Prairie Tales : Book Review

 

Discover ten re-imaginings of fairy tales, folk tales, and even a Mother Goose rhyme in this heartwarming collection. Journey across the plains of Nebraska and Kansas and explore the mountains of Wyoming and Colorado with characters from the "Once Upon a Western" series or meet them for the first time! Encounter a mattress filled with apples, a runaway basket of gingerbread, a house that looks like a shoe, a disappointing Christmas tree, and a Halloween prank gone wrong. Each short story brings a classic tale to life, offering fresh adventures and cozy charm in the Old West.

Short stories included:

"None Too Particular" (The Princess and the Pea)

"Let Down Your Hair" (Rapunzel)

"I'll Do It Myself" (The Little Red Hen)

"No Match for a Good Story" (Scheherazade)

"Run, Run" (The Gingerbread Man)

"Who Lived in a Shoe" (There Was an Old Woman)

"The Ugly Evergreen" (The Ugly Duckling)

"The Wind Makes a Poor Husband" (The Mouse's Marriage)

"The Blizzard at Three Bears Lake" (Goldilocks and the Three Bears)

"Gruff" (Three Billy Goats Gruff)

The Once Upon a Western series retells fairy tales, but in an Old West setting.  All of the books and stories are non-magical, aimed at a young adult audience, but appropriate for the whole family.  Each of the first five books are stand-alones, taking place in a shared universe and sometimes seeing characters cross from one book to another.  Nine of the short stories in Prairie Tales are sequels to those books, and one is a prequel.  Readers can enjoy them without being familiar with the books they relate to, but should be warned they naturally contain some spoilers about the first five books!

My Review

    Rachel Kovaciny excels at cozy fiction. Each of these stories is exactly the kind of thing that makes you want to get a hot drink , curl up, and lose yourself in it. Wholesome and fun takes on classic fairytales. Done in a refreshing and bright way.  Using characters that if your familiar with the ‘Once Upon A Western’ series you’ll recognize, but get to see them in a variety of different ways in these short tales. Love how she manages to spin these retellings. It’s also just nice to get little windows into each character’s world after their original stories have played out. It’s a rare treat, one that I enjoyed immensely.  Each comes with a recipe for something mentioned in the story. Nothing better than being able to make the thing you’re reading about. 

Family and comfort food really shine here. Which for me is enough of a recommendation in itself.

Preorder

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The Man on the Buckskin Horse (The Illustrated Version)

     Just around December last year, I was given the opportunity to illustrate a retelling. 

    One that will always have a special place for me. This story means a lot to me, it was my favorite from 'The Five Magic Spindles' collection. And I remember thinking it was such a refreshing take on a well-worn tale.  And the choice to make it a historical retelling with no magic worked so well. 

    Something about the way it was written reminded me of curling up with one of  'The Little House on the Prarie' books. Something that just creates comfort and warmth, and has you dreaming of cabins and farm life. The writing style was also strong and engaging, and Buckskin horses have always been one of my favorites (Thanks to the movie Spirit having a huge impact on little me) so I guess it made me a little partial to it right off the bat. All in all, it's just a splendid novella.

    I had no idea that later when my own story was featured in a similar collection, it would be largely in part because of the author of this story. That she had been rooting for me on the sidelines the whole time. She has been a never-ending source of motivation and friendship ever since. So when Rachel asked me to do the art for this story in particular, I was elated. It's an honor to be attached to one of her stories in this way. 

    It feels like one of those special milestones you can flick back to. I'm especially grateful that she saw something in my art and wanted it in her story, and that she took a chance on me. I'm new to doing illustrations, and it's been a learning experience. But one that I want to continue, I've been trying to learn whatever I can and hope this is something I can continue doing in the future. 

    It's fun to bring characters and story aspects to life. I just hope everyone likes them. The process was a long but inspiring one, I got to take my time on these and I tried to make them as cohesive as possible. It was also fun to try and match the aesthetics and tone of the story. 

