Ariella Moon's Blog, page 21

Cover Reveal: Two New Contemporary Romance Novels Covers

Meddlesome Matchmaker. Isn't that a great name for a romance series?Here's a first look at Joselyn Vaughn's beautiful new covers.


Hauntings of the Heart A Meddlesome Matchmaker Novel
When lost love shows up on your doorstep, what do you do?  Minnie Schultz slams the door in his face. She and Gordon Anderson have a history—close to ancient history, given the fifty years since their last encounter. After all that time, it might seem like water under the bridge. But the water pours from the plumbing in Minnie’s bed and breakfast, the Lilac Bower, uncovering all the secrets and heartache between them. With the help of some paranormal investigators, an Elvis impersonator and a couple of nosey friends, can Minnie and Gordon find the future they were meant to have?

Buy Links

http://cleanreads.com/romance/299-hauntings-of-the-heart.html

http://cleanreads.com/romance/96-climbing-heartbreak-hill.html
Other books in the Meddlesome Matchmakers series: Climbing Heartbreak Hill and Sucker for a Hot Rod

Climbing Heartbreak Hill A Meddlesome Matchmaker Novel
Buy Link: http://cleanreads.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/537/s/climbing-heartbreak-hill/
Other books in the Meddlesome Matchmakers series: Hauntings of the Heart and Sucker for a Hot Rod

New Young Adult Series from Jaclyn E.Brod

The Descendants Book OneAuthor: Jaclyn E. BrodIn the year 2030 a war is waged, and only one can save human kind, but will she die before she can save The world? 

Everything comes with a price, even if it isn’t what you expect.

Excerpt:
Genevieve. It was poor Genevieve who was blocking the front door with bruises adorning her flesh like a molting fledgling. Blood trickled down from the corners of her hazel eyes. Her arms were thrown out to her sides as if that motion alone could stop Theo’s guards and the Experiments.

“Move,” Jaxs hissed, her hands blazing with a midnight glow, but Theo stepped in front of her as fear for the heiress surged in his veins. He heard the safety of Sage’s gun switch from safe to fire. Genevieve said nothing; her knotted golden hair did not even twitch.

Hazel eyes bored into Theo, pleading for him to turn around and give up. He knew that this was the moment. This was the moment where he chose. He looked at Jaxs with the disheveled sneer hanging on her face with frightened eyes and then back Genevieve’s hardened visage.

“You could have come with us,” Theo muttered just loudly enough for her to hear. He knew that time had passed, that there was nothing that would change her mind now, but he had to be sure that this was what she wanted. The blood pouring from her eyes only increased as her eyes watered slightly. “We both know that is not true. You belong here. I belong here. The Confinement harbors souls, Theo, because we need to be kept safe from the world. You don’t know what you are getting into. You don’t know what that thing,” she gestured to Jaxs, “Will do to you. You don’t know what you are causing here, but I do. Stay here and trust me.” She held out a hand, ignoring the clatter of footsteps echoing down the hall toward them. Theo felt a vice tighten around his throat as he shook his head.

This was not the wonderful girl that he had come to know before. She was not the freedom loving, loyal soul that he once knew. “No, Genevieve.” He shook his head. “I don’t trust you.” The golden-haired young woman reached into her thin pocket and before anyone could stop her, she shoved a syringe into her own exposed neck. It was as if a bomb had gone off.

Manic laughter echoed off of the cobblestone floors of the castle and melded with the yells of approaching guards. Genevieve dropped her hands to her sides, her head twitching upon her neck as shadows fell over her face.

The once graceful mouth twisted into a maleficent sneer and hazel eyes glazed over with black pigment. “I will obey my Mother!” Genevieve said, or what was left of her. Theo took a step back in horror as thick blackened tendrils exploded throughout Genevieve’s body. Her delicate hands rose to the ceiling with smoke flying from her fingertips.

