"When you change your thoughts, and what you believe about what's possible for you, you change everything, including your physiology." - Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

If not for his best friend, Kit, Priddy, from Harper Fox's 'Priddy's Tale', would have been totally lost with no one to care about him and no hope of ever having more than he does right now. All of his life, Priddy has been told that he will never amount to anything and Priddy grows to believe it. Therefore, Priddy exerts little effort into anything he does since he expects to fail anyway. Priddy has little sense of self-preservation as well since he has little to look forward to. At least Kit offers affection and friendship although it's not enough to keep him out of sticky situations, like the night he fries his brains with bad drugs.  

Priddy was fragile before, but he is even worse after his overdose. He's unsure of what's going on around him and what will become of him now. He's on medication that helps him function and keeps his hallucinations at bay. Priddy tries to carry on the best he can, holding on to little hope that he will be able to recover. When Kit tells Priddy he's going away to university, Priddy is sad, because, at one time, they dreamed of going together, but he's happy for Kit to be able to follow his dream even if he can't.

Kit encourages Priddy to take the job he now has tending the automated lighthouse, thinking that it will give him a place to live and the solitude he needs to heal. Priddy takes the job and tries to be satisfied; sometimes he thinks that he's a bit better but other days he feels like he's even worse. One stormy night, Priddy rescues a man from a shipwreck. His name is Merou and he's the most beautiful man Priddy has ever seen. Yet, he soon discovers that Merou may also be one of the oddest. For a shipwrecked man, Merou is acting awfully relaxed. He begins asking lots of odd questions. Merou also knows what Priddy is thinking, accepting him for who he is while asking both literally and figuratively if that's where he wants to remain. This hurts Priddy, but it also makes him think about his condition. As strange as things are with  Merou there, Priddy becomes quite attached to him and misses him when he goes away for a few days.

Most of all, he begins to accept what Merou says about him. Priddy starts to believe the fantastical things Merou tells and shows him, even when Merou reveals that he's a merman with special talents. The way Priddy accepts these improbably realities, opens up something inside of him and makes him wonder if, just maybe, he can have more faith in himself as well. With a granted wish from Merou that Priddy earned by saving a sea creature and a lot of hard work on his own, including refusing drugs when his old dealer comes to tempt Priddy with them, something blooms inside of him that has lain dormant for a long time. There seem to be no limits to what he can do, only an infinite array of choices he can make. All he has to do is believe in himself and reach for them.

Although written in the lyrical language and style of a fairy tale, Harper has also managed to include a moral lesson as often found in an allegory. Although laced with mythical creatures and awesome sea castles, ‘Priddy’s Tale’ is the story of a man who got lost, but, through the kindness and encouragement of a merman, was able to pull himself out of his misery, heal himself, and become who he was destined to be. In this way, it's the most believable, although fantastical story I've ever read. Harper's ability to wrap these elements together is brilliant. If you love lost souls, lighthouses, mermen, and finding redemption in becoming yourself, you may like this story. Thanks, Harper, for helping Priddy find his way.

“There's something sweet and almost kind but he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined and now he's dear and so unsure, wonder why I didn't see it there before. New and a bit alarming. Who'd have ever thought that this could be? True that he's no Prince Charming, but there's something in him that I simply didn't see.”  ~ Disney - (Something There) Beauty and the Beast

When Dr. Robert “Belle” Belleterre, of 'Beauty, Inc.' by Tara Lain, meets Magnus Strong, he is not impressed. Magnus is everything Belle dislikes in a man: arrogant, controlling, entitled, and cold. The last thing Belle wants is to work for the man. Unfortunately, due to his father's carelessness, Belle is forced to do exactly that.

In order for his father to keep his company, Belle has an obligation to work for Magnus, but he's determined to do as little as possible. Belle is not sure what Magnus's motives are, but he's convinced they are nefarious. However, Belle is surprised when he is given a beautiful luxury apartment, a driver, his own office, and, most amazing of all, complete access to all projects at the company. Even with all of this, Belle can't help but be suspicious. It just doesn't make sense for Magnus to be so considerate. Despite himself, Belle gets involved in projects at Beauty, Inc. and finds he's enjoying himself, especially when introduced to Magnus's many philanthropic programs. Belle never expected Magnus to be so considerate and sensitive; it throws him for a loop. As Belle discovers more about the man, he starts to question whether his first impression of Magnus was correct.

