Congratulations to the Winning Authors of FIVE POISONED APPLES!

In June 2015, back when I blogged at Whispers on the Wind (known then as A Sapphire Chamber), I had the honor of serving as a part of Rooglewood Press's cover reveal team for their Sleeping Beauty contest, Five Magic Spindles.

In March 2016, I joyfully joined tradition and celebrated Five Magic Spindles's winners and finalists.

June 2017 marked the cover reveal for Rooglewood Press's final fairytale contest: Five Poisoned Apples, a collection of Snow White retellings.

Last Saturday marked Rooglewood Press's writers-reveal. Today marks the official announcement.

2013-2014 ANTHOLOGY: FIVE GLASS SLIPPERS

announcement day // fanmade playlist

ONE BELOVED STORY, FIVE EXCITING WRITERS --

A COLLECTION TO CHERISH

What happens when Cinderella is so painfully shy that she cannot bear the idea of attending the royal ball? Or when the slipper fits... but on the wrong girl? What happens when Cinderella is determined to oust an imposter prince from her rightful throne? Or when she is a cendrillon miner working from a space station orbiting a cthonian planet? What happens when Cinderella, a humble housemaid, is sent with a message for a prisoner trapped in a frightening fairy circus?

Here is Cinderella as you have never met her before, wearing glass slippers and off on unforgettable adventures!

ELISABETH BROWN: WHAT EYES CAN SEE

EMMA CLIFTON: BROKEN GLASS

RACHEL HEFFINGTON: THE WINDY SIDE OF CARE

STEPHANIE RICKER: A CINDER'S TALE

CLARA DIANE THOMPSON: THE MOON MASTER'S BALL

Elisabeth's blog // Emma's blog // Rachel's writing blog
Rachel's food blog // Stephanie's blog // Clara's blog

2014-2015 ANTHOLOGY: FIVE ENCHANTED ROSES

announcement day // fanmade playlist

REDISCOVER THE ENCHANTMENT

Summer 2015

A ship bearing the souls of sinful sailors drifts upon a ghostly sea. An abbey looms as the final defense between mortals and ghouls of the underworld. In the stillness of a throne room, statues stand forever frozen in a moment of terror. Monsters and men stalk their prey deep in the jungle’s shadows. A rose blooms in the dead of winter, sheltered in the ruins of an ancient Scottish castle.

And only true love can free the Beast from his prison.

KAYCEE BROWNING: ESPRIT DE LA ROSE

SAVANNAH JEZOWSKI: WITHER

JENELLE SCHMIDT: STONE CURSE

DORIAN TSUKIOKA: ROSARA & THE JUNGLE KING

HAYDEN WAND: THE WULVER'S ROSE

Kaycee's blog // Savannah's blog // Jenelle's blog // Dorian's blog // Hayden's blog

2015-2016 ANTHOLOGY: FIVE MAGIC SPINDLES

announcement day // fanmade playlist

Awaken the Magic!

Emma, a good-hearted midwife, rushes to warn a neighbor about the hired gunman headed to his ranch but can't prevent the catastrophe in store for his daughter.

Palli, the prophesied daughter of a king, is fated to rescue her people from the destruction called forth by a vengeful priest.

Roselee, a ghost with a faulty memory, flits through the halls of an insane asylum in search of the mortal boy who can help her save the day.

Arabella, a living spirit trapped in her own comatose body, helplessly watches from the realm of dreams as her usurping cousin plots to destroy her once and for all.

Tanza, a tomb raider on a distant planet, struggles to make a living and doesn’t need a long-lost prince to complicate her difficult life.

One way or another, these beauties have no intention of sleeping away their problems.

RACHEL KOVACINY: THE MAN ON THE BUCKSKIN HORSE

KATHRYN MCCONAUGHY: GUARDIAN OF OUR BEAUTY

GRACE MULLINS: THE GHOST OF BRIARDALE

MICHELLE PENNINGTON: SPINDLE CURSED

ASHLEY STANGL: OUT OF THE TOMB

Rachel's book blog // Rachel's movie blog // Kathryn's blog

Grace's blog // Michelle's blog // Ashley's blog

These collections have brought blessings. Five Glass Slippers and its sister anthologies make for spellbinding reads. Rooglewood Press has led unpublished authors to reach for the stars, and published authors to revel in stardust once again.

These collections have made me a better writer. My submission to Five Enchanted Roses taught me the value of editing. My submission to Five Magic Spindles taught me the heart in perseverance. My (unsent) submission to Five Poisoned Apples taught me to chase stories you love.

