Angela VanWell

Author | Reader | Traveler | Tea and Coffee Drinker

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Inspiring Author of the Week: Ilona Andrews

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Emerald Blaze: A Hidden Legacy Novel is the latest novel in the Hidden Legacy series. As with the rest of the series, it made me want to visit their world of magic, if only I could visit as a Prime magic user. A group of families with the power and wealth to change the world.

The first trilogy began with the oldest Baylor daughter, Nevada. The series followed her swift move into the world of Prime magic users while finding love along the way, no matter how obstinate that love was. I loved the series. The world building, the wit, and the action were all I could ask for from the couple who writes as Ilona Andrews. More than anything, the books made me fall in love with the Baylor family. Who, no matter how bad the odds, were always there for each other.

Emerald Blaze is the latest instalment in the second series, focusing on Catalina, the second in line to run the Baylor House. I loved Nevada’s work ethic and never ending love for her family. But Catalina’s journey is more difficult as we follow her drive to protect the Baylor House, while working as a Deputy to the warden of Texas. The difficulties, including the love and sacrifice that comes with the status change, hound Catalina. The balancing act of her many roles has Catalina on the edge of a blade, and adding in her unpredictable love interest, Alessandro, who had already crushed her heart.

I loved this book. In fact, I loved Emerald Blaze so much I read it over a morning while I was supposed to be exploring Jasper, Alberta, while on my holiday. It was worth it. The sweltering magically-changed Houston came to life through their words. The Pit, a piece of the city previously visited in Nevada’s trilogy, became the centrepiece of Catalina’s latest story. Alessandro, who previously crushed her heart, pivotal to keeping her alive and she investigates a murder that could be the end of everything.

If you enjoy magic, grit, wit, and romance, I strongly urge you to pick up this series. Make sure you don’t have other priorities, they will be missed. Do you have any fantasy or paranormal romance series that take you right into their magical world? If so, please share! I am always looking for more series to disappear into.

To check out the Hidden Legacy World, visit the Ilona Andrews website: https://ilona-andrews.com/hidden-legacy/

Hauntings at the Banff Springs Hotel

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Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta, Canada

My daughter and I decided to take a girls trip in the Canadian portion of the Rocky Mountains. Our first stop, Banff. Why Banff? All you need to do is look up the name and the images will call to you. Regardless of the season it is a little treasure held within the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It also resides in the first National Park in Canada. Banff is unique in that it was setup solely as a tourist destination after the discovery of Cave and Basin hot springs. If tourists were to explore the exquisite park and spa, they needed somewhere to stay. It was then, Sir William Cornelius Van Horne had the idea to built the Banff Springs Hotel. It is the hotel that my daughter and I were truly interested in. Not because of its history, so much as the history of its inhabitants.

If we can’t export the scenery, we’ll have to import the tourists.

Sir william cornelius van horne (1843-1915)

Great Canadian Ghost Stories

Legendary Tales of Hauntings from Coast to Coast

by Barbara Smith

When traveling, we pick up local books of folklore, fairytales, and my daughters favourite, ghost stories. This time it was a collection called Great Canadian Ghost Stories, Legendary Tales of Hauntings from Coast to Coast, by Barbara Smith. This book spoke of several ghosts who have been seen and even interacted with guests. The most well know, The Dancing Bride, whose death on her wedding day does not stop her from dancing her wedding waltz at the base of the grand staircase where she died. The most loved, the ghost of Sam Macauley, a bellman who continues to help guests at the hotel, well after his death. He is held responsible for moving elevators and helping guests in need.

Although we wished we saw those ghosts and others, the best we could do was find the bottom of our tea cups after enjoying afternoon tea. It was our first foray into exploring the ghostly past of the Canadian Rockies, but it won’t be our last.

Have you found any interesting local ghost stories on your travels? If so, I would love to hear about them!

How to edit when it’s perfect outside?

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Alberta is like a teenage girl who cannot decide how she is feeling. I know, because I was that girl. Sunny and excited to start the day and then, in an instant, thunderous anger, ready to attack, with lightening bolts flashing from my eyes.

