Tag: fantasy

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Cynosura 99 by Sam Weiss

Shining a light this week we are happy to spotlight the release of Cynosura 99 by Sam Weiss. Think Stranger Things meets Donnie Darko. So happy book release week to Sam Weiss and let’s check out Cynosura 99.

Cynosura 99 (The Altered Planes #1)
Publication Date: October 9, 2023
Genre: Dark Fantasy w/ Sci-Fi Horror Elements

“The night the moon bleeds is the night the world will end. There’s death in the moon. And the moon is you.”
Atra Hart has spent the last seven years locked away in Vanishing Plains Psychiatric Hospital. In that time, her shadow has transformed into its own entity and is growing stronger by the day, threatening to devour her mind. She calls that shadow Dread, and only her missing father knows what it is.
When a fire breaks out at the asylum, Atra makes her way to freedom just in time to see an electric-purple rift sunder the sky. Like Dread, the rift is only visible to her.
Atra’s already loose grip on reality unravels when she learns the rift is a gateway to the world of the dead. And the Queen, an ancient evil lurking on its fringes, wants Dread for her own.
Even worse, Atra can’t tell if any of this is really happening. She might have escaped one asylum, but the closer she gets to unearthing answers about Dread, why her father knows it’s there, and its role in the Queen’s plans, the more she risks getting trapped inside her own mind forever.
Maybe some truths are meant to stay buried.

Now Available on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sam was named after a dog, a fact her mother disputes to this day.

While she’s terrible at writing “About Me’s “, she’s been told she’s great at writing about what fictional people do. The more miserable she can make them, the better. Her love of horror films from the 80s, sci-fi shows from the 90s, and alternative music from the 00s have inspired her to write what she’s calling “Dark Science Fantasy” although she’s kind of making that up as she goes along.

When she’s not ready to pull her hair out after discovering another plot hole she’s created, she goes camping with her husband as far away from society as possible. So far, this tactic has been mostly successful, and she’s only had to physically converse with a grand total of nine people this year. Next year, she hopes to get that number down to six.

Visit Sam and her works at Sam Weiss

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Book Spotlight: How to Get a Girlfriend (When You’re a Terrifying Monster) by Marie Cardno

The title of this book says it all as to why I am spotlighting this baby. In celebration of its sequel release book 1 How to Get a Girlfriend (When You’re a Terrifying Monster) by Marie Cardno is currently on tour with @rrbooktours and is on SALE NOW for only .99 cents!

How to Get a Girlfriend (When You’re a Terrifying Monster)

Publication Date: July 2022

Genre: Cozy Fantasy Romance/ Sapphic Romance/ Romcom

Life is tough when you’re an eldritch abomination.

Trillin isn’t technically a person. She’s a tiny breakaway piece of consciousness from the all-devouring Endless, doomed to eventually rejoin it. But when a human witch stumbles into her world, Trillin suddenly has a new reason to figure out individuality–one shape-shifting tentacle at a time.

Sian is sure important magical discoveries are just around the corner if she can just get her portals to work reliably. Reaching the dimension of the Endless without being eaten on sight is a dream come true, and Sian is determined to explore every bit of it. For science, of course, not for the strangely adorable life-form who keeps popping up and trying to… flirt?

But Trillin’s world can be a dangerous place, and keeping Sian safe might risk drawing the attention of the Endless itself–which will swallow Trillin up along with all her dreams of humanity. Together, can this unlikely duo escape the Endless, figure out the optimum number of appendages, and maybe even find love?

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Get it HERE!

How to Get a Girlfriend (When You’re a Terrifying Monster) is a sapphic cozy fantasy romance between a witch scientist and a shape-shifting Cthulhu monster. HEA guaranteed!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marie Cardno loves cozy fantasy. She lives halfway between the sea and a French bakery on the south coast of the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, and writes stories about love, magic, and strange and wonderful worlds.

Follow @ Marie Cardno

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Book Review: River Guardian (Book 6 in ‘The Council of Twelve’ Series) By A. J. Alexander

Hosted by Indie Promotions

Freshly released (September 26th) and my favorite cover so far in this series continue the journey with Heaven and Hell in River Guardian.

