Annie Douglass Lima's Blog, page 69

Realm Explorers Part XI: Visit Avalon with Valerie Howard

Welcome to Realm Explorers!  In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors.  Enjoy your travels!  And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.  
 Author’s name:
Valerie Howard
Title of book and/or series:Avalon
Brief summary of the story:Mara has been a prisoner in the slave yard since she was a young girl. Her crime: treason. Her penalty: death by the hand of the King. One day, Prince Justinius visits the slave yard and gives Mara a surprising ultimatum. Will she choose to side with her enemies to spare her life? Or will she stay loyal to the rebellion and get the punishment surely coming her way? Avalon is an allegorical novella depicting the Christian life.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:Avalon is a large kingdom ruled by King Aldus. It's a land with an old-world feel without cars, electricity, or modern conveniences. The kingdom is covered in lush, thick forests and dirt traveling paths. 
If we were to visit Avalon as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?I would recommend going to the King's palace. It's glamorous, gargantuan, glittering with gold and jewels, and gushing with beauty. The hosts are absolutely perfect, and you'll want to stay there forever-- just because you can!
What dangers should we avoid in Avalon?Druett and his knights are the rebels who try to steal King Aldus's crown. They might smooth talk you into joining their murderous plots, so you should avoid the deep woods where they are scheming and planning underground.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Avalon?The slaves in the slave yard eat disgusting gruel, moldy bread, and rotting fruit, but the free servants of the King dine on delicious milk, honey, fruit, pastries, and berries. No meat is served in Avalon, and everything eaten is naturally produced, so that's a bit unique.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Avalon?Weapons in Avalon would be similar to medieval weapons: swords, bows and arrows, battle axes, etc. Weapons are rarely seen in the book. The guards prefer to beat the prisoners using their hands or feet.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Avalon?Good old-fashioned horse-drawn carts and carriages, walking, or running-- that's how people get around in the Kingdom of Avalon. There are no cars, no bikes, no taxis, planes, trains, or modern vehicles.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Avalon?  If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.Prince Justinius is the only one in this story that has supernatural powers. He can read minds and tell the future.
What is the political or government structure in Avalon?  Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?The government is a monarchy, with King Aldus as the sovereign king, Prince Justinius as his son, and Druett as an ex-knight who tries to turn the hearts of the citizens against Aldus and overthrow his reign.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Avalon?If you side with the rebels, you will pay the price, so it's best to be on King Aldus's side...
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?The book is an allegory of the Christian life, specifically the salvation experience from start to finish, so in a way, yes. I based the main character's physical appearance on my own appearance because, in a sense, this is my story of becoming a Christian and walking with Christ.

Author Autobiography:
Valerie Howard was born and raised in rural Maine. She is the wife of a youth pastor and a stay-at-home-mom to an energetic two-year-old. She has been writing stories ever since the second grade. Ever since then, she's written 14 books and plays for children, teens, and adults. She's worked tutoring children in math and reading, and she's an official choco-holic.


Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)?  Paperback and Kindle editions are available on Amazon.
Where can readers connect with you online?  On my blog, my Facebook page, and on Twitter.
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Avalon.  Questions about the world or the book?  Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!  

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to a World of Dual Magics in Realm Explorers Part XII!-Annie Douglass Lima


Are you an author who would like your world to appear on Realm Explorers?  Click here to download the instructions and interview form, or email me at AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com for more information.

The Dreamkeeper Chronicles Audiobooks - and a Giveaway!

Don't forget to check out the GIVEAWAYat the end of this post for a chance to WIN some fantastic prizes!
We are thrilled to announce that The Dreamstone, book two in The Dream Keeper Chronicles is now available in audiobook. If have never had the opportunity to listen to an audiobook before, now is your time! An audiobook is a wonderful way to enjoy a book. It brings a level of richness and art to the book you can't get with just words alone.

Dorothy called it Oz, Alice Called it Wonderland, but Nightmares call it HOME.
There is a world inside our own, but we can’t see it when we are awake—only when we sleep. It is then we find ourselves in Dreams.  
Synopsis for book 1: The Dream Keeper
When an evil shifter takes over the gateway to the realm of Dreams, it falls to 14-year-olds Parker and Kaelyn to stop him. Their only hope lies with Gladamyr, the Dream Keeper, but can they trust a Nightmare to save their world?

Synopsis for book 2: The Dreamstone
When Parker’s mom is dreamnapped by the wicked Mab, it is up to him and Kaelyn to save her. When they return to Dreams, they discover Mab isn’t their only problem. Gladamyr has lost his powers and the only way to get them back is to become what he fears the most—a nightmare.

Check out what people are saying about The Dream Keeper Chronicles!
"A fun, fantastic ride through both Dream and Nightmare. Brooks has written a book that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Bravo!" ~Michaelbrent Collings, bestselling author of The Billy Saga

“A wild stallion of a story: fast, thrilling, and unpredictable. If this one isn’t a kid-pleaser, I don’t know what is.” ~Michelle Isenhoff, author of the Taylor Davis Series 

"I listened to The Dream Keeper on audiobook and absolutely loved it! Anthony Bianco did an outstanding job of bringing each character to life." ~L.R.W Lee, author of The Andy Smithson Series


"My heart hammered and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page. I felt every emotion the characters did, I laughed, I cried, I felt fear while reading this book." ~Amazon reviewer

"If you like the Percy Jackson, Fablehaven, or the Harry Potter series, you'll love this!" ~Amazon reviewer
Check out this interview with the narrator, Anthony Bianco!