The temperamental weather makes me want to run outside and absorb the sun before the clouds hide it from me. I am rereading the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs; instead of working through the notes my former self has left me to deal with. She forgets she and I are the same and will have to deal with them at some point in the future.

Today the sun won. Instead of typing away in my office, I picked a mug full of raspberries to snack on as my eyes devoured Iron Kissed, book three in the Mercy Thompson series.

It was the right decision. The clouds have moved in and threatened thundershowers with wind gusts and hail. Summers in Alberta are not long, to begin with, and sunny days even rarer. I read three chapters before I was chased inside. So now I edit. After the fresh air and sublime story, I am enjoying the process.  The storm harries me along. To think one day someone else will be enjoying my story pulls me through the process. What weather has you considering playing hooky from work?

Little Lending Libraries

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My family spotted this library along the Terry Hershey Hike & Bike Trail in Houston Texas.

My family moved to Houston, Texas, USA in 2020. Not the easiest move due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But there is always a light that makes a new place feel like home, no matter where we move. The little lending libraries we happened upon when we explored Buffalo Bayou Park is one of those places.

Not only were we happy to find a lending library, but I was overjoyed to see the little library was a part of a bigger project called the Little Free Library, a book sharing movement. The movement is via a nonprofit organization focused on inspiring the love of reading and building communities.

With the Coronavirus outbreak still rolling, some of the little libraries we have seen have transitioned into a sharing box for essential needs. Regardless of whether there are books, seeds, or canned goods, to me, the libraries continue to be a beacon of the strength and support of community during these trying times.

The Portal Keeper

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The Keeper Archives Book One:
By S. T. Sanchez

Blurb:

A shadow of shame has fallen over the once proud Maxwell family, and only their faithful son Ajax, can restore honor to their name. He is tasked with guarding a mysterious portal, the existence of which only a few people outside the King are aware. A prophecy warns of a danger to come, as the new keeper, Ajax fears he will let everyone down.

When the Prince of Rastella comes to visit the portal for the first time, accompanied by Ajax’s childhood friend Nivara, disaster strikes! In an accident, the Prince falls into the portal and Ajax knows that it’s up to him to venture in and get him back.

With the knowledge that nobody who has entered it has ever returned, Ajax and Nivara leap through the portal to try to save the Prince. He discovers a world full of magic and fantastic creatures, in an adventure that will test him to his limits, and leave him wondering if he will ever get home.

Review:

The Portal Keeper is a MG fantasy set in the Kingdom of Rastella. Ajax, the second son of the Maxwell family, is forced to take his brother’s post. A job he never expected to have and did not have proper time to train for. Once the prince falls through the portal, Ajax must pass through it to save his prince and return his families honour.  On the other side of the portal is a world is a place of myth, prophecy, and fantastic characters; S. T. Sanchez wrote a place where children can let their imaginations run wild.

The main story is centered on Ajax, Niv, and the Prince’s adventures as they try to find a way home, yet there are numerous supporting creatures to adds humour to their journeys. I enjoyed the variety and depth of creatures explored in this story. I would happily recommend this story as a gift to children who enjoy exploring new worlds and new characters in adventure to return home. There are more stories to go, and I am sure the new adventures will be just as delightful.

Thank you, S.T. Sanchez, for providing me with this ARC copy.

If you enjoy a MG fantasy, this book is for you and the middle grade children in your life.

Welcome!

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My name is Angela VanWell, and welcome to my new website! I have been a long time reader and finally reached for my dream to become an author. It took leaving my career to travel with my family for me to realize I needed to take the step to turn my dream of writing One Day into writing Day One.

With the support of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, I have written an Urban Fantasy Series currently called River Run. Once it is edited, (And boy does it need it), I intend to share it on this blog. In the mean time, I intend to create a place to talk about books I adore, places to explore, and silliness that happens in every day life.

Visiting the Tinkinswood Burial Chamber in Wales