Well, it’s a beta read copy of my middle grade book, “The Galdur Snow Dog.” It’s a Christmas-y story about a dog named Joy with magical powers, and she and her siblings get kidnapped and sold to a family. The family is nice, but something awful happens, and Joy must rescue her pack.
One-sentence summary: Joy the magical dog and her two human friends must save her siblings’ lives, or they’ll never spend another Winter’s Hope holiday together.
[The following image isn’t from the book; it’s from Pixabay and made by cocoparisienne. Just imagine these dogs like how I would imagine them: some have red-and-white fur with glitter, and the rest have blue-and-silver fur.]
If this sounds like a fun read, you can download the DocSend copy here. I include tips on how to critique the story. After you make your suggestions, you can email the document with the suggestions back to the email address mentioned on page 1. The deadline for this beta read is January 31.
Why should you buy this book? Well, if you’re a fan of the following tropes, then get your copy.
Here’s Adare’s official blurb:
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First rule: hide your true self.
Becka‘s secret endangers her life. She’s a winged Centaur in a kingdom now systematically hunting all non-Humans to enslave them—or worse. Her one hope is to use her shapeshifting abilities to hide until her father returns to take her family to safety. But when the army closes in on her secret, Becka can’t wait anymore. If she doesn’t find her father now, she may lose him—or her chance to escape—forever. She’ll do anything to reunite her family—even break into the palace archives to discover her father’s fate.
The last thing she expects to find is a potential ally among the enemy. Locked away in his own castle, young Prince Ryandru also has a secret that has left him desperate for a friend. They’ll have to trust each other to discover the truth they both seek. But with traitors grasping for the throne and Becka’s family in jeopardy, revealing their secrets could destroy all they hold dear.
Jump into the adventure of this clean middle grade fantasy featuring forbidden friendship, accepting your unique self, and a world of mythical creatures including Fauns, Griffins, Pegasi, and more! A perfect choice for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia.
How do you feel about reminders, whether they’re sent via email, text, or voicemail? I at least tolerate them. After all, if I’m super-swamped with the to-dos, it’s nice to have someone remind me of an appointment or opportunity I don’t want to forget.
That said, here’s a reminder of several opportunities. One is the chance for teen readers to beta read Andrea Graham’s The Years Eaten: Changeling Restrainers Book 1. Click on the link to view my post on it.
If middle grade books are more your jam, don’t forget the chance to be a book reviewer for Jennifer Hallmark’s blog “Off the Beaten Track.” She’s looking for reviewers of speculative fiction works for young readers.
Last but not least, Adare Elyse’s middle grade novel is coming in one week! Here’s the cover reveal.
Isn’t this cover gorgeous? I’ll send you off with the book’s blurb:
First rule: hide your true self.
Becka’s secret endangers her life. She’s a winged Centaur in a kingdom now systematically hunting all non-Humans to enslave them—or worse. Her one hope is to use her shapeshifting abilities to hide until her father returns to take her family to safety. But when the army closes in on her secret, Becka can’t wait anymore. If she doesn’t find her father now, she may lose him—or her chance to escape—forever. She’ll do anything to reunite her family—even break into the palace archives to discover her father’s fate.
The last thing she expects to find is a potential ally among the enemy. Locked away in his own castle, young Prince Ryandru also has a secret that has left him desperate for a friend. They’ll have to trust each other to discover the truth they both seek. But with traitors grasping for the throne and Becka’s family in jeopardy, revealing their secrets could destroy all they hold dear.
Jump into the adventure of this clean middle grade fantasy featuring forbidden friendship, accepting your unique self, and a world of mythical creatures including Fauns, Griffins, Pegasi, and more! A perfect choice for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia and How to Train Your Dragon.
Mark your calendars! In two weeks, the middle grade novel On Hidden Wings, written by Adare Elyse, will be released.
What is this book about? Here’s Adare’s blurb:
First rule: hide your true self.
