From the “Hobbit” to “Game of Thrones”, and of course “Dungeons and Dragons”, dragons have been a fantasy go-to for thousands of years. For how obsessed we are as a culture with these mighty creatures, it begs the question, where did these mythological beasts come from? If you need some distraction today, my co-author, historian […]
‘Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story’ Trailer Announcement & Audible Audio Book Giveaway
Greetings, friends! It’s finally here! After dreaming about a book trailer for years, my co-author, John Bladek, and I are celebrating the release of our new trailer for our bestselling supernatural thriller, “Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story”! We were so excited to team up with @pranicmedia who lent his musical talents for a very ghostly, […]
Protected: (Newsletter Subscribers) How to Use & Find Edible Flowers for Your Next Fairy Feast
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Joining Forces with Disney/Pixar Consultant & Screenwriter, Pat Verducci, for ‘The Last Wizards of Tynedale’
Big news today on the writing front, magical friends! My co-author, John Bladek, and I are thrilled to announce that we’ve joined forces with Disney/Pixar consultant Pat Verducci! Pat has worked as a story consultant for both Disney and Pixar and written scripts for Touchstone Pictures, Witt-Thomas Productions, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Even more […]
New, Free Wizardly Ebook: ‘Merlin and Stonehenge: A Magical History’
Magical friends, it’s here! Historian John Bladek and I are so excited to announce our new ebook, “Merlin and Stonehenge: A Magical History”! Over the past few years, we’ve been researching Merlin’s origins for our forthcoming fantasy novel and what we found is nothing short of astounding! The old myths and legends credit Merlin with […]
Looking for Wizardly Magic?
Magical friends, we now have a date!✨ If you saw my social media post last week, my co-author & I have something exciting to share with you all next Thursday! It includes a sprinkling of wizards, a dash of magical history, and a whole lot of wonder and awe. 🧙♂️ Click the trailer I made […]
Four Magical Holiday Ornaments
I always love decorating my Christmas tree, and I have a few special ornaments I hang every year to keep my tree extra enchanted. Here’s a video I made showing my top four ornaments with the amanita mushroom one maybe being my absolute favorite. 😉🍄 Have a peek below. Do you have a cherished […]
A Magical Fairy Door
From my fairy house to yours, wishing everyone a very magical holiday season and a wonderful 2024! This fairy door resides in my backyard, and I thought it would be fun to make a video and share its enchantment with you all for the holidays. The winter scenes in “The Chronicles of Narnia” are some […]
Fantasy Book Review: ‘Moth Dust’ by Award-Winning Artist Bridget Beth Collins (Flora Forager)
Who else loves magical books filled with dreamy forests and fairies? Once in a while, a book comes along with the ability to transport you into an enchanted world. I recently had the privilege of reading Bridget Collins’ (Flora Forager) debut fantasy middle-grade novel, “Moth Dust”, and I’ve never felt more carried away into such […]
Fantasy Book Review: ‘The Last Unicorn’ by Peter S. Beagle
It was time to return to one of my favorite fantasy novels of all time. Over the summer, I started re-reading Peter S. Beagle’s “The Last Unicorn” and am delighted to share some new thoughts on the story as well as this picture I took that captures the book in all its glory. There are […]
Medieval Fantasy Series ‘The Last Wizards of Tynedale’ Set to Release Next Year
Hello, friends and faeries! Just a quick update on my co-author’s and my medieval fantasy series for all of you who are following. We are very thrilled to be diving into yet another edit on the first book in the series “The Last Wizards of Tynedale”, which will be releasing next year. We’re also very […]
Magical Book Review: The Whimsy Enchantment of Mary Stewart’s ‘Thornyhold’
“I suppose that my mother could have been a witch if she had chosen to.” – Mary Stewart And so begins the first line of Mary Stewart’s novel, “Thornyhold”…. Greetings all, and a very Happy Halloween season to you! I wanted to share one of my favorite whimsy, magical reads this year, and especially right […]
Gothic Book Review: ‘The Uninvited’ by Dorothy Macardle
“It was there, beside the bed, a tall, shining cloud, that was almost a woman. It moved. It had eyes – and I ran.” – Dorothy Macardle, “The Uninvited” Ah, Halloween…is there any better time to read a Gothic ghost story by the glow of firelight? I was so excited to pick up “The […]
‘The Origins of Fairies in Popular Fairy & Folktales’ Debuts in ‘Modern Romantic Magazine’
Hi, everyone! I just wanted to pop on real quick to announce some exciting news! A few months back, “Modern Romantic Magazine” approached me to write a couple of articles and submit my photography for their summer fairytale-themed issue! “Modern Romantic” is a brand new magazine celebrating all things Romanticism in the modern age as […]
