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Once upon a Wonderland
Embark on a riveting adventure in the world of Wonderland with Alice as she sets out on a quest to reunite with her true love, Jack. Will Alice overcome the challenges that come her way and unravel the secrets of Wonderland, or will she be met with a new set of obstacles? While navigating through her troubles, Alice remains true to herself and stays grounded, all while finding herself once again in the mystical realm of Wonderland after being unconsciously transported back by an overwhelming wave during a swim day.
In his interpretation of Alice, Dj Stoneham portrays a strong and determined protagonist, challenging traditional narratives and prompting readers to rethink their perceptions of the modern woman. By integrating classic folklore with contemporary themes, the author ingeniously merges the old and the new in this narrative. Alice, in particular, defies societal expectations and chooses to embark on a journey of self-discovery and happiness rather than conforming to domestic ideals. Moreover, the novel features an array of captivating characters and fantastical creatures, including mermaids and exotic sea creatures, that Alice converses with. Dj Stoneham masterfully weaves together various elements of fantasy and adventure, breathing new life into the classic tale of Alice.
Having thoroughly enjoyed reading Once Upon A Wonderland, I wholeheartedly recommend this book for its creativity, modernity, and enchanting storytelling. This novel is a must-read for young adults who seek to challenge traditional norms and indulge in a mesmerizing tale filled with fascinating characters and narratives. Dj Stoneham’s fresh take on Alice’s world is sure to ignite the imagination and leave readers spellbound.
Pages: 361 | ASIN : B0BWS6C5WB
The Rule-breaker’s Gender
Only Prince Charming Gets to Break the Rules is an analysis of over 200 folktales and fairy tales from around the world showing the inequality of treatment between men and women. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Following the 2020 presidential election, I became curious about who is permitted to break the rules. I turned to traditional fairy tales for insight, wondering if they reveal any gender bias in terms of rule-breaking. Fairy tales and folktales are integral parts of every culture, carrying messages for both children and adults. I thought it was possible they might contain implicit messages about rule-breaking, punishment, and reward for different genders.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Our research has revealed a significant finding: male characters make up two-thirds of all rule-breakers, whereas female characters make up only one-third. Furthermore, although male rule-breakers often go unpunished or are rewarded, female rule-breakers are predominantly punished. These implicit messages in fairy tales and folktales can be harmful, as they reinforce gender stereotypes and encourage one gender to break rules while the other should obey. Interestingly, other research has found a correlation between rule-breaking and career success, with individuals who break rules tending to achieve higher income and greater success than those who adhere to rules. This finding suggests that some level of rule-breaking may be associated with personal and professional growth.
How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?
I conducted extensive research over several months, beginning with the identification of 200 fairy tales and folk tales from different regions of the world. I read through hundreds of stories to identify instances where rules were broken, ensuring a balanced representation from North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. After gathering an equal number of stories from each region, I analyzed them thoroughly and cross-checked my findings with another researcher to ensure consistency. Each story was analyzed in terms of the rule-breaker’s gender, whether they were punished, and the severity of the violation and punishment.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
The consistency of our findings across geographic regions comes as a surprise to many who read the book; they expected to see significant differences. In addition, they are particularly surprised by the severity of punishment for female characters who break the rules. Shockingly, almost one-third of the female characters who break the rules in stories are executed!
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Proceeds from this book will be donated to Empowering Girls for Life (EGFL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating the female leaders of tomorrow by empowering girls today. EGFL is located in Lombard, IL.
A Lot Like Magic
Book of Leprechauns: The Lore Gatherers follows a father and daughter leprechaun who goes on a journey to ancient Rome after their gold is stolen by a foe. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When my oldest son was nine years old, we went on a walk and outlined a ten-bulletpoint story based on the following framework:
Once upon a time ____. Every day _____. One day _____. Because of that ____ happened. Because of that _____ happened. Until finally _____.
Because it was March and St. Patrick’s Day was getting near, leprechauns were on his mind, so the story outlined involved leprechauns who went back to ancient Rome, which I think he had been learning about in school.
What were the driving ideals behind the characters’ development throughout the story?
I was interested in writing a world that I would be interested in living in, one where art and craft mattered more than money. The idea of a profound loss driving the behaviors of characters and their relationship was also something motivating me.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
That what is easy for one person to do may look a lot like magic to someone else. And in fact, magic is all around us every day, if we take the time to notice it.
Will this novel be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
I hope so! I am currently drafting another book in this world with the working title: Book of Leprechauns: The Sheep of Time.
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To save themselves, Molly and her father must come to terms with a painful past, heal old wounds, and grapple with the most powerful leprechaun magic ever known to lore gatherers. But even with the help of a poetry-writing fox and a hyper-intelligent chicken, can they save the universe?
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.
The Most Rash of Sorcerers
Thaddeus and the Master is the second book in the trilogy; what was the initial idea behind this story, and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
I’ve always felt getting started somewhere new, while exciting in many ways, can also be daunting and, sometimes, anxiety-producing. So, I thought, now that my characters had achieved their goal of admission to the College of Sorcerers, what would it be like for them ‘breaking in’ to the Sorcerceral school culture – making gaffs, finding allies, taking their ‘places’ and so on.
I tried to maintain that mind-set throughout, at least to the point where, as is most often the case with new places and time, it starts to get sorted out and, therefore, becomes easier.
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
Asullus, the old gray Mule, has always been my favorite to write for and he’s the one I find I’m most often asked about. I’ve even had a couple of Gentle Readers wonder when the Asullus Plush Velvet Stuffed Mule will be available.
