Merry Christmas

Secrets of Magic : Torren The Teller's Tale Tour

Do You Know the Secret of Real Magic?

By Shevi Arnold

Do you believe in the magic of stories?

I’m not asking if you believe in magic wands, pixie dust, or bunny holes that can transport you to Wonderland. What I’m asking is do you believe in the magic of stories themselves? I’m not asking if you believe in the magic of Harry Potter, Tinkerbell, and the White Rabbit. What I’m asking is if you believe in the magic of J.K. Rowling, James M. Barrie, Lewis Carroll.  

I believe in that kind of magic. Stories, after all, have transported me to other worlds. They’ve allowed me the opportunity to experience lives different from my own. They’ve let me see things from different points of view. And they made me care about, cry for, laugh with, and fall in love with people I could not have met any other way. Stories have moved me and made me think. They’ve made me see things about my own life and my own world that I’ve never noticed before.

Detail from the cover of Toren the Teller's Flight, book two of Toren the Teller’s Tale

What’s that if not magic?

In my new book, Toren the Teller’s Tale, the main character becomes an apprentice to a wizard who wants her to learn the greatest magic of their world:

My master leaned in close again and began to teach me my first true lesson. “When you think of magic, you think of wizards and witches. You might also think of dragons. But that is only half of what magic is. Magic is everywhere to some degree.”

He pointed at the wares of the vendors around us. “There is magic in the artistry that made that cloth over there: magic in the dyes that created the colors, the fingers that worked the loom. There is magic in those candles and in the glass. All of this magic can be wielded by one who holds the power. You have a great deal of power already in you, but you must learn how to use it.

“It isn’t enough to learn spells and how to make potions. You must learn how to read the magic in everything. You must learn to tell the story of the dye and the fingers, the candle, and the glass. The ultimate magic is the story that doesn’t merely describe the thing, but is the thing. If you read something until you know it completely--every bit of its magic, every part of its story--then you will be able to retell that story in a single, unspoken word called a Shemet. Tell its Shemet, and it is yours not only to shape and bend but also to create from nothing.

“This ultimate power became lost when the magic of our world was shattered about eight hundred years ago. It is written that in the Age of Magic the power of wizards and witches was so great they shined as brightly as the sun. Today we are no more than scarcely glowing embers.” Here he paused and looked deeply into my eyes. The expression on his face was earnest. “I believe, however, the old magic can, and must, rise again. The evil magic in our world--that devastating wind--is gathering its strength too, and we must take action to bring it down.”

He took the amulet on the chain around my neck, pressed it into my palm, and folded my fingers around it. “We wizards and witches brandish magic. But we have become so obsessed with its symbols--the potions and the spells--that we have forgotten what the source of our highest power is: the reading and retelling of the Shemet.  I need you to learn all the magic there is to learn. To do that you must learn everything. Above all, you must learn from those who are closest to the source of this magic, those who hold the power of the telling.”

My master stepped aside and gestured toward the storyteller, who had now finished his performance. First came a brief silence. Then sighs of pleasure, cheers, and clapping followed, and the audience dispersed. Some wiped away tears, while others chatted. All were smiling. My master took me by the arm and led me to the man . . .

I believe it’s the greatest magic of our world too.

What about you? Have you ever felt the magic of the storyteller?

Shevi Arnold is the magical writer of Toren the Teller’s Tale, which is available from Amazon as an e-book in two parts: book one, Toren the Apprentice’s Tale and book two, Toren the Teller’s Flight. Editions for Barnes and Noble Nook and the Apple iBookstores, as well as a print version, are the works. The book is suitable for teens and tweens.

If you’d like to learn more about Shevi Arnold’s wizardry, check out her blog: http://shevi.blogspot.com or her website http://shevistories.com. You can also follow her on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook. 

'Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas by Stacey Espino

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a good collection of Christmas stories with a paranormal twist- though I must admit several were very dark. I see where the dark came into play. But if you're looking for Christmas tales that aren't all warm and fluffy give this one a go.





A Vampire for Christmas: Enchanted by Blood\Monsters Don't Do Christmas\When Herald Angels Sing\All I Want For Christmas by Michele Hauf

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great vampire Christmas antho. I think my favorite was Monsters Don;t Do Christmas- but all of them were great reads. If you want a little fang in your holiday reading you must pick this book up. You'll love it.


A Clockwork Christmas by J.K. Coi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very nice collection of Victorian holiday tales with a steampunk twist.

Now these weren't exactly hardcore steampunk stories but they were great reads. If you want tomrance, historical settings and a little steampunk flair you'll like this collection.



Wicked Christmas Wishes by Tara Fox Hall, Jaden Sinclair, J. Troy Seate

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a varied collection. All three tales were vastly different.

I of course loved the vampire one best but was left wondering if there's more to these characters. It seemed maybe this was taken out of a series because there was so much left open in a way that made me feel as a reader I should know what was going on from reading a previous book. And though it was set at Christmas time, Christmas wasn't really the focus like I wanted it to be.

It was an entertaining read though- also a little wicked.

I'll Be Mated for Christmas by Rebecca Royce

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great little story. I love that the character had a lot to overcome on her own and that she made it.

This made me want to read Royce's other wolf books- a lot.

Kissing Under the Mistletoe Tips with Rachel Firasek

Okay, let's have some fun!


In the spirit of Christmas and my fave tradition--kissing under the mistletoe--I thought we'd talk about getting ready for that moment, and my precautions...er preperations for a perfect smooch.

1. Always...Always, brush teeth after stuffing your face with the rows of heaping carbs that you'll have to walk off later.

2. Be sure that underarms are b.o. free and if you're traveling, it wouldn't hurt to spritz the air freshener and walk through the mist--just to give you that fresh scent he'll love.

3. Do a tongue check against now clean teeth to make sure no little pieces of turkey are stuck in between the molars you'd like him to lick later.

4. Remove any excess lipstick that might be a deter for him. Guys are tricky and will use any excuse in the book to avoid kissing a woman they've spent the last decade or two with--if you're still in the passionate days, you can skip this part. He'll mostly dry hump you in the living room in front of your folks if the relationship is early enough.

5. Don't forget the girls. Pull them puppies up and plump them until they look like two pillows he'd like to lay his head on. When he goes in for the inspection, lock on baby! *Muuuuwaaaa*

So, this is my fail proof plan to get my guy to lock down on my love lickers. Do you have one to add? I'd love to know. *smooches*