Inspiration (and some Angel fun) Back to Blog

Update: The ANGEL OF DARKNESS prize pack will be going to…Tina B! Congrats!! (And, psst..I’ll be giving more of these away soon!)

Inspiration can come from any place. (And it usually does.)  For my novella, BOUND IN DARKNESS, inspiration came from a fairy tale.

.99 Paranormal Novella

I’ve always loved the Snow White tale but I’ll confess…I wanted a slightly different ending for Snow White. Sure, gallant princes are all well and good, but I’d rather have Snow White wind up with a bad boy.  And from that one idea–well, BOUND IN DARKNESS was born.

Remember how sweet little Snow White was supposed to be taken in the woods and murdered?  That’s the beginning of my novella. My heroine, Allison, follows the wrong man into the woods. His job is to kill her but…

He doesn’t. Just like in the Snow White tale, our heroine doesn’t die at that moment, and in that moment, well, things get interesting.  The assassin sent after my heroine is soon the one who is protecting her from every evil that comes her way.  No, he’s definitely not a gallant prince. In fact, he’s a werewolf.

But then, my heroine isn’t exactly lily pure, either…she’s a vampire.  And the lady is getting the urge to bite.

What favorite fairy tales do you have? Which tales would you like to see with a new twist?  Leave me a comment and let me know. One winner will be selected to win an ANGEL OF DARKNESS prize pack that will include: an early copy of ANGEL OF DARKNESS (as soon as I get my author copies, you get the very first one!), an ANGEL OF DARKNESS t-shirt (size large), an ANGEL OF DARKNESS mug, and an ANGEL OF DARKNESS tote bag.

And don’t forget…you can buy BOUND IN DARKNESS at Amazon, B&N, All Romance eBooks, or Smashwords for .99! Thanks!!!

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114 responses to “Inspiration (and some Angel fun)”

  1. Chris Bails says:

    I would love to see a darker version of Cinderella. That was one of my favorite fairy tale when I was younger. I also loved Snow White. I know that they are re-doing that one. I love happily ever after stories.
    Cynthia is a new author for me and would love to read this book. Please choose me for the giveaway. I am always looking for new authors and books to read.

  2. Maureen says:

    Congratulations on the new story! I would like to see a new twist on Hansel and Gretel which was a pretty scary story to me when I was a kid.

  3. Viki says:

    Happy Release Day! I bought my copies over the weekend. Now to get some reading time :).

    My favorite tale is Puss N Boots. I just always loved that cat. As for a twist I don’t know. If we read the actual tales as the Grimms wrote them I think we’d be quiet amazed. They are scary.

  4. Raonaid Luckwell says:

    Would The Last Unicorn be considered a fairy tale? The ending makes me so sad because she doesn’t end with her guy. I read Beagle’s book and knows what becomes of the prince.. but still..

  5. Michelle Bledsoe says:

    My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and The Beast. I love how a strong heroine tamed a surly beast. I would like to see a modern day version of where maybe the Beast is a cursed shifter of some kind and Beauty is tough and snarky.

  6. Im a sucker for Red Riding Hood…something about that big bad wolf makes me feel all naughty 🙂

  7. Na says:

    Beauty and the Beast! I adore their relationship and the message about inner beauty and how love can heal and change things.

  8. May says:

    Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid were my favorites…

  9. Kristin Nelson says:

    The Little Mermaid!!!
    How awesome would that be all sexed up!

  10. jennifer mathis says:

    beauty and the beast . Id like to see the beast be a woman

    meandi09@yahoo.com

  11. Michelle McMichael says:

    The Little Mermaid has always been my favourite but then that was a little darker before Disney got a hold of it. I think I would like to read a more grown up version of Sleeping Beauty.

    I love that you’ve used Snow White, I grew up watching this one a lot as it’s my Mum’s favourite. I can’t wait to read your novella 🙂

  12. Terry F says:

    OH I think Rumpelstiltskin would make a great story. There just seems like there is so very much that can be done with him.

  13. Vanessa N. says:

    I like to see a darker version of Rapunzal or cinderella. Thanks for the giveaway.

  14. Colleen says:

    I am seen some fairytales with some interesting twists… Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty would grab my interest…

  15. Colleen K. says:

    I would love to see The Little Mermaid or even Cinderella.

  16. Lisa B says:

    oh Cinderella could be made darker right?? It’s neat to see authors remake fairy tales.

    Lisa B

  17. WendyD says:

    I would love to see Beauty and the Beast done as a romance.

  18. Rachel says:

    My favorite movie is Bedknobs & Broomsticks. Maybe she can be a more powerful witch & a love story with her teacher would be fun—Rachel

  19. snow white, i hate the witch

  20. Jeanette Juan says:

    I love Beauty and the Beast and I’ve seen twists on this type of fairy tale but I think it’s one of the best types of stories.

  21. Tina Becker says:

    I first have to say, that I LOVE your writing! 🙂 I really enjoyed Bound By Blood! I would like to see a twist on the Aladdin story! I think that could be very intereting.

