Author J Roe

Writing quirky characters on redemptive journeys

fantasy books

Christmas Shopping for the Usual Bookish Suspects?

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Are you Christmas Shopping for the usual bookish suspects? Maybe you love being a blessing each Christmas and getting unique thoughtful gifts for the book nerds in your life … but you’re all thought out? Well, we believe that if you are here, it’s because you’ve found value in our little boutique business and our unique brand of book love speaks to you. Let us help you with the teachers, pastors, homeschooling families, grandkids, and so many other classic or even off-the-beaten path book nerds on your list!

We believe these suggestions, pairings if you will, for the bibliophile most matching the following descriptions will help your shopping go smoother this year. At least, that’s our hope! Happy shopping, friend!

Usual Suspect: Christmas Crazy Book Lover

Perhaps you’ve noticed a great love for the holidays in many of my books, whatever pen name I’m writing under. Whether you are a rom-com lover enjoying Tess and Garrett’s fun fake-dating Christmas love story in The Facts and Fictions of Love or Rapunzel’s first look at Christmas in Beyond the Tower we think these bookish ornaments, stockings and decorations will help your book lover’s heart melt in this sweet season!

Ornaments your book lover will, well, LOVE:

Christmas Stockings for your book lover

Christmas Candles for your book lover:

Usual Suspect: Book Dragon and Fantasy Lover

Do you have a book dragon on your list? Someone who LOVES to hoard their treasure of books and adores dragons (and possibly tons of other mythical creatures?) After you have gotten these book dragons Rapunzel’s Journey (yes, the sorceresses do love to shape-shift into creatures like DRAGONS, leviathan, and more are featured on the lovely covers) you’ll want to click through some of these lovely fantasy inspired treasures.

Usual Suspect: Loud and Proud Book Nerd

You know you have a true book nerd when they love chatting about how high their TBR stack is and how they have surpassed their Reading Challenge over on Goodreads. It’s probable they read in several genres, so once they’ve opened their actual book presents (please do consider bookish Tess and book nerd Rapunzel as fun reads for them!) these gifts will “pair well” with those paper or hardbacks!

For the Book Nerd Who Loves to Wear Her Love Loudly:

But there are those Book Nerds that might something a little more miscellaneous:

Wishing You and Your Usual Bookish Suspects a Merry Holiday (With Lots of Reading Time)!

Is this a complete list? By no means! Will I be adding to it as I think of things and write you more books? ABSOLUTELY! Until then, I’ll be over here, reading, shopping, and hoping to hear more from you in between my chats and laughing sessions with my crazy characters. Mucho love!

About the Quirky Author

A lover of faith and fantasy inspired fairy tale retellings and utterly obsessed with sweet romantic comedy books, JacQueline (aka Jackie Q.) enjoys telling stories, asking God hard questions, and laughing with her family and friends. She lives in North Alabama with her amazing karate husband and three book-crazy children. She takes every opportunity to drink coffee while wearing dangly earrings and the color purple.

*qualifying purchases will profit the author and her family with affiliate income to continue writing stories to delight more readers at no additional cost to you. 😉

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Do You Love Books More if You Read Fast or Slow?

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I feel like I keep coming across this strange guilt in the bookish community and it’s all related to the question, “Do you love books more if you read fast or slow?” The underlying theme is that only fast readers are truly living their best bookish lives now. But, how limiting is it to think that one pace is better than another without taking into account the many other factors that are in a reader’s life? I mean, it SOUNDS like having a life where all we do is read amazing books would be terrific, but that’s just not realistic (or actually living when you think about it!).

So I’m going to break down a few things that can contribute to living life well no matter how fast or slow or whatever your pace is for reading.

Taking a quick reading break while I write my next novel in Rapunzel’s Journey.

Are you a Fast Reader?

Did you know that there are people who read a book a day? I didn’t, not for a long time. Perhaps I had hints of it in the summertime when my bookish (read that: nerdy) friends and I would hole up to “recover” from the rigors of academia by getting lost among the pages of a fantasy world. And I realized that my friends were out-reading me. NOT that it was a competition or that I felt threatened or anything, but still. I remember wondering why I couldn’t read faster like them.

I had long thought of myself as a fast-reader because my mother, who was “slow” according to her own definition, always told me I was. And I thought kindly of myself in this area of my life, until I started comparing my own pace with my exceptional friends who could and did read faster. It didn’t completely steal the joy of my reading life, but I did squirm a little. Maybe I wasn’t the book nerd I thought I was.

