Four Havok Fairy Tales by H.L. Davis [Fairy Tale Flash Fiction]

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.

I love getting the opportunity to highlight Havok, a flash fiction publisher with amazing authors and new stories every day. It can take me longer to weed through their stories for the podcast because not all of them are fantasy, and then it takes me four times as long to prep for the episodes if I end up contacting four different authors. So I was super excited when an author reached out to me to see about featuring her Havok fairy tale stories and saved me all that time. The stories are all amazing in different ways and it was a quick and easy yes email that I sent out the same day she contacted me.

H.L. Davis is a Christian, wife, and homeschool mom who calls the South home. She first discovered the joys of writing at 10 years of age, and it's a craft she's delighted to pursue once again. She is particularly fond of fairy tales, whether it's retelling old favorites or weaving magical stories of her own, which is the mix you will find in today's selection.

This first one is narrated by Paeter Frandsen, host of Christian Geek Central, and it has a unique perspective on a familiar fairy tale. Stick around to the end of all four stories or check out today's show notes to see where you can find more from the author as well as how to enter our latest giveaway. For now, please enjoy Big Ben by H.L. Davis.

Paeter (00:01:45) -  Big Ben is read by Paeter Frandsen. Due to copyright, the full transcript of the story cannot be included here. 

Karyne (00:08:01) - I hope you enjoyed listening to Big Ben by H.L. Davis, narrated by Paeter Frandsen of Christian Geek Central. I tend to dislike Peter Pan, probably because now I'm a grown up and I see how annoying he can be. Please don't hate me, all of you Peter Pan fans. But it makes me love when an author paints him as a bit of a bad guy, so that was a fun one for me. This next one gives a fresh look at Aladdin's lamp. Please enjoy, Wish Come True by H.L. Davis.

Karyne (00:08:38) -  Wish Come True is read by Karyne Norton. Due to copyright, the full transcript of the story cannot be included here. 

Karyne  (00:15:52) - I hope you enjoyed listening to Wish Come True by H.L. Davis, narrated by Karyne Norton. Both of these first two stories were editor picks for Havok's upcoming anthology, which I will have more info on at the end of the episode. And this next story was a long list finalist in this year's Realm Awards. If you're trying to figure out what fairy tale she twisted, I'll save you the trouble. It's her own. Please enjoy Bittersweet by H.L. Davis.

Paeter (00:16:29) -  Bittersweet is read by Paeter Frandsen. Due to copyright, the full transcript of the story cannot be included here.

Karyne (00:23:31) - I hope you enjoyed listening to Bittersweet by H.L. Davis, narrated by Paeter Frandsen of Christian Geek Central. I know I've said this in the past, but I'm always drawn to the stories that have those bittersweet endings, so it's no surprise that when she offered up her other three stories, I also asked to include this one as well. This last story is the snarkiest, and I hope it makes you smile as much as it made me smile. Please enjoy Fiona's Fabulous Footwear by H.L. Davis.

Karyne (00:24:09) -  Fiona's Fabulous Footwear is read by Karyne Norton. Due to copyright, the full transcript of the story cannot be included here. 

Karyne (00:30:19) - I hope you enjoyed listening to Fiona's Fabulous Footwear by H. L. Davis, narrated by Karyne Norton. If you want to read more by H. L. Davis, you can find her on Instagram at h.l.davis_stories or on her substack at hldavisstories.substack.com. I'll have direct links for both of those in the show notes. And I'm hoping I'll have a direct link to Havok's upcoming anthology, which is featuring three of her stories. But that depends on whether or not Havok releases the link between the time I'm recording this, which is all the way back on March 7th, and the time that you're listening to this, which is no earlier than May 13th. Yes, we record far in advance so I can stay organized. But then sometimes I get hung up on the fact that this will be listened to in the future, and it hits my nerdy little time travel fan nerve.

If you enjoyed listening to Paeter narrate Big Ben and Bittersweet, you might also enjoy listening to his audio dramas at spiritblade.com or his podcast, Christian Geek Central, where he discusses movies, video games, and all things enjoyed by self-proclaimed geeks from a Christian worldview.

I know the end of this is getting a little long, but bear with me. I don't want you to forget about the giveaway that all the featured authors have so generously donated to. It's a big batch of free books, so be sure to check it out and enter to win at findingfantasyreads.com/giveaway.

Keep an ear out for information in the next two weeks about our Season 2 Finding Fantasy Reads Awards. Last year we gave out four awards, and this year I've added some new categories. When the last episode drops on May 27th, you'll have just one week to place your votes for the awards.

Thank you all for listening, and happy reading!