"Darkness cannot hide light forever - it will merely delay
it for a little while."
About the Book
Book: Glass Across the Sea
Author: Sara Ella
Genre: YA Cinderella Retelling (Fantasy)
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Light always finds a way to break free . . .
Noelle Perrault has felt drawn to the tales her glassmaker father told of the four Firefly artisans since she was a child. But when her mother falls under a curse, Noelle suspects the stories are more than mere fables. Their last hope is for her father to embark on a desperate journey to another realm, where he must seek a miracle. Alone but not defenseless, Noelle is forced to navigate battles that rise against her beloved home, while her dearest friend, the prince, vows to help her father.
Dante Marin is a prince prepared to bear the crown. But the king offers an ultimatum: find the fabled Firefly Vestiges, believed to hold the Lamplighter’s ancient power, or forfeit the crown. Only then will Dante be considered worthy of his birthright and given the freedom to choose his bride. But how does one hunt down a legend?
Connected by the past, but forced apart in the present, Noelle and Dante must discover the truth about the Firefly and Vestiges before they lose all hope—and each other—for good. But breaking a curse comes at a great sacrifice—one neither of them predicted. With a mysterious foe rising to power, will they survive, let alone succeed? Or will darkness shroud their future, shattering the light they’ve striven to restore?
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About the Author
Once upon a time, Sara Ella brought dreams to life as a Disney cast member, wishing for the day she’d find her prince and live in a castle of her own. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it’s almost Christmas (even if it’s only January). Sara is the award-winning author of The Wonderland Trials, Coral, and the Unblemished trilogy. She is old enough for fairy tales and believes happily ever after is never far away.
More from Sara
Whenever I start writing a new story, I always comb the internet for the perfect images to represent my characters. Sometimes it’s an actress or actor who fits the character description. Other times, I’ll find some artwork or a painting that fits the picture I have in my mind.
But when it came to finding the right image to represent Noelle Perrault, the protagonist of Glass Across the Sea, I could not for the life of me find what I was looking for. Partly because the heroine is heavily based on my oldest daughter, who shares the same name. No image online was good enough to represent a character and novel dedicated to her.
And then I found this painting titled “Cinderella’s New Day” by artist Heather Edwards back in 2023.
And that was it! “So This is Love” from Disney’s animated classic began playing in my head, and I knew I’d found the image I would keep in my mind for the duration of writing my Cinderella retelling.
This depiction is soft and sweet and felt personal in a way a photo of an actress didn’t. I also felt this painting captured the character and personality of my heroine in a way that would keep me going, even on my most difficult writing days.
Fast forward to 2024. I was behind on my book deadline and life’s interruptions kept getting in the way of my writing. I felt depleted and almost asked my publisher to cancel my contract. But then I attended an event where this same artist had her work on display, and there it was. The real-life, in-person canvas of this very same painting.
That moment felt like God was reminding me He had called me to write this book in the first place. That He had a plan for it and wanted me to keep going. This very painting is the reason I added this line to Glass Across the Sea:
“Art, in her view, was never a laughing matter. A piece might evoke hope in one while it produced sorrow in the heart of another. It was the same for music. For dance.”
And then came 2025. A year of grief and loss in many ways for our family. Once again, everything was getting in the way of this story ever making it to print. And, once again, I considered maybe it was not meant to be published after all. Through many tears and long nights, I revised, pushing to meet deadlines. I questioned if it was worth it. I questioned my own strength and writing abilities, only to be reminded that it is only through God’s grace and Christ’s strength I can do anything at all.
I came across this painting in person again this year at that same event. And, just as it had done in the past, this painting reminded me there was a “new day” just around the corner. My best friend, Nadine Brandes (she knows me so well), surprised me with a signed and personalized canvas print that day. The timing could not have been more perfect.
This painting is more than just a reminder to “have courage and be kind.” It’s a testament to God’s goodness and faithfulness, even amidst darkness and pain. My prayer for Glass Across the Sea is that it blesses readers in the same way this painting has blessed me. Wherever you find yourself today, I hope you keep going and trust the Lord to give you what you need in the moment you need it. In my experience, He often reveals Himself in the unexpected corners and small moments I least suspect.
To celebrate her tour Sara is giving away the grand prize of a signed hardcover of Glass Across the Sea with Painted Edges designed by @hilltop_art, Glass Across the Sea themed candle from @lamplighterliterary, and a $25 Disney Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/3d286/glass-across-the-sea-celebration-tour-giveaway
My Thoughts:
This book was my first foray into Sara Ella’s writing and it definitely will not be the last! I know, you may be thinking “another Cinderella story? Really? Aren’t there at least 100 of those now?” To which I would nod my head and say “probably.” But, I do have to say, of all of the Cinderella stories I’ve read/watched to date, this one is definitely unique from its predecessors. Which is what caught my attention to begin with. Truthfully, if I hadn’t known it was a Cinderella retelling, I don’t know that I would have connected the dots straightaway. There are enough similarities to definitely call it such, but I found Ms. Ella’s take on the story so intriguing on its own, that the retelling part became an aside in my mind.
Going into this book, I had an idea in my mind of what was going to happen or how it would all make sense. I honestly don’t know why I had that, as I’m assuredly not any sort of expert on fantasy novels, but I did. And trying to hold that idea in my mind made it really hard for me to follow the story, at first. I really struggled through the first couple chapters of more detailed world building, but once I was able to just follow the story and enjoy it, rather than trying to sort out what might be a link to Cinderella, I adored the story! I found it so creative, with a complex storyline that seems to be carrying over to at least one more book, and compelling characters. Also, trying to follow all of the lore for the Firefly and the Vestiges made me want a pen and notebook to keep it straight. Let alone trying to explain it all to my husband! His look of complete puzzlement was totally worth it.
Something I find fascinating about fantasy novels is that they don’t really have to follow any of the regular rules of realistic novels. So I was constantly surprised by how the author worked this or that out or how we got to this place from what was just happening moments before. And it seemed to mostly make sense, within the world she had created, though I confess that I am still a little fuzzy about part of the ending. Maybe I just need to reread the entire story and I’ll find that I missed some small detail that will make everything make sense.
I’m being deliberately vague, as I don’t want to risk spoiling anything. So, if you enjoy clean YA fantasy with a complex storyline and wonderfully compelling and realistic characters, then I would highly recommend this book! I personally am awaiting the next story with curious anticipation (what will happen next??)!
As always, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! I hope you'll consider visiting the other blog stops and entering the giveaway for this fun and compelling book!
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