Fast-forward to having a family of my own and living the life of a young mother, only able to read a chapter or two a day outside of my Bible reading. Taking my role as guardian and protector alongside my husband very seriously, I tried to read ahead of them. But my early readers were gifted students who had plenty of reading time. But that felt like an excuse to me. Maybe I was just a slow reader after all.

Being a Slow Reader

During this hectic season of my life, I tried to read to please others. I was reading nonfiction that my husband wanted to be able to discuss with me as he made his way through seminary. I was previewing and reading books that I was concerned might have mature content my early readers weren’t ready for yet. My reading life, once a refuge and cozy way to relax and unwind became a chore, another thing to finish up as quickly as possible so I could get to the next thing. Not surprisingly, my writing also suffered at this time.

My pace in reading slowed as my interest in the subject matter waned. But when I allowed myself to reach for books I wanted (I’m thankful for you, Hunger Games, for reigniting my love of reading) then the magic happened again. I won’t say that library due dates didn’t still stress me out, but when I realized that I could easily check out ebooks for extended lengths of time, I relished the books I was able to gobble up. I reclaimed my favorite way to unwind and also allowed myself time to think about the books I was reading. Because that is a huge part of the reading life for me. I can’t just read book after book after book unless I also take time to think about it {and usually find someone to discuss it with me}.

Reading in Different Seasons of Life

I’ve now had several stops and starts in this reading life. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my reading and writing life also took a hit and I realized that I am in fact a pretty moody reader. Making peace with that, and helping other readers make peace with that, has freed me up to enjoy lots of genres in lots of formats and at various paces. When I read romantic comedy, I generally read fast, often in a day or just a few days. When I read angsty ya fantasy, it will take at least a week, sometimes a month if I need more time to sit with the implications of the book. Historical fiction can be similar, but romantic suspense all depends on the pacing of the actual book.

I’ve found that for me reading several books at once is freeing. That way I can be making my way through a slower read that I can ponder while reading something lighter faster. I have different things I do while reading these books, sometimes I exercise while read an ebook, or I listen to an audiobook while cleaning, or read a hardback while taking a bath. If that makes me weird, it’s totally okay, I am having a great time with lots of books and usually not mixing them up. It works for me in the season of life I’m in right now.

Say “NO!” to undue Reader Guilt

Lately, I’ve talked to readers who feel the pressure to read faster and hurry up and conquer their TBR pile. I get it! We who love reading want to be able to get to the latest release everyone’s raving over. But it’s as though we’ve forgetten how privileged we are to have all these awesome books to get to in our own good time. We are missing out on our blessings. And I hate that.

As a writer, I’ve watched my readers practice wildly different paces with Rapunzel’s Journey. Some of the readers like to take my series fast, reading a book in one sitting. Others read a chapter or two a day, taking a month to read and think through each book. Neither one is right, neither is better than the other. I just love when they reach out to discuss what they love or struggled with in the stories.

That’s the kind of reading that benefits everyone. When you read at your own pace, content in your current season, counting your reading among your favorite blessings. You may watch your TBR pile diminish quickly or slowly, but you are making progress either way. I think we should all celebrate that. And it’s not the end of the world if you go a day without reading, I just probably won’t.

Loving Books and the Reading Life No Matter How Fast or Slow

So, what do you think? Do you love to read more if you’re fast or slow? Or do you think, like me, that there’s a flaw in that question. Some people are just fast people, and others of us are slower. We are still living and loving our lives, books in hand, smiles on our faces. Right?

If you are looking for free, short read, I’d love for you to download your copy of Before the Tower here and see if Rapunzel’s Journey is a series you would enjoy. The prequel tells of two sisters, one curse, and the betrayal that led to Rapunzel’s tower.

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun. 

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

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5 of the GREATEST Heroes {and Why We Love Them}

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Among us silly bookworms, 5 of the GREATEST Heroes {and why we love them} will not be something we can all agree on. It is intensely personal as to what draws someone to a hero. Go ahead and ask the nearest bibliophile, “What makes a hero great?” Depending on who you ask you might get a varied list:

  • a chiseled jawline
  • dry wit
  • unshakeable faith
  • strength of character
  • washboard abs
  • fierce loyalty
  • mysterious past
  • brooding eyes
  • playful smile

. . . I could go on. In fact, I will. But my personal list will be less about physicality and more about what motivates him. There is no way to discuss what makes him great without a few spoilers, but please have grace with me.

