Blog Archives
Stories Featuring Diversity
Song of the Sea follows a young mermaid princess who rescues a human prince and together they try to save their kingdoms from evil. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I hoped to write a story featuring disability representation and introduce characters who are often overlooked in literature. Therefore, the story, while a fantasy, explores the importance of every individual and the potential that so many people have to offer the world. Being blind myself, I love any stories featuring diversity, and there is simply not enough of that representation, particularly in the fairy tale genre.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
My favorite character to write was Prince Reginald. He holds a very special place in my heart. I love his determination, his inner struggles and his ultimate heroism when he is finally able to take a stand for justice. I also had tremendous fun with the character Glissando because he is multi-layered and, to my mind, complex in his own way.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I explored the theme of leadership and what makes an effective ruler through this retelling. With the political upheaval in our society, Song of the Sea was a cathartic writing experience for me and enabled me to sort through some current events that have made me ponder an individual’s role and the role of our leaders in society.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on a book entitled Wind Charmer. I hope to have it published early in 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Aria has heard this saying all her life, but it has little to do with her. She knows that her destiny is written
in the Song of the Sea. She will marry, birth children and, occasionally, sing the Death Journey songs to
guide lost souls to their final resting place. She knows that the Treaty of Separation prevents merkind
and humankind from interacting except when misfortunes occur at sea. Aria is content with her life and
is preparing to embark upon the journey of courtship and matrimony. A chance encounter will force Aria
to question where she truly belongs.
Prince Reginald struggles with feelings of self-doubt, a debilitating spinal injury that causes him constant
pain, and his father’s harsh treatment. After an unexpected accident places the burden of kingship on
the prince’s shoulders, he embarks upon a sea voyage and is attacked by an unexplained malevolent
force. Rescued by someone he cannot see, Reginald is thrust into an unexpected adventure.
Aria’s and Reginald’s stories combine in unforeseen ways as they must confront an evil that possesses
an unquenchable thirst for vengeance. Surprising allies and deceptive falsehoods battle, and the fate of
two kingdoms hang in the balance. Will the Song of the Sea be silenced?
Song of the Sea is a story of momentous decisions, forbidden love and self-discovery. For fans of fairy
tales with a sprinkling of whimsy, a dash of darkness and a dollop of courage.
A Crisis Of Confidence
Jetsam follows a divemaster collecting water samples who stumbles upon terrorists and smugglers putting her life in danger. What was one of the hardest parts of this novel for you to write?
My concept for the series has always revolved around evolution. Each book takes place in a new setting (first, Palau in Micronesia, then Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and now in Thailand and Myanmar), brings in both new characters and prior characters in expanded roles, and, most critically, Ricky Yamamoto’s evolving personality and ability to interact with others. In this book, I chose to bring some of Ricky’s vulnerabilities to the forefront. This series is written in the first-person, requiring I put myself into the head of a narrator struggling with a crisis of confidence. It was an uncomfortable space to live in as I wrote and refined the book.
Some events in the book were chillingly similar to real-life events. Did you take any inspiration from real life when developing this book?
I love to research. I spent quite a bit of time researching the various locales, issues, and people before deciding where and when this story took place. Each book in the series weaves some sort of environmental or social issue into the story line. In the case of Myanmar, I had so much to choose from. As I wrote, and deepened my research, the story changed dramatically to integrate what I found to be a more interesting and less publicized aspect of the events of the past decade.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
As often as not I’m also shocked by the plot twists. Although I tend to loosely block out the book, I seldom know which character will be taking a given action and how others will react. That often leads to twists I never expected. I try to let the story write itself and I enjoy going along for the ride. So, yes, absolutely, they are the same thing — at least when it involves a Ricky story. I seldom know what that woman is going to get into next.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
The fourth book, Lagan (it is a real word and related to Flotsam, Jetsam, and Derelict as a term related to shipwrecks), finds Ricky back home in Hawai’i. But her itchy feet lead her on a deep adventure to the bottom of the Bikini Atoll, a Cold War scar, site of dozens of nuclear tests, and resting place for a ghost fleet of ships committed to the deep during those tests.
