Jessica L. Elliott

This spring when I was terribly sick from pregnancy, I had one bright spot. A bright spot I couldn't even share with anyone! For those of you who know me well, you know I hate waiting to share good news or good books. So I'm super excited to be able to share with you about Ashen, the upcoming release from fantasy author H. L. Burke. I've been following H. L. Burke for a long time, and when she asked for some extra eyes on her Cinderella retelling, Ashen, I was immediately interested. Vaguely Icelandic setting, steampunk and fantasy elements, plus fairy tale I love? Sign me up!  And this story definitely didn't disappoint. Here's the official blurb: Stealer of warmth, bringer of death. What if Cinderella had a secret that kept her locked away? Unable to make her own body heat, foundling Lizbete survives in the tavern kitchen, drawing warmth from the fires, the sun—and sometimes, other living beings. Her days are spent cookin g alongside the tavern owner and avoiding ...

So I've got a new blog! Yay! What better way to celebrate than by sharing some awesome news from a favorite author? The wonderful H. L. Burke is gearing to release Heart of the Curiosity through Uncommon Universes Press. Curious? Me too, so let's dive in! The secret lies with the Heart. Born with a magical knack for manipulating emotions, Leodora's only dream is to ensure her talented little sister dances on the biggest, brightest stage in the Republic: The Curiosity, a grand old theater of tradition and innovation. After escaping a cruel carnival, Leo secures her sister a place in the Curiosity’s chorus line, and herself a job as a professional audience member, swaying the crowd's mood with her magic. The girls have a home for the first time in their lives. Then a tragic accident darkens the theater. A greedy businessman begins blackmailing Leo, and financial woes threaten to close the show forever. The Curiosity's sole hope lies in a mythical power sou...