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Two glasses of wine, please. Sorry, that happens all the time. These gems will pay for the wine and the meal, and the beds, yes? Oops, glad you caught that one. Rarely get a pearl so large. How did this happen to me? Out of a kindness shown. A cup of water shared. A crust of bread halved. And the next morning - these riches, with every sentence. There is no stopping it. My sister? My  half  sister. No, she is not so happily afflicted. It always draws a crowd. That is why we chose this little inn, with no patrons. You may think of this as a gift. But it can be a burden, a danger even. Some have thought to keep us, to hurt us. We have learned to recognize greed. Wow, that sure is a splendid emerald. Yes, yes, take what you want. There is always more. Well, that was a fine meal. The wine was excellent, although rather spicy. I am uncommonly weary. If you could just show us to our room? No need to... I said... What I want to say... Stop! Sister! Thank the man for his hospitality. Oh indeed it is a huge snake, and deadly. There now quick and painless. Sister, do not look so squeamish. Haven't you got used to this by now? Go get the gems on the bar, leave the pearl and the emerald for his wife. Off to bed and say your prayers. We may need the protection. Marcia A. Sherman specializes in faerie tales, folklore, and fables. Her most recent published work of fiction, September Harvest, can be found in The Monsters We Forgot, Volume 3, by Soteira Press. Ms. Sherman also contributes essays and short works to The Fairy Tale Magazine, and Llewellyn Worldwide, under the pen name Emyme. Image: "Diamonds and Toads" by Margaret Evans Price

At the silver borders of night, when Stars are scattered coins across a velvet Sky and the moon glows sovereign and sublime, They come, twelve sisters in their satin shoes.   Noiseless as ghosts, they glide through glittering groves, Bound for boats to ferry them across the rippling Lake into the land of Faerie. They come to dance unfettered, Until their shoes are shreds and Starlight dissolves into dawn.   They come in emerald silk and silvered cloaks, Fingers flashing ruby rings and sapphire stones, Pearls threaded through unbound hair. The sisters come without a thought toward Peril, buoyed by risk and Arrayed in enchantment.   Inside flame-lit halls, ethereal music plays. No stray thought disturbs; no desire intrudes. And though they spin with princes across Cool stone floors, They dance only for themselves. Deborah Sage is a native of Kentucky, USA. She has most recently been published in  Eternal Haunted Summer, Literary LEO, Fairy Tale Magazine, From the Farther Trees, the 2022 Dwarf Stars Anthology ,  Amethyst Press  All Shall Be Well  anthology for Julian of Norwich and  Eye to the Telescope. Image: "The Shoes that were Danced to Pieces" by Elenore Abbott

The Foreign Exchange is the second book in a series (the first was titled The Quarter Storm ) which follows Reina Dumond, a Vodou priestess and healer who has a knack for solving mysteries in New Orleans. In this book, Reina investigates a friend’s husband and uncovers a conspiracy of people involved in dark ritual magic. The plot of the book moves quickly and the cast of characters, Reina’s friends and a love interest, are all engaging. What I loved most about the book was the atmosphere of New Orleans and the history of Vodou magic. The book takes place at Halloween, lending a city steeped in mystery an even more intriguing appeal. Halloween in New Orleans is celebrated with a large parade because it occurs close to the end of hurricane season. Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath haunts the book, and the vivid details transport the reader to the city. Although Vodou is sometimes popularly associated with dark magic, this book celebrates the traditions of Vodou, tracing them all the way back to Reina’s immigration from Haiti when she was young. Autumn in Haiti is described as a time that “cleared the path for change”, and each time Reina performs a ritual, the reader can feel her hope and desire for positive change. Reina creates spells and tinctures of protection with pink rose petals, white candles, and alligator teeth, and her shop is stocked with magic Vodou healing traditions. The book even includes a recipe for “Sweet Belly’s New Orleans Dirty Rice” which seems like a spell the readers create in their own kitchens. Fans of mystery series will enjoy the plot and characters, and armchair travelers will enjoy the details that make them feel like they have taken a trip to New Orleans. This was a fun, atmospheric read! You can find the book here . Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review. Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine where she writes stories, poems, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Her poetry has also been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review , Mermaids Monthly , Eternal Haunted Summer,   Forget Me Not Press, The Magic of Us, A Moon of One’s Own,   Baseball Bard , and Corvid Queen.  Her short fiction has appeared in The Chamber Magazine  and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers . You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author) or Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

