Author:
Alex McGilvery has been reading since before he can remember, and writing almost that long. He has published 18 books and is author and editor at his imprint Celticfrog Publishing. He lives in Kamloops with his dog and the stories clawing their way out of his head.

The Frog Prince, Snow White, Cinderella, everyone is familiar with these stories, but not the way they are told in this collection. What if the Frog Prince was really only a frog? Would it be so bad if Cinderella stayed past midnight? Snow White is staying in the woods with the dwarves, but these aren’t her grandmother’s dwarves. Read these tales and more.

Tales of Light and Dark

Fiona lived with her parents in their little croft at the edge of a marsh. Every morning she'd comb out the wool from their sheep. Every afternoon she'd spin the wool into thread. Every evening she'd weave the threads into good wool cloth.


One day the Laird came riding up to the gate.


"Hello," the Laird called out. "I am looking for a good wool cloak. Fiona came out from her work and brought cool water from the well.


"I am sure Fiona will weave her best for you." Her father smiled and shooed her back into the croft. "She can weave gold from straw."


Well, the Laird's ears perked up. He had money needs of his own to be sure.


"I do need a new cloak, but I need gold even more." The Laird stood. "Bring her by the castle and we will see." He fixed Fiona's father with a fierce glare. "Do not disappoint me, or it will be worse for you."


Chapter 15: Straw Into Gold