Heidi Anne Heiner's Blog, page 72

New Book: Happily Never After: Volume II of the Charming Tales by Jack Heckel

Happily Never After: Volume II of the Charming Tales by Jack Heckel is now available, the sequel to Once Upon a Rhyme: Volume I of the Charming Tales.

If you'd like to read more about the series, don't miss my previous posts, New Book: Once Upon a Rhyme: Volume I of the Charming Tales by Jack Heckel and Author Guest Post: The Charming Tales by Jack Heckel.

Book description:

Once upon, once again …

The dragon has been slain, but the problems have just begun for Prince Charming.

Disowned by his father, the King, and abandoned by his only friend, William Pickett, Charming must find a new path in life—but he's going to need a lot of help. His love, Liz, barely survived an assassination attempt; his former fling, Rapunzel, is in danger; and William is under an evil spell cast by Princess Gwendolyn.

The fate of Castle White hangs in the balance as Charming tries to find himself, while finding new allies along the way—including an odd number of dwarfs (or is it dwarves?) and a reformed beast. But he's running out of time to stop royally ruinous wedding bells from ringing …

New Fairy Tale Releases in 2015: Lists!

2015 promises many, many fairy tale related books and such for our entertainment. I've been working on these lists for 6 months and I am still amazed at how long they are already, considering that we are still almost a month away from 2015.

Fairy Tale Influenced Fiction 2015--6 more titles and I will already have to start a part 2 list. There is a limit of 40 titles per list.

Amazon.com Widgets

Fairy Tale Picture Books 2015--I'm four titles away from needing a part 2 list.

Amazon.com Widgets

Fairy Tale and Folklore Nonfiction 2015--and this is up to 37 titles, 3 away from a part 2 list.

Will 2015 be the first year that I need a 3 part list for fiction and picture book titles? Or even 4 parts? I've rarely needed two parts for nonfiction either, but that is a surety at this point since my latest date of a release is August 2015 on any of these lists--there will be plenty in September through December 2015.

If you know of any titles that are missing--please share! I rely mostly on my own searches while watching tv with the hubby since I can't just watch tv these days.

What titles are you most excited about coming to us in 2015?

Princess and Frog in Just Dance 2015

So one of our family activities during the holidays of late has been to play Just Dance. Thanksgiving night last week I cracked open the new Just Dance 2015 - Xbox 360 for the first time. The entire family--ages from 2 to 68--was entertained and many videos were filmed. There is a gag order in the family that NONE of those videos shall go beyond the family borders. With the exception of perhaps some adorable ones that don't have me in them.

One of the fun moments for me--in the I can't get away from fairy tales EVER vein--was that one of the songs on this release has dancers dressed as a princess and a frog. I'm embedding the teaser video above. It wasn't one of our favorite dances, I'll admit, but it was a fun one for the kids especially with all of the Rayman characters in the background distracting them.


Of course, this one also has Frozen's Let It Go on it, so our family's four-year-old took this one very seriously because she wants to be Elsa and regularly begs her mother to let her change her name to Elsa. Oh, the power of Elsa! Girls definitely need more superheros with powers. I loved Wonder Woman almost as much when I was that age.

Wickedly Wonderful (A Baba Yaga Novel) by Deborah Blake

Wickedly Wonderful (A Baba Yaga Novel) by Deborah Blake is released today, the second full book in her Baba Yaga series. The reader reviews for the first book--Wickedly Dangerous (A Baba Yaga Novel)--have been very strong. I've bought but haven't read it yet. Perhaps this weekend I should try these for some light fun.

Book description:

Known as the wicked witch of Russian fairy tales, Baba Yaga is not one woman, but rather a title carried by a chosen few. They keep the balance of nature and guard the borders of our world, but don’t make the mistake of crossing one of them…

Though she looks like a typical California surfer girl, Beka Yancy is in fact a powerful yet inexperienced witch who’s struggling with her duties as a Baba Yaga. Luckily she has her faithful dragon-turned-dog for moral support, especially when faced with her biggest job yet…

A mysterious toxin is driving the Selkie and Mer from their homes deep in the trenches of Monterey Bay. To investigate, Beka buys her way onto the boat of Marcus Dermott, a battle-scarred former U.S. Marine, and his ailing fisherman father.

While diving for clues, Beka drives Marcus crazy with her flaky New Age ideas and dazzling blue eyes. She thinks he’s rigid and cranky (and way too attractive). Meanwhile, a charming Selkie prince has plans that include Beka. Only by trusting her powers can Beka save the underwater races, pick the right man, and choose the path she’ll follow for the rest of her life…

New Book: Classic Fairy Tales Paper Dolls in Historical Fashions by Brenda Sneathen Mattox

Classic Fairy Tales Paper Dolls in Historical Fashions by Brenda Sneathen Mattox was released last week and it is an intriguing paper doll concept. And it offers some lesser known fairy tales in the mix, too, which is always fun for me.