Alone With No Family Or Home
Sparky of Bunker Hill and the Cold Kid Case follows an 11-year-old girl who discovers a dead body, becomes the suspect in her death, and has to prove her innocence. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
BeforeSparky of Bunker Hill and the Cold Kid Case, I wrote a short story, “The Monkey’s Ghost” that appeared in History and Mystery, Oh My! an anthology of short historical mystery stories that went on to become an FAPA President’s Book Awards Silver Medalist. That story stayed with me, and I felt there was more to tell about the kids in Depression-era Los Angeles who snoop into the mysterious goings-on in an old mansion. I ended up changing a lot from the short story. Sparky is a new character, along with Tootsie and Gilbert. On advice from the publisher, Mystery and Horror, LLC, I made the child characters older. Instead of eight, Sparky is eleven and Bobby is twelve, which I think works better for the novel. I kept the idea of a strange old house, but transformed it from a Victorian mansion, to silent film star Tootsie’s Art Deco mansion. Fiction works best when characters are put to a test, which Sparky certainly is when she is accused of murder and must solve the crime in order to prove her innocence. The victim, found alone on a park bench, is a girl who is like Sparky at the beginning of the book: alone with no family or home. Sparky’s empathy for the victim goes against the tough-girl image she likes to project. At heart, Sparky wishes to belong to a family.
Why choose this place and time for the setting of the story?
I was always drawn to the Bunker Hill area in downtown Los Angeles, and only later discovered its fascinating history. In the late 1800s, the wealthy built their mansions on Bunker Hill to escape the heat in the downtown flatlands and to enjoy the amazing views. By the 1930s, Bunker Hill had been in decline for years. The severe economic downturn of the Great Depression only added to the woes of the residents. Many of its fancy mansions were converted into rooming houses. Though it was home to many regular working people, it was also a refuge for the world’s castaways and misfits. Bunker Hill in 1932 is where homeless Sparky feels like she belongs. Decades later in the 1950s and 1960s, long past Sparky’s time, Bunker Hill was completely redeveloped. Unfortunately, the people who lived in old Bunker Hill, including many retirees, were displaced. Instead of Victorian mansions, it is now covered with skyscrapers, museums, and concert halls. It is still a hill, but is shorter than it used to be. Certainly, it is a picturesque area, and I love the music and art spaces. But Bunker Hill looks nothing like the bustling, funky working-class neighborhood that it used to be. I would have liked the old Bunker Hill, and I wish I’d seen it back in Sparky’s day.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The heart of the story is about friendship and family. Sparky, who was orphaned and later abandoned by the relatives who were supposed to care for her, has developed a tough exterior. She is used to fending for herself and thinks she can handle anything. That is, until she is accused of murder and must hide from the law. Solving the mystery is something she cannot do without the help of Bobby, Tootsie, and Gilbert. She must learn to trust them and rely on them. In the process, she finds a home with Tootsie and Gilbert in their strange mansion, and they become the family she always hoped for. She learns that family can be found anywhere, and all that really matters is loving and caring for one another. I think the book’s themes are why it has a wide appeal, not just to young adult and middle-grade readers, but also to grown-up readers.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, Sparky of Bunker Hill and the Cold Kid Case is the first in the Sparky of Bunker Hill mystery series. The next book is Sparky of Bunker Hill and the Cannibal Caper, where Sparky finds herself in one crazy pickle after another. Cannibal Caper has missing jewels, a peculiar pet shop, tommy gun trouble, and who’s that gourmet cannibal? Can Sparky untangle this murder mystery mess? The rub: it may be all Sparky’s fault. I am very excited about Cannibal Caper and hope that readers will feel it has been worth the wait. I don’t have a release date yet, but my revisions to the draft galleys are back with the publisher, so it’s coming! Readers who would like updates, plus bonus short stories, and giveaways can subscribe to my Readers Club here: https://rosalindbarden.com/join-readers-club/ I always love new subscribers!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website | Newsletter | BookBub | Instagram
There may be something to this 13th business. That’s my birthday, and I’m learning to dread seeing it roll around. My mother died on one birthday. The cousins dumped me on my last. This year, 1932, I found a dead kid on a park bench. It’s my eleventh birthday, and the day me, Sparky, ended up on the run, wanted for murder.
