Bookishly Ever After (35 page)

To Phoebe-cat. Without you, Phoebe-not-a-cat wouldn’t have a name. I owe you some extra fancy dry food.

Nela and Susie—you are the Trixies to my Phoebe and the Phoebes to my Trixie, and two of my most favorite people in the world. Thank you both for all of the support and love. To Joey and Dennis, who put up with a crazy writer sister-in-law but are never afraid to chip in when I need help—thank you. And, of course, to little Joey and Sara—shh, TiTi is making a book, but she’ll make a tunnel/read you a book/play with you later because you’re her favoritest first nephew and first niece.

Last, but not least, to Mom and Dad, who gave me a loving and supportive home, lots of good food (aka: writer fuel), and who put up with a lot of
“Can this wait? I’m writing”
over the years. (Dad, you were 100% right—I can be an engineer and a writer!) I love you both so much.

Author photo by Rachel McCalley

Growing up, Isabel Bandeira split her time between summers surrounded by cathedrals, castles, and ancient tombs in Portugal and the rest of the year hanging around the lakes and trees of Southern New Jersey, which only fed her fairy-tale and nature obsessions. In her day job, she’s a Mechanical Engineer and tones down her love of all things glittery while designing medical devices, but it all comes out in her writing. The rest of the time, you’ll find her reading, at the dance studio, or working on her jumps and spins at the ice rink.

Isabel lives in South Jersey with her little black cat, too much yarn, and a closetful of vintage hats. She is represented by Carrie Howland of Donadio and Olson, Inc.

1.
Oooh, sounds cute. Maybe Trixie can make me one?

2.
Confidence. Try to sway a little while walking. Marissa doesn’t care what anyone thinks and that makes her awesome.

3.
Pick up some cute clothes

4.
Be challenging and awesome. No damsel in distress stuff

5.
I could use this. Maybe

6.
Witty. It worked for Maeve…

7.
Sarcasm win

8.
Cutest idea on the planet. I wonder if I can come up with something like that???

9.
Life stinks

10.
Autopilot sounds good. Be a little distant so he doesn’t know I crushed on him

11.
Oh My God. Was Dev doing this to me??? Or maybe that’s how he’s with all girls??

12.
At least I’m good at that

13.
I can do that

14.
Or at camp

15.
Welcome to my life

16.
EEEeeeeEEEEeeee. Swoon!

17.
This is the most perfect kiss ever. The dress, the cave, Aedan…

18.
Definitely have to practice this "bored warrior" thing.

19.
No fear. Got it.

20.
If Maeve can risk her life to fight a creepy Irish headless horseman thing, I can make it through anything

21.
Good idea

22.
Oooh, maybe this might work at a dance? If anyone actually gets the dance card thing. Which they probably won’t, but it might be nice to say, anyway

23.
Maybe?

24.
Take a deep breath, don’t be afraid, and be just like Maeve