What have you enjoyed most about narrating The Dream Keeper Chronicles?
Bringing the mythology that Mikey has created to life. There is a sense of innocence, wonder, and possibility on the world of Awake and Dreams. Our dreams are one of the nearest things we still have to magic. And discovering the story has helped remind me to continue to look for the magic in the world around me.
How did you go about finding a distinct voice for each character?
Many times Mikey provided some kind of description of the character that would inform the choices I would make. Age, gender, body size/ shape. I imagine how the voices sound when I am reading and do my best to apply those changes when I get in the booth. I would like to think that all of the choices that I made were informed by the text. I did my best to fully imagine what Mikey created and trust that when he is satisfied with the result I have done my job. 
You work as a professional actor; do you find your profession helps you in narrating books?
I find it incredibly helpful. The fact that I am not in front of an audience doesn't make a lot of a difference to me. The act of storytelling is the same no matter what the medium. Many of the skills needed: articulation, breath support, vocal flexibility, emotion (to highlight a few) all come into play when recording. When you are in the booth you have to be hyper aware of every movement and sound. Even though nobody can see what you look like, any extraneous movements can cause sounds which can be picked up by the mic. It is essential to have the physical and vocal awareness to keep those sounds to a minimum. At the same time you can't allow that to keep you from bing expressive and energized when telling the story. It can be a tricky balance sometimes. But the years of training help to balance those factors.
Is there a character in the book you related to the most and why?
I think Gladamyr was the easiest to relate to, even though he is a Dream keeper. I love the tortured heroes. Plus, Gladamyr's powers are the coolest! Many of my favorite fantasy characters have been Shape-shifters or have had an ability similar to Gladamyr. It probably appeals to the actor in me, being able to shift and morph would be like the ultimate costume change.
If you were to dream up a nightmare what would it be?
Absolutely terrifying. Probably something similar to Minion, a monster made from a swarm of spiders. When I have nightmares they are the worst. I am usually being chased by a dark formless, shifting shadow (not unlike Gladamyr now that I think about it). There are always lost of teeth and it is fast; constantly changing throughout the dream. The worst nightmares know when to change and get worse when you think it can get any worse. 
How do you manage to smoothly accentuate the “voice” of the different characters? 
Breath, breath, breath. You can't transition from voice to voice without the proper breath support to fuel the instrument. If it sounds smooth it is a combination of quality editing and quality vocal control by the narrator.
How did you become a book narrator? Did anything specific prompt you to undertake this career?
A friend encouraged me to pursue it. He made the transition from actor to narrator full time and thought I would also be good at it. So, he gave me the initial push. I haven't been able to make that transition fully, though. I am still working and audition for gigs in bother careers. As well as working at a coffee shop and doing odd work as a ranch hand and landscaper to make ends meet. I am still at the begging of my narrating career but what has prompted me to continue to pursue it is the flexibility to create my own hours, work from home, and the complete artistic control of the storytelling.

Narrator Bio:
Anthony Bianco is a professional actor living and working in Denver, Colorado. He is a native Oregonian and has been acting and storytelling for the past eighteen years. He received a BFA in Acting with a minor in Shakespeare Studies at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. Anthony then went on to receive is MFA in Acting from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Anthony moved to Denver five years ago and has worked for three seasons with the Denver Center Theatre Company, one season at Colorado Shakespeare Festival and most recently appeared as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.
Author Bio:



Mikey Brooks is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll catch him dancing the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is the author/illustrator of the best-selling middle-grade series The Dream Keeper Chronicles, The Stone of Valhalla, and The Gates of Atlantis: Battle for Acropolis. His picture books include the best-selling ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures and Bean’s Dragons. His art can be seen in many forms from picture books to full room murals. He loves to daydream with his three daughters and explore the worlds that only the imagination of children can create. Mikey has a BS degree in English from Utah State University and works full-time as a freelance illustrator, cover designer, and author. As a member of the Emblazoners, he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the hearts of children’ (www.emblazoners.com). You can find more about him and his books at: www.insidemikeysworld.com 
Check out the books!
The Dream Keeper Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Paperback | Hardback | iTunes | Audible
The Dreamstone Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Paperback | Hardback | iTunes | Audible

Check out this interview with the author, Mikey Brooks!Question: Tell us a little about your “real” (non-writing) life — family, job, church life. Does it give you inspiration for your writing? Does it get in the way of your writing, or are there times when you get help from people or circumstances?
Answer: I am the daddy of three princesses. So my life is a blur of pink sequins and purple lace. If you look closely I do in fact sparkle, and it’s not because I am a vampire. I have a wonderful wife who is my mentor, editor, proof reader, and constant companion. I use her first name as my last name (I go by a pen name) because she does so much for my writing I have to include her somehow. I work fulltime as an author and freelance illustrator. I have two callings in my church. I am the Stake historian. Which means I get to collect all the histories throughout the various congregations in my area and compile them into an Annual History that is then kept at the church’s History Library in downtown Salt Lake City. I am also a Sunday School instructor. My family and my church callings do help me with my role as a writer. I get tons of inspiration and support from my girls. My callings at church help me study old stories from the scriptures (which help inspire other stories) and being a historian helps me keep up to date on my editing skills.
Question: Tell us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction besides writing?
Answer: I love spending time with my daughters. We could do just about anything and I would be happy as long as they were happy. My favorite game to play is what we call Imagination. We turn the couch in the living room into whatever we imagine (say an airplane, rocket ship, pirate ship, or submarine) and go on make believe adventures. I also enjoy reading to them every night before bed. Right now were on #16 of the Magic Tree House books. Once they’re in bed I enjoy snuggling up with my wife and watching a tragically sappy chick flick.