If the dead girl wasn’t enough, the dirty newspapers pinned every body in LA on me, and even blamed me for the Great War. I wasn’t even born then. The price on my head got bigger by the day.
It was up to me to find out who killed the girl and why I got framed, before I ended up dangling from the hangman’s rope.
Humorous, fast-paced murder mystery for readers of historical mysteries, cozy mysteries, 1930s mysteries, and mysteries with amateur sleuths. Enjoyable for middle-grade, young adult, and adult historical mystery readers!
Firebird Book Award 1st Place Cozy Mystery Winner, Author Academy Top 10 Mystery Winner, and Critters Readers Poll Top 10 Finisher for both Best Mystery and Best Young Adult Book.
An Authentic Coming Of Age Story
Spiral follows a teenage boy grieving his mother’s death who has his entire life uprooted twice and heads for a life of self-destruction. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Though Spiral is certainly a work of fiction, I must admit that there are some biographical events woven in. I think most writers can be at their best when they are writing from experiences that they have had, or had witnessed personally. I also enjoy tossing in a bit of history to season the place and the time, as a way to add more flavor into the body of the story. The inspiration began after emptying out a box I had found in the attic. It had stacks of old punk vinyl records in it. In the process, a floodgate of emotions and memories began to stir, or perhaps it was a hornet’s nest that had burst open, either way, I go into greater detail of that moment on my website at jmfisherauthor.com.
Is there anything about Michael that came from yourself or your life experiences?
Yes, for sure. I think that happens a lot when writing an authentic Coming of Age story. Michael and I do have a lot in common. We both are from California and love to surf. We went to Catholic high schools and we were both uprooted to Utah and attended Weber State. And, we both like classic punk music. That is about it. Michael started writing his own story from page one and I just sat back and held the pen. I had wonderful parents; he had a nightmare.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Certainly, the lumps, bumps, and hiccups of adolescence, discovering what love is, perhaps could be, and what it’s probably not, the insane pressure of religion on young people and the existential leftovers that can linger on for the rest of their lives. Friendships, betrayals, and the pursuit of trying to be cool. These were all the necessary ingredients for a perfect storm called “Spiral.”
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book two and when the novel will be available?
Thank you so much for asking that! Spiral does leave you hanging. However, readers will find an invitation to my website at the end of the book. When you come to visit and hit subscribe, I will send you the new cover art for Flux and a free copy of Chapter I, “Dead Man’s Curve.” This will also allow me to keep in touch, send release dates along with a special preorder price for Spiral/Flux subscribers.
Book II, “Flux” starts right up where Spiral left off. An event happens at the end of Spiral and it carries over into book II. Dead Man’s Curve begins again with our hero rising from the ashes only to find himself in a state of, you guessed it, Flux. Who is Tony and Sarge really? What is going on with Dave? Will our hero ever find “The One”? There has been a murder, somebody is going to jail, the cops are swarming, there are cartels moving in the distance, and somehow the boys find themselves in Costa Rica in the middle of the Contra War. Find out how, and the choices that got them deep into the jungles of Flux. This action-packed book is planned to be released before Christmas 2023.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
They say our youth is plagued with brutal awakenings. For Michael Price, however, it is about to spiral out of control.
Ever since his perfect life came crashing down after his mom’s death, Michael Price can’t catch a break.
First, his dad remarries a social-climbing Trophy Wife. Then, said Trophy Wife manages to get money from her rich daddy so she can move Michael to a private school and keep up appearances with her rich peers.
