The Fairytale Feminista
Answering life’s questions one fairy tale at a time.
Smuggler Prices
In less than two months, A Mage’s Path, will be released. It’s the last book in the series and it’s been a pleasure (and sometimes a pain) to write it.
In less than two months, A Mage’s Path, will be released. It’s the last book in the series and it’s been a pleasure (and sometimes a pain) to write it.
To commemorate the release, I had a giveaway for my first book, A Smuggler’s Path, on Goodreads, which has since ended. For those of you who participated and didn’t receive a signed copy, or even those who missed the cutoff, I have a special offer.
For the next two weeks A Smuggler’s Path e-book will be half off anywhere you buy your e-books.
Old Book, New Offer
Hey readers!
As I’ve mentioned more than once lately, I’ve been working on the last book in my Enchanted Path series, A Mage’s Path. Ending a series is harder than I thought it would be. A part of me is relieved and proud that I’ve finished an entire series with characters and places that will stay with me forever. The other part is exhilarated to start the next chapter (pun intended) of my writing life. Not to give too much away, but I’m already working on my next project (I refuse to say series, but who are we kidding?) and I’m excited about it.
Hey readers!
As I’ve mentioned more than once lately, I’ve been working on the last book in my Enchanted Path series, A Mage’s Path. Ending a series is harder than I thought it would be. A part of me is relieved and proud that I’ve finished an entire series with characters and places that will stay with me forever. The other part is exhilarated to start the next chapter (pun intended) of my writing life. Not to give too much away, but I’m already working on my next project (I refuse to say series, but who are we kidding?) and I’m excited about it.
This also marks the part that I’ve always found challenging—the marketing. Because it’s the last book in a series, I felt it needed more pomp than usual. In honor of the series, I’m offering a giveaway on Goodreads for the book that started it all—A Smuggler’s Path.
Five signed copies are up for grabs from September 5th through the 25th. There will be other fun offerings related to the series that will run through to the holiday season!
And check the website soon for more about the last book in the Enchanted Path series, A Mage’s Path!
The Continuing Story of Inez Garza
Divided loyalties test Inez Garza. The infamous incident at the Academy of Natural Studies has forced her to work for the King’s Men while continuing to serve the hidden market.Supporting Birthright furthers the cause of Magical Return, but the cost may be the fall of the royal house and losing Zavier forever.And the strongest pull of all is her growing and erratic magic, which demands everything and offers only destruction in return.Inez must decide where her loyalties lie—saving Canto or saving herself.A Noble’s Path: Book Two of the Enchanted Path
Now available for pre-order from these sellersRelease date: January 31, 2020 from above sellers and Amazon (print and digital)And don't miss Book One: A Smuggler's Path
A Brief Return
First things first: I'm not done with the manuscript of A Noble's Path: Book 2 in my Enchanted Path series. I am about 2/3 of the way done and would likely move faster if it wasn't turning into some Choose Your Own Adventure, where I write a chapter followed by two versions of what would happen next. Needless to say editing will be "fun".I'm also here to let you know that I do intend to come back to both my blogging and tweeting, but not before I finish my draft. I can almost deal with having to do non-writer things (like feed myself, raise my daughter, walk the dog and spend time with my husband) and writing my book at the same time. However, trying to write a draft while also meeting blogging deadlines, participating in Twitter and the like is just to many streams and not enough boats. I have high hopes for a return by the end of the month.In the meantime, I had a wonderful surprise awaiting me. My first book, A Smuggler's Path, has been given a B.R.A.G. Medallion by indieBRAG. I know indie publication is a slow slog through the desert, but it's nice when there's an oasis in sight. Check out their website and to my fellow indie authors, consider submitting your work for a medallion!
An interview with me!
Hey FF readers,Writers are a friendly lot. We like to support each other because no one knows more than we do how difficult and solitary this profession can be. Bloggers understand that more than most and I think it's great the way we reach out to each other to make the big, scary blogosphere seem a little smaller and connected!Today Rachel Poli posted an interview with yours truly and while I hope you read my interview, I also hope you poke around the rest of her site, which is fun and informative. Thanks again Rachel for the support!
A New Year's Resolution #YDSF2019
Welcome 2019! Like most people, I have big plans. At least they're big for me. Book 2 is due by mid autumn, I have a novella due (hopefully) no later than Valentine's Day, and the usual...exercise more, find new fairy tales and folklore, etc. And it's also a good time to take stock of my reading.