Her hysterical laughter revealed blackened, charcoal teeth just below the surface that housed bleeding gums. At some point in the transformation Jaxs had moved from her position behind Theo without him noticing. Her outstretched hands pushed him behind her as she let loose a surge of power directed at Genevieve.

There was nothing Theo could do except scream as Jaxs’s blast threw Genevieve to the ground. The former head guard just stared at her twitching body on the cold floor as Sage dragged him out the front door.

The five of them made it outside, but when the heavy door closed behind him Theo swore that he heard a weak, mournful whisper of, “I told you to be careful.” The door clicked shut.

Guards rushed into the room. Some ran to Genevieve’s fallen form, but they were quickly waved away by Dr. Grant. The foreboding woman crossed the lobby with her head held high, a cold mask settled over her face. She did not react. Stilettos clicked across the uneven cobblestone, echoing eerily across the floor. The stilettos dug into flesh as she stepped on her daughter’s shuddering body.

Blood washed over the bottom of Dr. Grant’s heels, which she ignored in favor of pulling open the door. The weeping willows were churning in the wind as Dr. Grant felt a snicker rise up in her throat. The darkened sky did not allow the woman to see the escapees, but she knew where they were going. A laugh permeated the silence of the outside world as she dug her heels into Genevieve’s flesh. Dr. Grant stood there for a moment before she looked down upon the girl.

“Get up, my love,” she cooed. “We have some work to do.” 

There was no hesitation. “Yes, Mother.”






Bio: Jaclyn E. Brod is a full time writer and student, currently going to school for medical billing as a background but her true passion is writing. She has one cat named Zazzie whos she loves more than anything and a fiancé whos a cook and a gamer nerd. When Jaclyn Isn’t writing she is spending time with her best friends and her best friends children who she calls her niece and nephew. She is the author of the newly debut novel The Descendants. Many of her inspiration from stories comes from music and reading. And her biggest inspiration of all, Harry Potter.











Social Media Sites: 
Facebook Author Page: Jaclyn E. Brod
Instagram: Jaclyn E. Brod
Tumblr: Itsjaclynebrod
Email: Jaclynbrod1@Gmail.com
Twitter: @JaclynBrod

Devon's Choice: An Inspirational Romance

Devon’s Choice
Author:Catherine Bennett
Genre:Inspirational Romance
Back Cover Blurb:
Faith, love and a cup of coffee, can change everything.
Life holds no surprises for Devon Murphy. Her life consists of keeping tabs on her aging Irish father, working part time at a coffee shop, and building her online graphics design business. Devon’s only tricky situation is a shallow relationship with the pampered and affluent Michael Turner, who sees her as just another woman to conquer. 
Following his father’s death, Brandon’s only goal is to expand the family business and live life on his own terms. That is, until he walks into the coffee shop one snowy evening and meets the enchanting, red-haired barista behind the counter. But can Devon and Brandon’s attraction for each other be strong enough to help erase their deepest disappointments and renew their faith in God?

