I Love Fairy Tales Giveaway

As you've probably figured out by now, I love modern retellings of old fairy tales. That's why I ended up writing the Baba Yaga series, based on an updated version of the old Russian Fairy tales of a sometime wicked/sometimes not witch. Of course, like all modern retellings, my version is a little bit different from the original.

Barbara, my modern Baba Yaga, complete with her dragon-disguised-as-a-dog

A rendition of the classic Baba Yaga, riding in her mortar, steered by a pestle. (Barbara's now looks like a BMW motorcycle)

I've been thinking* about just how much I love these kinds of stories lately because my lovely friend Sierra (also my research goddess) recommended a cool book by Naomi Novak, UPROOTED. This isn't an updated fairy tale at all, really, just a new one set in a Slavic world like the one the Baba Yagas come from. There is a poor peasant girl who turns out to have magic, a powerful magician named The Dragon, and, well, it's just wonderful.

You should read this.

I have so many fairy tales, both old and new, that I love. Jim C. Hines did a great series that put an entirely new spin on the traditional princesses, starting with The Stepsister Scheme. Robin McKinley has written a bunch of them. So I thought we'd spend a little time celebrating all of our favorites. Which means a fun giveaway, of course!
I've put together a prize pack including the winner's choice of one of my Baba Yaga books (Wickedly Dangerous, Wickedly Wonderful, or Wickedly Powerful), a cute stuffed dragon, a 3D magnet that says "You say WICKED like it is a Bad Thing" (that one cracks me up), a Wicked Good Beer bottle opener (I found those on Cape Cod last summer and couldn't resist--they're magnetic too, so they can go right on the fridge), a broom pen, and some bookmarks and such. A fun fairy tale kinda giveaway, you might say.

Sorry, black cat not included. She was just supervising, as usual.

 You can enter using the Rafflecopter form, and as always, you get extra points for doing the stuff that makes me really happy, like buying a new book or putting up a review of one of the ones you've read (it has to be a new review, but you can always copy an older one to a different place, like Goodreads). Or you can just leave a comment here, answering this question:

What is your favorite modern or classic fairy tale?

I can't wait to see what you all have to say!

*This is what happens when I'm laid up with a twisted knee.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feline Friday: Cats & Books

Cats and books are two of my favorite things. (Chocolate and wine are fairly high on the list too...)

So in honor of Feline Friday, here are some pictures of some of the kitties with a few books by my favorite authors that came out recently. As usual, I HIGHLY recommend these folks (the authors, not the cats...although they are pretty cool too) and suggest you check out the books.

 Magic and Minerva can't decide who gets to read Morgan Keyes' Darkbeast Rebellion first, so they are sleeping on it. Morgan Keyes is the pen name of my pal Mindy Klasky, and this is the 2nd in her middle grade fantasy series. Don't be fooled by the "middle grade" designation--these are a great read for adults as well.

 I have read every book that Tamora Pierce has ever written--many of them multiple times. She writes stunning YA fantasy books set in amazing worlds (again, don't let the YA keep you from reading, although I also recommend these for anyone who wants to give a teen a book with strong female protagonists). Battle Magic continues the story of the young Winding Circle mages...I LOVE these books! Clearly, so does Magic the Cat. I'm pretty sure she thinks her name is on the cover...

Robin McKinley is just plain brilliant. She is another fantasy writer, and this stand-alone novel looks amazing. Shadows is set in a world where science and magic are at odds. Minerva isn't sure what she thinks about that. But I think it is going to be great!

My only problem now is deciding which one to read first! What do you think? And which one are you the most attracted to?

I haven't forgotten about trying to name the new car, by the way--I'm still trying to figure out the perfect name. If you have one you didn't mention in the previous blog, throw it into the ring!