Laurel Wanrow's Blog

It’s #BookQW and Luna is in a ‘jam’.

More from Chapter 3:

As much as Luna wanted to go, she’d been dreading the conversation with Papa. She had to have it at the right time, when Papa wasn’t drinking. He’d started keeping whiskey at home this summer, just when she’d gotten serious with Salm. Luna hadn’t asked her father directly if that was the reason, and none of her sideways questioning had gotten him to confess what was bothering him. She hadn’t dared to bri...

It’s #BookQW and Fern is a typical ‘girl’ who doesn’t understand magic!

More from Chapter 8:

They hiked, not over the ridge as Fern had expected, but along a mountain stream. “That’s a nice little cabin,” she said to make polite conversation. “Yours, too?”

Beri nodded.

“Why couldn’t I have stayed there while Willow removed the rip magic?”

He tripped. “Spells, no,” he choked out in a deep voice. “You can use the loo, but I’d be in a heap of trouble if a...

It’s #BookQW and Salm needs to ‘kick’ into action.

More from Chapter 2:

“How does Luna feel about your work?” Pop had met Luna when Salm’d shown her the schooner.

Salm couldn’t answer.

“This work isn’t easy,” Pop said quietly. “’Tis a way of life you embrace like your one sister has, or leave like your other sister did. Have you told Luna about these less glamorous bits of our work?”

Salm didn’t answer. Some, but probably not enough.

“I’m sure I do ...

It’s #bookqw and Daeryn is “deep’ into his shapeshifter polecat form.

More from Chapter 3:

Wellspring Collective, Blighted Basin

Daeryn Darkcoat’s paws carried his polecat form in a weasel’s rolling leaps along a dirt road. The setting moon, just past half, lit Wellspring Collective’s rows of plants in the sharp grays and blacks of his nocturnal vision. Butternut squash on the right and a late planting of beans to the left. Nothing amiss.

And yet squeaks,...

It’s #bookqw and Annmar ‘needs’ help evading the coercive Mr. Shearing.

More from Chapter 1:

Mr. Shearing spread the illustration over a side table and bent to study the fine pencil lines. Properly apart from him, Annmar waited, stock-still, yet her weight was balanced on her toes in case she had to take a step back. She forced her gaze to the drawing, but movement caught her eye, as it always did.

Businesslike, she reminded herself, but nonetheless, vines r...

Join me today Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Gaithersburg Book Festival!

It’s from 10AM to 6 PM, entrance and parking are free.

I’ll have all my beautiful paperbacks for sale, and will sign them for you. Perfect for gifting!

Find all the details on the festival website!

It’s #BookQW and tough Coral won’t ‘cry’ over her losses.

More from Chapter 4:

“Sorry, love,” Pop said to Coral, “but the quash is the only way your mother and I can have easy minds while we’re so far from you this week.” He laid a hand on her shoulder to lock down her magic.

Biting her lip, she shifted her energy to its core positions, and her father’s magic followed. One by one, it coated each core with an electrical wall that solidified with a snap, seali...

It’s #bookqw and Annmar won’t be ‘made’ to comply.

More from Chapter 1:

Derby, England

September 1868

A volley of curses rang out, adding to the noise of sputtering steam engines and the clanking from the open windows in the towering factory walls. Giving a side-glance to the drivers of two mechanized carts that had nearly collided, Annmar Masterson walked on. She had precious few minutes to ensure she had her lines right. “While I appreciate your conside...

It’s #BookQW and Cor isn’t sure how he’ll ‘win’.

More from Chapter 16:

Cor pulled out his mobile, opened a note and began typing what she’d said.

“Put that away,” Lady Pina snapped.

“But to remember—”

“I’ll teach you. Every morning. You will practice. Every afternoon. My third requirement is that your spiritual presence must be fully invested in this place. Not seeking recognition, other training, the urge to travel or what have you. You cannot be unse...

It’s #BookQW and Cor is ‘down’ for magical adventure!

I had to really trim this one to fit on the post, so here is more of this magical scene starting chapter 1:

Bonterra City, in the Windborne Britain District

Well past midnight, Cor glided in a serpentine motion down dark, tree-lined streets. His longboard’s wheels made a rhythmic thump crossing the concrete’s seams, and he pumped his wings every five thumps to keep up his speed. As the houses, dressed up ...