River Guardian Council of Twelve Book 6

Release Date: September 26th 2023

Genre: Fantasy, YA, Angel fantasy, romance

Dr. Eavan Delaney is frustrated. It is her destiny to reunite her people and work hard to protect the rivers and waters of the world, but she has no help whatsoever. So she has lived among humans for decades, undiscovered and in peace, but she knows this is wrong: she should be taking action.

Then comes the fateful day she calls for support one last, desperate time — and is heard.
With the support of ‘The Council of Twelve’, Eavan continues to work for the safety of Nature. But no one has foreseen that the ‘Other Side’ has been sabotaging her efforts. The challenge before her is suddenly much greater, and the consequences of failure even more dire than she ever imagined.

Will Eavan be strong enough to save the waters from the fire?

Available now on Amazon

REVIEW

I am loving this series so far and book six does not disappoint. In book six we meet Eavan a farie and guardian of the rivers living life on earth while trying to do her duties. Nature though is failing and Eavan needs help but no one has answered in the decades she’s been down here on earth. Trying one last time someone finally answers. The daughter of Pan Zepheria. Realizing danger is brewing in the nature world Eavan is entrusted a protector in Archangel Tsechirel and both are instantly drawn to each other. Could Eavan be the one promised?
Time is running out and Eavan and Teschirel must gather the arguing nature spirits if balance is to be restored to nature and not be engulfed by the powers of hell.


Out of all the books I think River Guardian is my fave. I love Eavan and Tsechirel as characters plus their dynamic together. I also loved how Alexander weaved in them being cat parents. Fun fact Alexander is a pet parent herself.


Again Alexander shines in her writing with a flowery fantasy that I just love. Alexander creates a world that you’ll love jumping back into. While you can read River Guardian without reading the others in the series I suggest reading the previous books to capture the feelings and emotions of all the characters.

My rating 5 stars

Rating: 5 out of 5.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A.J. Alexander is a fantasy author working on a paranormal romance series, called ‘The Council Of Twelve’ series. She has written short stories and poetry in the past. Some of her poems can be read on her blog ‘Writer’s Treasure Chest.

In her rare free time, she is spending extreme time reading, excessive pool swimming, and playing monster-monopoly. Her strongest support system is her sister, friends, and cat.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Tethered by Elayna R. Gallea

Having spotlighted the release of book three (Treasured) I was more than delighted to spotlight and go back to where it all began with Elyana R. Gallea’s Amazon #1 best seller in YA dark fantasy Tethered by Elayna R. Gallea. 

Tethered (The Binding Chronicles #1)

Publication Date: February 1, 2023

Genre: Dark Romantic Fantasy/ Upper YA
🦇Vampires
🦇Magical Bindings
🦇Arranged Marriage
🦇Only One
🦇Tormented Hero

What could be worse than an arranged marriage to a vampire prince?
When Luna is sold into marriage to the Prince of Darkness, she thinks she knows what to expect. Arranged marriages happen all the time, right? Wrong. No one could have prepared her for the reality of being married to the vampire prince.
Ever since the day he was Made, Sebastian has been living according to Queen Marguerite’s rules. After all, he’s only alive because of her. When she orders him to marry and Bind himself to Luna, a human hailing a neighboring kingdom, he has no choice. He agrees to the marriage but never expects to feel anything for Luna.
When their Binding Ceremony goes awry, and they are magically Tethered, everything is thrown into upheaval. Unable to leave each other’s presence, they must learn to live with each other. Or die.
Tethered is a slow-burn arranged marriage epic romantic fantasy and is filled with forced proximity, magical bindings, vampires, and world-building.
Tethered takes place in the same world as Of Earth and Flame. It can be enjoyed on its own or alongside The Ithenmyr Chronicles.

NOTE**This series is upper YA/NA and has moderate steam. There are some instances of violence, language, and mature situations. Recommended for ages sixteen and up.

