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This Ozarian Tale
The Good Witch of the South brings a new evil witch to the land of Oz that is amassing an army to overthrow the Head of Oz. What was the inspiration for the setup to this thrilling story?
TC – The inspiration for the story came from the dust jacket cover art. I had just finished my memoir, Roads Over Brown County, which took me two years to write, and I was playing around with a fairy design and thought it would be a fantastic image for a book cover. I keep thinking how nice a fantasy book cover it would make but didn’t know what kind of story it should be, and I didn’t have a title. For some unknown reason, while I was working on the cover art, I was also reading Frank L. Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz again.
After I added tattoos on the fairy’s arm and some glowing orbs behind her, it came to me. I knew exactly who this fairy witch was. It made perfect sense; she was a good fairy witch, Glinda’s daughter, the Good Witch of the South. I instantly knew what I wanted to write.
For reasons I can’t explain, the first chapter I wrote in my journal was the epilogue. Everything else about the plot instantly fell into place.
What were some ideas that you wanted to keep from the classic Wizard of Oz and what were some new ideas you wanted to introduce?
TC – That’s a good question. I decided to combine aspects from Baum’s original book and the 1939 MGM movie with Judy Garland. Not many realize that in Baum’s books, Glinda was the Good Witch of the South, or also known as Glinda the Good, and not the Good Witch of the North. For fun, I decided to give Glinda the last name Glinda Goodwitch. I also decided to have the main characters from Baun’s book and the movie, The Scarecrow, The Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion play a part in my book. I also thought it would be fun to add subtle echoes from the movie within my book.
One of my favorite moments in the film is at the end when Dorothy is back home in her own bed, and she is telling her family and friends about Oz. I wanted to capture this iconic moment in the book.
So when the main character, Samantha Goodwitch, Glinda’s daughter, is recuperating from a terrible injury from fighting the vicious red alpha dragon. She wakes up in an unfamiliar bed and looks up at her companions, and tells them about a dream she’d been having. She points a trembling finger at each one and says, “You, and you, and you . . . . . and you were there.” I also had the new Wicked Witch taunt her victims as she did in the movie, using some of the barbs the Wicked Witch of the West used. All of these small touches made the story special and fun for me when I was writing. It made me smile.
I added one piece of imagery at the beginning of the book when Sam is crouched on the roof of the castle looking out across the land of Oz that has been with me since I was a child. I am almost sure it started from the very first time I watched the movie. It happens when the Munchkins escort Dorothy to the center of Munchkin City to show her the Yellow Brick Road. Where the Yellow Brick Road spirals out from the center of the city, there is another spiraling brick road, but the bricks are red. That always fascinated me, and I have ever wondered what kind of adventures one would find following the Red Brick Road. To this day, when I watch the movie, I whisper, “Dorothy, take the Red Brick Road.”
Sam is an intriguing character that I enjoyed watching develop. What were some obstacles you felt were important to the characters development?
Mainly believing in herself and proving herself to her mother, to her sister, and to everyone she loved. Every time I start a new book project, I struggle with it, from my children’s picture books to my novels – especially my novels. So, I say to everyone, “Believe!”
Do you plan to write other stories within the land of Oz?
When I first started writing this Ozarian tale, I said to myself, “What am I think writing a book based on a classic like Oz!” Doing another book? Well, I will tell you this: I have already written an outline. But to be honest, the two years it took me to write The Good Witch of the South knocked the breath out of me. I am not sure I have it in me to write another adventure in the Land of Oz. But one never knows.
I have to admit. Now that this Good Witch story is finished, I find myself genuinely missing my daily visits to the Oz.
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Soon to be sixteen-year-old Samantha Goodwitch, the daughter of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, knows she is disobeying her mother’s wishes when she leaves the castle to search for dragons, but she’d rather have an adventure than follow her mother’s command. When one of the Shadow Mountain Cats, Akasha, unexpectedly saves her life, the adventure turns deadly and a friendship grows between them.
But the rumors soon become real, and the freedom that had captured the hearts of the citizens of Oz is quickly unraveling. As the tensions mount and battles begin, Sam and Akasha find others who join them in the last Great War of Oz, to fight against the darkness that is devouring a once peaceful land.