    This was one of my personal favorites.

    I like that it feels very Sleeping Beauty-esque. I also liked that we went a more sketch-forward route. I miss sketching more than I thought. All this to say if you guys can't tell I'm thrilled my art is in a book! Actually, two books, thanks to Rachel again she recommended me to another author, Carly Stevens who had me do a couple of illustrations in her Hamlet retelling 'Laertes'  

    It's been a really rewarding experience, and I admit that I have a hard time looking at some of it and not being incredibly critical of it, but everyone seems happy with it so far. So if anyone is looking for any kind of commission you can find the details for that here 

    But anyway, this post is about the illustrated edition of The Man on the Buckskin Horse. Which I highly recommend if you like retellings, cozy fantasy,  and westerns. It even comes with a cornbread recipe which I will be trying. Because I swear, Rachel's books always make me hungry. 

If you want to get some of these you just have to submit purchase info here

    

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    Be sure to follow Rachel, she's an absolute gem and her kindness is unmatched. I highly recommend her stories, they're a blast and make amazing comfort reads. 

    

   

My Rock and Refuge: A Review and Giveaway

 

Rachel Kovaciny has released another novel in the Once upon a Western series! It's a completely reimagined take on Beauty & The Beast, and it utelizes all the required tropes but has enough depth and character to stand on it's own as well. 

Beauty and the Beast... re-imagined

Marta knows she shouldn't feel this way toward Mr. Wendell. She needs to keep her job as his servant, especially because her family back in Germany depends on the money she and her brother Jakob send home. Marta's new feelings can't be as important as helping her family save their bakery, can they?

Marta doesn't want to believe the rumors that Mr. Wendell profited from another's tragedy to gain his wealth. Although his face bears terrible scars, she sees past them to his kind and generous heart. Still, she wonders why he never leaves his big house high in the Colorado mountains. Does he hide himself away because of his disfigured face, or because he has a guilty conscience?

While Marta tries to push away her questions, others are determined to find answers. Their efforts lead to a fresh tragedy that threatens Marta's hope of finding happiness with Mr. Wendell. Will Marta fail her family and her new friends, or will God bless her efforts to build a happy future for them all?

. . . 

My review

My Rock and Refuge is a sweet and poignant take on Beauty & the Beast. It flips some of the more tired and well-used tropes and turns what is usually somewhat of a toxic relationship into an applaudable romance. There's a certain maturity to the characters, that I haven’t seen in other adaptations. 

Marta is a delight. A sweet but strong character, who is determined to stand on her own. Her love of baking and unbreakable spirit won me over immediately. I like how her being an immigrant and unable to read is handled, and how it also afforded her traits that are usually attributed to the beast role. An interesting subversion I wasn’t expecting. I love the dynamic it created. 

I was commissioned to do the character art. Hope you like them!!

Arthur is far less abrasive and off-putting than the usual takes I’ve seen. He’s guarded and standoffish, but by all accounts, a gentleman if not a misunderstood one. His quiet nature is a good match to Marta’s exuberant one. I also like how they bond through the isolation they both feel due to their different situations. 

I personally prefer my characters more flawed, and at times found it a bit preachy
but despite that, I enjoyed this story immensely. The characters are so vibrant and their chemistry leaps off the page. If you're looking for a clean, well-written romance, this is the one.

It’s super cozy as well, it has all the trappings of a Ghibli film. Will have you craving fresh bread and apple pie. I recommended baking before you read.

(I received an arc with no obligation to post a review)

Giveaway

You can enter the giveaway here

This giveaway is open to US mailing addresses ONLY. It begins Tuesday, November 8, andends Sunday, November13. Two winners will be chosen on November 14, one for the FairyTale pack and one for the Old West pack.

If your not eligable for the giveaway there's also goodies if you buy the book at any point this month. 

