystery of it all, Liliana sets out to discover who this handsome, well-mannered stranger is. Could he be the man who whisks her away and shows her the world? Or will whatever happened in the forest put her and everyone she loves in grave danger?
This is the start of a new supernatural fantasy series focusing on the decisions one woman has to make in her effort to balance love, morals, ambition and responsibilities as her world expands from her little cozy village to the events that span her continent.
At dinner, Liliana repeated what the stranger had said.
After all, he now had a name.
Then the weather was discussed, and the whole table
agreed that they were expecting another cold snap. Grandmother felt it in her
bones, the farmhands and Cedric observed it in the animals’ behaviour and
Father smelled it in the air. The chicken broth was well received.
Armed with a portion of said broth, Liliana ventured
to the stranger’s bed after dinner. He awoke immediately and swallowed
greedily, his gaze fixed on the bowl. There were so many questions swirling
around in her head that she didn’t quite know where to start. If he was missing
his memories, he couldn’t answer most of them, and she didn’t want to overwhelm
him.
‘Do you remember me?’
He looked up briefly. ‘Yes.’
The fact that he could remember newer things was a
good sign.
‘How’s the pain?’
‘Don’t ask.’
Liliana would’ve liked to know if his curt manner was
part of his personality or due to the pain he was in. To wake up in a strange
environment, in this agonising state and unable to recollect anything … No, she
didn’t envy him.
Once the bowl was empty, she gave him the medicine,
and Grandmother came to look at his wounds. She loosened the bandages in some
places, careful not to damage the skin that had already healed. She rubbed on
some of the ointment containing the resin Liliana had collected.
The stranger grimaced but made no sound.
‘That’s my grandmother,’ Liliana said. ‘She’s nursed
many people back to health.’
Since he lay there quietly afterwards, Liliana stayed
in the room. She was eager to talk to him more, but he kept his eyes closed,
exhaustion on his face. So she sat down with her book, in front of the
wardrobe. It was a precious, carved piece of furniture that Father had given to
her mother after their wedding.
‘How did I get here?’
Astonished, she looked up. His eyes were still closed,
but it seemed he felt her presence in the room. ‘I found you half-dead in the
woods and brought you here.’
A pause followed, during which Liliana watched him
over the edge of the book. What a peculiar way of speaking he had … Although
she understood him clearly, the melody of his sentences sounded strange to her
ears. His lips formed the words with precision, as if every single one of them
deserved to be heard.
‘Be honest, what are my chances?’
‘The fact that you survived the first few days is
amazing. If you keep going like this, I’m sure you’ll make it.’
A hint of a smile appeared on his lips. He opened his
eyes and slowly turned his head to look at her, quietly grunting with pain.
‘What … are you reading?’
The bronze colour of his eyes still fascinated her.
‘Oh, this? A collection of fairy tales.’
Another pause followed while they studied each other.
‘You like books?’
‘I do. Would you like me to read you one of the
stories?’
‘Yes, please.’
Liliana cleared her throat. ‘Most farmers struggle
with reading. While I am by far the best reader in the family, it probably
still sounds bungled to trained ears.’
The stranger gave her another smile to acknowledge her
efforts and closed his eyes.
Liliana began to read. She hadn’t read out loud in a long time. No one
here shared her enthusiasm for books. Why would they? There always seemed to be
gossip to share, and after a day of hard work, most people in the village
didn’t want to overexert their tired brains. For them, books were an expensive
and superfluous possession. When Cedi had been younger, she’d taught him to
read. As with many other activities, her little brother started on it with
great zeal, only to lose interest after the first few strides. Reading to
someone who may be well educated made her nervous. But she soon found her rhythm.
As intended, the stranger relaxed. Distraction was a good antidote to pain.
About the Author:
D. S. McColgan emigrated from the Swiss mountains to Wales, where she now writes her stories surrounded by green hills, countless sheep and castles. She writes in German and English, and her short stories reside in the realm of fairy tales or magical realism. This year, she has published the first two books of her fantasy series: A Tale of Something New & A Tale of Something Red.
If you are not afraid of blood and fancy a historical tale with slow-burn romance, secrets, authentic characters and atypical twists, you will love her series.
An interesting little factoid about me is that I was in a band.
Not just in a band, actually, I wrote all the songs and produced our music. We were even on MTV in the middle of the night one night. Probably about seven people saw us.
But one of the things that I was known for was lyrics. Below are lyrics that sort of inspired Bright Midnights
Lips to the Flame
He comes across the water, dancing on waves
Mad as Ophelia, we are the same
Mountains are shells that surround us
We glow in smoke from the dust
Day aquieces to a burning shade
I want to live with my lips to the flame
When he whispers
I hear hummingbirds
Their wings beat out all thought
Is gone, long gone
Warehouse of sand, so dark, bizarre
In a trailer, I leave flowers
Neon lights twist round the borders
Sleeping on a carousel, I hear him breathing but
He can’t see me
He says “I’ll take care of you”
And I wake screaming
He eats you alive
Feel your heart bake
Tell them you want to live
With your lips to the flame
Wild dogs chase me, my heart beats out their rhythm
So sweet to let go and roam the night with them
He lies in their midst, countenance starlit
In black eyes I swim, have I been remiss.
