Laura Hesse's Blog, page 18

The Flood – Book Two, The Unicorn Daze Series – now available in ebook

[image error]The Flood, Unicorn Daze: Book Two is now available on Amazon worldwide.

This is a short story for children ages 3 – 8 who love unicorns and adventure.

Jessie and Gus take a leap through time to meet Noah and his wife and find out what happened to all the unicorns.

This is a fun story written in an easy to read play format which can be read as is, with or without voices, or acted out by the kids. The print book will be released shortly.

For a preview click here.

Unicorn Daze – audio book preview

The following is a preview of Gus, Unicorn Daze: Book One. It is suitable for ages 3 and up. The full audio book including the following children’s short stories, Gus, The Flood, and The Unicorn King, will be ready by the end of May 2018. Stay tuned. https://youtu.be/BkqwQwHphO8

 

The Flood – coming soon – 2nd book in Unicorn Daze

[image error]Coming soon to Amazon, The Flood, the second book in the Unicorn Daze series.

Ever wondered what happened to those silly unicorns when they missed the boat?

Jessie and Gus find out the answer when they travel back in time to meet Noah and his wife minutes before the Great Flood covers the world.

Stay tuned for more adventures with Jessie and Gus.

Gus – Unicorn Daze: Book One is now live on Amazon

I am quite tickled to announce that the short story, Gus, is now live on Amazon worldwide in both print and e-book format. It is a wonderful bedtime read for kids who love unicorns. I published the story in an easy to read play format so that it can be told with or without voices or the kids can get together with their friends and act it out. I have performed this story in numerous school readings and it has always been a success. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CV49YR6/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525448808&sr=1-8&keywords=laura+hesse

Gus – a preview – a children’s play & bedtime story all in one

Gus, Unicorn Daze: Book One – a preview[image error] – only Available on Amazon (May 4, 2018)

Copyright Laura Hesse 2018 All rights reserved.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the McNab family and their delightful corn maze in Yellowpoint on Vancouver Island without whom this story would never have been written.

May all your mounts be swift and your mountains an easy climb.

My thanks,

Laura L. Hesse

  Note to Reader

This story is written in a screenplay/play type of format. It can be read as it is or it can be read out loud as a bedtime story, with or without voices, or acted out as a play.

The tale of Gus, the Unicorn, and Jessie, the kid that always got left behind, was a favorite of the kids during my school readings. One class of eight year-olds asked if they could participate in the reading. I was thrilled. The kids had a blast reading their parts out to the class and got quite into the characters.

I will also be doing a live reading of this story shortly, so please visit www.RunningLProductions.com and simply hit the ‘follow me’ button or subscribe to my newsletter to learn about upcoming new releases of books and videos. You can also follow me on Facebook. Videos and new release information will be posted there as well.

Chapter One

Eight year-old Jessie Farrell lived in a two storey gabled house at the end of a dead end street where toys and bicycles littered the yards. The tree lined street on which her house sat was alive with fall color. The houses were decorated for Halloween. Pumpkins grinned at people passing by from front porches. Black cut-out witches hung inside windows. White sheeted ghosts hung from tree branches.

There was a rusty squeak as the garage door suddenly flew open at the Farrell house. Mr Farrell pulled the family van out of the garage. He stopped in the center of the drive and slid open the side door so that his family, Thomas, Eddie, Sarah, Amy, and his wife, Mrs. Farrell, carrying a wailing baby, Emma, could climb into the van. The kids all jostled for seats.

Jessie followed along behind them, dragging her feet. She had wanted to go see a movie, not venture out into a muddy corn maze, but once again, her tiny voice was ignored.

MR FARREL

One, two, three, four, and baby makes five…where’s six?

MRS FARRELL

Come on, Jess, hurry it up.

We’re going to the corn maze, end of story.

Jessie was about to answer, but her mother and father switched their attention to Thomas and Eddie who were laughing and poking Sarah in the sides, trying to make her pee her pants.

SARAH

Stop it, you guys.

MR FARRELL

Boys, that’s enough!

EDDIE

Whhhhaaat?

MRS FARRELL

Thomas, kitchen duty for two weeks.

Eddie, bathroom duty for a week.

The boys knew better than to argue.

MR FARRELL

(To his wife)

Need some help, hon?

Mrs Farrell rolled her eyes at her husband, and then bounced the baby up and down on her lap.

MRS FARRELL

Thanks, honey, but Thomas can help me.

Thomas took the baby from his mother and strapped her into the car seat. The baby gurgled and smiled up at her big brother.

