Winter Wonder on Wednesday

Books & writing inspiration with author Rachael Ritchey

A very chilly hello to you!

Maybe it’s not chilly where you are, but where I am in north Florida, it snowed! It’s super cold because with the snow came humidity which makes the cold feel colder. Plus, I don’t have a winter coat any more! Mine found a new home with a sweet gal up in Maine.

Anyway! Here’s proof:

The proof is really just that I’m a goof and saved you from the worst of the photos…kid you not, I did a two-second video where I winked at the camera. Ridiculous. You’re welcome.

Giveaway Update

I decided last minute to hold off on the giveaway of Lady of Basilikas by Ronie Kendig until closer to my birthday. I was thinking it’d be a fun time to give a gift! So, that’ll actually start up next month, and I’ll run it for two weeks.

The giveaway will be for a hardback copy of this beautiful adult science fantasy prequel to Ronie Kendig’s Droseran Saga! The goal will be to encourage more people like you to sign up for this newsletter. I have another giveaway I’m planning for a little later this spring that will be for a leatherbound journal, a mug, and some other goodies. Anyway, I’m going to try to do a at least two or three giveaways a year because I love giving book-related gifts when I can!

Book Cover Reveal

Courtney Denelsbeck, author of the Red Fairy & Fox Adventures YA fantasy series is releasing another series this year, and the first book is—drum roll, please!

Morlave’s School of Magic

Book Synopsis:

"Congratulations! You are one of the gifted few selected to receive the coveted Yortsed Academy scholarship."

Cornelius Morlave long since accepted his fate to follow in his parents' footsteps, spending his days working in their modest shop. But when a letter with the distinctive wax crest arrives, everything changes. Morlave has been offered a full scholarship to Yortsed Academy, a prestigious school for magic.

As Morlave arrives at Yortsed, he struggles to perform even the most basic spells, convinced that he doesn't belong. But when he uncovers dangerous secrets, Morlave realizes that his destiny may lie within the walls of Yortsed Academy.

Filled with elves, orcs, and mysterious magic, Morlave's School of Magic is perfect for fans of Harry Potter and A Deadly Education. This book will take you on a journey of friendship, danger, and first love through a medieval academy that will leave you wanting more.

Morlave’s School of Magic will release: April 2, 2025

Rachael’s Writing (and Brainstorming) Update

Still plugging away at Ismene and Othniel’s prequel story. I feel like I’m going soooo sloooowwww. BUT, progress is happening. It’s amazing how hard it has gotten to turn off my inner editor. I have to stop myself from going through everything I’ve already written EVERY DAY. It works okay to pick up a little before where I left off and refresh myself in the tale before moving on most of the time, though.

Random classical music for concentration has become my jam in the background, and I do enjoy it. I don’t think listening to music necessarily changes how I write, but sometimes I wonder if maybe it bleeds in without me knowing.

Oh, I’ve adjusted my mood board for Ismene & Othniel, and I really like the changes:

But then, when I was searching through stock images I also came across a particular fella that made me totally think, “Florian!” who happens to be one of the twelve guardsmen of Prince Theiandar. Florian has made appearances in all three books in the Chronicles of the Twelve Realms so far, playing a HUGE part in The Treasonous, and he happens to be a conflicted character that I love.

Something fun I did back in 2016 is drew some simple character sketches of all twelve of Theiandar’s guardsmen and decided which was which. So here’s a side-by-side of my old sketch I named “Florian” next to the stock photo guy that jumped out at me and said, “Hey, I’m Florian!”

Not an exact match, but I’m sure you can see why that face screamed “I’m your character!” at me. Do you agree? No?

I think it was really this picture, though, that stuck with me in my imagination:

This seems to capture that serious aspects of his character, and I love the intensity of his gaze, a pained yet determined expression.

Can you picture him as Florian? Or vice versa? :)

The Treasonous is really Florian’s story of risking everything to save his sister, but a large portion of it is dedicated to the tumultuous love story of Idra and Ahmad.

SO, while I’m working on the prequel for Ismene and Othniel, I’m also thinking ahead to book four of the Chronicles of the Twelve Realms. I can’t wait to write where it will take Sir Florian and his fellow guardsmen as they continue the battle against hidden forces of magic that, if left unchecked, will enslave their world. And there will be sweet romance and adventure along the way!

My mind isn’t thinking about a whole lot else at the moment. Life is full and busy. I have plenty of work between secretarial stuff, graphic design, homeschooling, and living life with my sweet family. BUT it would be an honor to pray for you, if there’s anything you’d like to share. Please feel free to reach out with all the bookish stuff and needed prayer too. I’d love to connect with you!

Books Read So Far in January

Dracula and Oathbound were both started in 2024, though!

I read Doctor’s Snowflake Bride for the 12 Months of Reading Challenge (that you can join too!)

Check it out to see what it’s all about and find out about end of year surprises!