I’ve chosen the following 5 GREATEST heroes from my favorite book series. No one hero has it all and no man should have to live up to the reputation of any fictional character. But, I have discovered that the heroes I’m drawn to tell me a lot more about my husband than I realized for a long time. I wonder if the same is true for you and the man in your life (or in your future).

**affiliate links do help provide a small commission to me at no additional charge to you.

Greatest Hero #1: Gilbert Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables series

Of course I started with Gilbert Blythe. How could I not? He is one of the defining heroes that set the bar pretty high in terms of who I am willing sigh over. Fiercely loyal? Definitely, though it hurt him at times. Mischievous nature and playful smile? Both get him into trouble with Anne right from the start, making her a challenge that he pursues and finally wins over. But I love how he does it in stages and though he is besotted by her, he doesn’t lose sight of his own personal goals.

Since they match each other in intelligence, they are constantly pushing each other for the highest honors throughout grade school and throughout college. So, this hero is good for the heroine and brings out the best in her. His sense of humor also tempers our overly dramatic heroine. (My husband, bless him, does that for me) And loyal? He is, as he works his hardest to help provide for his family as a young adult and later for himself, Anne, and their children. Finally, what profession does he choose? He becomes a doctor during a time when they weren’t paid well, and that is very noble and swoon-worthy in my estimation.

Greatest Hero #2: Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series

How can we not all have a little crush on Harry Potter? The abused orphan/chosen one who is destined to save his magical world against all odds? Yes, yes, yes!

Things I love about Harry Potter include:

  • his sense of humor
  • his deep loyalty to his friends
  • even his deep flaws (like his temper)

The very people he surrounds himself with are those who make him stronger and better. He doesn’t play lone wolf too often, and when he does, he learns from his mistakes. By the end of the series, he has become the hero we all hoped he would be back when he was just an orphan locked under the stairs.

Publishing this post during the Christmas season of 2021. There’s been a lot of sadness in our world these past 20 months, I’m thankful for great books with the greatest heroes that make me *happy sigh* LOL 🙂

Greatest Hero #3: Wesley from The Princess Bride

Okay, I have never done this before, but I’m including a character from a book I haven’t read. YET! Instead, I’ve memorized the movie and discussed it at length with a friend who did read the book. Hey, it’s on my TBR and I just COULDN’T leave Wesley off this list!

First, though at the beginning of his journey our hero is just “farm boy,” he shows wisdom in the way that he woos his heroine, Buttercup. He keeps doing things for her and saying “as you wish”–umm, do YOU know a woman who wouldn’t love to have a man say and follow through with that?

Having earned her love, he travels off into the world to earn her hand, showing himself to be self-sacrificial from the very start. He goes on to show he is a man of many talents, what he doesn’t know, he is determined to learn, all in the name of getting back to the woman he loves. You guys, he becomes a PIRATE, and for some reason, that is so swashbuckling and all things awesome.

  • he becomes a master swordsman
  • he uses his brain against brawn
  • he develops an immunity to poison
  • he outwits the fire swamp

I love that he’s a strategist and the perfect foil for the nasty Prince Humperdink. And yes, evidently, heals quickly.

Greatest Hero #4: Wolf from The Lunar Chronicles

Okay, so I’m not really into paranormal-shifter books. I’m not saying I never will be, it’s just not my thing right now. But there is one hero from Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles that I adore, and it is Wolf. Just like his name sounds, he is some sort of human genetically altered into a wolf. Kinda. And his instincts are to be loyal to his pack and fulfill his mission.

But, as the book Scarlet is a sci-fi retelling/retwisting of Little Red Riding Hood, Wolf has a massive redemption arc. And you know I love a great story of redemption. I love the twists and turns that reveal who he is truly loyal to and protective of. And, as so many readers are saying these days, “I. Am. Here. For. It.”