Away from his neighborhood friends and the life he has come to love, Michael is put through the wringer as he navigates the tricky landscape of a Catholic private school.
Luckily for him, he meets Dave — a football jock who shows him the ropes and makes school life a little less lonely. But if you’ve been paying attention, things rarely ever work out in Michael’s favor.
Dave succumbs to a coma after a tragic accident and Michael finds himself alone again to face his stuck-up schoolmates and less than compassionate teachers.
And yet, that’s not even the worst part.
More dark storms brew on the horizon for Michael as he is uprooted once again — this time to Ogden, Utah, where mountains replace California beaches, and friends come in the form of ubiquitous Mormon missionaries and one eccentric character, Tony.
Now, this Tony fellow is Ogden’s version of a Dave. And meeting him on his first day of college at Weber State is a welcome relief for the weary youth.
Not only did Tony share Michael’s love for punk music, but he also pushes him toward finding his bliss… in the best and worst ways.
It’s with Tony that Michael is able to explore his musical gifts, but it is also through him that Michael dips his toes into the frigid waters of self-destruction. And yet, Tony isn’t solely to blame.
Also in Ogden, Cali girls are swapped for just one: Danielle. And much like everything else in Michael’s life, this cute, angel-looking blonde leads to more hell — one that threatens the new life he’s trying to build.
A Book About Self-Love
“Yes I Can!” shares your life experiences growing up with conditions that other people consider a disability that you turned into a positive experience. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The incredible adversity we face — whether an illness, injury, divorce, physical or mental challenges, or other trauma — can be an opportunity for personal and intellectual growth. We first develop a path to rise above these obstacles, replace self-doubt with confidence, and realize our potential. Most of us sadly define ourselves by the adversity we face, not how we rise above them. Many teens, young adults, and parents of special needs kids become frustrated, anxious, or depressed because they often feel so alone when, in reality, they are loved more than they can possibly know. This is essentially a book about self-love and loving others unconditionally: the greatest gift we can share in our lives! Every chapter ends on an uplifting, even triumphant, note that demonstrates the ways our lives can also be fantastic dreams.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
My own experiences with bullying was, surprisingly, one of the more difficult anecdotes for me to write. When the bully dumped me in the garbage can and then paraded me around the high-school cafeteria, I learned to love, forgive, and eventually make friends with those who once bullied me. Rather than stooping to his level and responding in anger and frustration at the moment, I felt empathy inside and chose to bring the former bully up to my attitude. I would not have been able to do this without the love and self-discipline infused in me by my parents and family. The important lesson is to learn and change from our mistakes. Sharing this experience with audiences and now readers, even with all its horrors, has been enriching.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
Mom and Dad taught me the benefits of wanting to learn about others. Our grandparents and elders are filled with a wealth of life stories and wisdom which we don’t often appreciate until they are sadly no longer with us. Children and teens who walk through the school entrance each morning represent more than themselves during the school day; they also represent their families and perspectives. When we learn about our differences, we become more comfortable around those who are different from us in culture, heritage, and disability. The accompanying fear can be often transformed into love, respect, and even admiration! As I shared in the book, letting go of this fear, in effect, ushers in a future of hope.
For example, in college and graduate school, I would scan around the dining hall and choose to dine with a fellow student who was eating alone (but whom I did not know) and inquire about their hometown, major, classes, and interests. I often knew what it felt like to eat alone and did not want others to experience the accompanying negative emotions. We were students at the same university and even living in the same zip code for four years, so why did we need to be strangers? So the next time when they see me eating alone, they often come over with their friends and join me for a meal. Learning about the experiences of others teaches us about our own lives and perspectives.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Their positive attitude can change the world. In the closing chapter, I emphasize the importance of ensuring the sun rises and sets with YOU. In other words, never let your attitude become a disability. Your sun, high in the sky, represents those times when your future looks so bright and promising. But realize that there will be other moments when your sun abruptly sets, ushering in a period of nightfall accompanied by looming feelings of frustration, depression, or despair. At that time, you cannot allow your self-esteem to plummet, losing sight of the future. Keep your gaze focused towards the east, for the sun has to rise again. This is your incredible life journey and it can be an uplifting experience of growth and optimism!