Question: Since you have several books out, tell us what you think works for promotion. What are your thoughts on ebooks versus print books and different ways to let people know about you and your books?
Answer: My books are a little different than the average writer. I have a very small market. My books are for kids. I can only do so much online stuff to catch the kids’ attention. When I do online marketing I try to target parents of tweens, teachers, and librarians. What works best for children’s authors, like me, is making a mark in schools. I sell more physical books at signings than eBooks online. I think it’s because I can interact better with the kids who then go hit up their parents for the cash.
Question: Have you done anything writing-related, but besides actually writing your books, that seemed to get a lot of positive response? Something that encouraged you?
Answer: As an author I get to participate in lots of writer conference presentations and panels. When on those I try to share my experience in my path to publication. I want people to know that no one else can write their book except them. So often as writers we get discouraged. I try to help lift others up. One day after I shared my experiences on a panel I had one of the attendees tell me I had helped them decide NOT to give up on their dream of publishing a book. That meant a lot to me and helps me remember to pay it forward and continue to help others.
Question: Tell us about your newest book. Make us want to read it.
Answer: The Dreamstone is the exciting continuation of The Dream Keeper. In the first book 14 year old Parker and Kaelyn had to stop a nightmare from taking over Dreams and coming into our world. They team up with a dream keeper named Gladamyr who is himself a reformed nightmare. In this adventure they have to return to Dreams to save Parker’s mom who has been dreamnapped by the evil Mab.
If you have ever wondered why we dream this series is for you. Dreams is a place. We all go there, but don’t see it how it really is . . . until now. Dorothy called it Oz, Alice called it Wonderland, but Nightmares call it HOME.
Question: What is the “message” of your writing? (For example, is your purpose to encourage old-fashioned values, encourage romance, or do you have different purposes in different books?)
Answer: Each book I write seems to gain its own theme. For the Dream Keeper Chronicles what stands out is the idea of being true to yourself no matter the cost. I hope that readers, especially kids, learn that we are not all created equally—we’re all different and supposed to be different. So often we are expected to fix in some kind of social norm. And sometimes to “fit in” we choose to hide who we truly are. I hope that kids can learn they can be themselves and still “fit in”.
Question: What is your current WIP?
Answer: I am currently finishing up the last book in The Dream Keeper Chronicles: The Dream Makers. This is the exciting conclusion of the series and it will surprise you what happens. I don’t want to give away too much but know that Parker and Kaelyn will come face to face with the scariest nightmare ever created: Mares.
I also have a fantastic book coming out next week called The Gates of Atlantis: Battle for Acropolis. This is part of a six book series all written by different authors. It’s about a secret magical society trying to save their world from destruction. In my book a 13 year-old boy name Talon discovers he is the key to saving Atlantis and he sets off an adventure that will lead him to the famous Bermuda Triangle to face Atlantis’ evil villain Phoibos. These books are filled with mermaids, nymphs, giants, banshees, and tons of magic. I am thrilled they are coming out soon.
Question: How many books do you have out?  Are you planning a specific number altogether, either in this series or separately?
Answer: I have two books out in The Dream Keeper Chronicles. The third, The Dream Makers, comes out in the fall. It will be the final book of the trilogy; however, I have had fans ask me to write a prequel which I just might do. I have a middle grade fantasy-adventure standalone called The Stone of Valhalla which has been on Amazon’s bestselling list since it came out in April of this year. I have The Gates of Atlantis: Battle for Acropolis coming out next week (July 29). I also have several picture books available that I author/illustrated including ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures, also an Amazon bestseller.
Question: Are your characters/stories/scenes, etc. based on anything in real life?
Answer: I use a lot of the personalities of people around me in my characters. I also put a lot of myself in them. In The Dream Keeper you’ll find a lot of my childhood nightmares are the same ones that Parker and Kaelyn have to fight. I like that they are courageous enough to stand up to them. When I was their age I don’t know if I could have been as brave.
Question: What are your future projects?
Answer: Once I finish up The Dream Makers I will push a little harder in securing an agent for my super fun middle-grade book The Witches of Roosevelt Elementary, which just won 1st place in my chapters’ League of Utah Writers Writing Competition. It’s a fun story about two kids that discover their parents are keeping a huge secret from them: they are witch hunters. When their parents go missing, witches invade their school disguised as glamorous lunch ladies.
After I get that one squared away I plan on working on my first ever middle-grade steampunk novel. It should be quite the adventure. I have been brewing over the story idea for too long and can hardly wait to get started.
Author bio:
Mikey Brooks is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll catch him dancing the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is the author/illustrator of the best-selling middle-grade series The Dream Keeper Chronicles, The Stone of Valhalla, and The Gates of Atlantis: Battle for Acropolis. His picture books include the best-selling ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures and Bean’s Dragons. His art can be seen in many forms from picture books to full room murals. He loves to daydream with his three daughters and explore the worlds that only the imagination of children can create. Mikey has a BS degree in English from Utah State University and works fulltime as a freelance illustrator, cover designer, and author. As a member of the Emblazoners, he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the hearts of children’ ( www.emblazoners.com ). You can find more about him and his books at: www.insidemikeysworld.com
You are welcome to follow Mikey on all of his social media sites:Blog: http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writtenbymikey Twitter: https://twitter.com/MIKEYBR00KS Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/writtenbymikey/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOVfEwqNfOqkDnka081UQQw Google+: https://plus.google.com/100027668852715497976 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241382041

Check out the GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Realm Explorers Part X: Visit the Mythic Realm with Adam Bolander

Welcome to Realm Explorers!  In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors.  Enjoy your travels!  And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.  
Author’s name:Adam Bolander
Title of book and/or series:The Slayer and the Sphinx Trilogy
Brief summary of the story:Every mythical creature we have ever heard stories about is real, driven into hiding by the murderous Slayers.  When Porter Collins, a promising young Slayer, is sent to hunt down Sarah Heisen, a sphinx who has never known freedom, an accident occurs that forces the two of them to team up, putting events in motion that will shake the earth to its core.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:The Slayer and the Sphinx takes place in the shadows of our world, the places we never look.  The Mythics are everywhere, if you can see the signs, but they work hard to make sure they go unnoticed.  The Slayers, likewise, stick to the shadows, but only because that’s where they will find their prey.  There are things of wonder and magic in the Mythic realms, but are seldom seen by humans because of their fear of the Slayers.
If we were to visit the Mythic realms as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?I would recommend seeking out the Historian’s Tower.  It is an ivory tower that reaches to the heavens, inside of which you can find detailed reports of every moment of history, from the present to the very beginning of time.  You’ll have to find it first, though, which can be a little tricky.  First, you have to know where the tower is located.  Then, you have to expect it to be there.  Any nonbelievers who stumble across it won’t even see it, because they don’t expect to see it.
What dangers should we avoid in the Mythic Realms?The Slayers, for one.  They may think they are virtuous warriors fighting the good fight and protecting the human race, but in actuality they are vicious brutes who have hunted innocent Mythics to extinction almost since the beginning of recorded time.  Even other humans aren’t safe, as they will not hesitate to kill anybody they think has aided their enemies in any way.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in the Mythic Realms?Between the Slayers and the Mythics, there are very few (if any) fighting styles that are not actively used in battle.  Both sides prefer to use swords and magic rather than guns, but are hardly at a disadvantage because of it.  One of the more notable fighting styles used in The Slayer and the Sphinx is Dominic Vega’s, second in command in the Slayers’ ranks.  He always carries around a bag full of handmade wooden javelins, which he can use for either long range or melee combat.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to the Mythic Realms?A common way to travel in The Slayer and the Sphinx is teleportation.  People and creatures with the ability to use magic can use this to transport themselves wherever they want to go.  Attempting this without practice, though, can make you end up miles away from your intended destination - a lesson that Sarah learns the hard way.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in the Mythic Realms that we don’t normally see on Earth?There are far too many to name.  If you’ve heard a story about a monster or mythical creature, it’s most likely true.  Some of the creatures used the most in The Slayer and the Sphinx are sphinxes, elves, djinns, dwarves, gnomes, chimera, satyrs, and gryphons - amongst many, many others.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in the Mythic Realms?  If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.Magic can be used by anybody, if they know how.  Some creatures can use magic more easily than others, which is why human magic users are so rarely seen outside of corps like the Slayers.  They must always be careful, because overestimating their abilities can often prove fatal.  To Mythics like sphinxes, djinns, and elves, it comes more naturally.
What is the political or government structure in the Mythic Realms?  Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?The Mythic society is governed by someone called the Arch-Mythic.  In this case, it is a gryphon named Rayalga.  There is no rule as to what type of Mythic the Arch-Mythic must be, but it is usually a large, intimidating creature.  This gives their underlings a sense of security, knowing they are being watched over by such a strong Mythic.  The Arch-Mythic also employs Commanders to watch over the various Secret Sanctuaries in his absence.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?I’ve spent the majority of my life living in a forest, so most of my stories usually take place in one.  It’s always interesting to wonder what is out there, hiding in the trees, watching you even when you’re not watching them…
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?Equality, and to cast away hate and prejudices.  The Mythics want to live in peace, without the threat of being hunted down, but the Slayers will never willingly grant them that.  I also try to show that there is good and bad in everyone.  The Slayers may be murdering innocent creatures, but they do it because they have been taught to believe that the Mythics are mindless killing machines that would not hesitate the wipe out the human race if given the chance.  Likewise, the Mythics have adopted the mindset that they are poor, innocent victims, and the Slayers are the ones to blame.  None of them recall the events that, ironically, forced the humans' hand in forming the Slayers.  Nor will they acknowledge the corruption in their own hearts when they start to view the human race as a whole the same way the Slayers view them.
Author Autobiography:I grew up struggling with several learning disabilities.  All my life, I loved to read, and it had always been a dream to write my own books.  It took me until my junior year of high school to overcome my disabilities and realize that dream, and now I can’t imagine ever doing anything else.  I have written and published seven books so far, and one currently updating on the internet, with plenty more on the way!
Where can we purchase your book(s)?  All the links to buy my books can be found on my website, www.bolanderbooks.com.
Where can readers connect with you online? They can check out my website, or they can follow me on Facebook and Twitter. 