*** A spectacular Ozarian adventure in the land of Oz ***
Tideon: A New Myth
![Tideon: A New Myth by [Elizabeth MacDonald, Bron Williams]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51g2ZZcgZTL.jpg)
Tideon: A New Myth follows the life of Tideon, and his mother, as Tideon makes a discovery that will change his life forever. After an accident gives him the ability to hear ocean animals, Tideon spends hours each day exploring the ocean, leaving his mother envious. But they both come to terms with their positions in life and learn much more in the process.
Tideon: A New Myth feels like the beginning of a larger fairy tale. Author Elizabeth MacDonald has written an enchanting story that mesmerizes you with its easy flowing words. Tideon goes on a magical journey that introduces readers to all sorts of animals and sea creatures. Along the way Tideon, and the reader, learns about God as well.
This book should be read by adults to children, as I think there are some large words and concepts that would need some accompanying explanation. While the story could be for children, I think it could also be for adults who want a light read, as the book goes into some deep topics. I really liked the relationship between Tideon and his mother, the conflict, and its resolution were the centerpiece to this story, I think. But the relationship Tideon had with his father was not explored and left me wanting to know why there was so much animosity.
The art in this book is phenomenal. The book is filled with some powerful imagery in muted colors that make the brighter colors pop when they appear and brings your attention to the important parts of the art pieces. Some of the pages were a single art piece that could easily be printed, framed, and hung on the wall.
Tideon: A New Myth is a mesmerizing story that provides plenty of material for internal reflection after reading. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought-provoking book to read to their kids.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B08KGYDBY4
The Spires of Dasny: Dragon Riders School
![The Spires of Dasny: Dragon Riders School by [Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jbv79Ld3L.jpg)
The Spires of Dasny by Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait, is one of those books that will make you fall in love with a fantastical world with a deep backstory. Seyra’s family was tortured and killed leaving her alone in a dangerous world. Abandoned by the world, she tries to find refuge in the Dragon Riders School. Along the way she meets a captivating companion, and together they face dangerous obstacles through a beautifully detailed world.
Author Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait has meticulously constructed an epic fantasy story with stunning landscapes, dragons, legendary battles and intriguing characters battling between good and evil. The Spires of Dasny is an epic fantasy adventure novel that will guide you easily through a dense world. The good news is that this book is part of a trilogy, so fans of C.R.C’s work will be able to dive deeper into a world that is begging to be explored. I enjoyed getting to know the different dragons and their personalities. Seyra is a strong female protagonist that captivates readers with a captivating personality. Seyra is relatable, and felt authentic. While I did enjoy Dreyth’s character, it took a while to grow on me, but when it did I was just as absorbed with the character as I was with Seyra.
The Spires of Dasny is a book that spins the story of eternal friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, and love with just enough of a unique twist that it felt like I was reading a new story in a well defined genre. C.R.C’s talent and experience is on fully display as she masterfully pens an exciting adventure novel that will appeal to sword and sorcery fans seeking a dragon story that never forgets to entertain its readers.
Pages: 202 | ASIN: B08BT6W6TK
From The Painted Tomb
![FROM THE PAINTED TOMB: Something Ancient is on its Way by [Brenda Hill]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51VlUwY9tNL.jpg)
From The Painted Tomb by Brenda Hill follows newspaper reporter, Krista Hawthorne, that lives in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains. While on a date at the Lune river Krista and her date get attacked by a mythical creature. Her date gets murdered right in front of Krista’s eyes but her life is spared. Krista knows nothing of her lineage but she notices that the creature has the same ankh that Krista got from her mother. Knowing the creature is still out there Krista and the local sheriff venture out to find out why this creature let her live.
Brenda Hill entices readers with her thrilling fantasy novel from the very start of the book. Such a gripping story I wanted to continue reading through the night but couldn’t because it was too eerie. The author’s writing is so refined that I was not able to predict how the story would end. Hill’s writing flows effortlessly between Krista’s ominous adventures while seamlessly blending Egyptian history throughout the alluring narrative. But a good mythical fantasy is only as good as its cast of characters and Brenda Hill has created some compelling if not relatable characters that I didn’t even realize I was so invested in until I found myself biting my nails.
