How it all began.
From an early age, I was always writing. To me, it was like breathing. Words poured out of me and onto the page, forming elaborate tales of adventure and peril. But I never finished any. Not a single one. That is, until the idea for The Moon & Her Sun was born. It began as a poem. A poem written under a canopy of trees in the light of the spring sun for a man I had just begun seeing.
Over the next few years it blossomed into a novel. It became my therapy, my escape, and that man became my husband. When I completed the novel, I gave it to him to read.
It had always been a dream of mine to publish a book, but I was not actively pursuing it. At the time, I hardly believed I could. However, he persuaded me to pursue my dream and share The Moon & Her Sun. So here we are.
Thank you so much for coming along this journey with me. I hope my world provides you a bit of escape and adventure as well.
REVIEWS
The Moon and Her Sun
“In The Moon and Her Sun, S.Marie's talent as a painter is translated into her written work. Beautiful and nearly palpable descriptions will instantly teleport the mind of the reader into her world, painting her story not with brushstrokes but with words.”
~ Andrew from Georgia
“Exciting and unique, and I loved the imagery and allegorical content. I am looking forward to the sequel!”
~ Kelsie from Texas
"In the world of fantasy, fairy tales, and the super natural, rarely do you have a book that develops its characters so well you feel like you know them personally. S. Marie’s ability to connect you to the character is only exceeded by her ability to place you in their world."
~ Chip [Amazon Reviewer]
“The people of Dorchas were a strange breed indeed.”
This book is a cozy little fantasy story with a sweet romance, plenty of magical & mystical elements, and just a bit of unknown mystery! It just feels like a warm and adventure-filled campfire story. I can picture the characters taking turns telling it to others or Ghrian and Shaerico telling the story to their children.
It follows Ghrian and Shaerico as they travel farther than they ever have in order to rescue their friends and save their realm from destruction. They are aided by some very interesting magical creatures including a tiny talking stone griffin!
This book has:
👥 Two POVs
📝 Lyrical writing
🐴 Lovable creature companions
💕 Friends to lovers
🐺 Shifters
🐉 Magical creatures
🏔️ Adventure & travel
🌲 Mysterious and a little bit spooky forest
I really enjoyed the different mysterious and magical creatures in this book! The second the stone dragons appeared I was very intrigued (as we all know I’m a sucker for dragons)! And the being that could shift forms from a doe to a hawk to a lady definitely caught my attention— it was a nice guiding force for our two main characters!
A bit of a slow start to the book but it does serve to give a deeper understanding of the characters and the world they live in. I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a cozy & adventure-filled fantasy to read!!
~ Taylor [Goodreads Review]
The Lying Dark
A gripping journey of self discovery, for me and for the characters!
With all of the love, loss, heart-wrenching action, and gorgeous storytelling present in The Moon & Her Sun, I could have never imagined I would fall even more deeply in love with The Lying Dark!
The characters in The Lying Dark experienced a deeper discovery of themselves surrounded by breathtaking scenery I simply could not have fathomed without the incredible writing of S. Marie. Following our beloved duo through the throes of recovering from their journey was beautiful and heartbreaking all in one! I love how Shaerico and Ghrian grow as individuals as every step toward their growth is a painful yet satisfying journey of discovering a past they previously were blind to.
As I read this extraordinary work of art (and I mean that), I found versions of myself reflected in the descriptions of familiar friends from The Moon & Her Sun and also in the new companions that assist our favorite power couple uncover a lifetime of secrets.
S. Marie has the incredible gift of showing me more about myself and my life’s journey while I walk through the beautiful, terrifying, and awe-inspiring forests, lakes, and towns of the Realm she has crafted. With each book I find myself shocked at how much detail and life S. Marie packs into her stories while somehow wishing I had more information about the inner workings of such a fascinating world.
I wait with growing curiosity and anticipation for the third book (and hopefully more)!!!
~ Lyndsay [Amazon Reviewer]
A Story for Readers with Wanderlust
“The sorceress’s son and wolf alone can bring the peace of ages.”
S. Marie’s writing style developed and blossomed in The Lying Dark, the enjoyable and gorgeously written sequel to the Moon and Her Sun. Where the original story focuses on a quest through a new world, The Lying Dark focuses on a different quest, the discovery of self. Ghrian and Shaerico spend most of this novel learning about themselves and what makes them unique. Although the world is in a unique fantasy setting, the characters are still relatable as they learn to overcome trauma and take on new responsibilities.
I highly recommend this novel for pre-teens and up, but this story is just as enjoyable for adults. If I had my own children, I would quickly sit down and share this story with them. This story is a fantastic adventure on the surface, but the characters experience milestone events that easily translate into difficulties found in the real world. This novel was written for anyone who feels lost and alone during their daily lives, as the story highlights the importance of various relationships and experiences for personal growth.
I would not describe this book as action-packed, so maybe don't read this one if you are looking for constant fighting and war. Instead, read this book if your favorite thing from the first book was the world-building. Just like in the first book, the characters explore a breathtaking universe that is still surprisingly all connected. Unlike the first book, the characters become more flawed and relatable while they recover from the previous ending. This character growth is why I believe The Lying Dark is the strongest story in the series so far. Shaerico has to struggle with understanding her past and contemplating how it affects her current life. Ghrian has to struggle with remembering the past we already know, and the readers have to question when Ghrian’s pursuit of knowledge burdens himself, his friends, and his family.
If you read and enjoyed The Moon and Her Sun, then I don't know why you haven't read this book yet, as S. Marie takes everything great from The Moon and Her Sun and makes it better.
Tldr: S. Marie has somehow found a way to take the beautiful story of The Moon and Her Sun and improve upon it in The Lying Dark. This book is a must-read for all exploration-loving fantasy fans.
~ Chloe [Amazon Reviwer]