One scene where I believe his character is most truly seen is when he coaches the Apprentice kick-ball team in their match against the Seniors. He is wise, loyal to a fault, sturdy and staunch and not above slipping a hoof on the weighing scales if it will benefit his charges.
How did you handle balancing the power and use of magic in the story?
In the series, it is made clear from the start that while one can do amazing things with Sorcerous craft, there is a steep price – which turns out to be the shortening of the practitioner’s lifetime with each use. However, the Sorcerer can never know ahead of time how much of his life-force will be used up with each spell. It is entirely random and changes, even with the exact same spell and the exact same user, from time to time. This tends to provide a cautionary brake to all but the most rash of Sorcerers.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
We see that, joining together, the Apprentices are able to detect there is a great Evil at work in the College, and that their close bonding is the one factor that will allow them to first, identify, then, second, challenge this dark force.
The third book of the first trilogy will show how the young Apprentices and their female counter-parts are finally able to confront not only a Fallen Master but, behind him, a Daemon of the Ninth Level. No small task.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
The three Brother Apprentices have arrived at the College of Sorcerers only to face new challenges and tribulations set upon them by both the senior students and the Faculty.
Hindering their advancement at College are a collection of obstacles including a half-mad Centaur, a Green Goblin, the last living Father of Man, drug-seeking Sprites, sentient warrior statues, the Guardian of the Temple of Time, murderous attacks by Excelsior-Class brigands, Graecolian Slavers, the uncloaked evil of a twisted Master Sorcerer and the Pale Horse of Death.
. Can Thaddeus truly trust the mysterious Prince from far-distant Mauretesia?
. Can Thaddeus and his three friends solve the riddle of what lies behind the mirrors?
. Can Rolland prove how the College’s cook can claim to have fathered the leader of Fountaindale’s Thieve’s Guild?
. Can the Daemon’s challenge to Thaddeus be answered by his brother Apprentices?
. Can the ancient Lay of Man unravel the fate of the Father of Man?
. Can the four friends alter the dread fate prophesied by the Pale Horse?
In Louis Sauvain’s epic fantasy Book One, Thaddeus of Beewicke, the tortuous and danger-laden journey to the Sorcerer’s school is at last completed. In Book Two, Thaddeus and the Master, the young Apprentices at the College of Sorcerers learn first-hand the life-threatening risks of spell-casting, hand-to-hand combat and confrontation with hostile upperclassmen, disdainful Faculty and the deadly presence of the school’s Daemon.
Sauvain’s strength prevails creating a page-turner of strong and vigorous cast of characters.
Song of the Sea
Song of the Sea by Meredith Leigh Burton is a charming and engaging story about mermaid princess Aria and her sister Octavia, who live in their beloved ocean home. As daughters of the Sea King, they are responsible for protecting the sea, helping the spirits of the departed, and discussing their potential fiancés, all of which are part of their everyday routine. However, their lives are upended when a mysterious storm threatens the life of human prince Reginald, and Aria risks everything to save him.
Burton’s tale of tolerance and understanding draws inspiration from classic fairy tales, particularly The Little Mermaid, as Aria embarks on a dangerous adventure to uncover the truth and save two kingdoms from destruction. Aria and Reginald’s friendship and alliance are at the heart of this story, and Burton’s use of musical terminology adds depth and richness to the narrative. This novel has many twists and turns, keeping readers hooked as they watch the thrilling plot unfold. Burton manages to keep readers guessing, waiting to discover the fate of the two kingdoms.
Song of the Sea is a compelling and thought-provoking story with a plot that closely follows the storyline of The Little Mermaid. Aside from that similarity, this novel has a new villain and a fresh take on well-known characters, making this story stands out as a unique work. In addition, their book has some mature content, making it better suited for older teens and young adult audiences.
Song of the Sea is a captivating and enjoyable read with an important message of love, harmony, and cultural understanding. It is perfect for readers who enjoy a fresh retelling of classic tales, and its story of diplomacy and friendship offers a new perspective on a familiar theme.
Pages: 132 | ASIN : B0BMM6PY7K
Thaddeus and the Master
Louis Sauvain’s Thaddeus and the Master is an enthralling continuation of the College of Sorcerers Trilogy, promising an exciting adventure for readers. The novel follows Thaddeus and his two brothers, Rolland and Anders, as they face new challenges and obstacles at the College of Sorcerers. The looming threat of expulsion adds a sense of urgency to their training, forcing them to trust each other and rely on their bond as brothers to survive.
Sauvain has crafted a rich and vivid world filled with magical spells and fantastical creatures that will captivate readers. The story is expertly woven together, with each character adding depth and complexity to the overall narrative without overshadowing the central storyline. Thaddeus is a compelling protagonist, and readers will be invested in his journey from beginning to end. The supporting cast is equally intriguing, adding layers of depth and nuance to the story. Despite Master Silvestrus being less prominent than anticipated, Sauvain provides enough detail to keep readers engaged. Unfortunately, the Prophecy is only partially revealed, leaving readers anticipating the next book in the series.
Thaddeus and the Master is an engaging and immersive novel, drawing readers into the world of the College of Sorcerers and keeping them hooked until the very end. With each twist and turn in the plot, readers will be on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating what comes next. Sauvain has created a captivating and entertaining fantasy series that readers will enjoy.
Pages: 444 | ASIN : B0BMGGN3MN
LITERARY TITAN 