Available Now on AMAZON

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elayna R. Gallea is a whimsical weaver of words, creating tales of romantic fantasy. Nestled in the enchanting land of New Brunswick, Canada, she lives with her husband and two younglings. When she’s not writing fantastical stories, she eats copious amounts of chocolate and cheese, reads every day, and plays with her cats and dogs.

Elayna R. Gallea

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Book Review: The Crimson Maiden: Swordmaster Legacy Book 1 by M.V. Grimm

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The Crimson Maiden: The Swordmasters' Legacy

Published: August 25, 2023

Genre: Action fantasy, Adventure, Mystery, Swords and Sorcery

In the Kingdom of Ariandor, where wonder and fascination reign, an extraordinary institution awaits those fated for greatness. The Academy of Swordcraft, Heincraft, perched on the enchanting island of Aegis, unveils its marvels amidst a cluster of floating islands. It is at Heincraft that Arianna, a spirited sixteen-year-old girl, seeks to prove herself and uncover the truth behind her father's disappearance.

As Arianna embarks on her journey, a mysterious legacy begins to unfurl, revealing her true purpose. Prophecies of an impending darkness loom, threatening to cast the realms into everlasting night. Fueled by her unyielding determination to find her father, Arianna must decipher the enigma left for her—the ancient prophecy and the secrets woven within the Swordmaster's Legacy.

Join Arianna, along with her classmates and her mischievous flying mythical beast companion, Red, as they venture through exhilarating trials, and treacherous landscapes, and confront mystical creatures within the depths of the Stonevent Cavern. They will navigate the perilous cliffs of Beast Canyon to explore a hidden dungeon before journeying into the dark depths of the Mystical Forest to seek the guardians of the elements.

AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

REVIEW

Written like an epic manga The Crimson Maiden: Swordmasters’ Legacy Book 1 is an epic fantasy adventure with a hint of mystery. I totally fell into the magical world of Ariandor and its floating archipelagos. Here we meet 16-year-old fiery redhead Arianna on her way to Heincraft Academy of Swordcraft to become a master swordsmaster. While there Arianna has an ulterior motive to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of her father who attended the Academy himself.

Looking through the school archives leads to her father’s journal, meeting a mystical beast named Red, and a map that could lead her and her new friends to the mystery of what happened to Arianna’s lost father. But also stumbling into a power Arianna didn’t know she had as an evil plot brews to unleash a dark entity that was banished long ago.

M.V. Grimm does a phenomenal job of world-building as you feel completely immersed in this fantasy world via your imagination. His characters while classic are likable, and Grimm delivers a plot twist revealed in the epilogue that I did not see coming. It made me giddy with glee as I just love it when an author pulls the rug out from under me.

There were parts though that I thought dialogue might have fit in better than just written out like a recap. Otherwise, this was a fun escape read and I am eager to return to the world of Ariandor to find out what happens next!

About The Author

M. V. Grimm is an author with a love and passion for mystery and fantasy stories. He currently works doing odd jobs while concentrating most of his attention to a flourishing writing career.

The Immortals Chronicle – Thomas Blackwing and the Crystal Heart is M.V Grimm’s first fantasy series of a pair of fourteen-year-old orphans who compete with others for a throne left vacant after the murder of a royal dynasty.

The Swordmasters’ Legacy – The Crimson Maiden is M.V Grimm’s second fantasy series of a sixteen-year-old girl blessed with a remarkable destiny who went on a mission to locate her missing father while demonstrating her value amidst her time at the Academy of Swordcraft, Heincraft.

His hopes for the future are to carry on writing fantasy novels full-time and to bring them to as broad an audience as possible. When he has some time to himself he enjoys fishing, which helps to clear his mind of troubles and all thoughts for a few hours, before dreaming up new stories and adventures.

Follow M.V. Grimm at Immortals Chronicles

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Book Release Blitz: Jemma and the Raven by B.D. Reeves

Today I am joining R&R Book Tours for the book release celebration of Jemma and the Raven by B.D. Reeves. The book sounds amazing, and the cover is mesmerizing!