I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Mythic Realm.  Questions about the world or the book?  Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!  

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the fantasy world of Avalon in Realm Explorers Part XI!-Annie Douglass Lima


Are you an author who would like your world to appear on Realm Explorers?  Click here to download the instructions and interview form, or email me at AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com for more information.

The Cinderella Theorem: A Unique Fantasy with a Giveaway!

A themed book tour through Prism Book Tours.


The Cinderella Theorem

(The Lily Sparrow Chronicles #1)

by Kristee Ravan
YA Urban Fantasy
Paperback, 367 pages
March 17th 2014


Fairy tales are naturally non-mathematical. That is a fact, and fifteen-year-old Lily Sparrow loves factual, mathematical logic. So when her mother confesses that Lilyís deceased father is (a) not dead, (b) coming to dinner, and (c) the ruler of a fairy tale kingdom accessible through the upstairs bathtub, Lily clings to her math to help her make sense of this new double life (1 life in the real world + 1 secret life in the fairy tale world = a double life).

Even though itís not mathematical, Lily finds herself being pulled into a mystery involving an unhappy Cinderella, a greasy sycophant called Levi, and a slew of vanishing fairy tale characters. Racing against the clock, with a sound mathematical plan, Lily attempts to save her fairy tale friends while proving that normality = happiness.

Amazon


My Review: ****
This is definitely the most unique fantasy novel I've read in a long time (and I read a lot of fantasy)!  I love the main character and the way she views the world in terms of math.  Everything she experiences is part of a math problem to her.  For example, "I stood stupidly off to the side like an extra piece of information in a word problem.  (Sarah has three marbles and seven pencils.  Danette has two pencils.  How many pencils do Sarah and Danette have together?  Answer = nine pencils.)  I was the three marbles that no one needed."  I thought this was a hilarious but vary effective personality trait for her.  The writing style is humorous and easily kept my attention all the way through.

On the negative side, some scenes lapsed into "telling, not showing", and I felt a few details could have been tied up better at the end.  Plus, there were some typos and errors in punctuation and general English usage.  The consistent mistakes in capitalization and punctuation around direct quotations were especially irritating and showed a lack of professional editing.

However, I still felt that the book was written well enough to merit four stars in spite of those issues.  The main character was unique and definitely stood out in a way that makes her story memorable for all the right reasons.  I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

-Annie Douglass Lima



Calling for Reviewers!

We're looking for reviewers! You don't need a blog to sign up, but you do need to at least post a review on Amazon. Other sites (blog, Goodreads, etc.) are also appreciated. Reviews must be completed by the end of November. To sign up, please fill out  this form .



Kristee Ravan lives in Oklahoma with her husband, daughter, and pet fish, Val (short for Valentine). She wanted to be many things as she grew up including a general, an artist, and an architect. But she never bothered to say, "I want to be a writer when I grow up." She was always writing stories and thought of herself as a writer anyway. She sent her first story to a publisher in the sixth grade. (It was rejected - in a nice way.) When she is not making up stories in her head, she enjoys reading, juggling, green smoothies, playing dollhouse with her daughter, and hearing from her fans. You can contact Kristee at the facebook page for her Lily Sparrow books: The Lily Sparrow Chronicles.


Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Amazon

Tour-Wide Giveaway

5 copies of The Cinderella Theorem (print for US winners, ebook for international winners)

Ends August 31st

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour!

August Dates:



11 - Launch



12

Kelly P's Blog

Coffee Books & Art



13

Bookworm Lisa

Shannon's Blog

Simplistic Reviews



14

Skye Malone's Blog

Wonderous Reviews

Mythical Books



15

Rockin' Book Reviews

Sarah's StoryLines

The Wonderings of One Person



17

Katy's Krazy Books

Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima




18

The Crazy Antics of My Creative Mind

My Devotional Thoughts

The Written Adventure




19

Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews

Mel's Shelves

My Life, Loves and Passion




20

Katie's Clean Book Collection

Book Briefs

Deal Sharing Aunt




21

A Backwards Story

Little Lisa



22

Coffee, Books and Me

I Am A Reader

Dividing by Zero




24 - Grand Finale

CrossReads Book Blast with Becca Fisher - and Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Amish Romance 40 Book Boxed SetBy Becca FisherAbout the Book:This collection features 40 Amish Romance stories by Becca Fisher including:

The Amish Wedding Series
Rebecca Lapp has her life back together after a tough break up. She's found a new man and is finally happy once again. But when her ex comes back into town wanting her back, Rebecca will be forced to make a decision that will change her life forever.

The Chasing Heaven Series
Hannah Bieler's wedding is more than just cause for celebration. It gets her sisters wondering when they will get married, who they'll fall in love with, or whether God has other plans for them entirely. But it becomes clear that although the Amish are simple people, their love lives are anything but.

