I have not been updating this dear old blog much lately due to my increasingly busy schedule, but part of that busyness was writing my debut release, a fairy tale novella called Fairest Son!
The
Fair and Foul courts of the fey folk have long yearned for one to bring
them together in peace, but hopes are dashed when the fairest prince
and the prophecy concerning him are laid to ruin. Burdened with shame
and sorrow, the prince flees to the cold mountains far above the forests
and lochs with nothing but animals and goblins for company.
When
a human huntress stumbles upon him in her search for a legendary
predator, their fates are intertwined. But she hides deadly secrets, and
if he dares to trust her, he may risk the doom of both courts to an
ancient evil...
A Retelling of Snow White
I have a new site! It will have a new blog as well, so you come along and join my journey here! Thank you so much for all your support over the years!
Based upon the spectacular books, this 15 minute animation shows the beginning of book 1, and its intention is promotion to produce an animated series of ALL FOUR BOOKS! The author, Andrew Peterson, is heavily involved, so you can bet it is being done right.
It is so, so, so BEAUTIFUL.
Be sure to share! We need this to be a HUGE success!
Gillian's writing style has always been brilliant, and I'm excited to see her conclude her first fantasy trilogy! Behold the cover for the final installment in The Songkeeper Chronicles!
THE SONG BIDS HER RISE TO BATTLE
Reeling from her disastrous foray into the Pit, Birdie, the
young Songkeeper, retreats into the mountains. But in the war-torn north,
kneeling on bloodstained battlefields to sing the souls of the dying to rest,
her resolve to accept her calling is strengthened. Such evil cannot go
unchallenged.
Torn between oaths to protect the Underground runners and to
rescue his friend from the slave camps, Ky Huntyr enlists Birdie’s aid. Their
mission to free the captives unravels the horrifying thread connecting the
legendary spring, Artair’s sword, and the slave camps. But the Takhran’s
schemes are already in motion. Powerful singers have arisen to lead his
army—singers who can shake the earth and master the sea—and monsters rampage
across the land.
As Leira falters on the verge of defeat, the Song bids her
rise to battle, and the Songkeeper must answer.
OH do I have a wonderful December 1st announcement for you!
Behold the cover reveal of “The Tales of Goldstone Wood Coloring Book!”
Annnnnd the wrap-arround….
(Click to view larger)
Annnnd the write up…
“Experience the magic and romance of Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s vivid Goldstone Wood saga.
From Eanrin discovering the Silent Lady on the banks of the river, to
Rose Red dancing in the Netherworld, to the Prince of Farthestshore’s
climactic battle with the Dragon King, fans of the series will be
enthralled to see their favorite moments and characters brought to life
in 32 incredibly detailed black-and-white drawings.
The Tales of Goldstone Wood Coloring Book is a must-have companion for
any readers who have heard the wood thrush calling them to experience
the adventure of a lifetime!”
If any of you have not read The Tales of Goldstone Wood, you are
seriously missing out! I have been an avid fan for many years, and I am
so honored to complete this coloring book for the rest of you to enjoy!
The release date is Dec 11th, so there is still time to give it as a
gift for Christmas! Also, right now, there is a coloring contest to win a
free copy, which you can find out about here.
May you all have a wonderful December and a fabulous new year!!!!
A mortal alchemist. A faerie king. A bond that transcends death.
Betrayed
by a trusted mentor, Sylvie Imanthiya hides on the fringes of society,
caring for half-fae orphans and trading her alchemical creations on the
black market. She lives for the one night each season when she can see
her dearest friend—a man whose destiny is far above hers.
King
Taylan Ashkalabek knows better than to exchange halayda vows with a
mortal. Even their friendship is a risk; love is an impossible dream.
Then a brutal alchemical attack poisons his realm, unearthing a dark
power within him—and leaving Sylvie with the ancient mark of Faerie’s
savior.
Manifesting unpredictable abilities and aided by allies
with their own secrets, Sylvie and Taylan journey into the wilds of
Faerie to heal the damage and confront Casimir, an invincible star-fae
determined to claim the realm as his own. But only their enemy knows
Sylvie’s true capabilities—and Taylan’s weaknesses—and how to use them
in his vicious schemes.
Her fate is life. His fate is death.
With Faerie in the balance, Sylvie and Taylan must stand together before
reality as they know it is destroyed.
Through My Window
I LIKE THIS BOOK.
Things I like:
Sweet
adult heroines who aren't dealing with teenage angst or delusions that
being kick-butt and angry-all-the-time makes them a strong female.
Faerie kings who don't act like they are sexy, super mysterious, super powerful...I mean, he IS, but he doesn't act it.
Really awesome side-kick duo who are actually married. And are flirty and playful without provoking the reader.
Characters
who come from tainted, even promiscuous pasts, but have still become
good people who regret their mistakes and aspire to be something better.
No love triangles.