Greatest Hero #5: Paul from Rapunzel’s Journey series

{forgive me, I will include a few spoilers from my series, but nothing you shouldn’t know if you are familiar with the original Rapunzel story from Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales}

When I first discovered Paul, he was listening to Rapunzel sing at night, unable to reach the woman he longs for since she is incarcerated in her doorless tower. Night after night he puzzled out how to get to her. The hunter in him prince loved the challenge. And once he found his way to her, I really fell in love with him. He was:

  • careful with her heart
  • respected her mind
  • shared his faith with her
  • wanted to help free her

Of course, he wasn’t perfect and got a little cocky about his ability to free her. Honestly, this makes him a little lovable to me, because it makes him human. And he paid for it dearly when the witch pushed him from the tower and, it seemed to Rapunzel, died.

But Paul, we find out later, is living under a spell on another island loyally serving a lord. Though bewitched, he is still gentle with her. When he discovers she is engaged, he wants her to decide who to love. He never pushes, but remains steadfast in his love. Later in the series, he grows past some insecurities and becomes an amazing mentor for other struggling young men.

So, yes, he reminds me greatly of my awesome husband. *Happy sigh*

You can purchase my series at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, my bookshop, or get the ebooks free on Amazon in KU (Kindle Unlimited). {For a limited time, all 4 paperbacks are under $40 USD on Amazon. 🙂 Merry Christmas!}

Bonus Hero #6: Rhys from Falling for Your Enemy

First of all, I have developed a major addiction to Sweet/Closed Door Rom-Coms this past year, and I blame Emma St. Clair. So I had to include one on this list. If you need a break from ya fantasy or the classic books you love, I highly recommend you pick up Emma St. Clair’s Love Cliche Series. Every single book includes a swoony hero and when you get to the last book, 5 of the Greatest Heroes {and why we love them} becomes apparent.

For me specifically, though Thayden almost won my heart in this series, I have to give the award to Rhys. And it’s going to make you laugh, but I understood so much more about my relationship with my husband after reading this book. Rhys:

  • is grumpy
  • has a dry wit
  • protects those he loves (oh, his grand gesture is AMAZING!)
  • has a secret wound he eventually confronts
  • is an amazing friend
  • makes Sam (the heroine) better

This book really needs to be read at the end of the series, and if you don’t love Rhys by the end, you may be lacking a soul. Just kidding. Maybe. Seriously, go buy it or listen to the audiobooks!

5 of the Greatest Heroes {and why we love them}

So, to recap, I’m a sucker for any intelligent man who puts others before himself, is fiercely loyal, and loves unconditionally. And evidently, I also like them a little grumpy with a dry wit that makes me laugh till I cry. But that’s me, what about you? You can comment here or hop over to Instagram where I shared this silly reel about heroes I love and tell me all about who else I should have included.

For more Book Recommendations, please visit my Complete List of Book Recommendations page or head over to my Bookshop that supports indie bookstores.

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun. 

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

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8 Frightening Books to Read this Halloween

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Though I used to not celebrate Halloween, I have found an odd acceptance with the holiday. I have discovered great joy in passing out candy, watching movies with my kids, and allowing myself the treat of a book that gives me chills. Not a fan of Stepen King, I prefer instead gothic horror and the sublime. So, if you are like me and looking for, oh, let’s say 8 frightening books to read this Halloween? Read on and I’ll also point you where to find them.

NOTE: Some links are affiliate, meaning I will receive a small commission with no additional charge to you.

Frightening Books to Read: Frankenstein

I have long wanted to read the story of Frankenstein, so when Smidgen Press hired me to write both the book description and the introduction to their gorgeous republication, I dove in, learning the backstory and preparing to be swept away by what some have called the original science fiction novel in the gothic horror style.

When Mary Shelley, deep in grief, was visiting with friends, Lord Byron made a challenge. Their odd group of gothic romantics living alternative and, for their time, scandalous lives, were dared to write chilling ghost stories.

By this point in history, Mary was acquainted with Luigi Galvini’s experimentation with the use of electricity on dead animals. She also knew of Galvini’s nephew’s reanimation of the body of an executed murderer. The inevitability of science going too far no longer seemed a leap of the imagination. 

The often depressed Mary might be likened to the obsessed Victor Frankenstein, the doctor she created for her story. While Dr. Frankenstein pieced together a new creation from several corpses, she stitched together the fearful news from the scientific front, envisioning a world where the creation makes a monster of its creator. See the full-size or adorable “pocket-size” available from Smidgen Press here.

Frightening Books to Read: Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey remains the only completed novel of Jane Austen’s that I have yet to read. When my sister bought me this lovely set of Jane Austen’s novels for Christmas, I was stunned. I KNEW this would be the year that I finally read Northanger Abbey. What’s more? I knew that October was the perfect month to do it in.