Make sure you check out  Rachel's blog 

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Autumn Reverie

 

This post is basically just me trying and failing to romanticize my life. It's storming outside and we're in the process of moving into a house that we have lovingly dubbed the 'Coraline House' because it has a bunch of those small doors. Including one that is boarded up. Two of them will be in my room, so that's something to look forward too. 

When I say storming. I'm talking bouts of ice and frost which sounds like the title of a Sarah J Mass novel, maybe not as dire though.

It's creaky and ancient. I'm hoping it will inspire me to make some good art. 

The local librarian also has a slightly dubious bowl of candy out and reminds me a bit of one of the sisters in Coraline, She's so sweet about the strange, giant stacks of books I order. And never comments on my bizarre selections. I'm going to miss her when we move. 

It's called having range, Mom.

I'm exhausted and tired and Matty Healy explains it better than I ever could.

My poor sister, I spammed her with Matty Healy edits on Tik Tok. He's trash, always has been but I love him. 'But he works at a petrol station..."

My favorite interview ever. (The moleskin bit ) Also I feel like this sums up what I find funny perfectly.

Catch me bawling my eyes out to About you. The follow-up to Robbers that I didn't know I needed.

 

Noah Kahan releasing Stick Season made this month for me. It's a gorgeous album. All my love and Halloween both feel so personal. 

You got all my love while I'm still out here
With the pills and the dogs, if you need me, dear
I'm the same as I was, it's all okay
There ain't a drop of bad blood, it's all my love
You got all my love
You got all my love

I'm leavin' this town and I'm changin' my address
I know that you'll come if you want
It's not Halloween, but the ghost you're dressed up as
Sure knows how to haunt, yeah, you know how to haunt

Can't forget Paramore coming back with This is Why

Oh and Artic Monkeys too. We've been blessed this month. I also really liked Midnights. Had a synth pop vibe, which I really appreciated. Also if it sounds like I've only been listening to popular stuff, don't worry I'm just gatekeeping my favs. Like Woosung, Jackson Wang, Ian Dpr, and Chanmina (I've had Don't Go on repeat.)

Sorry, I just really like music. This is but a sample. 

 I also have a giant stack of books I've been meaning to read. Currently cycling between Vanilla Bean Vampire- Selina J Eckert, Between Worlds #1- W.R Gingell (Because I missed Pet), My Rock and Refuge- Rachel Kovaciny (Might be my new favorite of hers!)

My library books are glaring at me. 

I made my first gif. I really want to start animating little drawings and this was my test. It's from Inuyasha, I love the art and characters, it's also from the 90's. This anime season has me in a chokehold too, Spy x Family, Chainsawman, and I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss. And a million others I've started.

I've been watching a lot of cartoons lately. I know nothing is ever going to beat Over the Garden Wall but Hilda is super cute, has an influx of otherworldy creatures, and has me wanting a deer fox like you wouldn't believe. (The Woodman too, I love that guy)

I've also started The Owlhouse, and it's quite good too. I can't wait to be caught up to the current season that everyone is screaming about. I've also been loving Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated. 

It knows exactly what it is, and mocks itself accordingly. I love it, actually makes me laugh. 

Another good watch for fall, that I only saw on one person's list. Is Dark  I somehow missed this one when it aired, it's German and phenomenal. The first season especially has an autumnal feel. There's fog, fall foliage, and creepy woods/caves. Missing kids and the main character sports a yellow raincoat for pretty much the whole thing. It is mature and has quite a bit of content.  I don't want to do an injustice by comparing it to Stranger Things. It holds up well enough on its own. It messes with time in a very intriguing way. The acting and the soundtrack are top notch too. It has such an eerie atmosphere as well. Tows the line between horror and sci fi.

I don't find season two as strong so far, as some of the mysterious element has faded, but I'm still enjoying it. (If anyone spoils season 3 for me, I'll kill em.)