The Let Love In Series
When Jenna loses her husband in a horrible accident, she never thinks she can love again. But she suddenly finds herself a single Amish mother and knows that her children need a father figure in their lives. So when a handsome stranger rides into town a year later and takes a liking to Jenna, she has to decide if she can ever let love in again, or risk losing a man that could bring her happiness.

The If I Stayed Series
Hannah and Sadie Miller have always been desperate to explore the world. So when rumspringa comes, they want to go to the big city. But are the sisters willing to risk losing everything that's important to them when their parents insist that they stay in Lancaster?

The Amish Christmas Series
Joshua Zook and Sadie Miller have been dancing around their feelings for months. But just as Joshua works up the nerve to admit how much he cares for Sadie, he realizes that he may be too late to win Sadie's heart.
LINK to KINDLE
"I'm Becca Fisher and I write sweet Amish romances featuring simple people with complex love lives. I'm devout in my faith, relish time with my family, and seek to bring joy to as many lives as possible. I would love to have you as a reader. God bless. If you would like to be the first to know about my new books, join my mailing list here http://eepurl.com/s3WIT."

Follow Becca FisherWebsite | Facebook | TwitterEnter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!Enter below to enter a $50 Amazon gift card, sponsored by author Becca Fisher! a Rafflecopter giveaway This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Realm Explorers Part IX: Visit the Land of Serenity with Cynthia P. Willow

Welcome to Realm Explorers!  In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors.  Enjoy your travels!  And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.  

Author’s name: Cynthia P. Willow
Title of book and/or series:  The Karini and Lamek Chronicles
Brief summary of the story:  The Karini and Lamek Chronicles is an endearing fairy tale of High Fantasy. Enter a world of fairies, dragons, dwarves, and elves in The Land of Serenity, a magical world where possibilities are endless and truth makes a difference.
From one reviewer: “Cynthia does an expert job of creating memorable and interesting characters who rapidly endear themselves to you with their exploits and personality traits. Her book[s] are good for young readers, with lots of action and adventure to hold their interest while also being very parent-friendly.” ~ Krystine Kercher
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story: The Land of Serenity is a beautiful land full of lush forests, scenic mountains, and a huge castle! Fairies dance on flower petals, dwarves mine for diamonds, and then there are the dragons…. are they good or evil?
If we were to visit The Land of Serenity as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there? The mushroom village where the fairies live would be a lot of fun. Just watch your step! Then we could split into groups to see which group could find the secret cave first! A visit to Mount Flog to meet the snow parrots would be interesting, but bring a snow suit! We could hop in a mine cart and visit the dwarves…diamonds anyone? If you’re not scared of getting lost in the woods, we could hike up Mount Chesney and search for Natas’ cottage. If nothing else, we’d have to take a tour of the castle.
What dangers should we avoid in The Land of Serenity? Well, watch out for the dragons, giants, and trolls. But they’re nothing compared to Natas.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in The Land of Serenity? There’s no telling what Filmer will cook, but he specializes in dumplings. The fairies would love to serve you tea and cakes though!
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in The Land of Serenity? It depends on who it is, but many use wands, teleportation, and animal transformation. In other words, MAGIC!
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to The Land of Serenity? The Land of Serenity is full of mythical creatures. Just about anything you can think of is there. If you can tame a dragon, you can hitch a ride on it. Then again, it might be more fun to befriend a witch and hop on the back of her broomstick!
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in The Land of Serenity?  If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.Magic plays a huge role in the Land of Serenity. There are good witches and wizards, and there are evil ones. We learn in book 1 a secret that has to do with magic, but I don’t want to reveal it.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in The Land of Serenity?  If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.Not really. For the most part, the folks in The Land of Serenity live a lot like people in medieval times did.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in The Land of Serenity as on earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there? Yes. The days are the same. The only holidays that are mentioned are birthdays. Several characters celebrate their birthdays in The Land of Serenity. One particular party starts off with a bang and ends in a huge battle.  Wedding celebrations are also big in The Land of Serenity.
Is there a particular religion practiced in The Land of Serenity?  Please describe what it involves.Not directly. Characters demonstrate faith in God, but I don’t go into a whole lot of detail with it. However, the good morals and lessons in the stories reflect my own Christian upbringing.
What is the political or government structure in The Land of Serenity?  Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?The Land of Serenity is supposed to be ruled by a king, but that was before the dragons took over….
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?I’ve always had a love for fantasy. I passed that love onto my children, and they were the inspiration for these stories. I began writing book 1 when my son (now 17) was 8 years old, and my daughter (now 14) was 5. The villain in book 1 (Ocamar) was named by my son. Once we came up with the land and the names of a few characters, it took off! There would be no Land of Serenity without my children. 
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?Magic is controversial enough! As a writer who is also a Christian, I have had to defend this series, but most Christians are accepting of it once they realize it’s not much different than the writing of C.S. Lewis. The Bible is clear when it comes to the presence of evil, and fantasy and the use of magic is one way to demonstrate good versus evil.

Author Autobiography:
Cynthia P. Willow writes Christian fiction and fantasy for all ages. She lives in Georgia with her husband, three children, and their family pet—a Morkie named Madam Alice Bellatrix.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books?  All of my books are in paperback and Kindle on Amazon. Select books are available in other eBook formats such as Nook and Apple. Please visit my website www.cynthiapwillow.comfor links to all my books. Some of my series are available in bundles to save you $$$!  For example, click here for the 3-book bundle for this series!
Where can readers connect with you online?  Cynthia’s website: www.cynthiapwillow.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/CynthiaPWillowFacebook: www.facebook.com/cynthiapwillowhttps://www.facebook.com/KariniAndLamek

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Land of Serenity.  Questions about the world or the book?  Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!  

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the Mythic realms (hidden right here in our own world!) in Realm Explorers Part X!-Annie Douglass Lima


Are you an author who would like your world to appear on Realm Explorers?  Click here to download the instructions and interview form, or email me at AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com for more information.

Being West is Best

Today I welcome Author Monique Bucheger and her newest book to my blog!

Let's learn a bit about Monique:
When Monique Bucheger isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events. Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in any given day, Monique tries very hard to enjoythe journey that is her life.
She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children, an adorable granddaughter,  a son-in-law, three cats, and many real and imaginary friends. She is the author of several books and plans to write many more. You can find more about Monique and her works at:

Monique Bucheger (author of The Secret Sisters Club: A Ginnie West Adventure)http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monique-Bucheger/193789017310198</ span>https://twitter.com/ #!/MoniqueBuchegerhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-sisters-club-monique-bucheger/ 1109159942?ean=2940014243971&itm=1&usri=secret+sisters+club
http:/ /www.amazon.com/The-Secret-Sisters-Club-ebook/dp/B007IK2WF6/ref=sr_1_1? ie=UTF8&qid=1332081352&sr=8-1
Now for the fabulous book!