These collections have brought friendship. From Facebook parties to the 2015 September Show-and-Tell to Rooglewood's writers' group, these contests have joined bloggers together, inviting lasting friendships and tales.

Without further ado, may I present the authors of the final Rooglewood Press anthology -- compiled from 2017 to 2018 -- Five Poisoned Apples...

SKYE HOFFERT: FALLING SNOW

JENELLE HOVDE: RAVEN'S HEIR

CORTNEY MANNING: THE FAIREST ONE

MADDIE MORROW: RED AS BLOOD

RACHAEL WALLEN: SNOWBIRD & THE RED SLIPPERS

RELEASING DECEMBER 2018

Skye's blog // Jenelle's blog // Maddie's blog

⮚⮚ fanmade playlist ⮘⮘

ALL THE FEELS. Joy and excitement for the winners, disappointment and hope for those who did not win, happy recognition for the "Special Unicorns" with near-perfect marks...

Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

~ Winston Churchill

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

~ Dr. Suess

To the winners: You have incredible, life-changing journeys before you! You get to polish, you get to perfect, YOU GET TO BE PUBLISHED BY A MULTI-AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR. How awesome is that?! The road may be long or tough or trying at times, but it'll be oh-so-worth it. This is just one, tiny step on a wonderful, God-planned path. And I wish you all the best. 💕

To the "Special Unicorns": YOU GUUYYYYSSS. You wrote stories that professionals deemed nearly perfect. THAT'S INCREDIBLE! Not only that, but Anne Elisabeth Stengl made you fantabulous covers! And you get to decide what to do with them. 😉 Congratulations, my friends. I'll be praying for your journey onwards. 💕

To the finalists, honorable mentions, and entrants who did not win: You are not a loser. In my book, YOU WON! You concocted a story, you wrote it, you edited it, YOU SENT IT TO COMPLETE STRANGERS FOR FEEDBACK AND POSSIBLE PUBLICATION. That alone is a phenomenal achievement! There are so many paths ahead of you! Indie/self-publishing, traditional publishing, small presses, agents, editors, cover designers, critique groups... the possibilities are endless. God will lead you where you belong -- that's amazing. This is not the end, my friends... not even close. 💕

Dragons, did you submit a story? What is the next step you plan to take?

❤,

LITTLE WOMEN Read-Along // Week 2 // Chapters 12-23

WEEK TWO IS HERE, Y'ALL!!!! If you happened to miss week one, you're more than welcome to check it out here. 😊

To be honest... I'm kinda behind. On my own read-along. IT'S EMBARRASSING. (But I am on week two's reading, so I'm not terribly far! 😉) Anywhozens, pardon me if this week's questions don't cover all of chapters twelve through twenty-three. I'm tryin', folks. 😀

LAST WEEK...

I am completely LOVING this story! Here are my responses to last week's prompts:

1. Favorite quote: "...But, dear me, let us be elegant or die!" (chapter three). 😜

2. Which March sister am I? I think I'm a mix of Jo and Meg. I love romance and elegance (like Meg), but I'm a writer and rather clumsy person (like Jo).

3. Pink ice cream, white ice cream, cake, fruit, or French bonbons? YES, I'LL JUST TAKE ALL OF IT PLEASE THANK YOU.

4. I want to DAAAAANCE. (Let's ignore the fact that I can't actually dance. *shrugs and stalks off to indulge in more of Mr. Laurence's sweets*)

5. So this question was totally the first thing I thought to ask! But it felt so complex by the time I spilled it all out, I decided to save it for the end. 😉 I really relate to Jo in this regard. There are so many things guys can do that girls can't! But I totally love being a girl, too; pretty clothes, slumber parties, read-a-thons... 💜

DISCUSSION PROMPTS

Same as last time: feel free to answer all or any of the following questions. 😄

1. In chapter eleven, the March girls experiment with doing nothing for a day (and it totally doesn't work 😛). If you could have a day free from undesired obligations (i.e. school, work, etc.), what would you do (while still remaining productive)?
2. In chapter twelve, Mr. Brooke begins to show Meg special attention. Do you ship it or "rip" it? 😉
3. Chapter thirteen opens with Laurie's "unprofitable and unsatisfactory" day. Have you ever had a day that was positively dull/unproductive? If you ever feel that sort of day beginning, what do you do to remedy it?
4. Still in chapter thirteen, the March girls journey to a hill to "sew, read, cone, draw, or do all at once". If you could bring anything (wireless!) and go along with them, what would you bring/do? Why?
5. Further into the chapter, Beth, Meg, Jo, and Laurie discuss Heaven. What do you imagine Heaven to be like?