It's fairy tales reimagined in different periods of historical fashion. Which is especially fun for me after spending the last two evenings in a positive orgy of viewing Downton Abbey Series 5 (Masterpiece: Downton Abbey Season 5 here in the US) with the hubby and parents. I have a UK player although I live in the states and ordered it to watch now instead of in January a week at a time. Patience is not always one of my virtues. So my brain is filled with historical fashion images at the moment. And eager waiting for the Christmas Downton special but oh well.


I have some images here but I admit I am interested in the ones that are missing--The Golden Bird and a modern Sleeping Beauty--what does a modern Sleeping Beauty sleep in? Hmmm.... What do you think?


Book description:

Classic fairy tales are presented in historical fashions by famed artist and fashion historian Brenda Sneathen Mattox. She has reimagined eight beloved fairy tales and transported them into many different periods, each with timely costumes.

The Frog Prince is retold in glamorous 1930s fashion. The Little Mermaid is a fishy flapper and Snow White is transformed into a hoop-skirted Antebellum belle. The Tinderbox is retold in early Victorian Style while The Golden Bird reflects the glorious Gay '90s. Rapunzel turns back the clock to the late Victorian era, but Sleeping Beauty wakes up today with her prince in blue jeans. With this unique collection, these classic fairy tales will live happily ever after in the collections of paper doll enthusiasts.

New Book: Children into Swans: Fairy Tales and the Pagan Imagination by Jan Beveridge

Children into Swans: Fairy Tales and the Pagan Imagination by Jan Beveridge was released a few weeks ago. I ordered a copy since it may be helpful in the next SurLaLune compilation, but I haven't received it yet.

Book description:

A lucid exploration of fairy tales and the lore of ancient stories embedded in them.

Fairy tales are alive with the supernatural - elves, dwarfs, fairies, giants, and trolls, as well as witches with magic wands and sorcerers who cast spells and enchantments. Children into Swans examines these motifs in a range of ancient stories.

Moving from the rich period of nineteenth-century fairy tales back as far as the earliest folk literature of northern Europe, Jan Beveridge shows how long these supernatural features have been a part of storytelling, with ancient tales, many from Celtic and Norse mythology, that offer glimpses into a remote era and a pre-Christian sensibility. The earliest stories often show significant differences from what we might expect. Elves mingle with Norse gods, dwarfs belong to a proud clan of magician-smiths, and fairies are shape-shifters emerging from the hills and the sea mist. In story traditions with roots in a pre-Christian imagination, an invisible other world exists alongside our own.

From the lost cultures of a thousand years ago, Children into Swans opens the door on some of the most extraordinary worlds ever portrayed in literature - worlds that are both starkly beautiful and full of horrors.

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgments • ix
Preface • xi
A Note on Spelling • xiii
Pronunciation • xv

Part One: History
1 Early Storytellers • 3
2 The Oldest “Fairy” Tale • 13
3 The Manuscript • 19
4 Folk Tales and Fairy Tales • 28

Part Two: Characters
5 Fairies • 37
6 Elves • 50
7 Dwarfs • 60
8 Household Spirits • 71
9 Water Dwellers • 79
10 Giants • 90
11 Souls and Spirits • 103

Part Three: Stories from the Pagan Year
12 Festival Days • 115
13 Beltaine • 118
14 Samain • 127
15 Midwinter and Midsummer • 136

Part Four: Storytellers’ Themes
16 Wishing, or Dreams Come True • 149
17 The Triple Form • 158
18 Shape-Shifting • 167
19 Omens and Prophecies • 177
20 Between Two Worlds • 189
21 Spells • 198
22 Trees • 205
23 The Invisible World • 214
24 A Fairy Tale Almost Forgotten • 224

Notes • 239
Selected Bibliography • 257
Index • 271

Holiday Weekend Coupon: Take an Extra 30% Off Any Book on Amazon

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope those of you in the U.S. are enjoying a great holiday weekend. My house is full of family and friends this weekend so I am taking it easy, but I wanted to share this deal with you: Take an Extra 30% Off Any Book on Amazon through 11/30. It is limit one and a $10 limit but this is a rare offer on Amazon and one I didn't want to pass up. I bought a book of fairy tales, no surprise, The Complete Russian Folktale: v. 4: Russian Wondertales 2 - Tales of Magic and the Supernatural if you really want to know. It's on my wishlist and I expect the price will go up again soon, just as it jumped from $18.34 to $108.69 for An Anthology of Russian Folktales this week.

Here are some lists of 2014 releases if you need them:

Fairy Tale Influenced Fiction 2014 Part 1

Fairy Tale Influenced Fiction 2014 Part 2

Fairy Tale and Folklore Nonfiction 2014

Fairy Tale Collections from SurLaLune

Terms & Conditions

▪ To use this promotion, you must enter "HOLIDAY30" at checkout under the "Gift cards & promotional codes" section to receive 30% off any ONE (1) book purchased in your order (up to $10 promotional credit).

▪ This offer is only valid on print books. Excludes Kindle eBooks and Audible Audiobooks.

▪ The promotion is valid for a limited time only, from November 26, 2014 at 9pm PST to November 30, 2014 at 11:59pm PST. Amazon reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time.

▪ Offer only applies to products sold and shipped by Amazon.com.

