Some stories grow with you.
The Apple and the Rose has always held a special place in my heart. In fact, it’s the very first story I ever felt compelled to finish—originally scribbled in notebooks during my high school years, reimagined, rewritten, and finally brought to life after a long, winding journey. Now, as the first book in a planned fairy tale–inspired trilogy, it represents more than just a story—it’s a return to a dream I refused to let go of.
The seeds of inspiration came from two of my favorite classic fairy tales: Beauty and the Beast and Snow White. The influence is subtle, but if you know where to look, you’ll catch glimpses of each. Colin’s mysterious curse carries echoes of the Beast’s transformation—isolating, haunting, and filled with the hope of redemption. The villain’s sinister use of a magic mirror pays homage to the jealous queen from Snow White, whose obsession with beauty and power drives the conflict.
What always fascinated me, even as a child, was the idea of weaving fairy tales together. I’d sit with a tape recorder, narrating my own invented “genealogies” where Cinderella was Snow White’s mother, and Sleeping Beauty might be Rapunzel’s cousin. I loved finding unexpected connections between the stories—threads of magic, archetypes, and moral lessons that could be twisted into something entirely new.
As I got older and began reading fairy tale–inspired romances, I realized there were even more creative ways to blend tales—not just through plotlines, but through setting, character traits, symbolic objects, and themes. The Apple and the Rose draws from this approach, blending classic motifs in a way that’s both familiar and fresh.
After earning my MA in English, I actually stopped writing for nearly a decade. At the time, I’d had my fill of analyzing texts and crafting essays. But once I rediscovered the joy of storytelling and began publishing my books on Amazon, I knew I had to return to this one—my first love, the story I never stopped thinking about.
Now that The Apple and the Rose is finally in readers’ hands, I’m excited to say it’s only the beginning. I’m currently working on the next installment in the trilogy, and if all goes to plan, it will be ready for readers this fall.
Whether you’re a longtime fairy tale lover or simply enjoy a touch of magic with your romance, I hope you’ll find something enchanting in The Apple and the Rose—a story born from imagination, nostalgia, and a little bit of happily ever after.
—Sally Carey