Jemma and the Raven

Publication Date: August 26th, 2023

Genre: YA Epic Fantasy

A girl. A raven. A luminous adventure.
To everyone else, Jemma is nothing but a Wharf-thief. She scavenges for tokens in the wrestling dens and parades along the market lanes with a raven, Edgar, on her shoulder.
But she and Edgar have a secret. In a land where memories fade into the Shadows without the love of a Keeper, they scour the ruins of ancient memory palaces, searching for treasure that will buy them a passage to the great city of Adocentyn.
When Jemma steals a map and a golden blade, she sets in motion a chain of events that will tie her destiny to the survival of all who live in the light of Memory.
Can Jemma defeat the darkness she has unleashed, without losing herself? And who is the voice she hears, guiding her along the way? I am with you. Follow the lights.

Jemma and the Raven is a massive feat of storytelling, a work of fabulous imagination, and a fantasy inspired by historical realities. It will convey its readers on an epic journey that will both captivate and exhilarate them. ARNOLD ZABLE, storyteller and novelist. Author of The Watermill, Sea of Many Returns, and Cafe Scheherazade.

Jemma and the Raven is out and available now at Amazon US | Amazon AU |Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

B. D. Reeves is a Melbourne-based writer. His first novel “Jemma and the Raven,” was published in 2023. When he is not reading and writing, B. D. Reeves teaches philosophy and literature, conducts educational research, and is currently completing his PhD at the University of Melbourne. Loving to travel, he once camped in an old shepherd’s hut on a remote Greek island, where he discovered the remnants of ancient frescos, the secrets of bees, and the friendship of a goat who followed him wherever he went. He has since adored the concept of animals in fiction.

Learn more about B.D. at B.D. Reeves

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Book Spotlight Thursday: Grave Secrets by Cassandra Aston

Caught in my spotlight today, thanks to R&R Book Tours, is Grave Secrets by Cassandra Aston. A dark urban fantasy/ romance, what would you sacrifice for the truth? Let’s read on!

Grave Secrets (Prophecies of Angels and Demons #1

Publication Date: April 24th, 2023

Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy/ Fantasy Romance

What would you sacrifice for the truth?

Life feels infinite when you’re young, but Allie Graves knows all too well that she’s living on borrowed time. Six years ago, she made a deal to save her life in exchange for service to the angels.

It seemed like a sweet bargain when she made it, but what do seventeen-year-olds know about making life choices? Now her six years of service are up, and returning to her mortal life comes with some serious consequences.

To top it off, a mystery man has come into her life, but the angels aren’t fond of his brand of magic, so they’ve made it their mission to end him. How’s a girl supposed to get a date when the guy might not survive the week?

Allie has less than a month to uncover a family secret, save the hottie, and plan for life after angel duty. It’s a tall order.

Fans of J Bree and Patricia Briggs will be swept away by this urban fantasy romance full of dark magic, family secrets, and gut-wrenching twists. From the first page to the last, you won’t want to put it down. This book is recommended for 18+ due to its mature content.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Cassandra Aston grew up near Austin, TX, on a ranch just outside the city. She holds a BA in Communications and an MS in Psychology from USC.

Her love of reading and writing began when she was nine years old. She is a fan of all things fantasy but especially loves the Fae. Although her first series, Prophecies of Angels and Demons, doesn’t delve into the realm of the Fae, her 2022 NaNoWriMo project, which will be released in 2024, is an urban fantasy, stand-alone story that will take the reader deep into the world of Faerie.

Cassandra currently lives in Houston, TX, with her family of four.

Follow Cassandra for her latest updates at Cassandra Aston

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Book Spotlight Thursday DF: The Mark of Dreams and Darkness by Arabella K. Federico

A double-feature spotlight! I could not let this one get away! The cover drew me in to want to pick it up. As a bonus, there is to be a special hardcover edition upon release, too, which is just as alluring!

The Mark of Dreams and Darkness


Expected Publication Date: September 16, 2023

Genre: NA Fantasy w/ Sci-Fi Elements


“Am I a good person?”