Twelve- year-old BFFs, Ginnie West and Tillie Taylor, are matchmaking geniuses. Together, they maneuvered Ginnie’s widower-dad into proposing to Tillie’s divorcee-mom. Sweet! Certain they are well on their way to sisterhood, each girl is floored when Tillie’s lousy-excuse-for-a-father puts in an appearance after a six year absence. Too bad “lousy dad repellant” doesn’t come in a can. Even though Tillie’s dad has sobered up and is determined to make amends, Tillie would rather he just disappear again. If he stays, “Operation: Secret Sisters” may need to be renamed “Operation: Not Gonna Happen.” If that’s not bad enough, the biggest bully in seventh grade comes over often and wishes he could call the West’s farmhouse “home.” When the bully’s abusive dad shows up as well, Ginnie thinks it’s time to change her family’s motto from “When you’re here, you’re family” to “There’s no more room at the West’s.”

Come Join the blog tour:
Blog Tour and Dates August 4thhttp://www.annadelc.com/bloghttp://lovesallthingsbooks.blogspot.comBiblioreviews.tumblr.com
August 5thhttp://www.kristawayment.comhttps:// www.facebook.com/MarkoftheJaguarbook
August 6thhttp://thepleasureofreadingtoday.blogspot.comhttps:// xclairex00.blogspot.co.uk
August 7thFacebook.com/haveyoureadbookbloghttp:// thepleasureofreadingtoday.blogspot.com/
August 8thhttp:// anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com
August 9thhttp://jessicaparkerstories.wordpress.com
August 10thwww.sjhenderson.net/blog/
August 11thandilynthinks.blogspot.comhttp://ldspaz.blogspot.com/http://semishort.blogspot.com/
August 12thhttp://julicaldwell.blogspot.com/
August 13thtifaniclark.blogspot.com</ a>
August 14thhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Mind-Blowing-Review- Girl/899894636691320?ref=hl
August 15thhttp:/ /whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com and ldswomensbookreview.com
August 16thhttp://www.aclosetfullofbooks.com/https:// www.facebook.com/pages/Triple-A/471916489621936
August 17thhttps:// www.facebook.com/PageByPageInsideOutReviewsandPromotionhttp://lifebooksandmore.blogspot.com

And Don't forget to come to the party!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/796503363703539/? ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Faith & Fame: a Christian Romance by Laura J. Marshall

Click on Cover to See it on AmazonWhat do you do when all you've thought important seems like a charade? Meet Lainey Sparks, worship leader turned Christian recording artist. People look to her to lead them to God but she doesn't know her motives anymore. Then she's introduced to Nick DeAngelo, a man with a secret. Could he ruin her reputation and ultimately her career? Or is he the only one she knows to lean on when tragedy strikes? 

The first book in the Faith & Fame series. Novella Length Christian Romances.

**99 cents for a limited time

Excerpt: 
 The bright sky of the afternoon waned to gray shadows and the light breeze began to blow harder. Nick gathered up the blanket as I fiddled with my phone. I’d taken a few shots of the blanket in the leaves, the trees, and fading sunshine.“Do you mind?” I held up the phone and smiled convincingly.“Of me?”“One of you, one of…us.”He shrugged, put the knapsack back on the ground and turned towards the camera, posing. “Duck face?” He asked teasing with a smile.I shook my head, letting out a loud laugh. Click. Covering my mouth with my hand, I quickly looked at the picture I’d taken of him on my phone. It sobered me. He was so handsome, I ached. And still it didn’t do him justice. It hadn’t captured his heart.“You and I.” He came up next to me and encircled my waist with his arm. I could feel his warm hand lazily skimming my hip. I held up the phone. “Ready?”He tucked his cheek next to mine, skin to skin. His face had a faint feel of stubble. He smelled of leather, and musk, and…man. I clicked a few pictures. He turned his lips to my cheek and kissed me. Click.“Do you mind if I?” He pulled his phone from his back pocket, settling back close to me.“Sure.” We posed again.I looked down at our feet. Mine in high black boots and his in the calf-skin shoes. I aimed the phone. Together in a park in Chicago on a sunny day, I’d started to fall in love. 

 Cover Reveal for Book 2 in the Faith & Fame Series, Stormy Towne


Lainey Sparks - Lead Singer of Christian Band, Depth Stormy Towne - Heiress to the Towne Fortune Caroline Winters - Food TV Celebrity Chef See Laura's website HERE for book listings on other online retailers such as Barnes & Noble or Kobo. 

Jessie by Rebekah Lyn

    Annie, thank you for being a host on my New Release Blog Tour. I decided to create this character interview as a conversation among the Cole brothers. I tucked a subtle hint about one of the boys into the conversation.

Afternoon with the Cole Boys

Max, Ricky, and Sam snaked through the underbrush, arriving at their fort ten minutes after the final school bell rang. “How long you think Jessie is gonna keep going to these tutoring sessions?” Ricky asked.

“Until he’s caught up and his grades improve,” Sam replied.

“It was more fun when he didn’t care about school and we could all hang out together. I miss going hunting or fishing anytime we wanted,” Ricky said.

“Remember the first time we took him hunting?” Max asked. “He had just turned ten and had been begging us to take him out for weeks.”

Sam laughed. “Yeah, he was barely taller than the rifle, but he managed to bring home a rabbit and two ducks.”

“All those days of hiding in the woods with me when Pop was out of blood taught him the importance of keeping quiet,” Max said.  "The animals didn’t even seem to know we were there, they’d come within feet of us before catching our scent and taking off.”

“You both would do good to take some interest in your own school work,” Sam said.

“What’s the point?” Max frowned. “I’m almost done and will probably end up being sent to Vietnam. All I need to know over there is how to keep my head down.”

“You don’t know you will called up and what about when you come home? You don’t want to work at the grocery store forever do you?” Sam asked.

 Max opened his pocketknife, picked up a stick, and started shaving off the bark.

“I’m going into construction when I get out of school,” Ricky said. “I won’t need to know about English or science or any of that boring stuff.”

Sam sighed. “Well, I’m glad Jessie is trying to improve his grades and we need to be supportive of him. I think it would be pretty cool to have an astronaut in the family.”

Max looked up from his whittling and grinned. “Wouldn’t that be a real punch in the face to Pop?” 

“Give Dad a break, he’s trying to get his life back together and I think he’d be proud of Jessie if he made it into the astronaut program,” Sam said.