2020 Halloween Reads
A very Happy Halloween season to all of you, friends. Every year, I’m always on the hunt for a good spooky read during this time, and this year proved to yield some chilling finds. If you are looking for some good books to curl up with on a dark and stormy night, look no further […]
Gothic Fairytale Retelling Chosen as Quarter Finalist in ScreenCraft’s Cinematic Book Competition
What an incredible way to start 2020! A big thank you and shoutout to ScreenCraft for choosing my fantasy novel “Scarlette: A Gothic Folktale” as a quarterfinalist in their Cinematic Book Competition. I couldn’t be more thrilled for the acknowledgment and opportunity! The book’s premise is as follows: A nineteen-year old French peasant girl finds […]
‘Winterbay Abbey’ Chosen as Finalist in Seattle International Film Festival’s Bigfoot Screenplay Competition
Some big news today, friends! “Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story” has been chosen as a finalist in the Seattle International Film Festival’s (SIFF) screenwriting competition (hosted this year by the Bigfoot Script Challenge)!!! My co-author, John Bladek, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! The winner’s prize includes an exclusive fellowship with LA producer, Sean Robbins […]
‘Winterbay Abbey’ Chosen as Quarterfinalist in ScreenCraft’s Screenplay Competition
Some news today! My writing partner, John Bladek, and I were thrilled to see that our screenplay adaptation of “Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story” has made it into ScreenCraft’s Horror Screenplay Competition, and is in the quarterfinals. We were excited to enter this competition this year upon seeing that the Hollywood judges include representatives from: […]
New Documentary Highlighting ‘The Real History of Little Red Riding Hood’
Hello, everyone! I’m excited to announce that I’ve been working as a contributor on a documentary with independent filmmaker Molly Likovich. Likovich is the creator of the new web/public access series, “Hidden History” (PAC14). This series explores the veiled inspirations behind famous stories such as “The Nutcracker” and “Frankenstein”. Dedicated to investigating and uncovering […]
Remembering My Late Father and His Gift for Reading Fairy Tales
Hi, everyone. If you follow me on social media, you may have noticed I haven’t been as active and responsive as normal. Quite honestly, it’s been a struggle to cope with the recent loss of my father, but I wanted to catch you all up. Thankfully, through lots of grief, I’m slowly finding my way. […]
(GIVEAWAY and INTERVIEW) Charleston Author, Signe Pike’s, New Fantasy Novel Heralded as the Next ‘Outlander’
♦ “I was dreaming of the forest. This time no rustle of wind, no birdcall, no sliver of light penetrated the thick canopy of trees. Silence thundered in my ears like a band of warhorses. And then, through the gloom, I heard my mother call my name, her voice soft and hollow-throated as a dove’s. […]
New Project Announcement: Medieval Fantasy Series ‘The Last Wizard of Bretonia’
As if last week’s news wasn’t exciting enough, I’ve got something else to share with you all today. I’ve been holding onto this news for a while now, and I can finally say that my co-author, John Bladek, and I are pleased to announce our latest project. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you more […]
‘Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story’ Jumps Onto Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestseller Lists a Third Time
What a fun weekend it’s been and not to mention a lovely way to kick off the fall! In case you missed the news, last Thursday, “Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story” jumped to #1 in Ghost Thrillers on Amazon in the U.S. The book also catapulted onto Barnes & Noble’s Top 100 Bestselling ebooks list, […]
(Interview) An Enchanted Look Inside Fantasy Jewelry Designer Ambur Rose’s Magical World
Nestled away in the enchanted city of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a very magical soul by the name of Ambur Rose. Part human and part pixie, Ambur is one of the premiere fantasy jewelry designers, creating gorgeous, otherworldly pieces fit for fairy royalty. Formed with fairy dust and a hint of glamour, Amber’s designs transcend […]
SAG-AFTRA Actor Matt Godfrey Adapting ‘Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story’ into Audiobook
I’m very excited to announce that my co-author, John Bladek, and I have been working on a behind-the-scenes project these past few months. In the new year, we were approached by SAG-AFTRA actor and audiobook narrator Matt Godfrey. Matt is a two-time Society of Voice Arts and Sciences Awards nominee and has worked in both […]
(GIVEAWAY) Win a $75 Amazon Gift Card, Free Books, and Professional Critique