I think that's why I don't share things until I'm done usually. I like to watch things at my own pace, and then I don't have any pressure to finish it at a specific time. Or try to beat anyone to the punch. 

I've been kind of jumping around with media, and it's nice. Bingeing has never really been my thing. I want to care about what I'm watching/ reading. Trying to be more intentional with that lately. 

I also finally finished Love Between Devil and Fairy if ever there was a c-drama made for me it's this one. The Beauty & The Beast vibes are off the charts, and Dylan Wang has young Johnny Depp energy, I love him. 

The plot did get incredibly drawn out in the end, but ultimately a solid watch. I'm trying to keep up with dramas but who has the time. I am somewhat watching Cheer up, Love in Contract, Mr. Bad, and One Dollar Lawyer. But I've gotten really behind. 

There's also been Ghost Files and Garret Watt's haunted videos on Youtube to keep me occupied, I also have been watching Headless, by Shipwrecked, It's a fun slapstick take on Sleepy Hollow. And Matthew Grey Gubler did this Halloween special. It's hilarious and has a costume montage a lot like the one in A Cinderella Story

So basically I've been doing everything but the things I'm supposed to be doing. And writing I've been doing the bare minimum with that. 

I wrote something about a bad facsimile smile, and couldn't decide if it was good or bad. Much like this post, hope you guys have a fantastic Halloween.

My Rock and My Refuge: Cover Reveal

 

You guys know I'm a sucker for anything Beauty & the Beast. I read nearly every retelling I can get my hands on and Rachel Kovaciny is releasing one. As a rabid fan and consumer of her books, I can guarantee it will be worth a read! I can't wait to see her take on 'A tale as old as time'

Beauty and the Beast... re-imagined.

 

When a German baker and her brother take jobs working for a wealthy recluse, they're only hoping to earn enough money to help their parents regain the family's bakery.

But they soon learn that gold and silver aren't the only treasures to be found in the Colorado mountains.

It releases on November 8th

Rachel Kovaciny's Author Website

My Rock and My Refuge on Goodreads

Rachel Kovaciny on Instagram

Make sure you give her a follow. Honestly, she's the best person I know, and insanely talented.

 But without further ado....

Isn't it pretty? I love the cozy Ghibli-esque vibe. 

November 8th, don't forget. 

 

Season of the Sticks

Hi.

I'm like a cryptid who comes back every fall and disappears for the rest of the year. Pumpkin spice hits the shelves and I wake, coughing up grave dust. 

I say this every time, but I swear I didn't mean to be gone so long. 

I don't really remember what happened in the chunks of time I was absent. For me, it's all broken up into eras of my hair. It's like brunette, brunette with bangs, streaks, blonde, messed up blonde, retoned blonde, blonde with roots, pink didn't quite take strawberry lemonade hair, hot pink, slightly lighter pink, perfect pink, sorta blondly pink, brunette again.

 I was a different person with each hair change. And now my hair is at this awkward stage, where it's grown a bit, and my bangs are longish and I can't decide if I should get them cut, and possibly my hair. Or just go in for a trim and try to grow them out. I'm terrible with decisions. Time will tell. 

At any rate, I feel like an ugly gremlin, which seems to fit this time of year anyway.

This conversation has happened

I've written a little, and done a ton of awful art. Life has kinda caught me off guard lately. I turned 28 and fell into a rocky relationship with tiramisu, I love it, but I'm lactose intolerant. 

Ours is a forbidden love. 

I had what I've been calling a 'Jim Henson' summer. I consumed a ton of 80's fantasy movies and emerged even more obsessed with glitter and practical effects. Everyone's summer is different but mine was spider silk and fruit juice. 

It went by in a dream-like haze. The best kind of summer actually.

The temperature is already dropping here, and a single leaf fell, prompting my friend's kids to be like "SKYYYE IT'S A LEAF! YOU LOVE LEAVES." and their completely right. 