Excerpt:  Once they got to the park, Devon unhooked Bubby’s leash.  The dog ran in the snow and stopping abruptly he turned, tongue out and ears perked.  Brandon reached down, patted snow into a ball and threw it far beyond Bubby, who took off after it.  After a few more throws, they left the dog to himself and walked along the brick path to a bench.  Brandon brushed the snow off with his gloved hand and they sat down.  Bubby played some more, then lay with his head up and ears alert.      “I’m curious,” Brandon said, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.  “I may be out of line to ask you, but what kind of relationship do you have with this Michael guy?”  He looked sideways to see her worrying her bottom lip and hoped he was going to get a truthful statement.     “It’s pretty shallow, really.  We’ve never discussed being an exclusive couple. He travels a lot with his company and I figure he probably goes out with other women, and not just for business if you know what I mean.  Once he practically admitted to it.”     “What kind of job does he have?”          Devon, who’d been watching the dog, turned to look at him.  “He’s the Executive Vice President for Turner Construction.  His father owns the company.”          Brandon drew himself back.  “Turner Construction!  That’s the largest construction company in the Midwest.”          “So, you’ve heard of it?”          “Yes, my dad had some experience with them.”             “So was it a good experience?”          Brandon shrugged.  “I really couldn’t say.”  Then, hoping to refocus her attention, he asked,  “How’d you ever meet him anyway?”       “He hit my car in a parking lot.  Not very romantic.”     Brandon looked over at her neutral expression.  Whatever kind of relationship she had with Michael Turner didn’t seem to be making her happy.  At that moment, all he wanted to do was to make her forget all about the jerk.     As if sensing him watching her, Devon turned her head enough to make eye contact with him.  The faint, milky glow from the streetlight showed enough of her features for him to see a soft blush warm her cheeks.  Under her dark lashes, he watched her sea green eyes glint invitingly as her soft lips turned up at the corners.  In that moment, his resolve to keep the date on a friendly level came crashing down.
On Writing Devon’s Choice:
The beginning of the book came to me while I was walking my black Labrador, Riley. It was winter and while Riley was nosing through the snowdrifts, I began to think about the small suburb in Columbus, Ohio where I grew up. My old house, the streets where I rode my bike, and walked home from school evolved into the backdrop for Devon and Brandon’s love story. 

Here's Riley's tale (as much as we know anyway):

My husband and I rescued Riley about 5 years ago (she was estimated to be about 2 years old). She'd been found tied to a dumpster in the winter (we live in Ohio so it was very cold) and taken to a shelter. A couple days before she was to be "put down", a rescue group came and took several dogs out of the shelter. I saw her beautiful picture on Petfinder.com and we went to meet her at the boarding facility. For me - and I think Riley too - it was love at first lick! 


Author Bio:
I currently live in Ohio with my husband and our two rescue Labradors. Some of my favorite things include reading, shopping, pepperoni pizza, Hershey bars and hanging out with my two grown sons. I also love dogs so going to the dog park is cheap entertainment for my husband and I!
Growing up an only child, I had many imaginary friends. I believe this - and a love of books - fueled my desire to write. It was many years later that my dream of becoming a published author came true.
Social Media Links:
Website: www.catherinebennett.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCatherineBennettTwitter: www.twitter@author_cbennettPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/authorcbennett/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5990135.Catherine_BennettBook Trailer on You Tube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPBc1jGurlQI Tunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/devons-choice/id957904945?mt=11
Buy Links:
On Sale at Amazon for 99 cents  Amazon   Barnes & Noble    smashwords    Kobo

3 Ways To Break a Love Spell

Antidotes to Binding Love SpellsHave you ever desired someone so much, you were willing to bind them to you with a love spell? Perhaps the thought of Valentine’s Day has you teetering on the moral edge. If so, remember: A love spell directed at a specific person will not result in true love. Instead, such spells create horrendous karma and bad fortune, and imperil the recipient.
Chances are, the object of a directed love spell will not realize what has occurred, though it may be painfully obvious to others. If you suspect a friend or family member has fallen victim to a directed love spell, turn to one of these ancient Plant magic antidotes.

    1.     Wear or Carry a Fresh Lily.Lilies (Lilium) are feminine, and correspond to the moon and water. In medieval Great Britain, they were associated with the Virgin Mary and purity. Magically, lilies are used for protection and breaking love spells cast upon a specific person. Some lilies are poisonous.


2  2.     Wear or Carry Lotus Seeds or Pods.The Lotus (Nelumbium nelumbo, Nymphaea nelumbo,Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaea lotus) has been used for magical purposes dating back to the ancient Egyptians. Breathing in the lotus’s scent confers protection. Lotuses are feminine, and correspond to the moon and water. They not only break unwanted love spells, but also have magical lock- opening properties.