The story follows Catherine Moreland, a girl who has been spoiled by reading too many novels. When she visits love interest Henry Tilney’s family estate, she begins to try and unravel the mysteries she feels certain are there. I am looking forward to things that go bump in the night in this classic. And best of all will be Miss Austen’s satirical wit. Get this stunning clothbound edition with keys stitched on the cover here.

Frightening Books to Read: Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite classic books. Yes, it takes a little while to get into. Once Jane is off to Thornfield Hall, the stage is set for mystery with just enough horror and a bit of supernatural. The sound of madness cackling in laughter? The fear of being burnt alive in your bed? The nightmares that ominously point toward danger? All this and more totally kept me flipping through the pages. If I have time this October, I may pick it up again! Get this beautiful clothbound edition here.

Frightening Books to Read: House of Salt and Sorrows

Anyone who knows me should know that I adore a good fairy tale retelling. After all, as an author, that’s what I do! And a retelling based on both The Twelve Dancing Princesses AND Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven? What could be more eerily perfect for Halloween? My only caution is this. I recommend this book for older adolescents. If not, then read with a trusted adult to navigate some of the darker and more mature themes.

Set in the fantasy world where Poseidon lives, you can almost taste the salt of tears and waves. As Annaleigh recounts the deaths of her mother and subsequent sisters, the grief is heavy. There were once twelve, but the creepy knowledge that someone is stealing these lives permeates the pages. Darkness hovers like a ghost looming just out-of-sight. Is Annaleigh in danger, or has grief driven her mad? Get it here.

Frightening Books to Read: The Hazel Wood (series)

Even darker than The House of Salt and Sorrows is my next frightening suggestion. Melissa Albert’s masterfully crafted Hazel Wood series is perfect for anyone who enjoys the darker, bone-chilling side of fairy tales and can tolerate profanity. Alice and her mother have lived their life together always moving. They are trying to keep one step ahead of something that is chasing them. But when her mother is taken, Alice finds only a note telling her to “STAY AWAY FROM THE HAZEL WOOD”. Only Alice and her new friend can discover the truth.

Be prepared to read the original duology in quick succession. The ending of The Hazel Wood needs the conclusion of The Night Country to bring solid resolution. I do not recommend these books to young readers as they have such a sharp edge and are moored in moral ambiguity that I believe requires some maturity to handle. But that is my personal opinion, and I leave the decision up to each family/reader to make. You can get them here.

Frightening Books to Read: Before the Tower and Beyond the Tower

At last, I would like to invite you to travel with Rapunzel for some chilling adventures. When I first began writing, I had no idea how many dark and twisty paths we would be traveling together. From the betrayal that led to her imprisonment, to meeting Bluebeard, and losing her way in the Dark Wood, Rapunzel’s Journey is set in a fantasy world at odds with magic and filled with secrets. Like all of the above books, the storytelling begins slowly. Be prepared for it to weave its spell over you until you NEED to know what’s behind the door or at the end of the path.

I recommend you grab these frightening books to read for FREE. You can get the prequel, Before the Tower, here or book 1, Beyond the Tower, here. Yep, for now you can discover a portal into Rapunzel’s World and start your journey alongside her. But I’m frightened (<–see what I did there?) that I won’t be able to offer them for free much longer. Jury’s still out, but for now they are both still free and I’ll just update this article if and when I have to change that.

Your Turn

So, like always at the end of one of my articles, I will now turn it over to you. I would love to hear which of these 8 frightening books to read for Halloween you are going to pick up–if any. And if, in fact you like straight-up horror and have a hard time with more classic titles or descriptive young adult fantasy, what books would YOU recommend for this creepy time of the year? Let me know in the comments, on Instagram (where I make silly reels about books), or by contacting me here if you’re a little shy. I LOVE talking books and would consider it an honor to hear from you!

If you need more book recommendations from me, I have a curated list here or you can head over to my bookshop here.

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun. 

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

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5 of Our FAVORITE Feisty Redheads

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Horizontal image with laughing redheaded girl with messy hair in the wind. Text: Our FAVORITE Feisty Redheads

The Magic of Red Hair

Have you noticed a love in literature for a feisty redhead? I have started take note of them, and see that they have been influencing me for a long time. Once upon a time I was a plain, ordinary teenager with dull brown hair. When I became chronically ill with migraines, my normally conservative parents decided to let me try something new and different. I got to dye my hair. Red! And you know what? It did something for me. It changed how I viewed myself. I didn’t get well overnight, but you can ask my best friends, I became feistier. Those migraines weren’t going to hold me back forever!

