By: Sandra Dorland
In her enchanting series, ‘The Bella Santini Chronicles,’ Angela Legh captures the hearts of young readers by weaving a tale of magic, resilience, and self-discovery. The series follows Bella, a courageous teen who embarks on a journey through a mystical world, learning to harness her inner strength while facing extraordinary challenges. In this interview, Legh shares how personal experiences, including rebuilding after a wildfire, inspired the creation of Bella’s world and the powerful messages she hopes to convey to children through Bella’s adventures. She also teases what’s next for Bella, hinting at exciting new twists that will leave readers eager for more.
What inspired you to create the magical world of The Bella Santini Chronicles, and how did you develop the character of Bella?
Six years ago, I started writing a fairytale to entertain my friend’s nine-year-old daughter, using her nickname as the main character. Then a wildfire swept through our community, destroying my home as well as the story I had poured my heart into. For nearly a year, I couldn’t write. Slowly, as I healed emotionally and spiritually, creativity became a way to rebuild. The story returned, and with it, the world of Bella Santini began to take a new shape.
Bella, the main character in the series, is a courageous and curious young girl who discovers her inner strength through a journey filled with magical challenges. She starts as someone who is unsure of herself but gradually learns to trust her instincts and embrace her power. Bella’s kindness and compassion are her greatest strengths, guiding her as she faces difficult choices and grows into a true heroine. She represents resilience, growth, and the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity. I believe Bella represents the growth I embraced after the wildfire transformed my life.
The themes of self-discovery and emotional resilience are strong in your series. What message do you hope young readers take away from Bella’s journey?
The biggest message I hope children take away from Bella’s journey is that they are magical beings, and their magic lies in the love they share with the world. Every child has the power to make a difference simply by being kind, compassionate, and true to themselves. I want young readers to understand that their inner strength and the love they give are what make them special. Bella’s story encourages children to embrace their uniqueness and recognize the magic within them, even when faced with challenges.
Another important theme in the series is emotional resilience. Bella’s journey teaches children that emotions are a natural part of life, and learning how to understand and cope with them is key to growing stronger. Through Bella’s experiences, young readers are introduced to practical tools for handling emotions. My hope is that these messages not only inspire children but also equip them with the emotional tools they need to navigate their own lives with confidence and grace.
How has your journey influenced the creation of the stories and characters in The Bella Santini Chronicles?
My personal journey has deeply influenced the creation of The Bella Santini Chronicles. Much like Bella, I’ve faced challenges that tested my resilience and inner strength. The wildfire that took my home was a turning point in my life, forcing me to rebuild not only my physical world but my emotional world as well. Through that healing process, I rediscovered the power of self-love, compassion, and emotional resilience—all of which are woven into Bella’s character and her journey.
Bella’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment mirrors the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I want young readers to see that no matter what challenges they face, they have the inner strength to overcome them. Ultimately, the series is about the magic we all carry inside us, and how that magic grows when we embrace love, compassion, and the courage to be ourselves.
What challenges did you face while writing a fantasy series for young readers, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I faced while creating The Bella Santini Chronicles was ensuring that all loose ends were addressed as the series progressed. For example, Novaq didn’t appear much after book two, but his story still needed to continue. Keeping track of all the unresolved storylines across four or five books wasn’t easy. To manage this, I created a list of plot points that needed attention, starting with the first chapter of each new book. As the story unfolded, I would check off items as they were resolved. That list has traveled with me from book two all the way to book five! And I already know there will be book six because not all the threads have been tied up yet.
Can you share a sneak peek of the exciting adventures Bella will embark on in the upcoming books?
Oh boy, this is where the story gets really exciting! In book four, Bella is unexpectedly whisked back to the human world and finds herself in her Earthly hometown—but here’s the twist: she’s two years in the past before she was ever taken to the Fae dimension. Bella now has to navigate this strange situation, figuring out how to blend into her old life without disrupting the flow of time. The real challenge, though, is avoiding her younger self. She must make sure her past self doesn’t become aware of her presence, or it could have dire consequences for both timelines.
As Bella grapples with these complications, she also faces the emotional turmoil of being back in the familiar human world. Old memories resurface, and she’s forced to confront how much she has changed since her time in the Fae realm. Will Bella manage to find her way back to the dimension of the Fae without unraveling everything she knows? This part of her journey tests her adaptability, her wisdom, and her ability to keep calm under pressure.
‘The Bella Santini Chronicles‘ is available on Amazon.
Published By: Aize Perez
