Nutcracker of Crystalfall Part 1 by Kay L. Moody

Karyne (00:00:07) - Hi fantasy readers. This is Karyne Norton, your fellow book binger, and you are listening to the Finding Fantasy Reads podcast where you can test out a new fantasy story every single week to find your next favorite author.

Today's episode is going to be a little bit different as we ring in the holiday season. I've worked hard over the last several months to make sure every story included on the podcast is one you can listen to in 30 to 60 minutes. I've had several of you tell me that's a feature you really like, so I've been hesitant to deviate from that format. But when I was thinking about how to handle the holiday season, I got really excited to share a Christmas flavored fantasy story with all of you.

In fact, I was sitting outside my daughter's ballet studio for her very first Nutcracker rehearsal. She's an adorable baby mouse if you wanted to know. When I remembered a story I'd been eager to read called Nutcracker of Crystal Fall by Kay L. Moody. I started and finished reading it that same day and immediately sent off an email to Kay.

Kay had been on my list for a while, but she has so many good stories I couldn't decide which one to ask her about. I was so grateful when she agreed to let me share her perfectly Christmasy story with all of you. Because of its length, it will be shared in five parts over the next five weeks, both leading up to Christmas and the day after.

It's a fantastic Nutcracker retelling with trolls instead of mice, and a fae kingdom instead of the kingdom of sweets. I recognize that not everyone celebrates Christmas, so if you fall into that camp, I hope you can still appreciate the fantasy elements of the story, because it can also stand on its own as a wintry fantasy fairy tale.

Stick around to the end or check out today's show notes to see where you can find more from Kay, as well as how to enter our holiday giveaway. For now, please enjoy part one of Nutcracker of Crystalfall by Kay L. Moody.

Karyne (00:02:04) -  Nutcracker of Crystalfall: Part 1 is read by Karyne Norton. Due to copyright, the full transcript of the story cannot be included here. 

Karyne (00:52:26) - I hope you enjoyed listening to part one of Nutcracker of Crystalfall by Kay L. Moody, narrated by Karyne Norton. If you enjoyed today's part of the story, be sure to stick around for the next four episodes to find out how Clara and Revyn fare in Crystalfall. If you want to read more by Kay, go to kaylmoody.com to find more of her books. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter where you can get a free copy of her novella, Heir of Bitter Thorn, which is one of the other stories I was going to ask her to share. It's just as excellent as this one.

For November and December, we are running a holiday giveaway, which includes a signed hardcover copy of Flame and Crystal Thorns by Kay L. Moody, as well as an art print and bookmark. So if you want a chance to win, go to findingfantasyreads.com/giveaway to enter. The giveaway closes on December 15th.

If you're enjoying listening to Finding Fantasy Reads, please consider leaving a review. Reviews help me know how to improve the show, whether it's to keep the things you like or get rid of the things you don't, and it helps new listeners find the podcast. A good review can often be the tipping point to get someone to listen or subscribe, which means I can keep making more new episodes for you. If you're not sure how to leave a review, check out today's show notes for some easy instructions. In addition to those instructions, I will have links for all the other sites mentioned.

Thank you all for listening and happy reading.