Unfortunately...

Yep... I have to do it again. This time, however, I am finally going to write a short heads-up post.

Life got overwhelming, really fast. Beyond issues at the workplace, my school load piling higher and higher, concerns about my future, minor health issues, and so on and so forth; I can't really bring myself to focus on much writing let alone blogging.

I'm hoping to get most of these issues figured out by the end of October. So, until then, I wouldn't expect to see much here.

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On a happier note, most of you will already know this if you're friends with me on Facebook, but... I finished the book series I've been writing!

It's the book series this blog is named for, in fact - the Flame Cycle. I've been writing this series since I was 11 years old. Nine years of writing, four novels, and an incredible journey. 

Now, I have a ton of editing to do, but the fact I've hit the finish line on all of the first drafts is pretty intense for me since this series is what got me into writing as a professional goal (I had written just as a hobby before). These characters have been with me through everything - my crappy junior high years, enduring high school, graduating with me out of high school and out of my community college...

Their stories may be "over," but I doubt I'll ever let them go. No author should ever let their stories go, even if they move onto something else. When you pour your heart into something you've written, you can't step back and just move on. You'll always leave a piece of yourself with that work.

That's why it's so wonderful to be a writer. When you write, you're giving yourself to the words, and in essence giving a part of yourself to your readers. It's one of the most magical things about writing.