There’s been a lot of articles about diversity in the publishing industry. It’s the idea du jour—people want to see themselves reflected in the art around them, be it writing, movies/tv, music, etc. It’s something I think about more now that I’m a parent and want to make sure that my daughter sees herself in our culture. But just like wanting to have better citizens means raising them, wanting to see more diversity in culture means seeking it out.So, in that vein I’m setting a myself a task for 2019. I'm calling it my Year of Diversity in Speculative Fiction--#YDSF2019. I will read one book a month that features people of color as main characters. Since one of my favorite genres is speculative fiction, I’m going to concentrate on that corner of the market (just as I tend to read about women in historical novels). I think it’s a genre that has the best opportunity to expand the mind and therefore should allow for a wider world of characters.I hope you will do the same, or just send ideas for books I should consider. And if you’re looking for a book to consider, A Smuggler’s Path follows a Latina noblewoman and smuggler of magical contraband who uncovers innate magical abilities she must hide or be executed for war crimes.Whether you read my book or read someone else’s, traditional or indie make it a year of mindful reading. And if you choose to participate, let everyone know with #YDSF2019 Happy New Year and may it bring you new and exciting reading!Books I read:January: The Edinburgh Seer by Alisha KlaphekeFebruary: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida CordovaApril: This Time by Azaaa DavisMay: Trail of Lightning by Rebecca RoanhorseJuly: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi AdeyemiSeptember: The City of Brass by S.A. ChakrabortyDecember: The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
On the twelfth day 'til Christmas...
Okay, it's really the thirteenth day until Christmas, but I post on Tuesdays. Nevertheless, on Wednesday, December 12th we're twelve days away from Christmas Eve. My family has asked for my Christmas list, but what I want, they can't buy. But you can.For those twelve days the digital version of my book, A Smuggler's Path, will be half off! I like to think of it as an early Christmas present to anyone who wants to take a chance on an epic fantasy series with a Latina heroine in a world based on myths, fairy tales and nursery rhymes. And it's the gift that keeps on giving because every sale is like a present for me!I'm getting the word out and hope the holiday price of $3.99 (3.49 GBP and Euro; 5.99 CAD) will help me get my Christmas wish--sales and reviews!Get your digital copy today!Excerpt from A Smuggler's Path: An Enchanted Isles Novel (Book #1 of the Enchanted Path Series:His breath came in tight, short bursts. The pain was the worst at his throat and in his lungs. This was a powerful spell. Old magic. Mage magic. He prayed to the Goddess that he’d die before he hit the ground.The instant before he died, Delaware Humphrey considered himself lucky. Death meant release from all his secrets, all his troubles. Their slow suffocation a torture in comparison to a relatively quick death.It was his fault, but it wasn’t his problem anymore. And there was plenty of blame to go around.But for Canto and the rest of the Enchanted Isles, Delaware knew his murder would start the unravelling of secrets and troubles that could bring all the Isles tumbling down...
Plans and Villainy
I'm a person who likes preparation. I've always said my superpower is research. It comes from my curiosity and imagination--two things essential for any person, but especially a writer.This past weekend I attended a writer's conference for fantasy and needless to say I was underwhelmed. I spent months preparing. I researched the speakers (where possible because the panels weren't announced until a week before), I printed out marketing material for my current book, A Smuggler's Path and for my upcoming novella, The Cemetery Circle (unrelated to my Path series), and ordered a box of my book to sell at the consignment table.The night before I packed and made sure everything was ready both for my conference and at home. And it was... well...I was a great student. I don't say that with any conceit, but it was something I was really good at because it was the culmination of my all my strengths--preparation, curiosity, and imagination. I knew that if I worked hard, I'd get good grades and inevitably praise from my teachers. Sadly, I've discovered that's not how writing works. All the plans in the world does not guarantee that I'll be either praised or noticed. Not an uplifting thought, but a true one.That got me thinking about villains. Have you noticed that they're the one's that make plans and prepare in fairy tales. The Evil Queen didn't just wing it and poison Snow White--that took planning! You think Rumpelstiltskin hadn't run that "straw into gold" scam on some other desperate waif? He was way too practiced for that. The angry fairy in Sleeping Beauty had weeks to seethe about not getting an invite. Girlfriend had a plan! It's why they end up monologuing--they need to share all that hard work with someone.
Only heroes get to make it up as they go along. They're saved because of good looks or charm. They show up with skills, but no preparation.So where does that leave me? With twenty unsold books and wondering if plans are really the way to go. Or maybe it gives me a little insight into the mind of fairy tale villains. When so much planning goes into an idea, is it any wonder they go a little mad?