After the devastating events of the Titan Games finale, Karalevine Ruzz and her Starseed family find themselves in a panicked frenzy to get their fellow Starseed teammate back from the clutches of the vicious Arianyte Empire. The prince, Malakyte Ardeen, hasn't stopped his relentless search for Kara, determined to make her his no matter the cost.

Haunted by the certain doom of her fellow Starseed, Kara makes a fateful decision –to enter the lethal Titan Games, a merciless competition where the stakes are life and death. The prize? A face-to-face reunion with her captured friend and the chance to confront the very enemy that threatens Earth’s very existence. With each step closer to her teammate's liberation and Earth’s freedom, the line between allies and enemies blurs with every heartbeat.

But the Titan Games are no ordinary contest, and its host is no mere prince. As Kara faces off against other deadly contenders, she simultaneously clashes with Malakyte in an entirely different arena–a battleground of the heart.

Amidst the heart-pounding action and pulse-racing intrigue, Kara finds herself at a crossroads. Good versus evil, nurture or nature, redemption and fate. Will she succumb to the darkness within her heart, or will she hold fast to the better nature she strives to embody?

Special Edition Cover

Along with the regular release, there will be a RARE AMAZON EXCLUSIVE Special Edition Naked Hardcover featuring special INKED edges printed directly onto the paper (these are not sprayed edges.). These will be LIMITED 1st edition, and only 1,000 copies will be available.

“The Mark of Dreams and Darkness” is the spellbinding sequel to the award-winning and bestselling novel “The Mark of Chaos and Creation.” A tale of forbidden love, pulse-pounding action, and the indomitable spirit of a heroine torn between duty and the tumultuous darkness of her heart. Will Kara unravel the mysteries that entwine her fate and bring about freedom, or will she succumb to the allure of a love that should be her downfall?

Prepare yourself for an enthralling journey where love and danger collide, and nothing is as it seems. Arabella K. Federico delivers a masterfully crafted tale that will leave you breathless, captivated until the final page, and yearning for more.

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AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 16th

AVAILABLE NOW

The Avengers meets Sailor Moon meets Arcane League of Legends in this mind-bending mashup of fantasy and science fiction in which a young woman must fight and lie and do whatever it takes to secure the thing she wants most: revenge. If you’re in the market for something different on your bookshelf yet keep the familiar tropes you love in fantasy fiction, like enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fated mates, and found family, you’ll obsess over The Mark of Chaos and Creation until the very last page.

Where do you draw the line between fighting for the greater good and vengeance?

Available on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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My name is Arabella K. Federico, and I am a passionate debut author. My YA novels explore the Sci-Fi and fantasy genres with a mind-bending metaphysical twist you’ll never see coming. Let’s just say nobody writes like Arabella.

If you want something different-yet with familiar tropes you crave-I’m your next favorite author. Don’t let the indie author thing fool you; my debut novel, “The Mark of Chaos and Creation,” was professionally edited by a talented industry pro who’s one of the developmental editors on Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn, as well as Tricia Levenseller’s Daughter of the Pirate King duology, and literally hundreds more traditional and indie books that are best-sellers.

As an author, coach, and teacher of all things writing craft, I hope to take my amazing readers on a ride they won’t soon forget. Storytelling is my passion. It lights me up like Christmas day and makes me more giddy than it probably should. Writing stories is my destiny, and I hope every new reader whose adoration I gain joins Arabella’s Army and follows me down the path of taking over the world. Because women who follow the status quo typically never break it, and over here, we shatter expectations.

Follow Arabella at Arabella K. Federico

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Book Trailer Reveal: The Five Watches, An Accident of Time by John R. York

Joining with R&R Book Tours once again for the book trailer reveal for The Five Watches, a time-travel adventure by John R. York!