If your readers feel renewed and inspired upon reading this book, it’s no surprise. I have been a motivational speaker for the past 42 years, since age 10! Reading this self-help memoir is like experiencing one of my presentations first-hand. Your emotions are taken on a roller-coaster ride, from frustration, reflection, humor, joy, and ultimately, triumph. This is the triumph of the human spirit, and I hope every reader can experience this.
Many thanks to Literary Titan for their generous review and interview questions.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website | YouTube Interview
Have you wondered why dreams seem to be running away from you and into the arms of someone else? When an illness, injury, disability, divorce, or other traumatic experience forces us to re-evaluate our future as we walk an uncertain path, we often find ourselves asking, “Why me?” How do we overcome the darkness and feelings of fear, doubt, and anxiety?
Paul Wichansky has cerebral palsy and a hearing loss. Conquering these challenges to lead a confident, productive life, he shows, by example, how we can transform such obstacles into opportunities for growth. His disabilities have not only inspired him to rise above tremendous adversity, but also achieve beyond what others believed he could do.
Each chapter focuses on a principle of self-improvement, such as self-love, a positive attitude, support group, self-esteem, perseverance, resilience, and empathy, which he embeds in captivating anecdotes. For instance, the chapter on positive attitude recalls moments of optimism and laughter that have helped him reject the effects of his disabilities by developing complete confidence in his abilities. Though written from a first-person point-of-view, he switches to the second-person narrative near the end of each chapter to offer readers strategies to adopt that guiding principle into their lives.
A master storyteller whose anecdotes combine character, optimism, and heart, he shows his readers, by example, how to face adversity and become the Heroes we all know they can be. Only then can we become the epic version of ourselves.
Let this book be a worthy addition to your home or school library. For shining your light is spreading your love.
People Are Finding TRUE Healing
Triumph Over Trauma is a well-researched book sharing information and stories from real people on the positive benefits of using psychedelic medicines; why was this an important book for you to write?
Stories are one of the most powerful tools for sharing information, and they have been used forever by cultures to share important history, rules, people, etc.
While the factual content of the book is important to counter the 50+ years of lies fed to us about these psychedelic medicines, I knew that humanizing the process and having people share their vulnerabilities and need for healing would be extremely powerful.
And the idea was to find the greatest diversity of storytellers as I could – with the idea that every reader could identify with at least one of the storytellers, either based on age, gender, ethnicity, trauma.
Finally, and this will sound odd to anyone who has not had a psychedelic experience, but I had no plans to write a book about psychedelics, but during a beautiful LSD journey, the outline came to me in what we call a “digital download.” So, the medicine pushed me to write this book… because these medicines WANT the world to heal.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about psychedelics that you hope this book clears up?
Do you have all day?
Seriously, as an educator, my main goal with the parts of the book that I wrote was to fix/correct all the misinformation and outright lies we have been fed since the 1970s.
But beyond the lies, an even crazier part of this story is that several of these medicines were being used as part of psychotherapy in the 1950s and 1960s – with AMAZING results. And there were many research studies done during that time as well … and ALL of it simply vanished after psychedelics were made illegal.
The biggest misconception? That these substances are dangerous, addictive, and just recreational.
TRUTH? People are finding TRUE healing; people are enhancing/expanding their spiritual lives/awakenings.
Psychedelic substances are not addictive; and most people do NOT need to be on psychedelics forever, as with antidepressants. In fact, psychedelics are proving very successful at STOPPING addiction in people addicted to alcohol, tobacco, opioids.