   3.     Eat Pistachios.The belief in the love spell breaking properties of pistachios (Pistachia vera) hails from the Arab world. Pistachios are masculine, and correspond to Mercury and air. To break a love spell, pick a magical number of unshelled pistachios (such as seven, nine, or any number significant to you). As you break open the nuts, envision breaking the unwanted love spell. After all the shells have been broken, eat the nuts and discard the shells away from your home.


In Spell Check, Book One: The Teen Wytche Saga, The heroine is desperate to prevent a binding spell from being cast.


Bullies. A secret crush. A traitorous friend.
Halloween looms and so does the anniversary of Evie’s father’s death. She needs to pull herself together or she’ll lose her position as Yearbook Photo Editor, and suffer academic failure. Even worse, Evie will lose Jordan, her secret crush, if she can’t stop her friend Parvani from casting a love spell on him. Despite a falling out, Evie never forgot Jordan. Now they are lab partners and the chemistry between them definitely sparks. Parvani possesses a brimstone-hissing spell book and plans to cast the spell by Halloween. To save Jordan, Evie must join forces with Salem, the school goth.
The clock is ticking. Can Evie get her mojo back in time to check this spell?
Smashwords   Kobo Books   Amazon UK
Copyright 2016 Ariella Moon

Free ebook!

#FreebieFriday!Spell Check: Book 1 (Teen Wytche Saga) by Ariella MoonTODAY ONLY use code: WX64N#YA #Paranormal #Fantasy #Smashwords#TeenWytcheSaga

Krysten Lindsay Hager's new YA novel in the Landry True Colors Series

Today I welcome the fabulous Krysten Lindsay Hager, whose Landry's True Colors Series is a clean reads young adult humor series about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, middle school and high school, frenemies, crushes, and self-image. It’s suitable for ages 10 and up.



Landry in Like (Landry's True Colors Series: Book 3) by Krysten Lindsay Hager
​Blurb: Things seem to be going well in Landry Albright’s world—she’s getting invited to be on local talk shows to talk about her modeling career, her best friends have her back, and her boyfriend Vladi has becoming someone she can truly count on…and then everything changes. Suddenly it seems like most of the girls in school are into hanging out at a new teen dance club, while Landry just wants to spend her weekends playing video games and baking cupcakes at sleepovers. Then, Yasmin McCarty, the most popular girl in school, starts to come between Landry’s friendship with Ashanti. Things take a turn when Yasmin tells Vladi that Landry is interested in another boy. Can Landry get her relationships with Ashanti and Vladi back or will she be left out and left behind?   Excerpt: I wanted to call my friends and tell them about being on the talk show, but Mom said we had to be at the TV station super early — even before school started. She said I could text them, but I had to turn off my phone and go to bed.
“I’m waking you up at four a.m.,” she said. “You have to be there at five-thirty.”
“Can I just call Peyton and Ashanti? Please?”
“Fine, but you have five minutes and then that phone is mine and you’re in bed.”
I dialed Peyton, but her mom said she was in the shower. I told her mom about the show tomorrow and said my mom wouldn’t let me stay up any later to call Peyton back.
“How exciting! I will make sure Peyton knows, and I will be watching you tomorrow. Good luck, honey,” Mrs. Urich said.
I called Ashanti next and told her.
“Get out. Get. Out. No way. This is so exciting!”
“I’m so nervous. My stomach is already doing cartwheels. I can’t do one, but my stomach can. Seems unfair. What if I throw up before I go on? I did that right before I went on at the statewide Ingénue modeling competition in Detroit, and my mom had to give me a cough drop to cover up the smell.”  “I’m sure you’ll be fine, but… just in case, take a cough drop with you,” Ashanti said. “Good luck. You’ll be great and I’ll go set the DVR now.”
 I hung up and sent a text to Vladi, India, Devon, Thalia, Tori, and Ericka, so no one would be mad and feel left out. Then I shut off my phone. Mom poked her head in the door to make sure I was in bed.
“Night, hon. Try to get some rest,” she said.
Easier said than done. I stared at my ceiling while thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong tomorrow. Seeing as the show was on in the morning, I never got to watch it, so I had no idea what the set was like — did it have super high chairs and I’d struggle to get into them? And what if it had those higher stools that were kind of tippy and my rear overshot the seat and I fell off? Or what if the prep questions got lost and the interviewer asked me random things like my feelings on nuclear war or asked me about some foreign political leader who I had never heard of before, and I appeared stupid? Why did I say I’d do this? I tried to get comfortable and it felt like I had just dozed off when I felt my mom shaking my shoulder.
“Rise and shine, TV star,” she said.


