Creators of The Bernice Book Series to Release Second Novel, ‘Bernice and the Shadow Witch’
Washington D.C. - ‘Bernice and the Shadow Witch’, the second book in a planned trilogy of The Bernice Book series, is set to drop on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. DC-based LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs Brandt Ricca (author) and Matt Miller (illustrator) are thrilled to continue taking young readers along a fictional and whimsical journey of the adventures of Bernice Hart. Their first novel in the series, ‘Bernice and the Wonder of Pearl’, was released last year and went on to become a #1 bestseller on Amazon. The second book takes place during the holidays as inquisitive Bernice finds herself back in her hometown of New Orleans. She meets a new troublemaking neighbor, Ellie, who leads her down a path of dark storms, secrets and unexpected discoveries. Bringing back the popular Keeper of the Universe and narrator Gracie, Bernice and Gracie come face-to-face in a dream universe with Shadow Witches and find themselves in a race against time to save a lost loved one. The page-turning novel, perfect for ages 9 and up, continues to offer readers real-life lessons on dealing with adversity, acceptance, and love, accompanied with charming and whimsical artwork.
“The first Bernice book was so successful and we couldn’t wait to continue telling her story. We’re thrilled to launch our new novel right before the holiday season as it makes the perfect present and stocking stuffer for young book lovers,” shared Ricca. “It’s been tremendously fun to write this next chapter, further explore Bernice’s character, and watch her grow and learn more about herself, and that’s something we hope readers will take away as well.”
The Bernice Books series pull inspiration from the magical dream world built over the stories told in their original three-part series, The Barris Books, which follows Bernice’s brother Barris Hart as he navigates through his own dream universe and magical ventures. Together, the two book collections emphasize an appreciation for diversity, the importance of acceptance, and self discovery, all placed against historically fascinating backdrops inspired by America’s Deep South. Both series have become a popular read on bookshelves nationwide and at libraries and schools within the Washington D.C. and New Orleans areas.
“It’s been tremendously fulfilling to see our work capture the hearts of young readers. When we visited schools, we were able to see and experience firsthand how Bernice’s story resonates with students. The story and illustrations are deeply personal to both of us and it’s amazing to see how these characters can be mirrors for young readers in which they can see themselves reflected,” explained Miller.
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, ‘Bernice and the Shadow Witch’ can be pre-ordered by visiting here. The book will be available for purchase on Tuesday, November 14, where all books are sold including Amazon and Kindle, Target, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart. You can purchase their first novel in the Bernice Books series, ‘Bernice and the Wonder of Pearl’, by visiting here. Ricca and Miller plan to release ‘Bernice and the Broken Dream’, the third and final installment in The Bernice Books series next fall.
Select illustrations, imagery, and cover art from ‘Bernice and the Shadow Witch’ are available here. For the latest updates, book signings, and news, follow the creators on Instagram and Facebook.
About The Bernice Books: Created by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, author Brandt Ricca and iIllustrator Matt Miller, the acclaimed duo earned a #1 bestselling spot on Amazon following the release of their first three books ‘The Barris Books’. After finding success, the collaborators continued building on the magical dream world they created while continuing to teach young readers about diversity, acceptance, and individuality through their spin-off collection of books, ‘The Bernice Books.’ The first book in the Bernice Books series, ‘Bernice and the Wonder of Pearl’ was released last year and the third and final installment will launch in the fall of 2024. Learn more about the two book collections and its creators by visiting www.thebarrisbooks.com and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
About Brandt Ricca: Brandt Ricca is the founder of local D.C. based branding agency, Nora Lee by Brandt Ricca. Ricca was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and loves the Southern culture and creative atmosphere of New Orleans, which inspired the setting for the life of Barris and Bernice Hart. Having a writing background and a family history of owning a newspaper, telling stories has always been at the forefront of Ricca’s mindset.
About Matt Miller: Matt Miller is a designer and artist that bounces back and forth from D.C. and Florida. Miller’s artistic background and love for interior design and architecture are the foundation for his interior design and rendering business, Studio Perspective. With a soft spot for historic architecture of the American South, and gathering inspiration from his own vivid dreams, Miller felt he was the perfect fit for illustrating the world of the Barris and Bernice Books series.
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