No Profit Made Unlisted Video Official Link: Blaze: Experience this Outdoor and Family-Friendly Halloween Spectacular | The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze ( pumpkinblaze.org )

Night of the Living Queers , an anthology of young adult short stories dedicated to “anyone who’s had to pretend to be someone {they’re} not”, is an impressive collection of tales that seeks to represent the intersection of queerness and identity. The book features thirteen different stories told through the lenses of BIPOC teens, and each story takes place on a Halloween night beneath a Blue Moon. This book provides everything readers could want from a Halloween collection. There are costume parties in abandoned hotels, nights spent handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, pirate ghosts who haunt the mall food court, phantom animals who prowl the local drive-in theater, and haunted mansions where mysterious homicides take place. The stories feature ghosts, vampires, serial-killing clowns, Rougarou, poltergeists, and Ouija boards. References to Freddy Krueger and Camp Crystal Lake sit beside references to TikTok and cursed video links, giving the text both a contemporary and nostalgic feel. The stories provide a spooky atmosphere without frightening readers or subjecting them to gratuitous gore, and beneath the plot of each tale runs a commentary on the important pleasures of Halloween, with one character poignantly stating, “if only I could so easily slip out of my skin the other 364 days.” I enjoyed this collection and think it is a much-needed addition to the Young Adult genre. Although the stories feature queer and non-white characters, the narrative focus is on battling supernatural entities, and this allows the teen characters to represent their identities without being narrowly defined by them. Adolescent readers will find diverse stories that scare, delight, tease, and inspire. Adults will find a window into contemporary teen life and enjoy a nostalgic look at the Halloweens of their youth. Night of the Living Queers  presents thirteen different tales brought together beneath a Blue Moon, itself a sign of change and transformation. This is a fun Halloween read that has the potential to transform the landscape of teen fiction and identity. You can find the book here . Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine where she writes stories, poems, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Her poetry has also been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review , Mermaids Monthly , Eternal Haunted Summer,   Forget Me Not Press, The Magic of Us, A Moon of One’s Own,   Baseball Bard , and Corvid Queen.  Her short fiction has appeared in The Chamber Magazine  and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers . You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author) or Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

What the River Knows , the first book in the Secrets of the Nile duology, is a must read for fans of mystery, romance and historical fiction. Inez Olivera has spent her life with parents who spend long stretches of time in Egypt while she comes of age in the glittering society of 19th century Buenos Aires. At the age of eighteen, she learns that her parents have died, and against the wishes of her guardians, she travels to Egypt in investigate their deaths. Her uncle, who has been working on a mysterious project with her parents, is less than happy to see her, and when he fails to effectively send his niece back home, he assigns his dashing employee, Mr. Whitford Hayes, to keep an eye on her and make sure she stays out of trouble. Inez, who has absorbed a touch of old magic from a ring her father sent her, secretly follows her uncle as he sails down the Nile searching for Cleopatra’s tomb. This book was such fun! There is intense romantic tension between Inez and Whit, and although the book is told mostly from Inez’ point of view, the chapters are punctuated with Whit’s voice and perspective on the unfolding adventures. Inez and Whit’s relationship is full of intelligent banter, and in spite of their obvious frustrations with one another, their mutual attraction sizzles. Billed as a mix between The Mummy  and Death on the Nile , this book contains the perfect blend of murder mystery and romance with the right touch of magic and mythology. I love Agatha Christie’s novels and enjoy books about Egypt, so I was excited to read What the River Knows . Ibanez’ novel did not disappoint as it swept me away to another time and place. I gasped out loud several times as the plot twisted and turned, upending my expectations. I can’t wait to read the second installment in this duology! If mystery, romance, and magic interest you, give this book a read; you won’t regret it! You can find it here . Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review. Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine where she writes stories, poems, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Her poetry has also been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review , Mermaids Monthly , Eternal Haunted Summer,   Forget Me Not Press, The Magic of Us, A Moon of One’s Own,   Baseball Bard , and Corvid Queen.  Her short fiction has appeared in The Chamber Magazine  and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers . You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author) or Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