3…2…1.. Let’s Go

The Five Watches, An Accident of Time

Expected Publication Date: August 15, 2023

Genre: Time Travel/ Adventure/ Spec Fiction

What might happen if a handful of people living in different eras became entangled in time, some intentionally and some accidentally? The nineteenth-century scientist, Dr. Wilhelm Gussen, is passionate about improving the welfare of mankind, and so he begins a journey through time in a quest to learn about future advances in epidemiology. Physicist Emory Lynch, from the twenty-seventh century, studies an old pocket watch, said to be a time travel device, and accidentally stumbles into the twenty-first century. In 2019, Jim Zimmerman, the de facto neighborhood go-to guy, finds himself caught in the middle of a clandestine future conspiracy. True to his character, he becomes inextricably involved in future affairs that involve saving humanity from itself-dragging his wife and a few neighbors along for the ride. Thus, begins a time travel adventure that examines the stubborn predictability of human behavior and how some things, even over time, never seem to change.

Pre-order Today Here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John York has been writing and publishing thought-provoking novels since 2016, but he’s always been a storyteller, even as a kid in Central Ohio, where he grew up. His life experiences provided him with a wealth of adventurous tales to share with others and resulted in his debut work, Wolf’s Tale. According to John, all his intriguing stories of unusual people, places, and events come to him in dreams. His heroes and heroines are always ordinary people who rise up to accomplish extraordinary things.

He currently lives with his wife, Paula, in New Port Richey, Florida, in a house they call “the swamp castle”.

Learn more about The Five Watches and John at John R York

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The Old Crone of Beauty

Switching from being mostly a book author to a freelance writer has caused my creative writing to slow down. Recently, I have felt the desire to return to it. So, I took a short mental break and was able to come up with two short pieces of writing. I am unsure whether to call them poems or prose. Nevertheless, I hope you will support me and enjoy one of them, which I will share with you today.

The Old Crone of Beauty

The Old Crone of Beauty, people often seek purely out of curiosity. No eyes have ever grazed her face. Always shrouded and hunched, how could anyone be of beauty and such? No one should care except only for the wares that she brings.  
  
Salves for wounds, tonic to drink, beautiful rose-smelling oils, and soaps to erase your stink. Sometimes there'll even be yummy cakes and jams that the town folks clamor to have. As a pretty young girl, she hosts her market stand.  
  
One day a young lad became brave to ask the girl has she seen the Crone's face.  
The girl smiled, saying, "Ay." To which another boy piped in to say, "Is it you, my lady?"  
"Nay," she did laugh. "I am not that blessed for her beauty; I cannot compare. Though she
does beg to differ, for I am young and vibrate. She says her beauty and her heart have long
been dead. But she is the most beautiful I've ever seen. Her pain, I think, is what makes her so pretty. For no matter what unkind, she finds love and beauty inside."  
  
The boys were silent, and the young girl smiled, giving a nod, and turned away. The young lad had to see the Old Crone of Beauty for some reason that day.
  
That night he dared and ventured to the Old Crone’s home. The Old Crone did not live in
some deep woods hidden but on a hill between the forest trees. The lad soon reached the
well-worn path that leads up to her home. As he started his journey up, he knew he would
quickly see her glowing lantern flames shine bright for the weary traveler that may come in
sight. Instead, he would be her guest tonight.  

As he approached closer, he soon saw the illumination of her little cottage and soon the
Crone herself as she came from around back into view. The lad gasped as he saw the Crone freeze.  He saw she was carrying a basket probably filled with herbs and berries and grasses. Straightening up her stance, he saw a hand come from her shrouds, reaching up to pull back her cowl. The boy gasps again.   
  
While age seemed to have weathered her hair to gray, her skin, her face glowed with a beauty almost perfect. Coming out of his trance and finding his voice, he called out, "You are not an old crone of beauty! Just beauty, I see."  
The Old Crone couldn't help but smile, making the young lad's heart flutter all the while.  
  
"Come back another time," she said. "The night is not looking so divine." The Old Crone points up to the sky. The boy follows his gaze to see a flash inside the overhead, dark clouds. The boy looks back to protest. To maybe stay the night instead when the Crone was gone, nowhere to be seen.  

The Old Crone of Beauty.

By JannyC, All rights reserved Copyrighted(c) 2023