Belle's new life at Beauty, Inc. is a far cry from the cold atmosphere Belle grew up in where his father and brothers basically ignored or took him for granted, that is, until they had a problem and needed him to fix it. In New York, Belle has great neighbors and friends who truly care about him, a company in which he can thrive, and Magnus, whom Belle is not only attracted to, but whom Belle realizes is definitely not the man he thought he was. Belle begins to see beyond Magnus's scarred face and into his heart. Belle thinks of him as handsome rather than ugly and never wants him to change a thing. Now, all Belle has to do is convince Magnus.

Tara has taken a well-known Disney story and retold it with a modern twist. It's just as delightful as the animated 'Beauty and the Beast' if not more so. Magnus Strong is a magnificent Beast, ferocious outside and a heart of gold inside. Tara’s Belle is definitely a departure from Disney’s Belle, but just as beautiful inside and out, and a lot more 'naughty'. Belle didn't give up on Magnus no matter how difficult he became, just as Disney’s Belle did with a similar outcome. The Beast was not a beast at all. Magnus, like Beast, was a tortured soul, caught in the past and doomed to stay there until someone could see his real heart. If you like fairy tales, life lessons, overcoming misconceptions, sleazy villains, good friends, and a happy ending, you may enjoy this tale. Thank you, Tara, for bringing one of my favorite animated stories to life.

“Your life lies before you like a path of driven snow, be careful how you tread it cause every step will show.” ~ Lowri Williams

If there was ever a person who is much more than he seems, it's Snowden “Snow” Reynaldi of Tara Lain's 'Driven Snow’. True to the expression “white as the driven snow”, he is young and beautiful and virginal. However, he's also wickedly intelligent and a master's master in chess. It is a huge mistake to underestimate him, although many do. Like Snow White, Snow is innocent in many ways, especially when it comes to having intimate relationships, and therefore quite alone. But when he realizes that someone Snow has admired from afar, his prince, Riley Prince, is interested in him, he can't help but dream that his isolation is over.

When Riley starts having trouble in physics, Snow decides to tutor him. Things are rough for Riley until Snow uses football to explain the relationships of physics and game strategy. It's brilliant and Riley becomes accomplished enough to pass and keep his spot on the football team. Being together leads to a few confessions, each man telling the other their feelings. Unfortunately Riley feels he has to stay in the closet because of his football career. They meet secretly and are happy until someone starts a rumor that Snow engages in sex-for-pay, which, of course, isn't true. Riley wants to believe Snow, but there is just enough doubt to convince him. Riley turns out to not be Snow's prince after all. This breaks Snow's heart. He's not sure anything could ever make up for the hurt Riley has caused him, but Snow has to keep going, for Professor Kingsley's sake if nothing else.

Professor Kinglsey, a king in Snow's eyes, is also his best friend and the closest thing Snow has to family. They work so well together that Snow can't imagine anything that would come between them. He's unpleasantly surprised when the professor comes in with a woman named Amitra, who is his fiancée. Amitra is the opposite of Snow—dark hair, olive skin, and bosomy. Snow immediately dislikes her. It goes further than jealousy or losing the complete attention of Professor Kingsley. She's beautiful and obviously intelligent, but Snow has a strong sense that Anitra is not what she appears to be. Only Snow sees her as a possible wicked witch with ulterior motives. Snow's suspicions are confirmed when attempts are made on his life.

Every time I read one of Tara's stories, I delight in her ability to invent such vivid, endearing characters. Snow is no exception. In fact, he may be one of the most interesting of all with his combination of innocence, courage, and loyalty. It doesn't hurt that he's so beautiful and smart either. The thing is, Snow doesn't have a conceited bone in his body and that makes me love him more than ever. When it comes to “who's the fairest one of all” it's Snow for me, hands down. I loved the Snow White references with a king, prince, Snow White, a beautiful, but wicked witch, and, of course, the seven dwarfs, in the seven fraternity brothers who gave Snow refuge in their house. There is even a fairy godmother, in this case, a fairy godfather. I totally enjoyed this story with its twists and turns and fairy tale references. I highly recommend this tale to anyone who enjoys revisiting a childhood story with a very modern twist, wonderful characters, and, of course, a happy ending. Thank you, Tara, for your modern-day take on a beloved story.