A coven of witches plots to take over a kingdom. One determined teenager stands in their way.
Join Elisabeth as she discovers her magic, falls in love and finds her place in society while trying to take on the coven which threatens her life and took her mother from her.
If you love fantasy or fairy tale retellings, then this is the summer read for you.
Targeted Age Group:: 15+
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I have always loved reading fantasy. When I was 15, I read Ella Enchanted and loved it, although I was a little disappointed at it being yet another Cinderella story. That dissatisfaction sparked the idea for The Siblings' Tale which is the retelling of a lesser known Grimm fairy tale.
I wrote the first draft when I was 19 and have spent 13 years polishing and perfecting it, weaving in the experience I have gained as an anthropologist, world traveller and from my studies in English literature and Psychology.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
Elisabeth is the reflection of who I was as a teenager combined with my best characteristics and those I strive towards. Olivia, the antagonist is a reflection of everything I hate about myself. Since this is the Siblings' Tale, I also put a lot of thought into Edvard, and engaged with how sibling relationships can change over time. Finally, Richard is the embodiment of what I, at 19, considered the ultimate romantic partner.
Book Sample
Taking a very deep breath, I pulled together all the pieces of my shattered self-esteem and put on the best performance I could, all things considered. Giving them both my most beautiful smile, while avoiding eye contact with either of them, I set off up the stairs to the front entrance of the house. It gave me those few crucial seconds to compose myself; no matter how rude it may have seemed—it was the better of my two options.
By the time I reached the front entrance, I was ready to start a conversation. As I turned to ask my brother about Mother, I was astonished to see both young men still standing beside the carriage with a look of utter bewilderment on their faces. I was apparently moving too swiftly for them. First the bumbling fool, then the ‘sweeping-up-stairs graceful beauty’. I chuckled to myself; well at least I was keeping them on their toes. I felt a sense of pleasure at their confused expressions. For all the times those two had left me in a muddle, this served them right.
The satisfaction was fleeting though. I remembered the real reason I had been recalled from school and, summoning all my training, I declared, “Ed, I’ve come on a terribly long journey as quickly as humanly possible because of your rather sudden and unexpected letter. I’m here to see Mother, not to wait for you to stop gawking.”
Links to Purchase Print Books
Buy Aspiring, Part 1 of the Siblings’ Tale Print Edition at Amazon
Links to Purchase eBooks – Click links for book samples and reviews
Buy Aspiring, Part 1 of the Siblings’ Tale On Amazon
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