Never more to run
No time to back away
I will remain
With my lips to the flame
When he whispers
I hear hummingbirds
Their wings beat out all thought
Is gone
Their wings will flame delight
Goodnight
Bright Midnights
The Limerent Series
Book Three
LS Delorme
Genre: Paranormal Romance, YA, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Limerent Publishing
Date of Publication: Oct 2023
ISBN:979-8-9874880-2-7
ASIN: B0CD4FTYDF
Number of pages: 301
Word Count: 119000
Cover Artist: Brittany Wilson
Tagline: "In a world where viruses possess and dreams unlock new realms, a young girl must navigate love, danger, and her own dark powers to survive."
Book Description:
Most high school students find life challenging, but 17-year old Amelie has a lot more to contend with than typical teenage angst. Ever since she turned 11, others have been irresistibly, almost chemically, drawn to her-with tragic consequences. Her only escape is at night when she flies to different times and places through her "dreams". Her life begins to change when, on one of her flights, she meets Clovis, an alluring and mysterious young man who hides a secret.
As Amelie finds herself increasingly drawn to him, she learns his story, how it intertwines with her own and finally discovers how to live her life in the real world. Until her own secrets are revealed to the wrong people and that world turns upside down.
“Everyone, could you pass your weekly journals forward,” Ms.
Pryll announced. “And I think, perhaps, today I will pick a few of you to read
your entries to the rest of the class. Ms. McCormick, you always have such
interesting entries. How about we begin with you?”
Ms. Pryll motioned her forward. Ah, her eye rolling had been
noticed. Amelie really wasn’t off to a good start today. On top of her
intestinal grumbling, she was feeling the beginnings of a tension headache creeping
up the back of her neck.
Just as she was standing up to assume the position at the
front of the classroom, someone stumbled through the door. It was Hudson. He
was slumping, holding on to the doorframe. Hudson wouldn’t be drawing attention
to himself in normal circumstances. Something was wrong. Ms. Pryll was finally
pulled from her flirting by the fact that the rest of the class was staring at
the doorway. As they watched, Hudson slid down the doorframe into a huddled
position.
“Now Mr. Crowe, please come in and sit down,” said Ms.
Pryll, with exasperation.
Hudson managed to hold up a small blue object, before slumping forward.
“Dude’s been drinking?” Ryan laughed from the back.
Hudson tried one more time to raise his head and lift the
thing in his hands. Everyone in the class just stared at him. The front of
Amelie’s forehead suddenly exploded with images, and the lighted words from the
cereal box this morning made sense.
Low. Sugar. Bad.
“He’s not drunk,” Amelie snapped. “That’s a glucose meter.
He’s diabetic.”
Amelie dropped her notebook and ran to the door, falling to
her knees beside Hudson. She had a vague notion that this hurt and she would be
bruised later, before she grabbed Hudson’s head. She didn’t know if people in
insulin shock had seizures or not, but that didn’t matter. She knew what to do.
She had been told by something more reliable than memory. Low blood sugar was
bad.
What to do? Okay, Elodie had her phone. What else?
Jack, he always ate breakfast at his desk. Today it was a bottle of orange
juice. Thank god.
“Elodie, call 911—now! Jack, throw me your OJ,” Amelie
snapped.
Jack just smirked at her, completely disengaged in the fact
that another human being was in crisis. A wave of fury replaced the images in Amelie’s
head, making everything around her look shiny, sharp, and red. The world began
to move in slow motion. She turned, her eyes met Jack’s, and she let her
well-constructed shields drop … just… drop. The energy that flowed out of her
felt glorious.
“Jack, throw me your OJ, now,” she said, softly this time.
She saw the shocked look on Jack’s face, but he immediately grabbed the OJ and
tossed it to her. The chemical wave that seemed to be her birthright rolled
over him, through him, past him and across the class … person by person, face
by face.
About the Author:
Lexy is the Author of the Limerent novel universe. The first two books in this universe were Caio and Bright Midnights. They are two of the three foundation books of the Limerent Series, and as such can be read in any order.
Bright Midnights was picked as an Editor’s Choice by Booklife and received a Golden Wizard award in the UK in the category of YA.
Lexy has also been a travel writer and author of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland Hong Kong and An Expat Mom’s Unofficial Guide to Disneyland Paris. She is an ex rock musician, ex science grad, recovering attorney and now an expat writer. Her love of writing stems from an eclectic life. As a navy brat, she grew up in various states across the U.S. until her father retired to North Carolina when she was a teenager.
As an adult, she has continued this tumbleweed life, having since lived in 3 countries, 9 US States, and 21 cities around the world. But, through all this change, her love of writing has been the one constant. Writing the Limerent Series allows her to use her unusual past to help create new worlds.
Lexy now lives in Paris with her husband and two very cool sons.
“Writing fiction gives you a place where you can put all the attractions that you probably shouldn’t feel, all the thoughts you are afraid of saying out loud, and all the rage that you can’t vent because you would kill people. While we live, these moments stay with us, but when we die, they die too. When you put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, you put these things out there in the world where they can be read by others. This means that they have a life outside of you and outside of your own head, and that’s something that is really compelling to me. I like the idea that these amazing moments that I’ve had in life don’t disappear when I disappear.” - LS Delorme
“For me, writing is like therapy…just cheaper. As most writers are not really individuals but a collection of individuals trying to find a way to live together in one brain, fiction allows them to make a home for all these people who live rent free inside their heads. It’s also place that you can capture unique moments in life that impact you or that make you feel deeply.” - LS Delorme
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