“Yeah, yeah, enough talk about school. Let’s go fishing.” Ricky pushed himself off the ground and brushed some leaves off his shorts.

“A nice big trout for dinner does sound good,” Max agreed.

The boys raced through the trees, across the ditch, and down the dirt road to the back door of their house. Ricky arrived first, bending over to catch his breath, Max and Same close behind, barely winded. “You okay, Ricky?” Sam asked with concern. Ricky nodded, taking large gulps of air. Max pulled three fishing poles from a tangled mess in a corner near the back door while Sam located the tackle box. When Ricky’s breathing returned to normal the boys set off toward the river.

About the Book

The four Cole boys suffer abuse at the hands of an alcoholic father, while largely being left to their own devices by a heartbroken and overworked mother. Their adventures on their island home have become a welcome escape, and one of the only things in life the boys can truly rely on. Jessie, the youngest and a dreamer, becomes enamored with US plans for manned space flight and its race to the moon, stirring his own dreams of one day becoming an astronaut. In a strange twist of fate, it is the space program and the momentum it gains that abruptly brings their beloved island life to an end. The family is forced to move to the city and start anew. Life in town creates new challenges, financial pressures, news of the Vietnam War and the impending threat of the military draft for Max the eldest of the Cole brothers.

About the Author    


Rebekah Lyn is a popular Indie writer with a strong following of loyal readers who enjoy her inspirational novels of Faith, Adventure, and Hope. She is a Christian with a heart for new beginnings, and her desire is to reflect that in each of her books. Rebekah is a sandal-loving native Floridian, growing up in Titusville, Florida, within sight of the Kennedy Space Center. This was an exciting time to live on the Space Coast, with launches taking place on a regular basis. Growing up, the best place to watch a launch was at the edge of the Indian River, just blocks from Rebekah’s home. Fond memories abound of windows rattling and dogs barking as the big Saturn rockets or the Space Shuttles raced into the heavens. Sonic booms made everyone jump as the astronauts returned from space, and sometimes she could get a glimpse of their return in the skies above her home. She will always be proud of America’s space program. An eye witness to the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, she and her fellow classmates watched with horror as the historic event unfolding before them. This event became a personal and lasting memory. An active participant in social media, Rebekah enjoys interacting with her readers, particularly at her her signature “Tea with the Author” events.

Rebekah Lyn Invites you to purchase books and e-books through: Amazon   Barnes and Noble Smashwords   iTunes 

Connect with Rebekah through:  
Website: http://www.rebekahlynbooks.comBlog: http://www.rebekahlynskitchen.wordpress.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/RebekahLyn1Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorRebekahLynPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/rebekahlynbooks/rebekah-lyn
Email: authorrebekahlyn@icloud.comGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5444665.Rebekah_LynIndependent Authors Network: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/rebekah-lyn.html
Rebekah Lyn BooksFaith-Adventure-Hope             

Realm Explorers Part VIII: Visit Fiori with Peggy McAloon

Welcome to Realm Explorers!  In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors.  Enjoy your travels!  And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.  
Author’s Name:
Peggy M. McAloon
Brief summary of the story:
Book 1 of the Elle Burton series, Elle Burton and theReflective Portals, is about a young girl who encounters winged creatures from another dimension on her tenth birthday. Her first encounter is at Wolske Bay in Menomonie, WI where she captures one of the creatures entering Earth from a reflective portal (her own reflection in the lake). She is enticed by these creatures to help them protect the children of Earth by becoming an Earth Guide.
Being a guide seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. Elle is an ordinary kid and has always loved helping others; now she’ll have magical assistance. Not everyone wants her to succeed. There are evil forces that do everything in their power to keep guides like Elle from offering support to those in need. Can Elle be brave enough to oppose them?
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Fiori is unlike any place on earth. There are more flowers than you have seen in your entire life. Some are as large as a tractor tires with centers as big as a meat platter. The inhabitants of Fiori live in rustic stilt houses scattered in and among the flowers where they can gaze down at the beautiful valleys of flowers below them. There are reflecting ponds throughout the valley. Fiorins depend on them to travel between Fiori and Earth. The sky is burnished with the red, purple, and gold shades of the most spectacular sunsets imaginable. There are no clouds in the sky and the ground is covered with carpets of orange, crimson, and yellow. Azaleas, bougainvillea, ice-blue calathea, and thousands of white kukui blossoms fill the valleys.
Amadeus Fighting a ZorinIf we were to visit Fiori as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?            Definitely attend an event at Mother Blue’s Temple. The structure looks like the Doric temples in ancient Greece.  Columns adorn the outer part of the colossal building, reaching up toward the crimson sky.  The structure is completely covered in the softest of pearl-white flower petals. Enter through the arched entrance to enjoy one of the many banquets there.  Strings of flowers cover the entrance.  Brilliant metallic golds adorn the white inner walls.  Golden chandeliers hang from the ceiling and art tapestries hang on the walls, depicting scenes from Fiori and from the human world. Taking a ride on the back of a turquoise Truero in a reflective pond is an absolute must! If you are extremely lucky and Mother Blue is particularly fond of you, you may be able to tour the land on the back of Pegasus.
What dangers should we avoid in Fiori?
 Fiori is bordered on one side by a rugged mountain range where the Zorins live. The Zorins live in the cliff dwellings there. They resemble an alligator although they do walk upright on their hind legs towering nearly 10 feet tall. The creatures have soulless sulfur-colored eyes with bulbous eyelids. They are covered by scales (avocado and tobacco brown with globs of tarry mucus attached to them). You will immediately notice the dozens of sharp and horribly stained teeth in their huge mouths if you are unlucky enough to run into one.  No one has ever returned to Fiori after a close encounter with these creatures. Zorins can take the shape of a human (both adult and infant), causing confusion for both Fiorins and earthlings. Fiorin Perimeter Control rules require that you get no closer than 150 yards to the outer perimeter of Fiori. They can use their uncanny ability to suck in huge amounts of air and draw in any Fiorins or humans unlucky enough to be near them.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Fiori?
While in Fiori, anything you may need is provided. Whatever your favorite foods, they will magically appear as desired.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Fiori?
In book one, the only weapons utilized against the Zorins are wooden poles and spears. Zorins do have deadly reactions to pollen, which is one of the reasons the valleys of flowers protect the Fiorins. There are no modern weapons in Fiori.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in Fiori?
In Fiori the creatures that live there have wings. They need no other form of transportation. Human Guides who are visiting can travel on the backs of Pegasus and the Trueros. Otherwise, they can ride in carriages pulled by giant spiders.
a truero
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Fiori that we don’t see on earth?
Things seem a bit backwards in Fiori compared to Earth. Spiders are huge and elephants are house pets. The turquoise Trueros are very much like swans yet they are large enough to carry a human on their back. The plants and flowers are gigantic compared to their counterparts on Earth. Fiorins, when they travel through the reflective portals (through the reflections of the children of Earth), are the size of butterflies in Earth’s dimension, but they are equal in size to humans in the realm of Fiori. They look very human-like with larger eyes than humans and wings like a butterfly or fairy. The Zorins have already been described. They look rather like an alligator but walk on their two hind legs in an upright manner.


