Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440 - Posts Tagged "fairies"

Letters and magic meet in "Alphabet Fairies"

Are you ready to sprinkle some magic dust on your child’s alphabet learning? My latest children's book, "Alphabet Fairies" is a gateway to a magical realm where each fairy, from Ariel the Artistic to Zinnia the Zestful, brings a letter of the alphabet to life. Crafted especially for kids aged 4 to 7, this enchanting book combines the joy of fairy tales with the essential building blocks of learning—letters and values.

Imagine a place where streams sparkle under the dance of tiny fairy feet, and meadows bloom with flowers whispering tales of courage, kindness, and friendship. In "Alphabet Fairies," your child will not only learn their ABCs but also the values that make us better friends and kinder people.

Perfect for bedtime stories or a fun, educational session in the classroom, "Alphabet Fairies" ensures learning is always wrapped in fun. Whether read aloud or explored independently, these tales are sure to inspire little ones to dream big and learn eagerly. Who knows? Maybe they’ll find their favorite fairy dancing between the pages, ready to lead them on an adventure of a lifetime!

I believe in fairies,
Samuel DenHartog
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Published on May 08, 2024 11:31 Tags: alphabet, early-learning, faery, fairies, fairy, fairy-tales, poems, poetry, rhymes, vocabulary

Unlock the Secrets of the Appalachian Wilderness in "Magic of Coal Mountain"

I'm thrilled to introduce you to my latest book, "Magic of Coal Mountain." Set generations before the events of “Goblins of Coal Mountain,” this new tale brings you to the heart of the untamed Appalachian wilderness, where magic weaves through the air and ancient secrets lie hidden just beyond sight.

In “Magic of Coal Mountain,” you’ll meet Edmund Haywood and his wife Eliza, a young couple from England who brave the rugged slopes of Coal Mountain to carve out a new life for themselves. With their flock of sheep and dreams of freedom, they prepare to battle the elements, discovering that this land is alive with mysteries they never imagined. As they build their homestead, their young daughter Sarah is drawn to the enchantment around her. With her heart full of wonder and curiosity, she ventures deeper into the mountain’s secrets, uncovering a hidden realm of ancient spirits and fairies watching over the land.

This is a story of courage, discovery, and the untamed magic of Coal Mountain, where every rock, tree, and whispered breeze holds a piece of its legacy. As the Haywood family learns to embrace both the beauty and danger of their new home, they uncover an ancient power that will shape their family’s destiny for future generations.

Join Edmund, Eliza, and Sarah on their adventure, where courage and belief unlock doors to a hidden world, and the mysteries of Coal Mountain are waiting to be discovered. I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I did writing it and it inspires you to see the magic in the world around you!
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Published on September 09, 2024 15:42 Tags: coal, fairies, giants, magic, revolutionary-war, sheep, sheep-herding, virginia, witch

Discover My Greatest Works Yet: Two Magical Tales of Coal Mountain

After writing over 100 books, I find myself reflecting on two that I believe stand out as my finest achievements yet. For those who have followed my work, you'll know this is not a claim I make lightly. I believe this is the first or, at most, second time I've ever made such a statement about any of my books.

The first of these is “Goblins of Coal Mountain”, a novel deeply inspired by “The Princess and the Goblin” by George MacDonald. While I like to think this might be one of my best works, much of the credit belongs to MacDonald; it is, after all, his timeless story that I've reimagined in a new setting—the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. With all my love of reading, I confess that I hadn’t read “The Princess and the Goblin” as a child or prior to this, so discovering it while crafting this book was a revelation and a true delight.

The success and satisfaction I found in creating “Goblins of Coal Mountain” compelled me to expand upon the story's universe. In MacDonald's original tale, the young girl Princess Irene becomes a young girl named Sarah in my adaptation, but I decided to delve deeper into her lineage. George MacDonald did write a sequel, “The Princess and Curdie,” which I have yet to read, but he left many questions unanswered—chief among them how Irene's great-great-grandmother became a fairy.

My second book in this series, “Magic of Coal Mountain,” fills these gaps. It traces the roots of Sarah's great-great-grandmother, also named Sarah, who was born after her parents from England arrived to settle in the Virginia Colony. This book spans the entirety of her life, exploring her journey, her love, and, ultimately, her transformation into a fairy. Along the way, the story is rich with fairy lore, bandits, a mysterious witch, a giant, and a dwarf, woven seamlessly with the everyday life of sheep herding, coal mining, and the dramatic backdrop of the Revolutionary War.