I've been living like it's Autumn since mid-July, so. Forgive me for skipping over summer completely and jumping right into spooky season. 

The sky has been overcast lately and resembles soaked cotton, the air has a bite of smoke, and I get to pull all my oversized sweaters out.

I love the atmosphere of fall. The taste and scents. It fits my palette perfectly. 

I'm particular about the content I consume in the fall. I like it to fit, and it's not really about it being fall-focused or containing autumn-specific things. It's a bonus if it does. 

It's mainly about feeling, color palette, coffee, and level of spookiness. 

Playlist

Hot Killer- Juilia Wolf

Season of the Sticks- Noah Kahan

Northern Attitude- Noah Kahan

Tamino- You Don't Own Me

Not in Love- Crystal Castles

Masie Peter's- I'm Trying (Not Friends)

Cruel- Jackson Wang 

Aurora- A Dangerous things

I like things with film grain, noise, and terrible sweaters. 

Tv

 That 70's Show- 

So funny, my friend and I have been loving this one, we're both big Hyde fans. The color scheme feels very atumnal. 

Malcolm in the Middle- 

Shouldn't be as relatable as it is. We love Francis (Who ended up being Hyde's real-life brother) If you want a glimpse of what it was like growing up in the 90's/2000's this is incredibly accurate.

-Scream Queens

 This one is the most obvious fall choice. The first season is a campy ode to all slasher films. Even features veteran scream queen herself, Jamie Lee Curtis. I adored it, all the characters are horrible people, all of them. Second season is more like A Series of Unfortunate Events but especially the Horrible Hospital episode. (This one probably has every trigger warning.) 

But if you're a slytherin like me, who loves slasher flms and dark comedy like Heathers you'll probably enjoy this. 

What We Do in the Shadows-

It's a mockumentary and rifts off every vampire movie ever. 

I know I mentioned this one last year, but it remains at the top of my list. Guillermo del la Cruz  has my whole heart. He is the funniest character ever. I also loved seeing Lazlo attempting to raise the baby version of Colin Robertson. (This one has quite a bit of content)

Wednesday- Can't wait for this one guys. I'm a hard core Addams Family fan.

- Teen Wolf 

I have 1 and a half seasons left. I'm not ready. Stiles continues to be my favorite, and I love that they use practically every cryptid known to man. 

(Has amazing cgi XD)

Movies

-The Black Phone 

Was pleasantly suprised with this one. My friend and I were stressed... anything involving kids gets me. 

-Blood & Chocolate 

I have a funny story with this one. I remember seeing it on a shelf in Blockbuster when I was younger, and being like eww. I would never watch that, but Hannibal sent me on a Hugh Dancy kick. So here we are. 

This is incredibly Twilight esque and will not appeal to everyone. Tis trash, it's about werewolves, and yes the main character works in a choclate shop. Hugh Dancy is a gorgeous art boy. 

Resident Evil: Raccoon City-

This is for the zombie lovers, and is honestly the dumbest, plotless thing I've seen all year topped only by the third Anacondas movie. I watched it for Avan Jogia, and Avan Jogia alone. 

His part in this was perfect, he was basically there to look cute and cuss.

-Reality Bites

This one had some good lines, but was basically a throw away movie in a way. I really just watched it for these two. I did like the outfits and it made me nostalgic. 

-Se7en 

Watched this cuz it was a noir thriller. Lot's of rain and gristly murders. The dynamic between the leads was good. 

I read a lot lately so much that I'm not even sure I could seperate it out if I wanted too.  But The Mirror Visitor Quartet is one of my new favorite series. It's gorgeous, a little more than that, even. 

But I plan on reading Our Crooked Hearts and Babel in October. 

I've been drinking a lot of tea, rocking fox socks, and crocheting. Basically soaking in as much comfort as I can. 

I'll leave you with the best sentence I've ever written. 