Purchase:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Landry-Like-Landrys-True-Colors-ebook/dp/B01AL6AUA2/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Landry-Like-Landrys-True-Colors-ebook/dp/B01AL6AUA2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1453196883&sr=8-2&keywords=krysten+hagerBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/landry-in-like-krysten-lindsay-hager/1123253456?ean=2940157767242Nook UK: http://www.nook.com/gb/ebooks/landry-in-like-by-krysten-lindsay-hager/2940157767242Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/landry-in-likeItunes/ibooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/landry-in-like/id1076225388?mt=11

Author bio:Krysten Lindsay Hager is the author of the Landry’s True Colors Series, a clean reads young adult series and the new ​Star Series. Krysten writes about  friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, middle school and high school, frenemies, modeling, crushes, values, and self-image in True Colors, Best Friends…Forever? And Landry in Like, as well as in, Next Door to a Star (Star Series). Her sequel to Next Door to a Star will be out March 22 2016.
Krysten is a book addict who has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and writes YA, MG, humor essays, and adult fiction. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in Portugal, South Dakota, and currently resides in southwestern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing when she’s not catching up on her favorite shows. She received her master’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint.
Follow:Website: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/krystenlindsay Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Krysten-Lindsay-Hager/e/B00L2JC9P2/ Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrystenLindsayHagerAuthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/KrystenLindsay Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8298036.Krysten_Lindsay_Hager
Author talk show interview: http://wdtn.com/2014/11/06/true-colors/
True Colors (Landry’s True Colors Series Book 1): What people are saying about True Colors (Landry’s True Colors Series Book One):From Teenage Book Recommendations in the UK: “This is a fantastically relatable and real book which I feel captures all of the insecurities and troubles which haunt the modern teenage girl. It is about a young model who has to go through tough times when she is torn between a life as a model and managing her friendships. You learn which friends she can most trust and which will create the drama typical of teenage life. Follow the life of Landry and try to see if you can find out which are her true friends before their true colors are revealed. This book is all about relationships, hopes and truth. I loved this book!”
A few questions for Krysten:
Who is your favorite author?F. Scott Fitzgerald is my favorite. I had to read The Great Gatsby twice in school, but I didn’t connect to it until I was an adult and then I fell in love with it.
How do you describe your writing style?I always write with humor and my main characters wear their hearts on their sleeves. My two teen series both deal with self-esteem, growing up/coming of age, and first love.
Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book?Landry in Likewill take you back to your school days and make you laugh and feel for her as she grows up and navigates through school. There are funny moments, cringe worthy moments, and life lessons on how to deal with everything from frenemies, first loves, anxiety, and friendships.
If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?I would choose Hadley from Next Door to a Star (Star Series: Book One) because when she moves to a beach town, she has the chance to reinvent herself and start over and that idea is very intriguing to me. Plus, she lives in Grand Haven, Michigan—a beautiful beach town.
What books have most influenced your life?
I read a biography of a YA author, Paula Danziger, years ago and it made me realize that writing young adult fiction was what I was meant to do. It was always something I wanted to do, but I never realized that all those awkward and difficult moments I went through in my teen years might have been setting me up to help another teen in the same situation down the road. That biography shaped my vision of what I wanted to do in life.

