by Jana Oliver
‘I might have told some friends about this place. Well, those two, at least. I didn’t figure you’d mind.’
‘No. Pat’s cool.’
Briar leaned back into Joshua’s arms, listening to the sounds of the summer.
This was like their own little kingdom, no castle needed.
‘Happy?’ he asked.
‘Totally.’
‘Let’s keep it that way from now on. No drama.’
‘You got it.’
Even if their summer break was almost over, she’d done a lot of cool stuff. What other princess had rode a flying horse, fought with mechanical wolves and defeated a cunning magical enemy?
Even better, Briar had found her very own prince and saved his life a couple of times.
‘Do you believe in happy endings?’ she asked, curling up Joshua’s arms.
‘I do now,’ he replied and moved in for another kiss.
So do I.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Where would we be without fairy tales? Be they the sweet Disney kind or the blood-drenched Brothers Grimm versions, they have remained our constant companions throughout the centuries. One of the most iconic – ‘Sleeping Beauty’ – still has meaning today. A young girl’s awakening, the weight of a curse that refuses to quit. There was so much here to work with and I’m thrilled I had a chance to tell Briar’s tale. I hope you enjoyed it as well.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My deepest gratitude goes to Rachel Petty, my incredible editor, who suggested I try my hand at a Southern retelling of a classic fairy tale. Thank you for making the process painless and, dare I say, fun?
As always, a hug and much love to my literary agent, Meredith Bernstein, who was willing to go in a new direction. You rock, lady!
Also thanks go to my critique partners Berta Platas, Carla Fredd, Maureen Hardegree and Michele Roper, who quizzed me about the plot, the magic and the emotional landscape of Briar Rose. These talented authors threw out the strangest ideas, many of which made it into the story (the creepy metal worm in the apple, for instance). Thank you for everything, ladies, even if your excellent cakes and baked goods added a few pounds!
I owe many an Innis & Gunn to Shane Burton, who grew up near Briar’s fictional town. His tales of quicksand, alligators, armadillos and cotton fields helped make Bliss come alive.
The hoodoo portions of the story came from various references books, including Catherine Yronwode’s Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic and Jim Haskins’ Voodoo and Hoodoo. Any mistakes are on my head, not theirs.
Finally, a hug for my very own prince, who shares my daydreams and helps make them come true.
Jana Oliver’s imagination has always had the upper hand despite her attempts to house-train it. When she’s not on the road tromping around old cemeteries, she can be found in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and far too many books.
Books by Jana Oliver
The Demon Trappers series
Forsaken
Forbidden
Forgiven
Foretold
Briar Rose
First published 2013 by Macmillan Children’s Books
This electronic edition published 2013 by Macmillan Children’s Books
a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
20 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RR
Basingstoke and Oxford
Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com
ISBN 978-1-4472-4136-2
Copyright © Jana Oliver 2013
The right of Jana Oliver to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
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