He’s wearing yesterday’s clothes and I have the sneaking suspicion that he hasn’t slept. 

Yet he somehow manges to make his mused look seem entirely intentional. Like an editorial photo or Edward’s Cullen’s collar. 

Honestea Tag

Nie created this fantastic tag. I love that some of the questions are actually hard to answer cuz it's embarrassing had a blast with this one.  You guys should check out her blog, it's stunning and incredibly aesthetic, she's also a great writer.

The Rules (shamelessly copied from Nie's blog)

no lies allowed. if an answer is too shameful to expose you may substitute the answer with a gif/image of someone drinking tea.
e. g. → 
there are optional bonus additions to questions but these are not for the faint of heart. if you complete the tag having answered every question + the bonus additions (no gifs used), you are dubbed a certified tea chugger, and you deserve a badge to show the world that you are not afraid of a steaming hot cup of TRUTH. tag at least one other person (a tea party with just one is not very fun. trust me.) untagged persons are more than welcome to fill it out as well (nothing cooler than crashing a tea party).

Onto the tea

 what is a 'bad' (generally disliked) movie that you actually love?

The Mortal Instruments. Hands down, I love this movie, are there problems, yes, but it has a fantastic cast. And I love the gothic aesthetic it has, and I quote it a surprising amount. I'm also not even in this fandom I've read 1 and a half books. 

what is your most shocking reading habit?

I have some bad ones, I eat, dog-ear, and take books in the bath. And annotate.

I know, I'm a monster. I'm not going to apologize.

tell us the number one lie you write in your posts.

Not to steal, but anything about writing is usually a bit skewed because I procrastinate. I'll be like I've been writing and it's like two sentences and a grocery list.

tell us the worst character name you've ever thought up. {bonus: share a character name you find ridiculous in a book/movie}

Saber, you know like a sword ( And cuz it meant sharp or something.) hmmm Peeta (especially if you consider the ship name people used. That was a cursed time) 

what is the real reason you procrastinate writing your work in progress?

I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I'm always wanting it to be better and overwork what I do write to death.

what is a genre of music you secretly love?

Bardcore and hyperpop. Don't ask

if you're a plotter, what do you really think of pansters? and if you're a panster, what do you really think of plotters?

I'm a panster and think plotters are probably more clever than me. I wish I could plan more but I'm a mood writer. 

share at least three lines of dialogue from one of your first writing projects {bonus: give us the good stuff. your most gruesome butchering of the English language)

Saber could hear a slight hiss almost right beside him.

Refusing to give into fear, Saber peered warily at the grass, ready to spring up when his enemy found him. Saber sat silently. Seconds ticked by but seemed like hours. 

( I love that every sentence uses his name, if I took shots while trying to read this I'd be dead by chapter two)

tell us the title & artist of the last song you listened to. 

Him - Harry Styles (from the leaked album)

which beloved book/movie character do you dislike & why?

Ooo um, Captain America. I didn't mind him at first but he's incredibly self-righteous and just rubs me the wrong way. 

tell us the title & topic of a post you have left in draft. 

K-dramas Are Ruining My Life

  and what do you know they still are. I think I was going to recommend some and try to help newbies wade through the insanity that is dramaland, will probably still do this one. But include Chinese, Japanese, and Thai dramas. 

what is a book you pretend you've read/would like to read but know you never will? {bonus: share a time when claiming you've read a classic/well-known book didn't end well}

Hamlet probably, I still have only read snatches of Shakespeare. I must've done this at least once but I can't recall. I honestly have no problem sharing it, just have the brain of a squirrel. 

tell us the title & topic of the most embarrassing post you've ever written. {bonus: include. the. link.}

*gestures at my whole blog* but specifically this post, because I have read this book since and it wasn't good nor worthy of five stars. I don't know what I was on at the time. Crack possibly.

I tag Samantha, Ivy, Nicki,  Mckayla, Christine, and anyone else who wants to.