As most of you know, I was working on an audiobook early last year that life put on hold. Well, I’m back at it! Taking a quick pass to finalize those previous chapters. Then I’ll be cranking out new 😊Shooting for an April release 🎉
Follow me on Goodreads for the play-by-play updates!
I talk a lot about the mental health aspects of Giselle’s curse, but not enough about the closely related chronic illness. A topic just as important! And very personal to me.
See, I was born at 25 weeks and spent months in the NICU. But I grew into a healthy child. Sure a little thin and needed a fair amount of orthodontics. But nothing major.
Then puberty hit and it was like being a passenger in a slow motion train wreck. Hypothyroid, hypoglucose, scoliosis, a cycle that wouldn’t stabilize… By the time I started working on this book, I was juggling several medications, battling frequent fainting spells, and working through regular bouts of insomnia.
Enter another diagnosis: Hypotension. Another medication: take by mouth three times daily. And I remember thinking as I wrote “At least none of my symptoms include unceasing pain. Poor Giselle. She’s going to hate me 🤣 I sure hope I’m portraying this right!”
Well, Giselle got her revenge this year 😝 I now know what chronic headaches feel like. She still got the short end of the stick. But I’m very much not a fan.
For everyone who’s daily routine involves a minor freak out over “Did I take my medication and was it the right one?”
For everyone who cries when the alarm goes off because they’re already exhausted and don’t know how they’re possibly going to make it through the day.
For everyone who pops pills like candy and still can’t find relief.
For everyone who feels like a failure because the to do list keep growing but their capacity shrinking.
I SEE YOU. GISELLE SEES YOU. And I hope her story makes you feel a little less alone.
Go with hope, friends 💛
‘Same same, but different.’ ~A Thai colloquialism.
Often used in the market to sell you something not the same at all 
But also used for subtle nuance and drawing connections cross-culturally.
Comp titles. As a reader, I love them! But as an author… let’s just say it’s complicated.
Maybe I overthink the process. Wouldn’t be the first time
But I always worry it’ll end up misleading. Especially for stories that are a bit more niche. Or comping very well known works.
Is some basic allegory and one chapter heavily inspired by the Lucy/Aslan dynamic really enough to compare my debut with one of the most beloved Christian Fantasy novels of all time? 
So, instead of sharing comps I’ve come up with, here are some connections my brilliant readers have felt strongly enough to comment on!
To Slay a Curse is getting an audiobook! And I’m doing it myself!
I’ve always liked reading aloud. But gotta admit the idea of narrating and producing a whole audiobook totally intimidates me 😅 It’s been a huge learning curve, but I’m finally getting the hang of it. And pretty proud of the results😊
Projected Release: September 2022
Today is To Slay a Curse’s first birthday 🥳 Giselle asked me to make a wish for her when I blew out the candle. Any guesses what it was?
And it happens to be a beautifully cozy Sunday afternoon. So why not grab yourself a cupcake and curl up with this free e-book? Yes, you read that right! My book baby is FREE ON KINDLE for the next five days! Click the image below to get your free ebook. Happy reading everyone!
Got some fun updates for you today!
First off, To Slay a Curse is now free to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription! And it looks like they’re running a two month special right now. So if you’ve been debating whether or not to try it out, now would be a good time. But if you don’t have/want KU, don’t worry! The Kindle e-book is for sale and the paperback is still up on most major retailers.
Second, I’ll be doing my first book signing next month! If you live close, or just really enjoy road trips 😝, stop by the Cape Girardeau Library on October 16 between 2-4 and pick up a signed copy of To Slay a Curse, character art, or some of my custom bookmarks! If you’ve already got a copy, you are more than welcome to bring it for signing.
If there is one thing I will gladly take a beating for, it is the healer who was a mother to me. And the daughter who has followed in her footsteps-my sister in spirit who greets me with a question.
To Slay a Curse
Last week, I talked a bit about found family and how that has played a role in my life. For this post, I want to focus on the theme as it applies to sisterhood.
I come from a small family. Just one brother about two years younger than me. As a kid, I would see my friends with their sisters and kept hoping my parents would give me one too. Cause’ obviously, Mom just had to visit the hospital and bring home a present 
Alas, it never happened. Pretty sure they made a pact after my brother No one needs two of him 
So, I’ve basically gone through life adopting sisters for myself! Which works out quite well, actually. You can stick round for the fun and go home when they get annoying
Ok, but in all seriousness, these girls have been my life force through the years. Sometimes very different from me in personality and interests, but always there when I need them with a hug and encouraging word. And no matter how much time passes from parting to meeting, we can pick up right where we left off.
They are the Ami to my Giselle. And I wouldn’t make it through life without them. So, to all my sisters in spirit, know that I love you so much I wrote you a book 
And I can’t wait till our next meeting!
Tell me, who is your Sister In Spirit?
What are some of your favorite books that celebrate food?
I am a true hobbit and love books that feature a good feast. Aside from The Hobbit; Redwall, Narnia, and Harry Potter come to mind. In fact, I believe most of them have their own cookbooks now. Which I am dying to get my hands on!