As many of you know, “Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story” went to #1 on the Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo ghost thrillers and horror bestseller lists last night! It also jumped onto the Top 100 bestseller list on Amazon Canada. To celebrate ALL OF YOU helping to make that happen, my co-author John Bladek […]
‘Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story’ Goes to #1 in Ghost Thrillers on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, & Kobo
I’m thrilled to announce that “Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story” went to #1 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo in Ghost Thrillers and Horror tonight! It also jumped onto the Top 100 bestseller list on Amazon Canada. A big thanks is in order to all of you readers for your amazing support! I hope […]
Top-Ten ‘Princess Bride’ Dresses From Around the Web
As many of you know, the “Princess Bride” just recently turned 30. Yes, thirty! I’m still trying to come to terms with this. Like many of you, I saw the movie when I was a child. My brother-in-law bought a VHS copy, and it got intense usage throughout the years. The film instantly became […]
Free Halloween Book Giveaway – ‘Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story’
It’s that time of year. Pumpkins perch on our neighbor’s doorsteps, the weather has that distinctive chill, and autumn casts its longer, spooky shadows. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and what better way to spend the evening hours than by a warm fire reading as All Hallow’s Eve approaches? To put you in the […]
(Book Review) ‘As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride’ by Cary Elwes
I can count on one hand the number of times I did not want a book to end. “As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride” is now one of those five. It’s hard to put into words how much of a gem this book is. Written by Cary Elwes, who […]
(Vlog) Finding Creative Inspiration in Nature
I got the chance to visit my co-author, John Bladek, in Spokane this past week. After working on our upcoming novel, we were in need of a break. Both of us generate a lot of inspiration from going on walks and soaking in nature, as do many other writers and artists. Some famous names who […]
‘Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, and the Women Who Made America Modern’ Book Review
Sex, booze, and jazz. For those of you who are fans of the new “Z: The Beginning of Everything” Amazon show with Christina Ricci, I want to highly recommend Joshua Zeitz’s non-fiction book, “Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, and the Women Who Made America Modern”. Zeitz is an historian and has taught […]
(Video) Holiday Harp Music – ‘What Child is This?’
Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope you’ve been having a wonderful holiday season and that it’s been shared with dear friends and family from near and far. Here’s a little holiday gift to you all. From my house to yours, enjoy my rendition of ‘What Child is This?’ on my harp. Thanks for stopping by, and […]
‘Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story’ Jumps Onto Top 100 Bestseller Lists: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Kobo
It’s been an amazing past few days! Over the weekend, “Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story” jumped onto the Amazon (U.S., Canada, and Australia), Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and iTunes (U.S. and Canada) Top 100 Bestseller Lists. The book also catapulted to #1 in Ghost Fiction in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.! […]
Upcoming Steampunk Space Opera ‘Yamasong: March of the Hollows’ Is About to Revolutionize Fantasy Filmmaking
When I say the word puppets, what images come to mind? Do pictures of bright-colored Muppets singing and dancing run through your head? Or perhaps, the word conjures hand-puppet shows you may have watched in elementary or Sunday school. Well, forget all you remember, because Los Angeles filmmaker Sam Koji Hale is about to shatter […]
‘Winterbay Abbey’ Hits Shelves at Third Place Books in Seattle & Auntie’s Bookstore in Spokane
A Happy late Halloween to you all! I hope it was filled with lots of spookiness and candy gorging. I had a wonderful holiday, part of which included some exciting announcements. My and my co-author’s Gothic ghost-story novel “Winterbay Abbey” is now on shelves at Auntie’s Bookstore in Spokane, Third Place Books in Lake Forest […]
Halloween Ghost-Story Goodreads Giveaway – ‘Winterbay Abbey’
Happy early Halloween, everyone! To celebrate, my co-author, John Bladek, and I are running a Halloween giveaway over on Goodreads this week. You can win a free signed copy of our new Gothic ghost-story novel that is reminiscent of Susan Hill’s “The Woman in Black” to get you in the Halloween spirit. (Best read at […]
‘Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story’ Welsh Cawl Soup Recipe
