Welcome to Storylove - where stories become mirrors, and myth becomes medicine.

In part one of this episode, we begin our in-depth review of Sarah J. Maas's, A Court of Thorns and Roses, covering chapters 1 and 2.

This is Book One of a series that has garnered worldwide acclaim - and for good reason. It's an engaging and imaginative story that grips you early and doesn't let go.

Referred to as a "Romantasy," this book mixes Fantasy and Romance genres, exploring both the Victim and Hero archetypes as it follows our heroine, Feyre, through her many dreams, challenges, and trials.

Yes, it's a fantastic adventure. Yes, it's an unlikely love story. But ultimately, it's a story of Soul empowerment. Where a poor, young, neglected girl learns to fight for - and ultimately win - the most important thing ... even if it's not the prize she expected.

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Music Attributions:

Item# 117410909 by Symphomix on Pond5.com. Use License purchased.

Maestro Tlakaelel by Jesse Gallagher and Snowfall Butterflies by Asher Fulero both downloaded from YouTube's free audio library.

Welcome to Storylove - where stories become mirrors, and myth becomes medicine.

In this first episode, co-hosts Julie and Laura share the heart behind the podcast: two midlife women in the Bible Belt, deeply rooted in their faith, who are challenging religious dogma that dictates what we're allowed to feel, explore or value.

They believe that God, in His utter perfection, gives us the freedom to wrestle, wonder, and discover - that He seems more concerned with us coming Home than with how we get there. Because Deep calls to Deep. Even through stories the church has rejected.

This isn't your typical fan podcast. It's a space for people who love God but feel judged by religious culture for resonating with secular books, movies or music. Here, we talk about working out our own salvation in real time - through plot, symbol, archetype, and sacred curiosity. We're learning to engage life with our whole, authentic hearts ... while still pursuing the Divine.

The truth? Being a story-lover isn't a problem. Not if you're a God-lover first.

So if you've ever struggled between what you were taught a good Christian is supposed to be - and what actually stirs something alive in you - you're in the right place. We don't have all the answers. But we're learning to ask the right questions.

And that's a safe and honest place to start.