What Became of Magic  is a fun story about a witch who can find keys and open doors. Although the protagonist, Aline Weir, is a lonely thirty year old when the novel begins, the book spends a fair amount of time recounting her difficult adolescence. As a teenager, Aline felt more comfortable reading than talking about clothes and boys, and despite her best efforts to forge friendships with the girls in her school, she finds herself on the outside of the social circle. When she begins talking to a ghost at a slumber party she is labeled a freak, and when a romantic interaction with a boy goes terribly wrong, Aline is forced to find solace in the town library which is run by three witch sisters who guard the books. Aline’s quests eventually bring her to the town of Matchstick, a place between the sun and moon, governed by the laws of magic. She learns that lost magic must be found, and discovers that Magic is also the name of a dangerous person with whom she must contend. This was a fun magical read. Aline learns to value her unique form of magic in spite of the pain it has caused her. There are lots of twists and turns as Aline learns how to usher souls to their final resting place and comes to terms with the unexpected surprises of a magical universe. You can find the book here . Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review. Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine where she writes stories, poems, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Her poetry has also been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review , Mermaids Monthly , Eternal Haunted Summer, Forget Me Not Press, The Magic of Us, A Moon of One’s Own, Baseball Bard , and Corvid Queen.  Her short fiction has appeared in The Chamber Magazine  and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers . You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author), Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

The season of the witch is upon us, so light a candle, conjure up a cup of tea, and peruse my list of witchy book recommendations designed to cast a spell over your “to be read” list. Weyward , by Emilia Hart, takes its title from the wayward sisters in Macbeth. This novel follows the timeline of three women separated by generations. You can read my review here . I love Louisa Morgan’s sweeping historical novel A Secret History of Witches . Beginning in Brittany in 1821 and ending as World War II comes to a close, this brilliantly structured book weaves together the stories and secrets of generations of women who practice the craft. You can read my review here . Do you love witches? Are you a fan of classic 19th century novels? If you answer yes to both of these questions give Salt and Broom  a try! This delightful book by Sharon Lynn Fisher reimagines the novel Jane Eyre, but Fisher’s protagonist uses her witchy knowledge to break the curse that has been haunting Rochester. You can read my review here . Mary McMyne takes readers back to Shakespeare’s time with her witch novel A Rose By Any Other Name . Told from the point of view of The Dark Lady made famous by Shakespeare’s sonnet sequence, this narrative will delight those looking for a new take on literary history. You can read my review here. Looking for a story about a middle age witch? Rebecca Buchanan's Geek Witch and the Treacherous Tome of Deadly Danger fits the bill! This action packed novella will keep you turning pages as you learn about magic. You can find my review here . The Witches of Bone Hill  by Ava Morgyn takes place in my home state of Connecticut where a young woman had inherited a Victorian estate filled with ghosts, secrets, and mysteries. The protagonist must come to terms with her witchy abilities to heal generational trauma. You can read my review here . Morgyn's next novel, The Bane Witch , releasing in March 2025, looks promising as well! Weep, Woman, Weep is a Gothic tale about the legend of La Llorona, and magical and witchy vibes abound! Maria DeBlassie presents compelling characters in an evocative setting. She also explores the impact of generational trauma as her protagonist reclaims her identity through gardening enchantment. You can read my review here . If you enjoy your witches with a side of spicy romance, Sophie H. Morgan’s The Witch is Back   may be the book for you! Emma Bluewater, the owner of a bar named Toil and Trouble , is forced to marry the handsome warlock who left her at the aisle. You can read my review here . Another spicy, witch romance in my “to be read” is Best Hex Ever   by Nadia El-Fassi. The book promises hedge mazes, palm readings, and midnight Halloween rituals as a kitchen witch navigates a hex with the help of a globetrotting museum curator. If you prefer your witchy romances to be sweet, check out Brianne Randall’s The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic . Billed as a cross between Practical magic and Gilmore Girls, this book follows the story of Sadie Revelare as she learns to deal with heartbreak and grief. High on my “to be read” list is Paige Crutcher’s novel A Circle of Uncommon Witches . The protagonist is one of the most powerful and lonely witches in her family, and she must work to break a centuries old curse. The book doesn’t release until next year, but it promises to be full of witchy goodness! And while you wait, check out Crutcher's book What Became of Magic . Review coming soon! Finally, no list of witchy fiction is complete without Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic  Series. This set of four books follows the Owens family as they learn about life and love. Pour yourself a midnight margarita, get a slice of chocolate cake, and cozy up for Hoffman’s enchanting prose. Kelly Jarvis works as the Assistant Editor for The Fairy Tale Magazine where she writes stories, poems, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Her poetry has also been featured or is forthcoming in Blue Heron Review , Mermaids Monthly , Eternal Haunted Summer,   Forget Me Not Press, The Magic of Us, A Moon of One’s Own,   Baseball Bard , and Corvid Queen.  Her short fiction has appeared in The Chamber Magazine  and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers . You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author) or Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/

