A Sample of My Upcoming Middle Grade Book

We’re one month away from my book’s release! It’s packed with fantastic creatures, wilderness survival, and a character’s journey to discovering where she belongs. Also, it’s an Ugly Duckling retelling, and the finale takes place at Christmas.

Here’s a snippet of the first chapter (Note: This isn’t the fully edited version.).

Does My Book Have a Setting?

Of course my book has a setting. I would describe my setting (and characters) as whimsical, magical, and wintry mostly. Readers will tour cities and towns and the woodlands in between.

It also takes place during the 1990s, so how do I make it look like it? I have human teenagers say phrases like:

“Not.”
“Da bomb.”
“Whatever.”
“Take a chill pill.”

I Have Another Book Coming!

Remember when I told you I have a story about a fox that makes light for the Northern Lights?

I found a publisher for it! It’s going to be the same publisher that did my “Friend of the Dire Wolf” novella. This new book, called Starlight, is fit for a middle grade audience who loves fantasy and fairy tale retellings.

New Book Review! The Nativity by April Renner Curtsinger

I wrote another book review, just in time for Christmas. Are you looking for a book that reminds kids why we celebrate the holiday? And it’s not so that we can get a bunch of presents?

Here’s The Nativity by April Renner Curtsinger and illustrated by B. Teresa Campbell. It’s the Christmas story told by the family dog to the family cat.

Happy 4th…and Christmas in July!

Happy Independence Day to all you Americans! Just be sure to stay safe around fireworks.

If you also observe Christmas in July, I wrote a book review on an adorable holiday picture book. It’s posted on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog, and if you love sled dogs, it’s the book for you.

A Christmas-y Book Review (For November)

Hi, all. I know, the Christmas season isn’t here yet. But let’s face it, you see Christmas stuff everywhere now, and I’ve been guilty of browsing holiday bath products. Anyway, here’s my review of the book The Night Before Dog-mas, written by Claudine Gandolfi and illustrated by Karen Anagnost. It’s clever retelling of the classicContinue reading “A Christmas-y Book Review (For November)”

Happy New Year!

Hi, friends. I wish you all a happy and blessed 2024. Before the holidays are officially over, here’s one last Christmas video. Remember Cheryl’s stories about Luna the beagle (if you’ve been following this blog)? Here’s the last chapter of her story. And here’s the button that leads to the page containing the other LunaContinue reading “Happy New Year!”

Merry Early Christmas!

I hope you will all have a happy Christmas starting tomorrow. If you would like a Christmas tale, here are a series of stories from the YouTube channel “Cheryl’s Stories.” They’re about a Beagle puppy named Luna, who experiences many Christmas festivities. She and her friends model helpfulness, giving, and remembering the true meaning ofContinue reading “Merry Early Christmas!”

Christmas Tales for Your Delight

Looking for Christmas stories to read during this season? Why not beta read my middle grade novel The Galdur Snow Dog? 🙂 I know, I have to mention that again, but it’s nice to have a little reminder, right? It’s a story full of sled dogs, fae, and Christmas traditions. Not to mention it includesContinue reading “Christmas Tales for Your Delight”

I Wrote a Novel. Looking for Beta Readers.

Hi, all. I have big news: I’ve written a novel. 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 somethingContinue reading “I Wrote a Novel. Looking for Beta Readers.”