Cover Reveal: Kingdom of the Faeries: Edenhart's Rivalry

February is the month for Young Adult Fantasy books!
In addition to The Beltane Escape by Ariella Moon on February 2, J.N. Tomczak's upcoming Kingdom of the Faeries: Edenhart's Rivalry will release on Feb. 11th, 2016.
Blurb: 
A dark power is rising, and a kingdom is in dire need of a leader when the King of the Faeries falls in battle.  Or so, that’s what they’re led to believe, but his only heir and daughter, Aurora, suspects murder.
But when she and her loyal friend Percy, the Captain of the Elite Guard, discover an ancient prophecy foretold by the enigmatic Faerie Sorcerers, Aurora finds herself an unwilling pawnin a dark plot that will threaten everything she holds dear.
Her courage and magic will be her greatest weapons if she hopes to succeed where all others have failed.  But will she?  Aurora must ask herself this very question: just how far is she willing to go to save her kingdom, and at what costs?



Author Bio: 
Julianne grew up on a small farm in central Arkansas and now lives in Tucson,
Arizona with her husband.  

When not writing, Julianne loves playing 
video games, listening to music, hiking, and binge-watching Falling Skies while eating
non-nutritional food.

Author Links: 

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/J.N.Tomczak/?ref=hl
Website: http://jntomczak.weebly.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jntomczak/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JNTomczak

Cover Reveal: The Beltane Escape by Ariella Moon

Medieval Scotland. Fairy. A kidnapped Highland heiress.
Let the fantasy begin.

The Beltane Escape by Ariella Moon. Book One: The Two Realms Trilogy
BlurbLady Fenella, ever surrounded by guards, knows only responsibility and duty. She believes Merlin and the Lady of the Lake are myths, Gran’s warnings about Fairy are superstition, and Fairy was invented to make children behave.But then Gran brands her, Lord Argonshire kidnaps her, and the Lady of the Lake makes her a pawn. The Highland heiress must betray her newly betrothed and fend for herself when she dives into a wormhole to save her cousin. She lands in a part of Fairy even fairies avoid, and joins forces with a half-Viking/half-Fairy.Fenella must use her wits to find her cousin, free the Lady of the Lake, and reach the wormhole in Glastonbury by Beltane. Nine days to unshackle herself from a sorceress, prevent a war between two clans, and decide in which realm—and with which lad—she truly belongs. Oh, and The Most Powerful Wizard stands in her way.
Pro-order now on Amazon   Amazon.uk Release date: February 2, 2016
Also by Ariella Moon



Amazon   SmashwordsKoboBarnes & NobleiTunes  Amazon.uk

Glastonbury: Gateway to Fairy and Avalon

Glastonbury’s Unexpected Dark Magic
Glastonbury has been described as the ”Gateway to the Celtic Otherworld.” A sacred pagan, Christian, and Goddess site, Glastonbury in Somerset, England, beckons modern-day pilgrims. Some seek Fairy, hidden beneath the conical Glastonbury Tor. Others seek Avalon, the mist-shrouded island realm where Morgan Le Fay brought the dying King Arthur after the Battle of Camlann.
Glastonbury Tor, Somerset, England
Source: Morguefile Photos
Glastonbury, Avalon, and Arthurian legends play pivotal roles in The Beltane Escape, Book One: The Two Realms Trilogy, my upcoming Young Adult adventure fantasy novel. As an author and shaman, I journeyed to Glastonbury to learn more about its mystical energy. I discovered Glastonbury is rife with unexpected dark, and often hostile, magic. The Vesica Pool at the Chalice Well & Gardens.
Photo be Ariella Moon
Appearances are DeceivingGlastonbury Tor and the Chalice Well and Gardens at its base, appear serene. The latter is considered a place of healing and peace, its therapeutic pools fed by the Red Spring. Visitors hang prayer or tribute ribbons on the trees in the gardens. By day, the grounds are a place for reflection and meditation. By night, especially when the moon is full, apparitions streak above the Chalice arbor. One night, a towering menacing energy loomed at the top of the Little Saint Michael’s (one of two guesthouses in the sanctuary) stairs. The next morning, an elderly female ghost woke me.
The White Spring also flows near the Tor’s base, separated from the Chalice Well by a fence and Well House Lane. In 1872, The Water Board built a reservoir over the beautiful fairy valley. The spring remains, hidden, a gateway to the otherworld. By day, chaotic energy appears like a flash mob near the spigot marking the White Spring. I can only imagine what happens at night.
Past the White Spring, entrances to Fairy can be seen low on the tree trunks. The Tor rises beyond them. Like most pilgrims, I ascended the hill via the steep concrete path. Given to vertigo, I was concerned about the lack of railing. Focused on safely reaching the top, I barely noticed the narrow terraces half-hidden among the wild grasses. Inescapable, however, was the strong energetic force that repeatedly tried to knock me off the path. Concrete Path and Stairs leading up Glastonbury Tor.
Photo by: Adrian Pingstone

