Tag Archive for: book

Seattle Heat Wave and Lavender Fields

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A few weeks ago,  we had a heat wave in the Pacific Northwest. Many people think that since I’m from Miami I am used to heat waves of over 100 degrees.

Well, not really. When I grew up in Miami, we had heat waves that would take temperatures into the 90’s. Rarely did it go into 100 degrees and up. Besides, most  homes have air conditioning in the South Florida area.

So, when my husband and I found out it was going to go up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit in Seattle, we both said, “Yeah. No.”

My husband planned the perfect cool get away for us! It was a family trip with our four-year old son and we were headed to the picturesque San Juan Island. It was supposed to only go up to 83 degrees! YES!

As we drove the hour to the ferry boat, we checked the temperature of San Juan Islands. The cool 83 degree forecasted weather had shifted to 91!

Despite the weather being almost ten degrees warmer than we expected, we were wise enough to remember to be thankful–thankful that it wasn’t 116 degrees!

One of the highlights of our time on the island was our visit to Pelindaba Lavender. It was fragrant, beautiful and  so serene. My son, husband and I enjoyed their lavender flavored ice cream. Yummy!

We got home later that night and were glad that it was cooler. Ahhhh.

Sometimes technology makes us feel like we can outsmart Mother Nature. We weren’t able to escape the heat wave, but we were able to get away to a cooler part of the scorching heatwave.

Isabelle Hardesty has always had a love of magic and nature and weaves this into her books.  Her favorite things include silly socks and yummy chocolate. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. Hardesty is a Miami native and writes OWNVOICES work. Find her novel THE WITCH OF BELLE FLEUR on Amazon.

3 Reasons YA Fantasy Author is Enchanted with Mangrove Trees

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I love mangrove trees, and as I Miami native, I remember seeing these wetland beauties line Greynolds Park’s waterways. These trees enchanted me so much, I even ventured into kayaking to be closer to them. I loved watching the rippling water lap along their  roots.

In my book, The Witch of Belle Fleur, mangrove trees play an important role in Juliette’s transformation into a witch. I won’t give away too much, but it’s memorable! I can’t wait for you to read it!

Here are a three reasons I love mangrove trees:

  1. Mangrove trees stretch their long and graceful roots into water and find a way to survive.  They are survivors!
  2. These trees are land makers. Dirt gets trapped in their roots and over time land is formed. They are creators!
  3. Mangrove seeds can travel miles and miles, finding a new home to thrive. They are travelers!

I made sure to add mangroves in The Witch of Belle Fleur.

Read more about the book, here:

In a family brimming with secrets, Juliette learns her mother was a Destroyer Witch, and her father was a Healer Witch. This teen telenovela actress doesn’t have time for magic, yet magic finds a way into her life.

Juliette must choose between becoming her town’s Lead Witch or just walking away from magic and being a regular human, like her drop-dead gorgeous best friend, Victor. Eventually, she finds out that Victor has a few secrets of his own…

Although her instincts tell her to run from magic, magic might be the only way she can save her dying aunt.

She unwittingly brings magic back to all witches in Belle Fleur, including Thane, an ancient evil witch who wants Juliette’s power and soul.

A hot new mysterious guy comes to town and turns up the heat. Juliette’s feelings for him grow, just as she sinks deeper and deeper into the new world of magic.

Can Juliette balance her Healer and Destroyer sides while she tries to defeat the evil that hunts her and those she loves?

Pre-order your copy of The Witch of Belle Fleur here. 

Please email me at: isabellehardesty (@) gmail dot com with any questions or comments.

~Isabelle

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Isabelle Hardesty is a writer of young adult fantasy.

She enjoys writing about characters who are like people you know and people you want to know.

Isabelle lives in Seattle with her husband and son. She loves being with her family, eating chocolate, and connecting with readers. When she is not writing, you can find her either researching for her next book or painting.