NEXT WEEK...

Next week, we'll start volume two to discuss chapters twenty-four through thirty-five! (Hopefully, I'll be back on track by then!) 😁

Any favorite quotes? If you've read ahead, do you have any suggestions for next week's discussion prompts?

❤,

UPDATE

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the remainder of the Little Women read-along has been cancelled. I'm so, so sorry, my dear Dragons! I feel SO bad that weeks three and four aren't happening. 💔

I still plan to continue reading Little Women, and I hope you do, too! If you'd like to share your thoughts on chapters twenty-three+ with me, feel free to discuss them in the comments, below.

Again, I am so, so sorry about this! I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. 💖

LITTLE WOMEN Read-Along // Week 1 // Chapters 1-11

HELLOOOOO MY DRAGONS IT IS OFFICIALLY THE KICK-OFF OF OUR LITTLE WOMEN READ-ALONG AND I COULDN'T BE MORE THRILLED (Well, okay, if I had a book releasing or a play happening in less than a week then yes, I WOULD BE MORE THRILLED. BUT REGARDLESS. I AM VERY, VERY EXCITED FOR THIS. 😍)

THIS WEEK...

This week, we're discussing chapters one through eleven. But don't freak out if you haven't read that much -- this read-along is commitment-free! 🙂

DISCUSSION PROMPTS

Feel free to answer any -- or all! -- of the following questions. (Confession: most of these questions are geared towards girls... but, if you're a guy who wants to join in, you're more than welcome to answer the questions and tweak them as you see fit!)

1. Do you have a favorite quote thus far?
2. Which of the March sisters do you relate to most? Whose personality/worldview most resembles yours?
3. In chapter two, Mr. Laurence sends the March family "ice cream -- actually two dishes of it, pink and white -- and cake and fruit and distracting French bonbons..." Which of these foods would you most like to try (or eat again)?
4. In chapter three, Meg and Jo attend a ball. Regardless of how damaged or un-damaged your gown might be, would you prefer to keep to the shadows as Jo does, or dance and merry-make like Meg?
5. Jo believes that she is "the man of the family now [that] Papa is away" (chapter one). Throughout the beginning of the novel, Jo clearly expresses her wish to be born a boy. Do you sympathize with Jo? Is there anything you find that you might or might not do as a girl? What about girlhood do you particularly enjoy/appreciate?

NEXT WEEK...

Next week, we'll be discussing chapters twelve through twenty-three. Again, no pressure! If you're behind or ahead, you're welcome to pop in and out as you wish. 😁

So, what do you think of Little Women thus far? Any discussion prompts you'd like to respond to?

❤,

If I Had a Royal Wardrobe // Regal Reads Blog Party!

HELLOOOOO, DRAGONS! Today, I'm absolutely thrilled to be sharing my first ever fashion post, in honor of Livy Lynn's Regal Hearts blog party! If you haven't chatted with Livy yet, YOU TOTALLY SHOULD. This girl is an amazing human being and has such a sweet heart! 💖 You can connect with her pretty much anywhere: her blog/website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Goodreads. 😸

The prompt I selected for my post today is all about princess fashion. BECAUSE PRINCESSES + FASHION. What's not to love, right? 😍 So without further ado, I present a small portion of my dream wardrobe... 😁

COURT WEAR

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Because I'm a princess, there are obviously tons of outfits I must wear from day to day. In the morning, after a bath and warm buffet breakfast with the family, court duty calls! My parents and their trusted advisers take their seats to hear the voice of the people. Since this a very serious (yet exciting!) affair, I'm dressed in a light, vintage dress in tribute to the dashing 1960s, but it's decked out in lace and pearls -- complete with a set of blue gloves! -- as homage to the elegant Regency era.

ACADEMIC WEAR

Though studies with the castle tutor are not my favorite, it is something every princess must do. Together, my tutor and I study maths, kingdom histories, ancient legends, language, medical sciences, and survival skills. For this, I wear a Renaissance gown in memory of the revival of the arts.

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BATTLE WEAR

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After my studies and the midday meal, I change into my armor to train with my father's knights. Ever since his reign began, our kingdom has been at peace with neighboring countries. And though -- should the unlikely event of war ever rise -- I'd never be called to the front, I like to be prepared. And it is excellent exercise!

AFTERNOON WEAR

Now that training's over, it's nearly time for tea! So I return to my chambers, take another bath (this time so I can wash my now-sweaty hair 😉), and change into a fun, frilly dress (usually pink, purple, or yellow).