  22. Marjana says:

    I love Beauty and the Beast and I don’t want any twist in honestly because I love the way it is now

  23. donnas says:

    Im really a Cinderella Fan. And I like the remakes that happen with the storyline as well. Its very adaptable.

  24. elaing8 says:

    I’d like to see a new version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 😉

  25. Valerie Long says:

    I think I’d like a new twist on Beauty & the Beast, or maybe Cinderella. Sure the happily ever-after endings are wonderful for all the kiddies but what about us adults who loved the stories as kids and grew up to realize life could never be like that and the secrets behind those happy endings are what real life is made up of?

  26. Leagh says:

    I love the story of Aladdin. I would love to see a twist on that someday.

    You know I love you Cynthia!!!!

    Great contest and cograts on the new releases 😀

  27. Jane says:

    My favorites include Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel(I loved Tangled) and Sleeping Beauty.

  28. Barb P says:

    Hey Cynthia! I love all of the goodies! One of my favorite fairy tales is Sleeping Beauty! How can you not like an evil queen, who turns herself into an awesome dragon! You are awesome my friend and congrats on the new releases!!

  29. Alaina says:

    Red Riding Hood, Little Mermaid and Hansel and Gretel are my favs..

  30. Thanks for throwing such a great bash, Cynthia. I’m looking forward to the novella. I always loved Beauty and the Beast, the TV version was a cool twist.

  31. pam p says:

    Rapunzel is one of my favorites. Happy release day, Cynthia.

  32. Ashley A says:

    This is a tough one! I would have to say I’ve always wanted to see a twist on “The 12 Dancing Princesses” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Red Riding Hood,” “Rapunzel” there are so many lol!!
    Ashley A
    ash_app@hotmail.com

  33. Barbara Elness says:

    I’ve always loved Cinderella and Red Riding Hood. I’d like to see a reworking of Red Riding Hood with a twist.

  34. J. A. says:

    I love Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and The Beast. I know with Beastly coming to the movies and the YA market has jumped on that bandwagon, I’d like to start seeing some adult interpertations. I like YA, but sometimes I just need some good loving for the characters 🙂

  35. Chelsea B. says:

    Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale! I love reading retellings about it!

  36. infinitieh says:

    Are there ANY books centered on the Frog Prince story? I know the other fairy tales are more popular but aside from the Disney film, I don’t recall any treatment in any media.

  37. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite, so I always love a new version of that. I would, also, like to see a new version of The Goose Girl.

  38. Lucy says:

    I just wanted to say Congratulations on your two awesome releases Cynthia. I already purchased them and enjoying reading Bound in Darkness. I’ve also spread the word on each of the reading clubs that I am a member of so that they not only enjoy reading a good story but purchase the book for a good cause. Needless to say that I know they’ll want more of your stories just as it happened to me. I sincerely wish you the best on these releases and the ones coming up… (I haven’t finished reading your two stories yet and I can’t wait to read Angel of Darkness!)

  39. Maria (pronounced Mariah) says:

    I could easily see a modern day Beauty and the Beast done shifter style. Or Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty done as a Faire Tale istead of Fairy Tale. Any of them would be great with the right creative mind behind it (with absolutely would not be me)!

    mmafsmith gmail dot com

  40. Patty C says:

    I love beauty and the beast! Cinderella could use a makeover to the dark side.

  41. My favorite is Snow White, but to be honest, I am not certain how you’d put a sexy twist on the Dwarfs!

  42. Mariee says:

    My favorite was always Sleeping Beauty. I’d love see a really dark twist on Beauty and the Beast.

  43. LadyVampire says:

    I always enjoy re-takes on fairytales. My favorites are Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. But after reading about your take on Snow White..I am thinking fo adding Snow White as another favorite. I cannot wait to read Angel of Darkness.

  44. Christie I. says:

    Happy Release Day!

    I’m a huge fan of retellings! I love Beauty and the Best & Rapunzel. Would love to see a new take on either one (or both).

  45. shadow says:

    My all time favorite fairy tales are Beauty and the Beast and Mulan. I love them! Both ladies sacrificed themselves to save there dads and both got lucky and found true love. 🙂 I love retelling of fairy tales, especially in romance books. 🙂
    shadowluvs2read(at)aol(dot)com

  46. Bobbie B says:

    My all time fave fairy tales are Cinderella, Rapunzel, and the Shrek series (yes that counts in my book). I wouldn’t mind seeing another take on Cinderella or Rapunzel.

    Happy Release Day Cynthia!!!!!!!!!!!

  47. Pamk says:

    love to see a new twist on the little mermaid. This new one sounds like a great read as normal.
    scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

  48. Stephanie M says:

    I like seeing different twists on cinderella.

    smccar1 at hotmail dot com

  49. Larena Wirum says:

    I am going to go with Beauty and the Beast. 🙂

  50. Cinderella, Beauty & The Beast, Snow White, & Sleeping Beauty are a few of my favorites.