Two years later, the rainbow books began to take shape - she received Yellow, Green, and Blue. These magical adventures involved hungry snakes, a wicked witch and life-saving magic. But if Princess Ambrosia could handle it, so could my eight-year-old daughter.

The years flew by and before I knew it, she was 10! The final three rainbow books: Red, Indigo, and Violet were revealed.

The sixth book, The Three Sisters was a fun, adventurous tale, which lasted several nights and paved the way for the final two - the origin and actual starting point of the story as well as the epic conclusion.

These final rainbow books marked her journey from young child to pre-teen. As she grew and matured, themes deepened, choices mattered, and the stakes mounted.

Reading in this 'growth maturing readiness order' helped her step into broader, more expansive themes and emotional readiness. Other children can benefit from this growth opportunity as well as they explore darker themes when they too are ready.

The series wouldn't be complete without acknowledging the Black book, Into the Darkness. In what felt like a spell cast overnight, I had watched my little girl transform into a bright young teenager.

My self-assured, pre-teen daughter had outgrown the earlier, youthful stories. She was ready for the next level.

The Darkness explores themes not suited for younger children. This last book isn't just an imaginative fun, dark fantasy horror novel; but is the culmination of my daughter's growth entering into young adulthood.

The series mirrors my daughter's own journey toward maturity, shifting naturally into more complex and darker themes. Whether you read these books in rainbow order or growth order, I truly hope you enjoy the journey.

These stories were never planned. They were spontaneous, often crazy, and just for her. As the tales continued, a cast of recurring characters emerged; the heroic Frankie the Firefly and the always menacing Evil Wizard. And with each story, the legend of Princess Ambrosia grew.

Over time, these bedtime adventures became more than just stories. They became a tradition. A way to end each day with laughter, wonder, and a little bit of magic.

Fast-forward about a year – I had an idea.
What if I could bring one of these stories to life? What if, instead of hearing about Princess Ambrosia, my daughter could have a physical keepsake?

So I wrote. I edited. I designed. And when she ripped open that surprise present on her 6th birthday – her eyes lit up in a way I'll never forget. As an added touch, I added one of her own drawings as a dedication in the book.

Still, I watched her horror obsession deepen - the darker, the better. And slowly, the idea of a dark Ambrosia book started to take root.

It was time to shed the childlike shell and build upon the world we had created; now with her new fascination: darkness, evil, and fear.

So I crafted a brand new world. One teeming with beasts, curses, and terror. An epic young adult novel built not just for teens...but for my strong, terrifying daughter.

Questions, praises, proposals?
If you've got something wicked to offer, cast an evil spell.