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EVENING/DINNER WEAR

After tea and a fair bit of time to myself for writing and Bible-reading, I change into some even more exciting clothes! This is where I like to have lots of fun! I undo my standard braid, restyle it into something more adventurous, and choose a sleek, velvety gown to wear throughout dinner and the minstrel's post-supper entertainment.

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BALLGOWNS & TIARAS

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Sometimes, during Easter, summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve (or a family birthday), my parents will host a ball! My mother has ballgowns specially tailored for this, with poofy skirts, unlike my typical evening wear. This is one of the few chances for me to wear my tiara, as well!

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NIGHTWEAR

After a long, tiring, yet lovely day as a princess, I head to my bedchambers and change into my favorite pair of pajamas. A few hours minutes of reading, and I turn out the lights, get some sleep, and prepare for my next day as royalty.

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Thank you so much for the blog party and post prompt, Livy! This was a TON of fun to write and put together! 😄

And thank you for reading, dear Dragon! Don't forget to swing by Amazon so you can pick up your copy of Regal Hearts! 💕 If you'd like some tunes to listen to whilst exploring the next five days' party stops, I've already created a playlist! If you're interested, you can find it here on Spotify. 😉 😁

Hey, princess! How would you dress for a day at court? Or an afternoon writing? Or for a night out at a ball?

❤,

8 Elements I Love to See in YA Fantasy // Ruffles & Grace Blog Party!

*waves* Hello, my dear minions of darkness and chocolate muffins Dragons! Today, I'm participating in something REALLY, super cool -- a Ruffles & Grace summer blog party!

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For those of you who haven't heard of Ruffles & Grace, it's a fashion/bookish blog run by Victoria Lynn, author of London in the Dark. It's super cute and a ton of fun; click here to check it out! Victoria is also running a few pretty sweet giveaways right now, so be absolutely certain to stop by! (Spoiler: a copy of London in the Dark is one of the prizes!) 😉

The prompt for those of us participating in Bookish Day (today!) was, well, bookishness. 😀 And because YA fantasy is my passion and I adore books, I decided that today I would show off the nine, sparkly elements I looooove to see in young adult fantasy!

~

1. WORLDBUILDING

Worldbuilding is my obsession. It always has been, and likely always will. Because who doesn't like diving into another dimension through the power of words?

When I read a book, I want to feel the world come alive around me. And not through globs and globs of description heaved onto the pages. I want to hear that waterwheel clicking and creaking as it turns; I want to smell the underground river hidden in the castle dungeons.

BOOKS WITH AMAZING WORLDS

• The Companions Quartet series by Julia Golding
• Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• A Branch of Silver, a Branch of Gold by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
• The Tales of Goldstone Wood series by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
• Sun & Moon by Desiree Williams
• The Kinsman Chronicles series by Jill Williamson
• A Wish Made of Glass by Ashlee Willis
• The Word Changers by Ashlee Willis
• Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

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2. AN ARRAY OF CHARACTERS

Cliché characters are one of my least favorite things in the universe, right up there with almond extract and bad grades. I want to see characters who grow and change. And no, not the bad-boy-who-might-actually-have-a-good-heart, or the innocent-and-unknowingly-gorgeous-girl-who-always-needs-a-man-to-save-her, or little-miss-feisty-pants. I want to see characters who are original and new. Not only that, but I want to see them interact with one another -- I want to observe the relationship dynamics. Think Downton Abbey, but fantasy.

BOOKS WITH FANTASTIC CHARACTERS & CHARACTER DYNAMICS

• The Firethorn Chronicles series by Lea Doué
• The Annals of Lystra series by Robin Hardy
• The Latter Annals of Lystra series by Robin Hardy
• Dragon Lyric by Bethany A. Jennings
• The Ilyon Chronicles series by Jaye L. Knight
• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• The Blades of Acktar series by Tricia Mingerink
• Sweet Remembrance by Emily Ann Putzke
• The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
• The Five Enchanted Roses collection from Rooglewood Press
• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Sun & Moon by Desiree Williams
• A Wish Made of Glass by Ashlee Willis
• The Word Changers by Ashlee Willis
• Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

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3. A FAITH-CENTERED MESSAGE

I don't like preachy books. But I do like books that speak of the Bible, that inspire me to be a better person, to live for God, to shape my life into something more. To remind me that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

