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Unicorn on Speed Dial
With a wry sense of humor, this adult urban fantasy pokes fun at American culture. Warmth and offbeat humor are the rules of the day.
Kathryn Koldwell is a suburban housewife, mother of four. She and her family live in a small Oregon town where every family has a two-car garage, Internet access, and the occasional great-uncle who practices a bit of magic. Kathryn has a unicorn named Freckles, and a back yard filled with migrating dragons. She volunteers her time to retrain abandoned ex-familiars with bad magical habits.
Her idyllic life suffers a setback when her son sights a bugbear, a dangerous beast hailing from Galdesyat, a South American country. Then she finds feathers from a gryphon nestling—but no gryphon. Bugbears and gryphons rarely set foot out of Galdesyat. Is there a conspiracy in the offing?
Kathryn and Freckles set out to investigate this mystery, and stumble through a portal to Galdesyat, taking baby Joni with them. Defending her baby with her swinging diaper bag, Kathryn must fight gryphons, trick dwarves, and out think an orc sorcerer to go home. And reach it she must! Somewhere in her home town, an evil sorcerer lurks with a horrific army, intent on world domination.
Can she possibly manage it? Even with a Unicorn on Speed Dial?
Kathryn Koldwell is a suburban housewife, mother of four. She and her family live in a small Oregon town where every family has a two-car garage, Internet access, and the occasional great-uncle who practices a bit of magic. Kathryn has a unicorn named Freckles, and a back yard filled with migrating dragons. She volunteers her time to retrain abandoned ex-familiars with bad magical habits.
Her idyllic life suffers a setback when her son sights a bugbear, a dangerous beast hailing from Galdesyat, a South American country. Then she finds feathers from a gryphon nestling—but no gryphon. Bugbears and gryphons rarely set foot out of Galdesyat. Is there a conspiracy in the offing?
Kathryn and Freckles set out to investigate this mystery, and stumble through a portal to Galdesyat, taking baby Joni with them. Defending her baby with her swinging diaper bag, Kathryn must fight gryphons, trick dwarves, and out think an orc sorcerer to go home. And reach it she must! Somewhere in her home town, an evil sorcerer lurks with a horrific army, intent on world domination.
Can she possibly manage it? Even with a Unicorn on Speed Dial?
Nook
First published March 6, 2011
57 people want to read
About the author
Jeanette Cottrell
6 booksJeanette has published five books. At Risk of Being a Fool (hardback and paperback) draws heavily on her experience in teaching high-risk students. Her four fantasy novels (two of them for children) draw on other creatures she has known, such as dragons, unicorns, and rascally kids.
Jeanette teaches computer technology at a public high school in Oregon. She's taught for twenty-odd years (VERY odd years!), with computer cables strung around her neck for safe-keeping, and waving spare computer parts for emphasis. The endless energy of teenagers is contagious, fortunately. Also exhausting, but fun.
Her cat, Tammy, can't figure out why Jeanette devotes so much attention to her laptop computer. Fortunately, Tammy can sleep undisturbed on Jeanette's shoulders while she's typing more books. Apart from an occasional tail in the mouth, it works out. It's nice to be loved.
Jeanette's best advice for people who want to write books is to start small, with long, long letters to your sister a couple of times a month, and just keep doing it for twenty years. The thing about letters is that you write about daily events, anecdotes, or what someone said at work. You tell about all your ups and downs, and all that emotion just pours out because you know it's being read by someone who loves you. In those circumstances, it's amazing how easy writing can become!
Jeanette says: "Whatever you may do in your life, I wish you joy and laughter!"
Jeanette teaches computer technology at a public high school in Oregon. She's taught for twenty-odd years (VERY odd years!), with computer cables strung around her neck for safe-keeping, and waving spare computer parts for emphasis. The endless energy of teenagers is contagious, fortunately. Also exhausting, but fun.
Her cat, Tammy, can't figure out why Jeanette devotes so much attention to her laptop computer. Fortunately, Tammy can sleep undisturbed on Jeanette's shoulders while she's typing more books. Apart from an occasional tail in the mouth, it works out. It's nice to be loved.
Jeanette's best advice for people who want to write books is to start small, with long, long letters to your sister a couple of times a month, and just keep doing it for twenty years. The thing about letters is that you write about daily events, anecdotes, or what someone said at work. You tell about all your ups and downs, and all that emotion just pours out because you know it's being read by someone who loves you. In those circumstances, it's amazing how easy writing can become!
Jeanette says: "Whatever you may do in your life, I wish you joy and laughter!"