The Bridge Audio File

The crackling of an incoming portal jolted Cinderella to her feet.  The sky opened and spat out a creature. She gazed in horror and ducked her head, dropping low against the ground. Hands spread against dirt, she crawled toward a covering. A streak of black whirled past her, sending her back in the opposite direction. It moved in blurs before taking down half a tree. Golden, amber and mahogany colored leaves burst into Autumn confetti. The creature tumbled into a pile of hay, slicing the air with an ear-piercing shrill. Bewildered by the sound of its cry, Cinderella contemplated whether or not it had been a harpy or a mad imp passing through. On this side of the kingdom, such sightings were rare but weren’t unheard of. It groaned as it struggled to free itself. Legs and arms protruded out. Crooked and broken. Snapping back into place. The creature crawled out and stood upright. Its long, dark tresses lifted away from its face. It was then Cinderella realized it hadn’t been a creature after all. A young woman. Dressed in fabric dotted with glinting black jewels. It shimmered against moonlight as though it had been spun directly from a glimmering night sky. “Are you okay?” Cinderella asked in disbelief. The woman lurched forward. She stretched her bones as if she had woken from a century-length slumber. She plucked straws from her hair and dress. “Ugh. Don’t you just hate when that happens?” She patted her head. “My hat!” Like a mad dog searching for its bone, she frantically dug into the pile of hay, tossing handfuls to the side. A black object—scrunched into a flat circle—twitched on the ground. Cinderella pointed, keeping her distance in case she should retreat. “W-what’s that?” “Hmm?” The woman spun on her heal. “My hat!” She scooped it up and blew into the opening, restoring its shape. Its tip expanded into a curved point. When she opened her palms, it floated up and positioned itself over her head. Cinderella stood, mouth hung agape, eyes wide and unblinking. “Come.” The woman gestured with her hand. Cinderella hesitated yet something about the woman drew her forward. “Closer, closer. I promise I’m not a vampire, you see?” The woman pulled back her lips, revealing porcelain-white canines. Cinderella took another step forward. “Yes. Closer still. Let me have a good look at you.” Cinderella leaned her head back as the woman leaned hers forward. They stood face to face, staring deep into each other’s eyes. Gazing into the woman’s eyes was like staring into the void. Dark as a bottomless well. Thick lashes—the length of sewing needles—batted at Cinderella as she circled around, clicking her tongue and scanning her body, absorbing every detail. “Yes, yes. You’ll do quite well.” “Pardon?” asked Cinderella. The woman grunted. Her arm shot straight out, palm facing the pile of hay. “Ivis, come forward.” The hay stirred. A gnarled broomstick zipped out and flew into the woman’s open hand. “I’ll turn you into a frog if you ever drop me like that again. Understand?” The broom trembled while nodding the tip of its head. The woman caressed its smooth surface. Its finely polished gloss caught the woman’s reflection. “There, there. I know. You’ll do better next time.” “Who are you?” Cinderella asked. From the shadow of her hat, the woman shot a sharp glance at Cinderella. She released the broom and it hovered by her side like a loyal pet. The corners of her mouth twitched from one side to the other before curling into a wicked grin. “I’m Graechel.” Her feet lifted off the ground as she twirled into a perfect curtsey. “Are you… my Fairy Godmother?” Graechel cackled. “Fairy Godmother? Ha! She’s in a bind at the moment. A binding spell that is.” Cinderella gasped. Before she could react, Graechel had already gathered a pinch of magic dust from a small pouch at her waist. Ready in hand, she blew it into Cinderella’s face. The opalescent particles trickled over her, working into the corners of her eyes, stinging upon entry. Her nostrils tingled. Dark magic seeped down her throat in a prickly