The Magical LessonShamanic training involves facing and overcoming one’s fears. Shamans must “die the little death” so they can move past their fears to help others. At the time, I perceived the force attempting to knock me off the Tor as hostile. Only later did I realize it was trying to redirect me onto the narrow terraces, which form a vertical spiral labyrinth—the correct path for a shaman. The spirits of the place, like a GPS recalculating, must have given me points for taking the path that forced me to face my fear. After my first day on the Tor, my acrophobia disappeared.
The heroine in The Beltane Escape learns to be careful what she wishes for. My quest to learn more about the mystical energies of Glastonbury provided a similar lesson.
Copyright 2016 Ariella Moon
Ariella Moon draws upon her experiences as a shaman to create magical Young Adult fiction.  Coming soon: The Beltane Escape, Book One, The Two Realms Trilogy, a medieval fantasy adventure series.  Out now: The Teen Wytche Saga, a series of sweet contemporary paranormal romances.

Monday's Magical Creature: White Horses

Isn't it odd that magical horses and horse-like creatures are usually white, yet pure white horses in real life are rare?
Unicorns and winged horses are the color of stars and moonlight. So, too, are fairy horses. According to Celtic lore, a white horse will lead you straight to Fairy. Once in Fairy, you might spot small white fairy horses. One of my favorite authors, Herbie Brennan (The Faerie Wars series), saw such a sight. In "Do Fairy Horses Exist?", Brennan recalls his encounter with fairy horses at the megalith Longstone Rath in County Kildare, Ireland.

The Devizes Millennium White Horse,
Roundway Hill, Wiltshire, England
Photo by Ariella MoonIn addition to Fairy horses, England is rich in massive chalk horses. One of the more mysterious chalk horses is the oldest, the Iron Age Uffington White Horse (374 feet long). Was it a tribal symbol? Not knowing, adds to it magic.

In the mundane world, “true white” horses are rare. Many horses that appear white are actually gray, and unlike true white horses, they have black skin, not unpigmented pink skin. (Look at the skin around the horse’s eyes.)
One of the most magical sights I have ever witnessed was the sudden appearance of two riderless pure white horses standing in the surf near Caernarfon Castle in northwestern Wales. They stole my breath with their wild beauty. Enchanted, I desperately wanted to turn back for one more glimpse. I was traveling on a small tour bus at the time, and no one else spotted them. So perhaps the Welsh steeds, like the Lady of the Lake’s white mare in my upcoming book, The Beltane Escape, Book One: The Two Realms Trilogy, were not of this world.
I am pretty sure they would have led me straight to Fairy.

Look for The Beltane Escape, Book One: The Two Realms Trilogy, in February, 2016.
Copyright 2016 Ariella MoonAriellaMoon.com
Also by Ariella MoonThe Teen Wytche Saga Spell CheckSpell StruckSpell FireSpell For Sophia