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 8, 2011
This story is a delightful mix between farce and fantasy. The American culture is skillfully portrayed with all its weakness and strengths, but at the same time the fantasy element blends in flawlessly. Kathryn Koldwell is a normal mom and wife, excepting that she has a unicorn, who has forgiven her for not being a virgin, along with several other unusual animal companions. Her happy life is disrupted by legal action because her property happens to be a rest stop for a flock of migrating dragons, but this becomes a secondary issue when dangerous mythical creatures invade and the threat of a sorcerer’s presence is discovered. When she is transported to the country of Galdesyat, home to the magical and the mythical, Kathryn now faces the battle of her life while dealing with daily practicalities of finding fresh diapers for her baby in a hostile gryphon aerie.
I don’t think I have laughed so hard in a long while. This is a book I would recommend to my friends and family without hesitation as a thoroughly entertaining read. Brilliant
I don’t think I have laughed so hard in a long while. This is a book I would recommend to my friends and family without hesitation as a thoroughly entertaining read. Brilliant
February 11, 2012
In short, ignore the cover. This isn't a children's book as the cover implies. It's a great little cozy fantasy. Fun read! Sort of a soccer mom persona in an urban fantasy setting. Highly recommended.
The characterization is top-notch, the pacing is more that of a thriller or standard fantasy than cozy, but the elements are definitely cozy (what a combo!) I'd say the only thing wrong with it was a plethora of characters and animals that sometimes required a memory test (a couple of characters could have been left out and it would have been a tighter read, but there wasn't a single character that wasn't well-done.) There are some great one-liners that will either make you LOL or at least smile.
I have to admit I was very impressed with the way the heroine got herself out of some of the messes. Who knew diaper rash medicine could be used so effectively??? Some unique twists and enough suspects to leave you wondering the whole way through.
The characterization is top-notch, the pacing is more that of a thriller or standard fantasy than cozy, but the elements are definitely cozy (what a combo!) I'd say the only thing wrong with it was a plethora of characters and animals that sometimes required a memory test (a couple of characters could have been left out and it would have been a tighter read, but there wasn't a single character that wasn't well-done.) There are some great one-liners that will either make you LOL or at least smile.
I have to admit I was very impressed with the way the heroine got herself out of some of the messes. Who knew diaper rash medicine could be used so effectively??? Some unique twists and enough suspects to leave you wondering the whole way through.
February 19, 2012
While reading note: I'm loving it so far. There is something endearing about a character who has a soft spot for creatures of all shapes, sizes, fur, hooves and scales.
It just kept getting better. If you like stories full of animals [including cats, monkeys, ravens, dragons, gryphons, badgers, bats, unicorns, emus, buffalo and dogs among many others], this is a good one. If you like stories of zany families, this is a good one. If you like fantasies with magic and mayhem, this is a good one. If you enjoy smiling, giggling and laughing out loud while reading, go get this one now.
Not only are the characters a hoot, but the plot follows a twisty arc, keeping you wondering what the heck will happen next. To top it all off, this book has the best final battle scene ever. I mean that. The best final battle scene I've ever chuckled and worried all the way through.
Highly recommended!
It just kept getting better. If you like stories full of animals [including cats, monkeys, ravens, dragons, gryphons, badgers, bats, unicorns, emus, buffalo and dogs among many others], this is a good one. If you like stories of zany families, this is a good one. If you like fantasies with magic and mayhem, this is a good one. If you enjoy smiling, giggling and laughing out loud while reading, go get this one now.
Not only are the characters a hoot, but the plot follows a twisty arc, keeping you wondering what the heck will happen next. To top it all off, this book has the best final battle scene ever. I mean that. The best final battle scene I've ever chuckled and worried all the way through.
Highly recommended!
October 18, 2012
This is a very unique urban fantasy story wonderfully written. Kat is not your everyday mundane mom, although she is plagued by everyday mundane problems every mother deals with, along with legal problems with the magical creatures she rehabilitates for the good of the community.
Things go awry when evil sorcerers plot to take over their magically mundane world. The characters and her fantasy worlds are well developed and entertaining. There is more than one mystery in this fast moving adventure. I can't wait to see where the author goes with this story; it could very well be a series.
Things go awry when evil sorcerers plot to take over their magically mundane world. The characters and her fantasy worlds are well developed and entertaining. There is more than one mystery in this fast moving adventure. I can't wait to see where the author goes with this story; it could very well be a series.
August 31, 2017
Adorable. I want there to be more.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews