Sara C. Snider's Blog, page 13
July 7, 2016
A Chat with Celine Jeanjean at Down the Rabbit Hole
I got together recently with Celine Jeanjean (a fantastic author and lovely gal) and chatted about A Shadowed Spirit, character creation, and Hazel and Holly too. It was a rather laid back interview, and good fun! You can read it over on her blog, Down the Rabbit Hole.
July 1, 2016
Hazel and Holly — A Breath Before Dawn
Previous: In the Midst of Midnight, Part Three
Nobody spoke as they walked back towards the inn. After surviving the horrific altercation at the mausoleum, the darkened streets of Sarnum seemed like a serene haven by comparison. But they still didn’t want to draw any attention.
Tum scampered after the group, having followed them out of the cemetary, but even he remained quiet.
When they finally reached the inn–without incident, thankfully–Holly ran towards it, threw the door open, and ran up...
June 24, 2016
Hazel and Holly — In the Midst of Midnight, Part Three
Previous: In the Midst of Midnight, Part Two
Hazel and Hemlock walked into the great mausoleum to find Holly and Hawthorn standing before a great statue, both looking flustered and uncomfortable. Holly wouldn’t even meet Hazel’s gaze.
“Is everything all right here?” Hazel asked. “I’ve been worried sick about you, Holly.”
Holly, staring at the ground, nodded. “Sorry. I…” She trailed off without finishing the thought.
Hawthorn, meanwhile, took a great interest in studying the statue. Hazel loo...
June 20, 2016
The Magical Properties of Trees
If you’ve read any of my stories, then you probably already know how much of a part nature plays in them. Particularly trees. My stories often take place in woods or forests, or even if they don’t, trees will often sneak in somewhere to play a significant part (like in The Forgotten Web).
The Hazel and Holly story is a little bit of both. The first half of that story takes place in a woodland area, and then we have the names of many of the characters based on trees and flowers. Honestly, the...
June 17, 2016
Hazel and Holly — In the Midst of Midnight, Part Two
Previous: In the Midst of Midnight, Part One
Holly and Hawthorn zigged-zagged their way through town. Darkened forms shambled along the shadowed streets, following flickering lights that flitted around like spring time swallows. Holly and Hawthorn avoided them easily enough, but it was time consuming, and so their progress was slow. It felt like dawn should be approaching, but the sky remained dark and devoid of stars save for a few of the brightest that managed to wink through the alchemica...
June 10, 2016
Hazel and Holly — In the Midst of Midnight, Part One
Previous: Helpful Hostility
Hazel and Hemlock returned to the inn, finding their respective rooms empty.
“Where could they have gone?” Hazel said. She had to remind herself to breathe. Nothing had happened. There was no need to worry.
Hemlock shook his head. “I don’t know. Hawthorn is more familiar with this town than I am. If he and Holly are together, they could be anywhere.”
Hazel glowered at him. “That’s not reassuring.”
Hemlock gave her a wan smile. “I’m sure they’re fine.”
Hazel wanted...
June 7, 2016
Giveaway Winners and Hazel and Holly’s Return
Photo by Bengt Nyman — Carl XVI Gustaf och Silvia på Skansen 2009
Just a short post today. Yesterday was Sweden’s National Day, which resulted in me being lazy and not preparing any blog posts. But here’s a picture of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, with the Queen wearing the national costume of Sweden, which, I’ve discovered, was created in the early 1900’s, but didn’t become “a thing” until Queen Silvia wore it in 1983–the same year when June 6 became the National Day of Sweden. Prio...
May 17, 2016
Release Day Party for A Shadowed Spirit
Well, today is the day: A Shadowed Spirit is finally released! Hooray! Normally this is where I’d go on about all my neurotic and conflicting emotions, but I think I’ll spare you this time. Today is a happy day, so let’s get on to the good stuff, eh?
I didn’t do much of a launch for The Thirteenth Tower, but for this book I wanted to make a little bit of noise. Have a little bit of a party. So, I’m going to be doing a giveaway here on the blog. I’ve never done a giveaway like this before, so...
May 13, 2016
Hazel and Holly Go on Holiday
No, that’s not the title of the latest installment. I’m going to be taking a short break from Hazel and Holly here on the blog for a little while. Just until things with the new book release calm down a little. Not only is it difficult for me to keep up with the series right now, but I feel like the blog (and you, lovely reader) is getting inundated with updates. So I think it might be nice if Hazel and Holly went on a little vacation. We can imagine them going somewhere nice. Hazel would wan...
May 9, 2016
A Shadowed Spirit — Chapter Two
One more week to go until A Shadowed Spirit is published. I will remain calm. Yes. Calm. In the middle of all this calmness, here’s the second chapter. In case you missed it, you can find the first chapter here. Enjoy. I’ll be over here, you know, not hiding.
A Shadowed Spirit
Chapter Two
Addigan sat in the Tower library as she wrote in her journal. The vast room was largely empty save for a pair of Magisters leafing through tomes and a group of young apprentices who were fetching books in a...