Jessie stood outside the van looking in as her brothers and sisters goofed around. No one seemed to notice her.

Mrs Farrell slid the van door shut with a thud, and then slipped into the front passenger seat. She closed the door and gave her husband a thumbs-up sign.

Mr Farrell pulled out of the driveway.

Jessie stood helplessly, arms at her side, her mouth open in a silent “O”. How could her mother have not noticed she wasn’t in the van? Yet again, her family had forgotten her.

The van screeched to a halt. It backed up. The side door slid open.

THOMAS

Jess? What are you doing? Come on, get in.

Jessie looked inside the van. There was no place to sit. Tears brimmed in Jessie’s eyes.

EDDIE

(squishing little Amy against the window)

Come on, sis, you can sit beside me.

AMY

Hey!

Jessie wiped away her tears and climbed into the van.

Thomas slammed the sliding door shut, and the family was off on their adventure.

 

Valentino – now available on Amazon worldwide

[image error]I am so thrilled. Valentino, the last book in the Holiday Series, is now available worldwide on Amazon. It took me two years of research to complete this novel and what a joy it was. I was also never so happy as to type, The End, in all my life. lol

Thank you to all who joined me on this journey.

To read a preview, click here.

 

The Script Lab in LA feature of yours truly

I was so thrilled when I was asked if I would do an interview with Tom Dever for The Script Lab in LA. The interview concerned my success at this year’s New Media Film Festival with the pilot script for Gumboots. I am going to be starting to write the follow up story, The Dastardly Mister Deeds, shortly. Here is the link to the interview: https://thescriptlab.com/features/main/8712-new-media-festival-finalist-laura-hesse-interview/

 

Woot! Woot! It’s glass of wine time!

Going to break out the wine tonight. Just completed the first draft of Valentino. It has been a two year labour of love. Woot! Woot!

Gumboots, Gumshoes & Murder has a new look

Check it out.

Whe[image error]n I saw this cover, I just had to purchase it from the artist, Autumn Sky. It screamed Betty Bruce and Gertrude. Gosh, I love that pig. As soon as I complete Valentino within the next 3 weeks, I will be starting work on the second book in the Gumboot & Gumshoes Series – The Dastardly Mr Deeds.

Go, Gertrude!

Audible Reviews of A Filly Called Easter audio book

Thanks to all those who left reviews on Audible on the new audio book of A Filly Called Easter, narrated by Leslie Howard:

 5 out of 5 stars





Performance

5 out of 5 stars




Story

5 out of 5 stars

Raissa
2018-04-04





Lovely family listen

I only regret not coming across this before Easter, so I could listen to it on the holiday.

This was a family-friendly story, very fun and inspiring. I am more of a cat person, but horses are so amazing and have always fascinated me. I wish I had grown up around these majestic creatures!

Being a short book, I finished it in one sitting. The story flows in a pleasant manner and advances quickly, so I believe children and teens can benefit from it without getting bored!

Leslie Howard was a pleasure to listen to, she speaks clearly and voices her characters really well.

Thank you Laura Hesse for the wonderful story!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

 5 out of 5 stars





Performance

5 out of 5 stars




Story

5 out of 5 stars

PAW
2018-04-06





Sweet horse story

This is not my genre, but I really enjoyed the writing and story. If you love stories of horses, this book is for you!

The narrator did a great job, a little slow at times but her voice fit the story well.

The ending dragged a little, but not too much.

 5 out of 5 stars





Performance

4 out of 5 stars




Story

5 out of 5 stars

TinkerMel
2018-04-06





such a sweet story!

A hores lovers must!

its such a sweet story about a girl that falls in love with a horse. and a sweet little town that comes together. it really tugs at your heart.

I would think anyone who loves horses would like this story.

The narrator did a good job bringing this story to life!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

 4 out of 5 stars





Performance

4 out of 5 stars




Story

4 out of 5 stars

Marc Garvin
2018-04-05





Sweet story

I received this book for free in audiobook form, in exchange for an honest review.

That said, this book was sweet. I was honestly not sure I wanted to listen to it, but my friends and I are in a book club… so…

Anyway, everything was realistic, well written and well read. I ended up liking all the characters and liked how the story progressed.

The “tornado” scenario seemed a little unlikely, but aside from that everything else sounded good.

The narrator did a fine job. I have heard her narrate some other books and she stuck in my mind because she did a good job. She talks a little slow for some, but it works for me.

In the end, a sweet story, good people, realistic setting and a sweet ending.