Now, what on earth does this have to do with books, right? Well, like I said, I think my love of red hair can be traced back to some of my favorite literary heroines. I’ve been talking to other bookworms like me, and there does seem to be a great love for our favorite feisty redheads.

Feisty Redhead: Anne of Green Gables

Anne Shirley of L.M. Montgommery’s classic Anne of Green Gables books, is almost everyone’s favorite feisty redhead. The incorrigible orphan with an overactive imagination is constantly bumbling through one mishap or another. Her well-documented temper causes no end of trouble, but her sincere loyalty and devotion win us over.

What I found great was that even as an adult, I could pick up Anne’s books and begin to enjoy them all over again with a new appreciation. Having my own redhead made me think, what is it about redheads that makes them so fun and irrepressible?

Feisty Redhead: Molly or Genny Weasley from Harry Potter

I’m not sure that anyone else has this debate going on in their homes, but the question remains here: Molly or Ginny Weasley? My children love Ginny Weasley. I agree, Ginny is wonderful, but when compared to Molly Weasley . . . I just can’t see anyone being better than Molly Weasley. Fierce, devoted, it is Molly Weasley who not only raises a house full of mischievous redheads, but takes in orphan Harry Potter who is in desperate need of a mom. She is constantly feeding someone or arguing with them. And, spoiler alert, it is Molly Weasley who takes down one of the nastiest villianesses in the climatic conclusion to the whole series.

Feisty Redhead: Scarlet from The Lunar Chronicles

As much as I enjoyed the different take on fairy tales in Marissa Myer’s Lunar Chronicles, the series didn’t really take off for me until book 2, aptly named Scarlet for the red-headed heroine. As a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Scarlet was everything a feisty redhead should be:

  • strong
  • sassy
  • fiercely loyal

I loved her complicated relationship with Wolf and the twist that Marissa Myers did to keep us guessing as to whether or not we should root for him.

Redhead with text: Aren't Redheaded Characters Feisty and Fun?

My Newest Addition: Lady Gwynndolen in honor of my daughter

Now, I need to admit something. When I first began writing my retelling of Rapunzel long ago, I was newly married and had no children. But as the story grew and grew, my family did, too. My golden-haired Rapunzel came to resemble my dry-witted, introverted eldest daughter. In Beyond the Tower, we discover a young woman unsure of herself. She doesn’t know how to respond to people or God when she is cast out from her tower.

As the series progressed and Rapunzel matured, I found myself looking forward to telling the stories of the found family she develops. Not surprisingly, Lady Gwynndolen loudly asserted that she wanted her story told. Should it shock us that she resembles my red-haired, middle daughter? Not really. And when her ladyship is teaching swordplay to the difficult Prince Edmund, did I have my daughter help me stage the fights? Of course I did. With her own prowess in martial arts, it was fun to put some of that know-how to use and finally write action scenes that would cause Rapunzel to pale.

You can begin your own adventure traveling through The Journey series by downloading the free origin novella here or skip ahead to learn more about Lady Gwynndolen in book 4, Under the Curse.

Long, vertical image with Under the Curse book over ocean and cliffs

Your Turn

Now, I trust I’m not the only one who has cheered for redheads in different books. Maybe you’re a Pippi Longstocking fan. Maybe you adore the Weasley twins or another character I’ve left out. If so, share below or on social media who your favorite redheads are and what you like best about them. I’d love to hear all about it!

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun.

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

Photography: Johnny McClung, Christopher Campbell, Brad Lloyd, Jenna Anderson, Gabriel Silverio.

Social Media images: JacQueline Vaughn Roe

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Why Prequels and Origin Stories are Our FAVORITES

by

Have you given thought to why prequels and origin stories are some of our favorites? The beginning fascinates us, doesn’t it? The world’s best-selling book, the Bible, opens with, “In the beginning . . .” and we are introduced to the God of heaven and earth, what was good–and what went horribly wrong.

Some of the best loved literature, though, does not begin at the beginning. The authors published their stories and only later went back and published what set everything into motion. Those prequels, or origin novels, are cherished by the raving fans who adored the originals.