Really complicated villains who almost start to make sense. (Do I like this actually? It gets confusing. But it was well done.)
A main theme that honors and promotes the power and beauty of faithful marriage.
ANYWAY,
I like this book. Sure, it may not be perfect, but it was the only book
I've read in a long time that made me want to read every bit of it and
not miss anything....plus....there's a lot of mystery and info drops
scattered throughout, so it's really important not to miss anything,
lol.
Things some readers may want to be aware of....
Okay,
so there is a lot of magic, obviously, it's faerie world. That being
said, the humans also deal with alchemy that has magical effects.
There
is a fair, though not over-saturated, amount of language. Uses of d----,
b-----d, a--, and one use of b---h by a villainess while tearing down a
heroine.
Violence happens often, but is not heavily described. Mostly magic violence.
There
is a lot of kissing, mostly between married couples. However I was SO
OVERJOYED how the usual emotional/physical/lustful descriptions from the
inner pov of the character were left out. I mean that stuff provokes
the readers, not to mention is an invasion of personal space. Please,
please, please, dear author, keep that up.
Also, one brief moment of a female flirting to a female, though this is quickly rebuffed.
Anyways,
this was really well-written, I loved the characters so much, the
themes and messages were very interesting, and although the ending was
solid (yay for happy endings), I am totally looking forward to the next
book!!!
I finished the third draft of Moonscript!!! It comes out to 531 pages, 153,305 words!
The change between this draft and the last was quite extensive and I'm very pleased to have finished it. Now, I have started working with an elite small team of beta readers who are already starting to send back excellent feedback and suggestions. I'm not sure yet how much change will be required for the fourth draft. But rest assured that I do not stand idle on this project, but am always striving to improve it and the entire series for you dear readers!
But even if Moonscript takes a bit longer still, I may have some other special things to release in the next year or two. ;)
For now....how about some Moonscript art???
Art by H. S. J. Williams
Aselvia Art by H. S. J. Williams
Art by Phantomrin (Isn't this seriously amazing???? I designed the outfit and bling, but my friend, Bryn, commissioned Phantromrin to bring it all to amazing brilliance. It is now my Ipod cover and I adore it to death)
How about a mostly useless list of my favorite trailers? Okay, not mostly useless, I'm actually studying trailers and what I like about them for a reason....I notice I like delicate music and nostalgia and eerie beauty...
#1 Beauty and the Beast:
Both the teaser and full trailer to Beauty and the Beast chilled me and brought me to tears like EVERY TIME....the artistry and nostalgia of it is just...beautiful....
Favorite Part of the Trailer: UM. The MUSIC. Also, the gorgeous settings.
Trailer or Movie?: Trailer....the movie was nice, but there was a certain disappointment about it that kept me from loving it more....and the trailer is just too plain tantalizing.
#2: Return of the King:
So I had this further down the list and then I rewatched it and was like THIS IS SO AWESOME!
Favorite Part: Everything.
Trailer or movie?: Both. Love. Forever.
#3: The Jungle Book:
It says something that I got SO EXCITED for a remake of an animated movie I never cared for....
Favorite Part: UM. Scarlet's VOICE? The build of the music? THE GORGEOUS ATMOSPHERE?
#4: Maleficent:
Favorite Part: This version of "Once Upon a Dream" is so beautiful....and while listening to this trailer without a screen, I envision a great trailer for Dragonwitch.
Movie or Trailer?: Hmmmmm....the movie was good....I probably still love this trailer best, just cause I steal the sound of it for other purposes, lol.
#5: Avengers: Age of Ultron:
Favorite part: The Pinocchio theme...I'm noticing a pattern here, I love nostalgic and eerie movie themes....
Trailer or Movie?: They are both excellent.
#6: Rebels Season 2 Finale (Ashoka version):
Rebels I never really have cared for....but Clone Wars....that great show that got tragically ended too soon because Disney bought Star Wars.....that was amazing...and this finale in Rebels addressed one of the BIGGEST questions in Star Wars outside the main movies...
#7: Star Wars: The Force Awakens:
Favorite Part: How they bring in those classic Star Wars themes!!!!! PLAY THAT MUSIC, PLAY IT!
Trailer or movie?: Eh, both.
#8: Dead Men Tell No Tales:
Favorite Part: Basically the first 30 seconds. The rest of it is is fine then sort of piddles into a shrug...
Trailer or Movie?: Definitely trailer....I just saw the movie and thought it was a mess. :P
#9: Battle of the Five Armies:
Favorite Part: THEY BROUGHT IN BILLY BOYD SINGING THAT TRAGIC SONG.
Trailer or Movie?: Well, I think this sets the tone of the movie pretty well....it was good....sad....had too much silly violent stuff in the extended version...
#10: Saving Mr. Banks:
This trailer is basically just a short version of the movie and I LOVE THE MOVIE SO MUCH, so yeah.