Becka’s secret endangers her life. She’s a winged Centaur in a kingdom now systematically hunting all non-Humans to enslave them—or worse. Her one hope is to use her shapeshifting abilities to hide until her father returns to take her family to safety. But when the army closes in on her secret, Becka can’t wait anymore. If she doesn’t find her father now, she may lose him—or her chance to escape—forever. She’ll do anything to reunite her family—even break into the palace archives to discover her father’s fate.
The last thing she expects to find is a potential ally among the enemy. Locked away in his own castle, young Prince Ryandru also has a secret that has left him desperate for a friend. They’ll have to trust each other to discover the truth they both seek. But with traitors grasping for the throne and Becka’s family in jeopardy, revealing their secrets could destroy all they hold dear.
Jump into the adventure of this clean middle grade fantasy featuring forbidden friendship, accepting your unique self, and a world of mythical creatures including Fauns, Griffins, Pegasi, and more! A perfect choice for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia and How to Train Your Dragon.
Sounds exciting, huh? Look for it November 21, 2023.
But you know, I were to describe my dream land…well, for starters, it would include my own dog sled team, and I can zoom underneath the Northern Lights. It would also be cool if instead of a mansion, I would live in a tree house like the tree houses Tiger Lily and her people have in Kara Swanson’s Heirs of Neverland books. Maybe add a zipline, too?
Okay, you might be thinking, how can I simultaneously live in a snowy land and what might be a jungle? Hey, one can dream, right? *grin*
Anyway, check out this poem by Kaley Kriesel about a fairy tale castle.
A big announcement for all you young adult readers:
My author pal Andrea J. Graham is looking for beta readers for her speculative fiction novel The Years Eaten: Changeling Restrainers Book 1. She needs constructive input on this book to make the changes needed to have the story be superb.
(These pictures from Andrea’s website represent two characters from her book: Brendan and Jesse. For reference only.)
The following is her blurb. If the story looks like your thing, click on the link after the blurb to download a beta copy through Dropbox.
Sixteen-year-old changeling Jesse Anders mind-bonds with outsiders like him, giving them his ability to charge their powers and heal by loving each other. His ability drains their mental powers when they act like the folklore monsters inspired by his underground race. And Jesse’s powers backfire, making him believe his name is Chris while he re-lives his twin sister’s last twenty-four hours alive in 1993. He returns to 1996 feeling like a stranger in his own body. A Norman Bates copycat has framed him for suicide. And he’ll die without one more act of mercy from his forgotten ex, Brendan Freemon. Brendan’s left Jesse for God, who Jesse misses but doesn’t know how to reconnect with alone.
Meanwhile, Jesse’s estranged father, Raphael, is bond-adopting Samantha Clanton. Jesse knows her from precognitive dreams where they’re a couple. He’d despaired, thinking, why would such a sweet, pure girl want him after the sexual abuse he and Brendan have endured and the choices they’ve made due to trauma?
Add your comments to the document and return it to the email address located at the bottom of page 1. Andrea’s open for your input until the end of November. If you have any questions, you can email me through my Contact page, and I can refer them to her.
What do you think makes a great book? Do you think you need to improve your story some?
Science fiction author Jessi L. Roberts lists traits of well-written books on her blog. I re-blogged it here. Enjoy!
Note: This is one person’s opinion, of course. I personally would forgive a long prologue if the world and characters intrigue me enough. I do think, though, that the main character/s in the prologue must have morals and be relatable in order to be likable and sympathetic.
Remember how I promoted the book When Your Dragon Is Too Big for a Bath? Well, on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog, I have a review on this special story by my author friend C.E. White.
Can God answer prayer in a way that seems magical?
Here’s a short story by Kathleen Mincer that shows something like that. Actually, this tale is based on the true story of a young woman who did mission work in Australia.
Take a look at this beautiful illustration by Kevin Keele.
Read more to watch God using fireflies to lead a missionary team out of a rainforest.
K.A. Ramstad 