Writing

Angelic Findings Summary

For over the last decade, the Angelic Findings manuscript has undergone multiple revisions. At the core, the story has stayed the same. A deceitful angel with a sly smile tricks our female lead into believing she’s safe with him, however she’s anything but. It feels like it’s been a lifetime developing the characters into something more than weak and whiny characters needing to be saved. For the first time I am feeling content with the story and because of that I have been able to write a summary, knowing these key points will not change. So without further ado, the Angelic Findings summary!

Cassandra’s battle with anxiety and insomnia is amplified by a mysterious nighttime phantom and her cousin Molly’s chaotic lifestyle. Despite her own fears and family problems, Cassandra attends a gala where she meets a mysterious man named Anderson. After a tense conversation at the bar, Cassandra stumbles upon a burglar in a restricted room and manages to foil his escape. The Angelic Findings’ soldiers storm in without making any noise and apprehend the burglar. This encounter leaves Cassandra with a mix of emotions and questions about the mysterious events of the night. The founder, Anthony Glau, pursues her. As they engaged in conversation, Cassandra’s initial unease grows as she observed unusual traits in Anthony. 

Anthony discloses his role in orchestrating the incident at a gala. He reveals video evidence of her unique abilities, claiming to want to protect Cassandra. Cassandra reflects on her family struggles and confronts the man, who hands her a photo showing angel wings behind her at the gala. She is shocked and curious about her own abilities. Despite feeling invaded, she stays to learn more about herself.

Cassandra vanishes from her family for three days. Upon her unexpected return, she awakens after a week of being unconscious. Cassandra discovered she possesses unusual powers. Molly helps her deal with her new abilities and introduces her to a kitten. However, a terrifying creature that turns things to stone appears, shattering their peaceful time. With the help of Anthony, they narrowly escape the danger. 

Cassandra and her cousins, Molly and Jonathan, land in a dark room. Anthony reprimands Cassandra for using excessive energy. Tensions rise as Cassandra confronts Anthony for not preventing the danger. He reveals they were never alone when the kitten transforms into the angel Puriel. This is a surprise to everyone because Puriel is Molly’s late fiancé. 

Anthony explains the significance of Cassandra’s mixed blood and the looming threat from the dark angel Azrael. Puriel interrupts their private moment, covered with blood and a gaping wound.

Anthony’s village is under attack by demons led by Azrael, wreaking havoc and causing chaos. Jonathan, amidst the turmoil, is entrusted with caring for angelic infants. When he feels his sister is in trouble, Morse, a dark-haired angel, takes Jonathan to an armory. Morse tells him to be careful before rushing to help. But Jonathan is too late. Azrael captures Molly.

Cassandra nervously waits outside the infirmary as healers desperately try to save Jonathan, who has been impaled by a spear. Despite insisting on seeing him, Anthony stops her, warning that the healer’s power is too dangerous for her. Overwhelmed by the fear of losing Jonathan, she lashes out with her fiery abilities. After finally seeing Jonathan, she discovers that he has been given a chance at life, but at a great cost – he will transform into a spirit. As she struggles to make sense of the situation, Cassandra finds herself drawn to Anthony, despite her anger and confusion. Eventually, they find solace in a peaceful meadow. But Cassandra’s guilt and uncertainty about Anthony’s true intentions linger.

Cassandra and Anthony explore stunning landscapes, and Anthony teaches her about angelic education, baby angels, and power struggles among angels. When they reach a grand building, the attendants strip Cassandra, bathe her, and dress her in opulent attire. Led into a daunting hall of ArchAngels, she defies their commands and asserts her autonomy. The revelation that she is the daughter of a goddess and bound to Anthony as his soulmate leaves her fuming. Anthony is tasked with taking her away to navigate the impending conflict with Azrael.

Trapped in a gilded cage by Anthony, Cassandra is determined to take control of her destiny. Despite her fear and guilt, she resolves to save Molly from the monstrous angel Azrael. Discovering her latent powers, Cassandra experiments with fire and breaks free from the confinement. As she learns about her divine heritage and family history, she forms a bond with Puriel. Together, they embark on a daring escape from the palace, defying the oppressive forces that seek to control them. 

Struggling with physical pain and emotional turmoil, Cassandra receives an unexpected offer from Anthony, but she hesitates, feeling unready for the commitment. Amidst their playful interactions, the moment is shattered when Cassandra is dragged underwater. As she fights for her life, a sense of urgency and danger unfolds, leaving her in a perilous predicament.

Puriel, in falcon form, searches for Anthony and Cassandra. He finds them far from where he left them and notices a mysterious mark on Cassandra. Puriel and Anthony discuss her powers and determine she’s too powerful to bring along. Puriel shares news about Molly’s well-being and they plan to move Cassandra away from Azrael. Despite temptation, Puriel refrains from taking action. They agree to focus on getting Cassandra away from Azrael, dealing with her anger later.

Cassandra wakes up in a strange place next to Anthony. She questions him about his intention towards her. A disturbance at the door prompts Anthony to leave Cassandra alone, and she finds a small garden outside. There, she encounters a dragon-like creature that heals a mysterious mark on her leg. Anthony later reveals that she is being tracked and insists that she stays in the house. Despite his military duties, they eventually engage in intimate activities, leading Anthony to refer to her as his wife before she falls asleep.

Cassandra wakes up to the scent of cinnamon and finds Anthony at the foot of the bed, ready for breakfast. They banter and share pastries, which contain the angelic food ambrosia, suppressing hunger and providing sustenance. Anthony teases Cassandra, and they playfully struggle over the last bite of pastry. Later, she prepares herself for a formal dinner, and Anthony surprises her with a marriage proposal. Despite feeling betrayed, Cassandra faces a tense moment as she tries to resist her conflicting emotions for Anthony.