Book Release Day and Mother Goose
DREAMSFriday night’s dream, on Saturday told,Is sure to come true, be it never so old. -Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme
My Friday night dream for some time now has been to be a published author. Today that became a reality. By the end of the day my book, A Smuggler's Path, will be available on digital copy on Nook, Kindle, Kobo, iBooks, Scribd, tolino, and 24symbols! The paperback release date in TBA, but likely sometime in August.I used the Mother Goose quote because a long time ago when I started this adventure nursery rhymes inspired me to write a story about all the characters I remembered. Originally my book was called Mother Goose Mysteries and that evolved into the book currently on all those platforms and patiently (okay, maybe not that patiently) awaiting paperback release.Thanks to all those people who have supported my Friday night dream and to those who have recently signed up for my blog.Check out my author website to learn more about my book, A Smuggler's Path.And a special thanks to those who participated in the Fairy Tale Book Club/A Smuggler's Path contest! Here are the winners:
To those of you who prefer a paperback, I apologize in advance that your prize will be late. Thanks again!
Waiting with the Fairies
Most fairy tales have a common event. The wait. It's when everything has already happened, but the ending has yet to arrive. It's that period before the resolution. The shoe fits. The poisoned apple is dislodged. A kiss awakens a long-sleeping princess. The woodcutter splits open the wolf's stomach.
But before that, it's the wait. Cinderella has to watch both her step-sisters try on the shoe that is rightfully hers. Snow White has to lay in state until hoping someone will give her the Heimlich. The Sleeping Beauty...sleeps. Little Red Riding Hood is cramped into a stomach with her grandmother.That's how I feel right now. I'm in the waiting room wondering if my story will have a satisfying end. Or beginning. I know this is only the start of my public writing life, even though I've been working on this moment for years. But I'm no shrinking princess or little girl lost. My wait is more pregnant pause than intermission.So, tomorrow, July 24, 2018, A Smuggler's Path goes live digitally and the paperback will be my happily ever after. Or more like cliffhanger before then next installment. If fairy tales teach us anything, it's good things come to those who wait!And speaking of wait, the wait is almost over the free copy of A Smuggler's Path contest. I've also decided to allow any comments from the start of the contest to any post since the Fairy Tale Book Club to be valid as entrance into the contest. So if you comment on this post or any from this month, you're automatically included in the giveaway! Good Luck!
A Smuggler's Path - Available July 24th!
Exciting news FF readers!After years of writing (and rewriting and rewriting and rewriting…did I mention rewriting?) I finally have a publication date for my first novel, A Smuggler’s Path. It’s available for pre-order through Barnes & Noble Digital, iBooks, Kobo & Kobo Plus, tolino, Scribd and 24symbols right now.https://www.books2read.com/A-Smugglers-PathA Smuggler's Path will be available on Kindle and in paperback through Amazon in addition to the above options as of July 24th. I hope I can count on all my readers for a read and review! Thanks for the support!
Praise for A Smuggler's Path:"Cruz packs a lot of plot into her novel. For example, along with Inez’s noble lineage, she has a history with and lingering romantic interest in Zavier Cole, Canto’s prince whose brother and sister-in-law became king and queen. Multiple backstories, including Inez’s late duchess grandmother and The Enchanted Isles’ origin, provide a rich foundation for the present-day narrative. The author likewise employs myriad characters to further complicate the plot and give Inez reason to distrust nearly everyone. Cruz’s no-frills prose doesn’t stint on wit: Inez’s haunt is Froth, a tavernlike establishment that serves milk and optional syrups.An epic, rewarding tale sure to garner fans ready for sequels."--Kirkus Reviews"A delightfully creative adventure, A Smuggler’s Path stands alone in a very crowded fantasy genre, boasting a youthful, energetic spirit and a wonderful new world to explore for readers of fantasy. Cruz has a gift for quickly creating memorable characters, as well as threading fantastical elements and creative magic through seemingly 'normal' moments of narration, making this a comprehensive and immersive reading experience. A Smuggler’s Path is an entertaining read with a uniquely creative cast of characters, and a colorful world that readers will want to visit again." --Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
My Guest Post on The Once and Future Podcast!
Hello Readers!I'm excited to write that I was given the opportunity to participate in a guest post in anticipation of my fantasy novel, A Smuggler's Path, being released later this summer!
Please take a moment to visit the website, The Once and Future Podcast, and then check out my post on their blog and read about the need for more heroic mothers in speculative fiction.Thanks for the support!
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