The TRUTH is that these substances are indeed medicines that are dramatically healing people – like the 23 stories in the book.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
- Frequently asked questions (with answers) about psychedelics
- The truth about why psychedelics are illegal – as well as the changing legal landscape
- Medicine options – macrodosing (hallucinogenic effects) and microdosing (no outward experience)
- Discussion of the major psychedelics, how they work, and all the details to know about each substance
- Examples of how psychedelics have completely transformed people
- Detailed glossary of psychedelic terms
- Additional resources for people wanting more – books, documentaries, websites
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Triumph Over Trauma?
That there is HOPE! That there is TRUE healing.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Thousands of research studies regarding the potential benefits of psychedelic medicines have now been produced (both from before the ban and from more recent times) – and the results are astounding. Soldiers healed from the traumas of war (PTSD), adult children healed from intergenerational traumas from parents and grandparents; abuse victims relieved of their guilt, shame, anger; depression-sufferers released of their prison of sadness and the need to take antidepressant medications; agnostic people discovering spirituality.
What you’ll find in this book is all the information you need to begin your journey of discovery into whether one or more of these psychedelic medicines may help you. You’ll find several chapters covering all the basics of psychedelics, from their fascinating history to how these medicines work to how and what you need to move forward with intentionally using psychedelic medicines.
Find yourself in one or more of the 23 stories that people from all spectrums of life graciously share here. These stories range from people seeking clarity about their future to wanting to heal from their pain to freeing themselves from addiction to diving deeply into the Divine. These tremendous stories will move you to places you may have never visited – where you’ll find self-love and acceptance – and a perhaps a path for your own transformation.
Finally, while macrodosing (full-on hallucinogenic experience) with these psychedelic medicines for healing is the major focus of the book, there is also a chapter and several stories on microdosing for healing; the advantage of microdosing is that the dose is too small to produce any perceptible effects.
Core Message of Triumph Over Trauma
Who: This book is written for those among us who are hurting, depressed, angry, and lost; for those seeking new treatments and true healing; for those searching for a higher purpose or a connection with the Divine; and for those simply curious about why the topic of psychedelics is seemingly everywhere.
What: This book is the perfect mix of the latest information and research results on the use of psychedelic medicines as well as the true and authentic transformative experiences of people from diverse backgrounds.
How: The individuals willing to share their deeply personal stories so that you can learn from their experiences are the true heroes here – and are the backbone and power behind this book.
Why: We are in a healing crisis, but psychedelic medicines are quickly moving into the mainstream, and the next year or two will be pivotal in terms of the availability, access, and regulations/laws related to these medicines.
The Bunnies Need Help
Chocolate Space Bunnies follows a group of bunnies that love chocolate who are looking for a new planet to live on. What was the inspiration for your story?
This is the first in a series told by the truth-stretching storyteller, Ooey Gooey Looey. As the Ooey Gooey song goes (link attached for your entertainment 😉 Ooey Gooey Looey loves chocolate, but any kind of candy will do. And for a Snickers or a Twix or a Skittles or a Kiss, he’ll tell a tall tale or two. The story of how Ooey Gooey became a storyteller is to be told in one of the next books in the series called French Fry Fortune Teller. Ooey Gooey Looey is all about chocolate, and tall tales, so somehow, in my crazy brain, the first story turned out to be about a chocolate planet. Sometimes, I can’t even remember where the ideas come from.
The art in this book is fantastic, it really made me crave chocolate. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Luis Peres?
Luis Peres is a gifted artist, and his company “I Create Worlds” couldn’t be better named. Luis is in Portugal, but we communicated often throughout his illustration process. With many illustrators, it is a very linear process… manuscript to storyboard to final. But Luis and I laughed about concepts along the way, and we really connected. He is indeed fantastic, and he is on board for the whole Ooey Gooey Stories series.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
All of my books, War at the Ice Cream Store, Rocket Red: A Little Ant with a Big Dream, The Prickly Problem: Dr. Pete the Porcupine, and this one have an underlying message of kindness and acceptance, wrapped in a light, humorous package. If kids (and adults!) start with kindness, all good things will follow. In this book, the kids are curious, the parents are frightened, and the bunnies need help. Once the bunnies are known, they are no longer strange aliens, and everyone’s worlds are enhanced.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Luis has already illustrated French Fry Fortune Teller (as I mentioned above-the back-story of Ooey Gooey Looey), and there are two manuscripts getting ready to go. Within a few months, we should have a new one out there!