trail. She breathed in a wicked flavor. Bitter. “Why?” She managed to say as her body grew stiff. Statuesque. A live doll. “Sorry, Deary. Nothing personal. I was hired to spy on Prince Charming. You’d make a perfect host. A living disguise. Same height. Weight. Pure-hearted. No one would suspect a thing.” Graechel cackled. Tears rolled down Cinderella’s cheeks. Her chest heaved ruggedly. “Breathe, Deary. Can’t have you passing out on me. I assure you this will be almost painless with minor spurts of dizzying side effects. The bright side? You’ll attend the ball just as you desire. I’ll dress you up. And while I’ll  be in control you’ll still retain awareness. If you be a good puppet I’ll throw in the prince for you in the end.” Cinderella’s breathing grew profuse. Graechel gave a dismissal shrug. Her hand shoved elbow-deep into a sleeve and withdrew a dark, sparkling spoon-wand. She raised her hands, eyes closed. Cinderella forced words through stiff lips. Please, let me go.” Graechel’s hand fell to her side. “Quiet! I have to concentrate.” She tapped the end of the wand against her palm, waiting for Cinderella’s sobbing to end. Graechel shook her head and cleared her throat. Her incantations rose above Cinderella’s whimpers. The wand cast a sickly green light as it hummed in the air. Magical orbs spewed outward in a swirling trail. Spectral baubles burst over an aged-old cauldron half buried in dirt. On the way across the yard, it grew in size, tumbling over in thuds, dumping dry soil and crumbling rocks. The iron croaked under the stress of being reshaped. It morphed between a wheeled cart, a wagon, and a carriage before settling as a king carrier. Spiders skittered to the roof. They spun silk under Grachel’s spell, weaving intricate cobweb curtains before dispersing. Orbs showered into the earth. Skeletal hands broke through the surface, clinging over dirt and grass. A body of bones climbed past their unmarked graves. Eight total gathered together, taking their position by the carrier. A swarm of iridescent bubbles collided into Cinderella’s tattered dress. Gossamer silk weaved across her body. Snow-white feathers gathered below her shoulders in a plume. Matching gloves, lined with crystal gems, formed over her hands. Ghost-white moth wings grew out from her bare back. A moth-like headdress formed over her head as two feathery antennae sprouted and curved past her forehead. Parts of her hair bundled up into two buns with cascading curls as other parts twisted into braids. Bubbles aimed at Cinderella’s bare feet. Dark metal-spiked slippers appeared. “I believe Prince Charming has a thing for spiked slippers. He’s going to love these.” Graechel nodded and giggled. Cinderella stared from wide eyes. “Now, for the finishing touch,” said Graechel. “Open wide.” She spun in circles, raising her hands to the sky beneath the Hunter’s Moon. Her body shattered into a dark plume of shimmering flies. Cinderella’s mouth was forced open and the swarm of Graechel entered. Cinderella’s eyes closed. Tears still running down, eyes burning. The weight of Graechel’s magic filled her lungs. Invaded her mind. Shoved her to the side, into the background as a prisoner in her own body. Forced to observe as Graechel took complete control. Inhaling deeply, Graechel opened her eyes. “Ah. If the body fits, wear it well. We’re like two yolks in a raven’s egg. That’s what my mother witch would say.” Gathering the hem of her moth-like gown she danced toward the carrier and seated herself. She tapped her wand against a skeleton’s skull, clicking her tongue twice. “Off we go!” The skeletons hoisted the carrier poles over their shoulders and marched down the road, rattling their bones to Graechel’s humming. Julia Stilchen  grew up loving all things fantasy, paranormal and science fiction. She especially enjoys reimagining fairy tales, retelling them with an entirely new spin. Aside from writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, occasionally playing video games, and working on creative projects. Cover Art by Amanda Bergloff