Prequels and Origin Stories: The Hobbit

If you love fantasy books, chances are you are familiar with The Lord of the Rings. Perhaps you traveled with Frodo and his companions on that fateful journey to destroy the ring. You know Middle Earth, tried to learn elvish, and despaired when the fellowship of the ring had to separate.

I like to imagine what it was like for the first readers to get their hands on the massive tomes written by J.R.R. Tolkien. Were there book clubs in little pubs all over the United Kingdom? And as they closed The Return of the King, how many of them had questions about Bilbo Baggins and his journey?

Tolkien was a brilliant, wordy man. The world-building he created for his series was vast in breadth and depth. Each character so well-formed, each people group so complete, that it wasn’t difficult to see the backstory was just waiting to be told. And so we were gifted with the origin story, the tale of how the ring came into the possession of Bilbo, and what began it all.

I, for one, am so grateful this prequel was shared with the world, aren’t you? Who doesn’t want more about the world’s best mentor, Gandalf?

Prequels and Origin Stories: The Magician’s Nephew

The beloved writer and theologian, C.S. Lewis, was not only a contemporary of J.R.R. Tolkien, but a close friend. I love hearing stories of their literary and writing group, The Inklings. Though the men differed in how they thought stories should be told, many of their readers like to group their fantasies together.

Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia begins with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, in which the Pevensie children discover the world of Narnia and help free it from the curse of the White Witch by the aid of Aslan, the lion and ruler of Narnia. Written as an allegory to lead readers to see the story of Jesus’ Christ sacrificial death and resurrection in a new light, the book has become a perennial classic.

But how did Narnia come to be? And how did a wardrobe in our world become a portal to carry children to Narnia? C.S. Lewis, a man of great thought, decided to answer these questions when he penned The Magician’s Nephew. The story was so powerful that a controversy arose as to how the books should be numbered, since this prequel was actually number six in the series. But I enjoy reading it as number six, right before the end. I love how Lewis put it there intentionally, as part of the allegory that leads people to think of their own “in the beginning” and who created them.

Prequels and Origin Stories: Before the Tower

I suppose it should be no surprise that these great men, and others like them, eventually inspired me to write my own prequel or origin story. My series began with what happened to Rapunzel after the witch had cut her hair and thrown her from the tower. I had always wondered, how could she survive in a world that was unknown to her? How would she make friends? What would she think of the God that the witch had taught her to hate?

In answering some of these questions while writing Beyond the Tower and the sequels, I found other questions. Who was the witch and why did she hate God so much? What could have twisted the woman to become the type of person who would incarcerate a young girl in a tower and isolate her from the world of men?

While most people have heard one version or another about Rapunzel, Before the Tower focuses on the relationship between two sisters whose lives are unraveled by greed.

Sneak Peek

“Give it to me now!” The old woman leaned close to Eufemia’s face, grabbing her hand. Katterina watched her sister instinctively step back. The putrid smell wafted near the two sisters as the old woman gave a gruesome smile showing her rotting teeth. “You think you smell better, little brat? You think you’re a beauty? It will be your curse! All you long for you will never be able to hold, all you reach for will be taken from you. You will die alone and lonely. All your birds will have wings and they will leave you crippled. Mark my words, child.”

Get your free copy now

One curse. Two secrets. Betrayal in the garden will lead to Rapunzel’s tower.

Once upon a time there lived two sisters who imagined their lives would be simple. They would spend their days in their small, little village keeping their father’s goats until they wed.

But not all stories have a happily-ever-after and beneath the fairytale’s sunshine lurks the shadowed side.

Once grown, Eufemia leaves home to be drawn into a life of powerful dark magic. She’s always longed to be special, to undo the curse placed on her when she was just a child.

Katterina grows wary of who her sister is becoming. And temptation calls her, will she steal the one man Eufemia has always wanted?

Two sisters, once each other’s refuge, will lay the foundation for Rapunzel’s imprisoning tower by their greed and betrayal.

My gift to you is this free book you can get here.

Your turn: share a favorite prequel you have enjoyed in the comments here or on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter and tag me.

About JacQueline

As the author of  The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.

If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun.

Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.

Social Media design by JacQueline Vaughn Roe, cover design by Sara Oliver Design.

Photo Credit: Wen Photos, Mira Cosic, Ricardo Helass.

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