Your Top-Secret Source for All Things Espionage & Enchantment

HOW IS IT ALREADY APRIL?

I must’ve spent too much time hanging out with ADHD fairies or buried in a book—because the last thing I remember was munching Christmas cookies while watching snow fall outside my window… and suddenly it’s spring!

In reality, it’s been a whirlwind of exciting updates from the Phoenix Rising series.

Starting with Summer’s Son, a peek into Sam’s life during the summer he went missing, is a fun way to share a bit of RISE with new readers. Call to arms for the RISE crew – leave a review!

Followed by, the release Flash of Fire as an audiobook (now at most retailers!), and working with Erin Chmela—a gifted puppeteer and voice artist— to bring Drowning the Flames into life also as an audiobook!

Producing an audiobook is not for the faint of heart! It’s not as crazy as riding a night mare through misty realms, but does require casting calls, audition reviews, and a long list of production questions (like how to pronounce Japanese phrases that I wrote 4 years ago, but have no clue how to pronounce.) It will be amazing to have the rest of the series out later this year.

Which brings me to this month’s FREE GIVEAWAY!

Email me at info@thewritewyss.com if you’d like a FREE Spotify code for the audiobook of A Flash of Fire. We’re looking for reviews from listeners and would love your support.

Now, all this raises a question:

“Does Scarlet need her own story?” I’m pondering a holiday season novella with her beloved brownies and a whole lot of silliness…

There’s always more to come!

Operation Bloom & Boom: Spring Spells, Stealth, and Seasonal Shenanigans

Spring has arrived at RISE Academy, and with it comes a fresh wave of magical mischief, floral espionage, and enough pollen-based chaos to make even the toughest troll sneeze through their armor.

After a long winter of ice enchantments and shadow-stepping, our agents-in-training are trading their snow boots for vine-strung grappling hooks and their invisibility cloaks for camouflage woven from wildflowers. Spring isn’t just about renewal—it’s about reinvention. And if there’s one thing a good spy knows, it’s how to adapt.

What’s Blooming?

Professor Peony (yes, the one with the eternally dirt-smudged robes and talking bonsai sidekick) has reintroduced her wildly popular Advanced Pollination Protocols class this semester. Students learn how to:

• Extract memory nectar from forget-me-nots
• Use lavender mist to lull enemies into a nap (or at least a strong daydream)
• Deploy explosive snapdragon seeds with precision

(Disclaimer: Snapdragon grenades are not allowed in the cafeteria. Again. Looking at you, third-year dryads.)

Meanwhile, the Potions Lab is bubbling with new concoctions, thanks to Spring’s arrival. Professor Solace has been experimenting with daisy-dusted mood tonics, honeysuckle tracking potions, and a rather controversial romance repellant spray brewed in response to last month’s Cupid Arrow Incident in the common room. 💘

🐝 Surveillance Season

With the Spring Fae returning from their annual migration to the Ever-Blooming Glade, security measures have been… enhanced. As adorable as they seem, don’t be fooled by the twinkling wings and flower crowns—these pint-sized pranksters have been caught swapping student homework with enchanted flower petals, charming vending machines to only dispense glitter, and enchanting the faculty lounge furniture to burst into interpretive dance every time someone says “midterms.”

To combat the chaos, RISE’s Surveillance Team has deployed buzz bugs—tiny mechanical bees trained in audio and scent surveillance. (A reminder: they are allergic to sarcasm, so speak plainly when reporting incidents.)

🌼 Top Secret Tip of the Month: Disguise via Daisy Chain

A little-known Spring trick among senior agents: daisy chains laced with concealment magic. Wear one around your wrist, neck, or ankle, and you’ll pass unnoticed among magical creatures with floral sensitivities. Perfect for sneaking into secret garden meetings or dodging Professor Cindrill’s pop quizzes on Mythical Law.

⚠️ Spring Spy Safety PSA:

• Any bunny found with glowing eyes is not a pet. Report it to the Beast Containment Division (Office 13¾).

• Do not drink the punch at the Spring Fling without checking for pollen potions.

• If your roommate starts speaking in rhyming couplets, consult the Fae Possession Manual immediately.

Don’t forget Spy Rule #1

Spring is more than just a season—it’s a test of reflexes, charm resistance, and pollen tolerance. So, grab your enchanted sunglasses, pack a potion or two, and get ready to bloom where you’re planted (preferably not in the carnivorous ivy garden).

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🌸 Until next time, agents—stay stealthy, stay clever, and always watch out for weaponized wisteria.