▪ Limit one promotional code per customer and account.

▪ The maximum benefit you may receive from this offer is $10.

▪ Offer good while supplies last.

▪ Offer is non-transferable and may not be resold.

▪ The offer discount will be allocated to the highest priced book in your order.

▪ If any of the products or content related to this promotion are returned, the value of the offer will be subtracted from your return credit.

▪ This promotion may not be combined with other offers, including promotional certificates.

▪ Items must be purchased in a single order and shipped at the same speed to a single address.

▪ If you violate any of the Terms & Conditions, the promotion will be invalid.

▪ Void where prohibited.

▪ Shipping charges may apply to discounted and free promotional items.

▪ Offer does not apply to Amazon Gift Cards.

Fairy Tales in Advertising: Volkswagen Touran

Volkswagen Touran: Little Red Riding HoodNew Volkswagen Touran with specific safety pack for children.
This campaign is from Spain and I find it MUCH more effective than the Jeep one we saw a few months ago, don't you? Never mind that if you have a violent mind, you're wondering what's going to happen if one of them hits the gas pedal. And are perhaps rooting for that, too...

Campaign info from Ads of the World:

Advertising Agency: DDB, Spain
Chief Creative Officer: José María Roca de Vinyals
Creative Directors: Javier Melendez, Xavi De La Cruz
Art Directors: Alba Ciércoles, Elisabet Capdevila
Copywriter: Andres Travi
Illustrator: Ignasi Font
Business Director: Gorka Lozano
Account Director: Javier Villalba
Account Supervisor: Ester Vall
Published: April 2013

Volkswagen Touran: Three Little Pigs

Volkswagen Touran: Snow White

Bargain Ebook: Cress (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer for $2.50

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer is on sale for $2.50 for ebook format for a short time. This is the third book in this fairy tale science fiction series--one of the biggest fairy tale literary hits of recent years--and the first time this book has been on sale. It has been $8.99 most of this year since its February release date.

The first book in the series, Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1), is usually priced at $2.99 these days to help introduce readers to the series. The second book, Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles), is $6.99.

Of course, loyal fans are most excited that we are only a few months away from Fairest: The Lunar Chronicles: Levana's Story, the fourth book in the series that will be released on 1/27/15.

Book description:

In this third book in Marissa Meyer's bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who’s only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she’s just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she’d ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Fairy Tale Toy Houses and Storybooks

Today's toy post includes the Goldilocks and the Three Bears Toy House and Storybook and two other sets by the same company. For some reason, I really like these. If I were still working in my old library, I would be tempted to buy these and set them up in a glass display case so I could watch the children and adults hover around them for weeks. I did that with Harry Potter Legos back in the day which were a big hit.

And then later I would have them at home to play with. Because for some reason these make me want to sit down and play with them. I may have to get a set to share with my youngest nephews and niece over the holidays. They'd probably like Goldilocks best but for some reason the Hansel and Gretel one is very appealing, too. Oh, really, I like all three. Maybe Santa will bring me a set. Two years ago Santa brought me the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Three Little Pigs Play Set Soft Baby Toy, so I definitely choose one of the other sets instead although I like all three of these too much.

Description:

Bring the classic story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears to life with this darling play set. Start by reading the included storybook and then build the Three Bears' house and furniture. Use the Baby Bear, Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Goldilocks dolls to act out your own version of the fairytale. The Goldilocks and the Three Bears toy house includes a working swing and a tree house for Baby Bear. Each bear has its own bowl of porridge, chair and bed. The side of the toy house folds in half to make a swimming pool and there are many secret animals hidden in the artwork all over the tree. The toy house and furniture assemble by pressing tabs into tab holes. No tools or screws required. And, all of the pieces store flat in a small carrying case. Made from EVA foam and cardstock. For ages 3 to 6.

Hansel and Gretel Toy House and Storybook

Description:

Bring the classic story of Hansel and Gretel to life with this darling play set. Start by reading the included storybook and then build the Witch's gingerbread house and furniture. Use the Hansel, Gretel and Witch dolls to act out your own version of the fairytale. In addition to looking delicious, the Hansel and Gretel toy house includes a candy garden that children can plant, a chocolate bar staircase that leads to a treasure loft. And, it wouldn't be complete without the Witch's oven! The toy house and furniture assemble by pressing tabs into tab holes. No tools or screws required. And, all of the pieces store flat in a small carrying case. Made from EVA foam and cardstock. For ages 3 to 6.

The Three Little Pigs Toy House and Storybook

Description:

Bring the classic story of the Three Little Pigs to life with this darling play set. Start by reading the included storybook and then build the three little pigs' houses and furniture. Use the pig and wolf dolls to act out your own version of the fairytale. The Three Little Pigs houses come together to make a fun and exciting neighborhood to play in! The straw and stick houses are designed to "blow down" easily while the brick house stands strong. The wolf actually fits down the brick house chimney, only to land in a pot of boiling soup. The toy house and furniture assemble by pressing tabs into tab holes. No tools or screws required. And, all of the pieces store flat in a small carrying case. Made from EVA foam and cardstock. For ages 3 to 6.