I genuinely believe that these two books, my 104th and 105th, represent the pinnacle of my writing career so far. I know my extensive bibliography can be a lot to keep up with, but if you’re considering diving into my works, I wholeheartedly recommend starting with these two. While very different, they capture the magic, mystery, and depth that I strive to bring to all my stories.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue this series with two more books, following Sarah and Jamie’s adventures after the events of “Goblins of Coal Mountain”. But don't let that stop you from diving into these two books now; each one stands alone as an engaging and complete story with its own magic and mysteries to explore.

While they are my two favorites to date, it is hard to judge your own work. I eagerly await your feedback—your thoughts here on Goodreads or your ratings and reviews on Amazon—to tell me if you, my readers, share my belief in these books as my best.

Coal Mountain (2 book series) Kindle Edition (amazon.com)
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Published on September 10, 2024 17:11 Tags: coal, fairies, giants, magic, revolutionary-war, sheep, sheep-herding, virginia, witch

Meet the Brave, the Cunning, and the Magical in "Fables from Scotland"

I’m excited to share that my newest book, "Fables from Scotland," is finally here! This collection of stories dives deep into the rich and mysterious folklore of Scotland, bringing together tales of ancient prophecies, enchanted creatures, and the timeless struggle between fate and free will. You’ll journey through the mist-covered moors, enchanted forests, and mysterious lochs, encountering unforgettable characters who embody the spirit of Scotland.

Within these pages, you'll find the tale of Thomas the Rhymer, a poet ensnared in the realm of the Fairy Queen, gifted with a truth that brings both fortune and hardship, revealing how even the boldest are at the mercy of otherworldly forces. You'll also encounter the haunting story of the Banshee and Fergus More, where a warrior returning from war meets a prophecy of death sung by a spirit in a dark pool, a chilling reflection on fate and destiny. Another fable follows a young hunter who dares to ride the fearsome Water-Horse, a creature emerging from moonless lochs, only to discover the perilous price of entering a realm that defies human understanding.

Among the many tales, you’ll find the gripping adventure of a young girl who outsmarts the Kelpie of Loch Ness, a mythical water horse known for its dark, alluring beauty and treacherous intentions. With quick thinking and courage, she manages to bridle the beast, compelling it to serve her rather than lure her to a watery fate. Another story brings to life the legend of the Elfin Knight, who haunts a lonely moor, appearing only once in seven years. Only the bravest dare to venture into his realm, where cleverness and faith are the only weapons against his enchantments.

"Fables from Scotland" offers a journey into a world where the boundaries between the mortal and the mystical are ever-shifting, and where every tale holds a lesson woven from the fabric of the land itself. I invite you to join me in exploring these ancient stories brought to life once more, tales with a touch of magic meant for fireside readings and deep reflection. I hope these stories inspire you as much as they did me when I wrote them.
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Published on September 18, 2024 14:55 Tags: dragons, europe, fables, fairies, fairy-tales, folk-tales, giants, legends, scotland, scottish, tales

Uncovering Hidden Gems Among Beloved Stories in "Fables from France"

The French tradition of fairy tales is one of the richest in the world, and this collection brings together both the classics everyone remembers and the treasures waiting to be rediscovered. Inside you will find familiar wonders like Cinderella with her glittering slipper, Sleeping Beauty resting in her enchanted sleep, and Beauty and the Beast where love transforms the unexpected. Each of these timeless tales shines with a uniquely French spirit, full of elegance, imagination, and a touch of danger.

What makes the collection even more exciting are the stories that many readers may not yet know. The White Cat tells of an enchanted feline who hides a queenly secret, The Blue Bird captures a love transformed by magic, and Princess Rosette enchants with charm and courage. These are the stories that once filled the salons of Paris, written by women and men who shaped the literary fairy tale as we know it today. They deserve to be read alongside the classics that never left us.

The range of moods within the book is remarkable. Some tales are lighthearted and whimsical, offering clever tricks and happy endings, while others, like Bluebeard and Little Red Riding Hood, remind us of the darker paths in the forest. That balance between delight and dread is what gives these stories their lasting power. Children can enjoy the adventure and sparkle, while adults recognize the depth of meaning hidden beneath the surface.

It has been a joy to bring these tales together in one place, giving them a new life for today’s readers. Whether you are revisiting old favorites or meeting new ones for the first time, this collection invites you to wander through enchanted woods, cross paths with ogres and fairies, and discover the heart of storytelling that has endured for centuries. The magic of France’s fairy tales is alive once more, gathered here in "Fables from France."
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Published on September 12, 2025 08:55 Tags: fables, fairies, fairy-tales, folk-tales, france, french, legends, ogres, princess, tales

The Road to 1,440

Samuel DenHartog
I'm Samuel DenHartog, and at 51, at the end of November of 2023, I've embarked on a remarkable journey as a writer. My diverse background in computer programming, video game development, and film prod ...more
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