This is the second day of the A to Z Challenge, and the first day I’ve tried to integrate my regular schedule with the alphabet. Today’s B was easy: Beauty and the Werewolf, a Beauty and the Beast-inspired book which is part of the Five Hundred Kingdoms series. As always on Wednesday I have given the contexts of the quotes tweeted each day of the previous week from @sueannbowling. (They are also shown on my facebook pages.) Today all except the last one are from Beauty and the Werewolf, by Mercedes Lackey, and the final quote refers to the color blue.
The Five Hundred Kingdom books are all “modern re-tellings of classic myths and fairy tales,” but with a difference. In this series there is something called The Tradition which tries to force people’s lives into the nearest story trope, and it is the job of the Godmothers (originally Fairy Godmothers, but now more often human) to steer the Tradition to minimize the impact. Beauty and the Werewolf combines at least three fairy-tale tropes: Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood, and refers to several others.
“One should never equate shabby with dirty.” Bella’s thoughts on Granny’s attire.
“What’s magic but manipulation? Or politics, or diplomacy, for that matter?” Granny, speaking to Bella after she has calmed herself down and is starting to consider a rather manipulative way of getting back at Eric.
“A lone wolf in winter was generally a wolf with an empty belly.” Bella’s thought on hearing one wolf howl in the forest.
“I will not lose my temper. It won’t do any good.” Bella’s thought when she is introduced to the werewolf who bit her.
“She had to wonder how this particular werewolf managed to bite anyone.” Bella, faced with Sebastian’s diffidence.
“She’d never let an injury stop her from doing anything she wanted to before.” Bella is determined not to let an injured ankle stop her from exploring.
“The incredible blue followed her into her dreams.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. Marna has descended into a glacier crevasse, and been captivated by its color.
Incidentally, this is my blogiversary. My first post was April 2, 2010. Seems like just yesterday.
Buy Homecoming from iUniverse
'Homecoming' Blog 
That sounds like a great story. I haven’t read much from her. I’m sorely lacking.
HMG
She’s a wonderful story-teller and her characters are ones you care about. That’s what I’m aiming for, and I’d say she, Andre Norton and Anne McCaffrey are three of my greatest models. And Tolkien, of course.
Congrats on your blogiversary!!!!
And this sounds like a good book! I don’t know how I missed it. No, wait. I do know. I know very well. I’ve been living in a cave of WORK, that’s how. Thanks for sharing!
Mercedes Lackey is one of the authors I always buy.
I usually do, too! I’ve been such a slacker! Oy!
I love Mercedes Lackey! I almost mentioned her in my post today but it was already too long. So glad someone else did! Happy A to Z!
I have most of her books. One of my happiest reviews compared my writing to hers.
Happy blog-iversary. 🙂
Happy blogiversary!! And what a nice post. I’ve never read anything by Mercedes Lackey. I’ll have to look her up.
She’s a good storyteller whose characters I care about. One of my models.
Interesting character and werewolf. And I love the term blogiversity. Will have to look up this author. Thank you.
Silvia @
SilviaWrites
Mercedes Lackey is one of my favorites.
Oh my gosh- love the quotes! LOL Thanks so much for sharing. I didn’t even Know Mercedes wrote this….
Decadent Kane (blog)
Quotes are every Wednesday.
Happy blogiversary, Sue! Great post – I really enjoy those sort of mash-ups. I must add it to my reading list 🙂
And I see Horse Power is free till Friday! Everyone should get it – I loved it 🙂
Jemima
#TeamDamyanti
Blogging from Alpha to Zulu in April
Have a look at my others.
Congratulations on your blogiversary– and this is a great AZ entry, nice story from the B-word.
Damyanti
Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2014
Twitter: @damyantig
#atozchallenge
Thanks. Lucky I have most of my posts written, as I’m also busy as one of Stormy’s sidekicks.
I haven’t read this Lackey book. Will need to look for it!
She’s one of my favorites. (and models.)