Cassandra awaits her fate as a wedding planner turned goddess, observing the lavish affair through a window. Her cousin Jonathan appears, bringing comfort and company. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, she is trying to understand her feelings for her fiancé. Tensions rise, secrets unravel, and the crowd’s reaction is far from welcoming. Cassandra seeks familiar faces for support, only to find herself engulfed by the unsettling atmosphere of the grand event.

Cassandra is ushered towards a throne, feeding her doubts about Anthony’s true intentions. Molly, her cousin, appears and warns her about Anthony’s deception. As Cassandra ascends the throne. The throne proves to be alive and fuses with her, imbuing her with divine powers. After an intense ceremony, she is left weak and hungry, but surrounded by supporters. Amidst tension with her husband and a confrontation with her rival, she asserts her newfound authority with a defiant act.

Grappling with her new reality, Cassandra struggles to come to terms with her transformation and the responsibilities that come with it, Cassandra steps away briefly, she entrusts her friends with the task of observing the unfolding events, seeking potential treacherous guests amidst the celebrations.

Cassandra, seeking solitude, finds herself in a garden where she encounters Anderson. He reveals he was meant to be her guardian angel. Anderson cautions Cassandra about the risks of ambrosia and attempts to display its effects. This leads to a transformation in Cassandra, revealing her hidden abilities. This unexpected turn of events leaves Anderson in awe of Cassandra.

Cassandra finds herself in a confrontation with Anthony, questioning his secrecy and manipulation. She challenges his motives and expresses her frustration with his lies. Anthony reveals his need for her to rule as a Demi-god, but Cassandra resists, asserting her independence and refusing to be used. In a final showdown, Anthony attempts to control her, but Cassandra defiantly asserts her true self. The tense encounter concludes with Anthony ordering her confinement, suspecting a threat to the palace.

Cassandra, angered, is locked in a room by Anthony. She sets the room on fire before Gabriel appears. She questions the concept of soulmates and the motives behind the power struggle. Gabriel explains the potential consequences of binding her soul and the true nature of soulmates.  He explains a plot to control both worlds by obtaining Cassandra’s soul. He reassures her that she is not bound by love. Gabriel reveals the fallen state of angels and the limited intervention in the human world is revealed. She seeks to save her cousin Molly and embarks on a journey with the guidance of Gabriel. Along the way, Cassandra faces doubts and challenges, questioning the true nature of those around her. 

Lent

The Season of Lent: 40 days of Prayer & Writing

With bloganuary completed and lent right around the corner, I have taken a bit of a break from writing. During Bloganuary, I completed all but two topics and posts, and for lent, I will be engaging in 40 days of writing and 40 days without social media. In the past, my decision to give up social media has not conflicted with my life. It was a chance to detox from the endless scrolling, focus on my writing, and reconnect with what matters most. But this year things will be different. Last fall my husband joined the rec baseball board. Because of my work for our travel team, they put my husband in charge of the rec social media accounts. While he does a lot, I am the one who creates and posts most of the content. After Valentine’s day this year, which just so happens to fall on Ash Wednesday, he will take over the posts. I’m curious to see how things go.

My goal this season is to take those endless hours of mindless scrolling and polish off Angelic Findings. For more than a decade, this manuscript has haunted me. However, I am glad that I have spent that time working through all the learning curves. Angelic Findings is the story I started after college. My brain felt broken after five years of academic writing. Creativity was staunched as I wrote analytical essay after analytical essay. The first ten drafts of Angelic Findings were so dry I could have started a fire with them. I didn’t hate it, but I discovered something. Every time I reworked the story, Cassandra evolved. Which is normal and should happen, but she wasn’t just reflecting on the events happening in the world of Angelic Findings. She was a mirror of my emotions. One that I wasn’t aware of was pouring onto the pages. I discovered this about nine years ago when my first marriage fell apart. I was back from Brazil, not knowing if Florida would be my home again, when I read the manuscript as an audience member, not a writer. Witnessing Cassandra being manipulated by someone who claimed to care for her was unbearable. So I shelved the project. 

I abandoned that world, needing fresh eyes and a healed soul before I could revisit it. I dove deep into writing for myself. Short stories that soothed my soul before weren’t enough. I was searching for something. Something that would let me feel whole again. I think that is when I started to blog, needing to get my feelings out. But, I always felt journaling was ridiculous. I don’t know why pen to paper was an alien concept for me. I have bookshelves filled with journals. But those are for stories. Not my pain. Maybe I feared that seeing my thoughts in black and white like blood on a page was too much.

One night I was texting with a friend about my writing. I told him how things were different. Writing fantasy has become difficult. For such a long time, it served as my sole source of solace. But I don’t need that anymore. I am happy with my life. I didn’t need the worlds I used to create to escape anymore. Yes, I still get depressed, but I turn to my husband. I live in reality to heal myself. Writing fantasy had to become something more than just a bandaid for my emotions. It needed to become a world I would want to visit while I am happy. 

Ravenmaster was a happy place. It’s why I could finish my book and not totally hate it. Could it be better? Yes. The second book will be much better…and longer. I am also using the season of lent and my 40 days of writing to work on the Motivation that drives Molly and Liam outside of just surviving. I want them to achieve their goals and fall in love. To heal with one another because they just survived something that should have killed them.

So while I may not be sharing my post on social media, I will still be writing. Sometimes WordPress works with me and the share button actually shares things. Which is great. But be sure to stop by from time to time to see what I am writing because from February 14th until March 28th, there will be radio silence from me.