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And with that, I'm going to end it here. I'll see you guys as soon as I can figure everything out and, if I can, I'll try to slide in a post here or there. Remember why you write and keep at it. (: Write on!

~~~I will still be posting for Danielle Shipley's FINAL BOOK of The Wilderhark Tales! Don't forget to check back in for those and go see more information on her blog!~~~

BRT: The Stone Kingdom by Danielle E. Shipley [ARC]

 

Title: The Stone Kingdom

Author: Danielle E. Shipley

Number of Pages: 179

Rating: 5/5!

Date to-be Published: September 20, 2013

 

SUMMARY

“Love and prince,
Both true, wed rose of white in realm of stone;
For blood begins,
But naught can be put right by blood alone.”

One thoughtless act is all it takes to bring the curse threatened on Rosalba’s christening day to pass. Now the princess must combine her desperate determination with the service of benevolent tailor Edgwyn Wyle to find the second half of the key to her kingdom’s restoration.

<> ~ <> ~ <>

An enchantress’s curse turns a spoiled royal into a beast; a princess’s pricked finger places her under a hundred-year spell; bales of straw are spun as golden as the singing harp whisked down a giant beanstalk – all within sight of Wilderhark, the forest that’s seen it all.

You’ve heard the stories – of young men scaling rope-like braids to assist the tower-bound damsel; of gorgeous gowns appearing just in time for a midnight ball; of frog princes, and swan princes,and princes saved from drowning by maidens of the sea. Tales of magic. Tales of adventure. Most of all, tales of true love.

Once upon a time, you knew them as fairytales. Know them now as Wilderhark’s.

 

REVIEW

Ah, Danielle has done it again. *Slow claps* I swear, she must take classes on how to twist all of these words into clever incantations and riddles! Either that, or she is the teacher. Well-rounded characters, ingenious pace and plot, and twists at all the right turns are my favorite. The author excels in all of these areas, and her descriptions are beautifully vivid.

 

Something else I want to take into account is the cover. It's so much brighter than the cover of The Swan Prince, and for good reason. The debut book of this series had a dark, mysterious tone to it while this one was an adventure of soul-searching for open-minded, heart-on-her-wrist Princess Rosalba. Danielle has an incredible artist, to say the least.

 

Let's talk about Edgwyn for a second. A lot of research was put into this, I'm certain, regarding Edgwyn Wyle's love for fabric. His character is so lovable! He has a great love for animals and a heart of gold is the best thing Rosalba could have, given her standpoint for a majority of the book. He's completely selfless, clever, and kind. I definitely hope to see more of him in later books.

 

Another skill Danielle has is voice. She wrote from several different perspectives in this installment, and each one sang of its own independent feelings and thoughts. That's something all writers struggle with, and she makes it seem effortless.

 

She also takes real life experiences and morphs them into a fairytale, something I can see many readers learning from. At the same time, she weaves true, already-existing fairytale scenarios into the writing, and I LOVE IT. Every time I would spy such a happening, I had to stop for a minute just to absorb it.

 

The Wilderhark Tales are all about learning morals. How to be honest, to respect oneself, to be brave enough to face any threat for the ones you care about. It's beautiful, really. It makes you wish the Wilderhark Forest was a real pace, despite the anarchwitches!

 

Honestly, I can't find anything to rag on here. Perhaps a little bit more explanation was needed for a few minor details of the book, but it wasn't enough to detract from the story whatsoever. Being that I don't want to spoil anything, I'll leave the review off here. Please, get your hands on The Swan Prince as well as this when it's released.

 

Another thank you to Danielle for giving lucky-ol'-me an ARC for this amazing installment!

Cover Reveal!! THE STONE KINGDOM by Danielle E. Shipley!

An enchantress’s curse turns a spoiled royal into a beast;

A princess’s pricked finger places her under a hundred-year spell;

Bales of straw are spun as golden as the singing harp whisked down a giant beanstalk –

All within sight of Wilderhark, the forest that’s seen it all. 

You’ve heard the stories –

of young men scaling rope-like braids to assist

the tower-bound damsel; of gorgeous gowns

appearing just in time for a midnight ball;

of frog princes, and swan princes,

and princes saved from drowning by maidens of the sea.

Tales of magic. Tales of adventure. Most of all, tales of true love.

Once upon a time, you knew them as fairytales.

Know them now as Wilderhark’s.

 

<> ~ <> ~ <>

 

“Love and prince,

Both true, wed rose of white in realm of stone;

For blood begins,

But naught can be put right by blood alone.”

 

One thoughtless act is all it takes to bring the curse threatened

on Rosalba’s christening day to pass. Now the princess must combine

her desperate determination with the service of benevolent tailor Edgwyn Wyle

to find the second half of the key to her kingdom’s restoration.

 

 

Full Title: “The Stone Kingdom (Book Two of The Wilderhark Tales)”

ISBN: 978-0-9891846-1-8

Genre: Young Adult Fairytale

Length: Novella (179 pages)

Release Date: September 20^th, 2013

Future availability: Paperback (Amazon.com) and eBook (Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com)

Add “The Stone Kingdom” to your Goodreads shelf today!

 

About the Author:

Danielle E. Shipley’s first novelettes told the everyday misadventures of wacky kids like herself. …Or so she thought. Unbeknownst to them all, half of her characters were actually closeted elves, dwarves, fairies, or some combination thereof. When it all came to light, Danielle did the sensible thing: Packed up and moved to Fantasy Land, where daily rent is the low, low price of her heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears, firstborn child, sanity, and words; lots of them. She’s also been known to spend short bursts of time in the real-life Chicago area with the parents who home schooled her and the two little sisters who keep her humble. When she’s not living the highs and lows of writing young adult novels, she’s probably blogging about it at www.EverOnWord.wordpress.com.

 

 

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I don't know about the rest of you, but I am so excited and so honored to give you this! I absolutely loved The Swan Prince, and The Stone Kingdom is just gonna be amazing. The cover is so beautiful! Danielle's artist always does such a great job and keeping everything accurate to the smallest detail. Not to mention the colors, and just the fairytale vibe from it.

Ahh, so exciting! Be on the lookout for the release of The Stone Kingdom! Also, check in next week for my review of this lovely gem of literacy! 

BRT: The Swan Prince by Danielle E. Shipley



 

Title: The Swan Prince

Author: Danielle E. Shipley

Number of Pages: eBook format {ARC}

Rating: 5/5 stars

Date to-be Published: May 31, 2013

 SUMMARY

Catching her leg in a bear trap proves the least of Sula’s worries. Haunted by an enchanted monster from a past she dare not reveal, and hounded by the perilously perceptive young village doctor, Villem Deere, the headstrong girl of the woods gambles with fate by binding hers to that of Sigmund, the captivating orphan boy with mysterious nightly business of his own.

<> ~ <> ~ <>

An enchantress’s curse turns a spoiled royal into a beast; a princess’s pricked finger places her under a hundred-year spell; bales of straw are spun as golden as the singing harp whisked down a giant beanstalk – all within sight of Wilderhark, the forest that’s seen it all.

You’ve heard the stories – of young men scaling rope-like braids to assist the tower-bound damsel; of gorgeous gowns appearing just in time for a midnight ball; of frog princes, and swan princes, and princes saved from drowning by maidens of the sea. Tales of magic. Tales of adventure. Most of all, tales of true love.

Once upon a time, you knew them as fairytales. Know them now as Wilderharks.

REVIEW

*Deep sigh of content*

I loved it. The writing, the pacing, the characters, the plot, all of it—it’s superb. I kept trying to put the book away but found myself incapable. I’d be able to stop for maybe a few minutes, but then I’d keep going.

There was perhaps but one thing in the entire book that didn’t satisfy me, and that was how some of the characters’ relationships felt rushed. I understand, however, that this book was a novella and it required that small rush involved. Same with the quick comprehension of some characters—such as how Doctor Deere suddenly jumped to an accurate conclusion after a seemingly vague explanation.

Still, the content of the story and the diversity of the characters; the entrancing dialogue and scenery; and just the author’s voice made all of that very worthwhile. Oh, I loved it.

Since it’s not released and I don’t want to spoil; and as it’s a shorter story, I feel like there’s not so much I can say. Danielle’s voice is sort of similar to that of a fairytale (which is sooo perfect!) and it also reminds me a little of Tolkien’s. It’s amazing how Danielle made such a strong plot—I feel like this is a story I could’ve learned about when I was younger. It wouldn’t surprise me if people will tell their kids this story in a few years.

Another topic to address is how well she veils her truths and plot twists. Oh, wow. Within the last three pages of the book, there were so many amazing plot twists! I was reeling in amazement from them all, and when I finished the story, I just kind of sat there staring at the pages in dumbfounded awe for a few minutes.

This story is so successful in everything it wants to achieve. Inspiration, creativity, empathy, grace, and lessons learned… I fell in love with all of our protagonists. I want to know what happens to them in the future, for if Danielle has wrapped everything up so neatly in this tapestry, surely she has even greater twists and coincidences planned in their futures.

Seriously, read this book. It’s awesome. This may be one of my shorter reviews, but I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. Just take my word for it.

Not to mention, this was my very first Advanced Reader’s Copy [ARC]! Thanks so much for letting me read it, Danielle. It was truly an honor!

THE SWAN PRINCE comes out on May 31, 2013!  Be immersed in the magic of the Wilderhark Tales!