Mary’s Expression

Enchanted Garden Ball

Last month, my husband took me on an extra special date night. An Enchanted Garden Ball. The event was hosted by a dress company, JessaKae. It took place at a local event venue and vineyard, La Caille.

I wore a JessaKae dress, the Highgrove. I felt like a princess from one of my stories! I loved seeing everyone so dressed up. Even the men. There were fabulous dresses and suits, some people in costumes and masks. I wore a tiara. My husband wore a renaissance pirate shirt.

There were carriage rides, performers, and so so many photo opportunities. It was a fabulous date night, and felt very in line with Briarbook Lane and the Tales of Tessagonia.

Tales of Tessagonia 2024 Titles

Venom and Shadow (book 4) Rumors are you can find anything at Aloka-pasar, the Shadow Market. But what will find you? When Fatinah’s husband is bit by a venomous snake, she learns he has seven days to live. The Shadow Market may have a remedy, if she can get there in...

Book Three of Tales of Tessagonia is out Now

Book three of Tales of Tessagonia is out now! The Princess Test has elements of Cinderella, bride tests, and Allerleirauh.  Three wedding events. Three princess tests. Three magical dresses.  When a prince brings home a foreign peasant girl for his bride, his family...

Tales of Tessagonia News

If you haven't yet heard the news, I have a release date for book two of Tales of Tessagonia, my fairy-tale novella series! Mirror will come out on June 1, 2023. Preorders are open now. "I see all. I know all. I cannot tell a lie." A magic mirror that speaks only...

Mary Reviews: Vassa in the Night

Vassa in the Night is a modern retelling of the Russian tale Vasillissa the Beautiful. It is a Baba Yaga story. In this case, the chicken hut is instead a chain of convenience stores. I loved that the saying to get into the chicken hut is turned into a store jingle that customers still have to say to get the store to kneel. I like the idea of a bright orange store with chicken feet. The BY is open all night long, and those nights keep getting longer. 

Briarbook Bookshop Crawl

Elizabeth and her husband James visited Utah this December for the holidays. We were able to get together for a few different days during their visit. We recorded our December book club discussion in person, played board games, and went on what I'm calling a Bookshop...