BOOKS WITH STRONG, CHRISTIAN THEMES

• The Out of Time series by Nadine Brandes
• Dragon Lyric by Bethany A. Jennings
• The Ilyon Chronicles by Jaye L. Knight
• The Blades of Acktar series by Tricia Mingerink
• Sweet Remembrance by Emily Ann Putzke
• Left to Die by Ivy Rose
• The Long Lake Legacy series by Ivy Rose
• Sun & Moon by Desiree Williams
• A Wish Made of Glass by Ashlee Willis

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4. PURE, PLATONIC ROMANCE

I have very high standards for fictional romance. (a) If they're busy saving the world, then why are they kissing? And, (b) true love does not equate to being obsessed with one another's physical features. Also, -- because this clearly needs to be stated yet again -- (c) WE DON'T NEED THREE PEEPS TOTAL (in other words, no love triangles!). PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE THESE POOR CHARACTERS. They're already confused enough!

BOOKS WITH LOVELY ROMANCES

• The Firethorn Chronicles series by Lea Doué
• A Dream Not Imagined by Shantelle Mary Hannu
• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
• The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill
• Sweet Remembrance by Emily Ann Putzke
• The Five Enchanted Roses collection from Rooglewood Press
• The Long Lake Legacy series by Ivy Rose
• The Reluctant Godfather by Allison Tebo
• Sun & Moon by Desiree Williams
• A Wish Made of Glass by Ashlee Willis
• Poison by Bridget Zinn

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5. PERIL & LOSS

I like stories that involve risks and consequences. Such is life: we lose loved ones, we grieve, but we make it through. A story without danger is a plot without reason.

BOOKS WITH RISKS & CONSEQUENCES

• The Out of Time series by Nadine Brandes
• The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• The Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan
• The Gliding Lands series by Deanna Fugett
• The Companions Quartet series by Julia Golding
• The Annals of Lystra series by Robin Hardy
• The Latter Annals of Lystra series by Robin Hardy
• Dragon Lyric by Bethany A. Jennings
• The Ilyon Chronicles series by Jaye L. Knight
• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
• The Reluctant Warrior Chronicles by Amy Brock McNew
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• The Blades of Acktar series by Tricia Mingerink
• The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill
• The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
• The Long Lake Legacy series by Ivy Rose
• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• The Valiant Hearts series by Dina L. Sleiman
• Behold the Dawn by K.M. Weiland
• Dreamlander by K.M. Weiland
• The Kinsman Chronicles series by Jill Williamson
• A Wish Made of Glass by Ashlee Willis
• Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

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6. CAPTIVATING DICTION

An author's writing voice should be like a vortex that inhales its readers without a chance for them to even scream. Of course, each writer's voice is different (I wrote a post on that just last month; check it out!). But through plenty of practice and experience, even the writer with the dullest style can transform it into a sharp, beautiful weapon.

BOOKS WITH ENCHANTING WORDS

• The Out of Time series by Nadine Brandes
• The Unblemished series by Sara Ella
• The Gliding Lands series by Deanna Fugett
• Dragon Lyric by Bethany A. Jennings
• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
• Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• The Blades of Acktar series by Tricia Mingerink
• Sweet Remembrance by Emily Ann Putzke
• The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
• The Long Lake Legacy by Ivy Rose
• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• A Wish Made of Glass by Ashlee Willis
• The Word Changers by Ashlee Willis
• Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

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7. HISTORY

I like a story that mentions the world's history. Whether the historical references be to a famed, fictional king or an epic battle, it shows off the author's worldbuilding, and oftentimes serves as a method of foreshadowing.

BOOKS WITH FICTIONAL, HISTORICAL REFERENCES

• The Firethorn Chronicles series by Lea Doué
• The Annals of Lystra series by Robin Hardy
• The Latter Annals of Lystra series by Robin Hardy
• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
• Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
• The Two Princesses of Bamarre series by Gail Carson Levine
• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• A Branch of Silver, a Branch of Gold by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
• The Tales of Goldstone Wood series by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
• The Blood of Kings series by Jill Williamson

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8. MYTHICAL CREATURES

Who doesn't love snuggles with a cuddly creature? That's all, folks.

BOOKS WITH PLENTY OF MAGICAL, ANIMAL FRIENDS

• The Firethorn Chronicles by Lea Doué
• The Companions Quartet series by Julia Golding
• The Ilyon Chronicles series by Jaye L. Knight
• Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
• The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• The Word Changers by Ashlee Willis
• Poison by Bridget Zinn

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Don't forget to go enter the giveaways on Ruffles & Grace!

What are your favorite story elements? Are there any more books you think should be added to these lists?

❤,

Post banner background image
recovered from Pixabay.
Other blog party images
provided by Victoria Lynn.