When I was writing To Slay A Curse , I knew I wanted to make food A THING. (Ok, it’s probably more a thing in my head than on paper. But I tried, right? 😉) So, I channeled my love for baking into Ami’s character. She’s much better at it 😂 But the one thing she can never quite get right are her mother’s tarts.
Ever since, I’ve wanted to try them myself. I spent hours on Pinterest hunting down the simplest recipes, but never got around to making them. Imagine, then, how happy I was when The Writers Sanctuary provided me with not only a recipe but an excuse to bake one in the Ren Faire Conference I attended recently!
I can now sympathize with Ami. These things are hard to get right! I always envisioned hers as raspberry, but unfortunately that attempt didn’t turn out and I thought it best to stick to the instructions 😅 But when I did, they were delicious!
Have you ever tried tarts? What did you think?
To Slay a Curse has an official playlist now! Listen here!
Welcome to the To Slay a Curse Blog Tour! We’ve got a lot planned for you this week, but before we get into that, I just want to say a great big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me on this journey to publication. My first book baby has been officially out in the world only two days and I’ve already sold out of signed copies! Fear not, I have ordered more 😉
Ok, you ready to get this thing started? So am I! Kicking off with my signature tour post, a character interview 😊
Welcome, Giselle! Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us today.
‘Tis so good of you to have me! I’m not sure why anyone should care to interview me. But I’ll do my best to satisfy.
Now don’t be like that! My readers have been dying to meet you. The girl who traveled her own mind! And while so young, too. Tell me, dear, how old are you?
I will reach my 19th autumn this year.
See? Your trip was quite the achievement.
*Blushes* I thank you. But, truly, credit must go to the others. I didn’t do all that much mysef.
If you say so. Now, down to business! What’s your favorite scent?
Roses to be sure. I always get this warm, cared for, feeling when I catch a whiff. As if wrapped in a mother’s arms. *smiles sadly.* I like to think my mother kept them about.
Roses are delightful! Even better when coming from a man, right? *sly wink*
*embarrassed laugh* I would not know. I have yet to receive any.
What a shame! And his own mother runs the florist shop. Don’t worry, love, I’ll see that he pulls his act together.
Ah, here’s another favorites question for you. If you had to choose one sweet to eat the rest of your life, what would it be?
Ami’s tarts. She is always so disappointed when they don’t come out just as her mother’s, yet I love them. I attempted baking some myself, once. It was quite the disaster!
Haha! I feel your pain. I enjoy baking, but am not much good.
Now, for one of my personal favorites. If you could go anywhere, where would you go and why?
I would give anything for a chance to see Ivlin. It’s Healer Aliza’s birthplace, you know. And Elden’s home. I want so badly to see their tales.
I don’t blame you. It sounds like a truly magical place. In the vein of tales from childhood, what’s your best childhood memory?
*Eyes gleam* The first time Ami came over! It was rather unexpected and I had just made a dreadful mess in the kitchen. *laughs* I’m sure I looked a fright, flour all over. I was mortified, yet she wasn’t put out. Not one bit. Just picked up a rag and started cleaning! She claimed me as a sister that day and we have been, ever since. I truly don’t know what I would do without her.
Sister friendships are priceless. And it sounds like you admire Ami a good deal. Who else would you say is a personal hero?
It’s no secret where Ami gets her courage. Healer Aliza gave up her home for love, came to a village on the edge of nowhere that feared her, and had kids of her own yet still found room for the lonely girl a cottage over. I aim to be her one day.
What a wonderful legacy to leave. Any other hopes for the future?
I do miss my friends in the mind world terribly. Especially Leal. That boy never failed to bring me a smile. I know there is no going back, so I’d like to find a way of honoring their memory here. Perhaps write their stories down. Tell the lives I know, imagine where they could be now. After all, I’ve got Stella to help.
I think that’s a lovely idea! Come to me if you need anything. I’m more than happy to help.
Many thanks, I certainly shall!
*Consults list* Looks like that’s a wrap! Thank you again for sharing so much with us. It’s been truly inspiring.
It was my pleasure entirely.
And thank you, dear readers, for joining us! I do hope you’ll return for our next stop on the tour!
*Exit together deep in writerly discussion.*
Ready for more? You’ll have to wait till tomorrow I’m afraid 😉 Here’s what you’ve got to look forward to in the upcoming week:
January 19 Candice Yamnitz: Book Spotlight (https://candiceyamnitz.com/2021/01/19/book-spotlight-to-slay-a-curse/)
January 20 M.H. Elrich: Author Interview (https://mhelrich.com/author-interview-rae-graham/)
January 21 Cheyenne van Langevelde: Review & Author Interview (https://thedancingbardess.wordpress.com/2021/01/21/to-slay-a-curse-review-interview-with-author/)
January 22 Tamika Doyle: Book Spotlight (http://standingstronginthechristianwalk.blogspot.com/2021/01/book-spotlight-to-slay-curse-by-rae.html)
January 23 Emily Hayse: Review (https://emilyhayse.com/2021/01/23/to-slay-a-curse-tour-stop-review/)
Writer Rae Graham 