What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Fiori? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
All Fiorins have the ability to sing a “Siren Song” that can drive a human insane. They use this to protect children if they have enough time. They are not allowed to physically harm any human but can inflict temporary pain to prevent harm to a child under the age of 8. Fiorins are assigned to every new-born baby on Earth. They breathe the first breath of life into the child so they will have a kind heart. Some do not make it to the child before birth because of trickery initiated by the Zorins.
Each Fiorin then has one special power. Amadeus, the warrior, has the ability to summon huge storms with wind and lightning. Milo is capable of blowing himself up into a giant sponge to protect children who may fall or be injured in a car accident.
Medallion on Mother Blue's Necklace
(back) Medallion on Mother Blue's Necklace
(front)Mother Blue, the Empress of the Fiorin colony in Book 1, has multiple powers and a bronze necklace that holds the secret to her powers. The necklace can only be activated by the human guide who has been predicted to come to Fiori during their 11th year in the Sacred Scrolls of Destiny. It has been given to numerous guides in the past, but no one has had the ability to unleash the magic. No one knows yet the extent of the magic that the necklace holds. The necklace had magical powers only for Mother Blue and the "chosen one" as predicted in the Sacred Scrolls. The chosen would accomplish 3 major challenges during his/her 11th year. Mother Blue had loaned the bronze pendant to other guides, but no one had yet been able to unleash the magic. Now it's Elle's turn to try.

There is a magic fountain in Mother Blue’s Temple. She is able to look into it on the day a child reaches the age of 8 to determine what the future holds for them on Earth.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Fiori? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
When you think of Fiori, think of the Garden of Eden. Magic exists, but there is no modern technology.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Fiori.
Fiorins are a very simplistic race. They turn huge flowers into May poles and swings with the assistance of spider webs. They also fashion elevators utilizing spider webs. They live in the natural surroundings and revel in food, dance, and song.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Fiori as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
A brief second on Earth is the equivalent of hours and hours in Fiori. Most Fiorins are thousands of years old in Earth time. They do not marry as do the people of Earth. They consider themselves to be part of one huge family. The days are continuous. Night never falls. The sky is filled with the colors of the most vibrant sunset you have ever seen. Fiorins acknowledge holidays celebrated in all countries on Earth but they do not celebrate any specific Fiorin holidays. Celebrations are spontaneous when an Earth Guide has a major victory against evil.
What is an Earth Guide?
Earth Guides are chosen by Mother Blue through her knowledge gained through the magic fountain. They are humans who are able to move throughout Earth through a wish. Fiorins can only travel on a wish with an Earth Guide. The Human Guides are the only ones (other than some children under the age of 8) who can see the Fiorins on Earth. It is their responsibility to offer whatever assistance the Fiorins may require to protect the children of Earth. Guides are life-long assistants but they do have free-will and can decide to quit if they so desire. All memories of Fiori and the winged creatures will then disappear from their memory.
Are there any other creatures that assist the Fiorins?
Fiorins have the ability to communicate with all animals on Earth. They also employ messengers to carry messages between Fiorins and Earth Guides. (We know these messengers as carrier pigeons, although other birds can carry messages in times of great need)
Is there a particular religion practiced in Fiori?
We are not aware of any particular religion in Book 1 of the series other than a tremendous respect for the environment.
What is the political or government structure in Fiori? Who is in charge there at the moment and what kind of leader is she?
All Fiorins are equal. The leader is Mother Blue. She has the undying love and support of all her subjects. She leads with compassion and love for all Fiorins and the people of Earth. This is how it has been for centuries and no one questions her authority or knowledge. She acts more as a mother figure than an absolute ruler. Free-will is encouraged.
Bellengrath Gardens, AL: Similar to the Land of Fiori
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
I would have to say that everything in my life has inspired the realm of Fiori. I was raised in a very religious home. Most of our activities outside of school were centered in the church. I loved the stained glass windows; most especially the one that had a beautiful angel. The Fiorins are based on my childhood vision of what my guardian angel might look like. Fiori is a combination of my vision of what I believe heaven might be like and a section of walkway in Bellengrath Gardens in Mobile, AL that are alive with azaleas in the spring of the year. Flowers of every description adorn the property and it is as close to what I would hope heaven would look like as anything I have ever seen next to the tulip fields in the Netherlands.



What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?  Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals is about a young girl who has been chosen as a Guide at a very young age. She faces the challenges of bullying and parental abuse in this first book. As a victim of child abuse I understand how terrifying the threats are that a child is subjected to. It is my hope that we can inspire children through storytelling to trust enough to find an adult who can help them as Olivia did when she finally admitted to Elle why she was hiding in the bathroom at school.  This is a different approach to the problems of bullying and abuse. Children are more aware of these issues than we give them credit for. The protagonist, Elle Burton is a normal young girl who can inspire kids to stand up to bullying and abuse and become more empowered than they have ever been before through a delightful and believable fantasy. Peggy McAloon
Author Autobiography: 
Author Peggy McAloon retired from the field of commercial credit, is the author of The Art of Business Credit Investigation, and is a recognized trainer and speaker. She enjoys watercolor art and has received national awards for her efforts in the conservation of water resources. Her own journey through child abuse, depression, and a debilitating car accident elevated her desire to help children cope with their challenges in such a way that they are inspired and empowered.
Peggy McAloon with Anneka Rogers




Eleven year-old Anneka Rogers acted as a consultant on the book. Her insistence that the class bully be “saved” provides the framework for one of the most exciting chapters in the book. Anneka is eleven years old and has participated in Tour Cross Country Team, CORE Values Program, Battle of the Books, 4-H, and Running Club.


Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book? 
“Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals” is available in both e-book ($2.99) and soft-cover ($13.95)at Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.  It is also available at the author’s website.
Where can readers connect with you online?
Twitter
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Fiori.  Questions about the world or the book?  Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!  

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the Land of Serenity in Realm Explorers Part IX!-Annie Douglass Lima


Are you an author who would like your world to appear on Realm Explorers?  Click here to download the instructions and interview form, or email me at AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com for more information.