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Spark Your Child’s Playful Imagination with this Easter Basket Treat!
Once upon a time, there was an Earth with NO chocolate! Crazy right?
But one day, a mysterious spaceship appears in the sky, captivating the children who witness it.
Where did it come from? Who lurks inside? What secrets does it hold?
Children will be enchanted by the immersive, chocolaty space world created by illustrator Luis Peres. Captain Hop, First Mate Flop, and Skipper Flip lead the way on a journey beyond the big chocolate dipper, deep into the ooey gooey Milky Way.
The first of the Ooey Gooey Stories series, this irresistibly delicious story, is narrated by the charming, chocolate-loving, truth-stretching teller of tales, Ooey Gooey Looey, who hides throughout the book for even more interactive fun. And don’t forget to sing along with the Ooey Gooey Looey animated song video at BiffBamBooza.com.
Another gem from award-winning Biff Bam Booza Books. For children ages 4-8… and big kids like you!
Her Warrior Spirit Rises
Palisades of the Heart follows a troubled young woman in 1776 who moves to Western Virginia and falls in love for the first time. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Returning Mary and her family to the Cooks Fort settlement merges the fictional story with the factual location where William’s and Mary’s love story began.
Mary has shown great growth from the earlier novels; what were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Thank You. I’ve shown Mary’s developing survival skills throughout the series, but now she is weary and vulnerable. Her lifelong goal of security hasn’t changed, but her love for William challenges her determination to remain safe. When the danger she fears comes for her and those she loves, her warrior spirit rises and solidifies her destiny.
What is your background and experience in writing, and how did it help you write the Dangerous Loyalties series?
A Junior High teacher identified my writing talent, but my outdoor adventures as a child developed my imagination. When I learned of the tribulations Mary and William endured during the American Revolutionary War, the spark to write a fictional account of Mary’s teen years ignited.
With this series ending, what is the next book project you are working on?
I’ve ended the young adult series as happy for now, and I’ve explored how young Mary developed the survival skills needed as an eighteen-year-old to keep herself and young son alive in the future. Now I’m writing her biography, The Story She Couldn’t Tell: The True Account of DAR Patriot Mary Shirley McGuire.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Loud Hawk’s warning gripped Mary Shirley by the throat and wrenched her heart.She vowed she’d never settle in Kentucky.
When fifteen-year-old Mary and her family arrive at Cooks Fort in the Greenbrier Valley of Western Virginia in August 1776, she is strong-willed and resilient but in need of peace from traumatic events. She hopes for a fresh start and courtship from William McGuire.
William is a rugged, no-nonsense scout for Cooks Fort, who dreams of raising fast horses on the fertile meadows of Kentucky with Mary by his side—when she’s ready to trust in his and God’s protection. Yet his love for Mary remains travel-through-blizzards boundless.
Another man seeks her affections, but only William’s love can conquer the palisade of fear protecting Mary’s heart.
When a vengeful shaman’s lie endangers all she holds dear, her warrior spirit rises into action. She will no longer live in fear.
Inspired by Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot Mary Shirley-McGuire.
Palisades of the Heart is a sweet emotionally riveting Young Adult Historical Romance is the fourth and final book of the thrilling award-winning Dangerous Loyalties Series.
If you enjoy an emotion-packed romantic story packed with heart-racing and gritty scenes of life or death, this Young Adult Historical Romance is for you.
Buy Palisades of Heart and enjoy your dangerous adventure … Let me know you survived.
LITERARY TITAN 