I love food and especially when it’s mentioned in fiction. Whether it be treacle tarts and chocolate frogs in “Harry Potter” or the “Eat me” cakes in “Alice in Wonderland”, food described in fiction helps to bring the story to life. In my new ghost-story novel “Winterbay Abbey“, one of the characters, Duncan, is from […]
Michelle Paver’s Arctic Ghost Story ‘Dark Matter’ Puts the ‘S’ in Superb
With Halloween fast approaching, it’s definitely the time for reading creepy ghost stories while sipping a hot cuppa tea in front of a fire. Over the past few days, I finished British author Michelle Paver‘s ghost-story novel “Dark Matter” (Orion Publishing Group), and what a treat it was. This book is now on my top-ten-ghost-stories list, […]
‘Winterbay Abbey’ Signed Copy Giveaway
Ghosts and ghouls, my co-author John Bladek (“Lost in Ghostville”, Capstone Publishing), and I are giving away a signed first-edition copy of our ghost-story novel, “Winterbay Abbey”. The plot follows a Seattle architect who travels to a small town in Maine where he becomes entangled in the terrifying past of a menacing ghost haunting an […]
Cover Reveal for ‘Winterbay Abbey: A Ghost Story’
I’m so excited to finally reveal the cover for my ghost-story novel, “Winterbay Abbey” today! I’ve been working on this project for two years with author John Bladek (“Lost in Ghostville”, Capstone Publishing). The concept and design was created by the very talented Scarlett Rugers. Scarlett is an award-winning designer for both traditional and independent […]
Interview with Dark Crystal Film Contest Finalist Director Joshua Hoareau
Last year the Jim Henson Company called for entrants to submit short films based on Jim Henson’s “The Dark Crystal” for their Dark Crystal Fan Film Contest. As a long-time fan of the “Dark Crystal”, I have been eagerly awaiting the shorts’ public appearance. I was excited to return to the world of the Crystal and hopefully experience […]
Emerald City Comicon 2016 Cosplay Highlights #ECCC
Greetings, geeks from near and far! You’ve probably gathered from this blog’s title that I got to go to Comicon this weekend! I received tickets as a Christmas present and I’ve been counting down the days since December. This was my first con and all I can say is what a fun experience! I mostly […]
A Narnia Winter Wonderland in Montana
Happy Holidays to, you all! I hope this season you’ve been able to make special memories to cherish for a lifetime. Christmas for me has always been a time of magic and wonder. The sights of pretty twinkle lights strung on trees, lovely hung decorations, and fresh snow have always made for sparkly enchantment. After spending […]
Enchanted Fairylands in Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden
I can’t believe it’s September already! Spring and summer seemed to fly by, and I’ve been meaning to catch up on posting about some of the magical places I went to these past months. In April I took a trip up to Vancouver and spent some time at the VanDusen Botanical Garden. What a special […]
‘Beauty and the Beast’: The Real, Historic Couple Who May Have Inspired A Tale as Old as Time
Those who know me, definitely are aware that I love the history behind fairytales. Lots of research went into writing my novel Scarlette, which retells “Little Red Riding Hood” and sets it against historic events. So when I was perusing the Smithsonian TV app last week and happened upon a show entitled The Real Beauty […]
A Real Fairy Tale Cottage in Vancouver, B.C.
Oh, the magical things you find when traveling. I took a trip up to Vancouver, B.C. last week and was absolutely delighted to find the city’s historic “Hobbit House”! How adorable is this little fairy tale cottage? I absolutely love the roof, which is made of golden, curved shingles to resemble thatch. Builder Brenton T. […]
A Magical Look Inside Diagon Alley at Universal Studios, Orlando
I got to take a fantastic trip to Florida during the holidays, and I’m finally getting the pictures up from visiting Universal Studios, Orlando. It’s hard to put into words just how magical of an experience Diagon Alley was. I probably could’ve stayed there for at least a week photographing all the enchanting details. If I’m […]
New Ghost Story Novel Project Announcement: ‘Winterbay Abbey’
Very excited to officially announce that I’ve teamed up with Spokane-based author/historian John Bladek to write a ghost story novel entitled Winterbay Abbey. The book is about a young Seattle architect who travels to the coast of Maine where he becomes entangled in the terrifying past of a ghost haunting an abandoned convent he is restoring. […]
Ten ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Dresses Inspired by Belle’s Yellow Gown
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorite movies as a child. Somewhere there’s video footage of me dressed as Belle singing every song from the movie while acting out the film as a one-woman show. Thankfully those tapes have been long-lost, but my love for the movie has carried on. I’m a […]