Krista’s love interest brings a welcome complexity to the story. While her relationship unfolds throughout the story, the focus of the book never moves away from the enigmatic mystery that drives this spellbinding story forward. With relatable characters, an engaging paranormal plot, and a dash of romance, From The Painted Tomb will appeal to readers across genres.
Pages: 283 | ASIN: B08GJXC7LB
Wildflowers
Believe in Fairies is an enchanting children’s picture book that gives readers a reason to appreciate wildflowers. How did you come about this theme for the book?
This book was Sherrie’s idea; she’s a keen gardener who loves fairies. My series of children’s books tackle the topic of conservation, and Sherrie shares my concern regarding the loss of wildflower species, here in the UK. The fairies help educate children and their parents about the various types of wildflowers, and their enemies such as snails and mice. The book encourages children and their parents to grow wildflowers and to appreciate them in the meadows and other open spaces.
You wrote this book with Sherrie Trotman. What was the collaboration like between you?
The collaboration was easy and enjoyable. Sherrie wrote the first draft of the poem, and I edited and added to it. I hired and worked closely with the illustrator, communicating Sherrie’s original ideas and those of my own. Once we approved the artwork, I designed the finished book.
I loved the little cute snail that makes an appearance in this book. Do you have any favorite scenes from the book?
Our favourite illustration is titled ‘Their will-o’-the-wisp may give you a fright’. It features three fairies with ghoulish-blue glows. In the foreground, we see two terrified mice fleeing from them. The cute snail was originally a mouse. However, because we have two mice in ‘Their will-o’-the-wisp may give you a fright’, I asked the illustrator to change the other mouse into a snail. I’m glad you like it.
Do you have any future collaborative books that you’re working on?
We have several ideas for collaborative books. However, at the moment, I’m working on the final two books of the Wayne Gerard Trotman’s Rhyming Stories series.
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So beautiful, magical, and joyous a sight
From the realm of the fays, across the sea
Watch as they play in the hollow of a tree
They keep many fields and meadows alive
By helping wild herbs and flowers survive
A fairy tale for the young and the young at heart.
Learn to appreciate wildflowers and be inspired to help them grow in this beautifully illustrated rhyming tale for ages 4+.
That World-Shattering Revelation
Matriarch follows the story of a British soldier who explores an exotic country and uncovers danger, mysteries, and magic. What was the inspiration for the setup to this riveting story?
Actually, the inspiration was Cass, the young woman listening to her great-grandmother tell the tale. Hers is the real story in this book; everything else—while fun to write, and hopefully a roller-coaster of an adventure—is just build-up to that one moment in her life. That moment, that world-shattering revelation was what inspired the book.
I enjoyed the depth that you were able to bring to your character in so few pages. What were some ideas that informed their development?
First of all, thank you! For some of the story’s twists it was important to have characters that could be seen in very different lights. Each character needed to feel real before their arc turned, so readers could really experience the dramatic changes. Knowing where things were headed, I was able to plant some seeds in the characters’ actions and personalities early on, which I think helped add nuance to them.
For those who’ve read the book, this is most obvious with Ollie, but I think it’s most interesting with Ayla (Young Ayla). Because the change in her is really a change of reader perception. The story is framed one way, and because we tend to have certain expectations when it comes to such narratives, we impose certain facets of character onto her. Then as things progress, we see how mistaken we always were. (Which makes the climax hit all the harder.)
This is an epic adventure story that explores ideas of obsession and true love. What were some themes you wanted to focus on in this book?
That’s an interesting question. I actually was a little worried that people would have certain thematic expectations about the book based on the title. Which is to say they might think it’s a deeply feminist work, and then be disappointed to find most the action follows ex-soldier in the 1920s. (*I think it actually is a feminist work, only in ways not suggested by the title, which and only really apparent in the last twenty pages or so.)
And that’s the thing with Matriarch; you don’t really know what this story is until you get to the end. So one major theme would be peeling back the layers of reality we hold to be true and finding truths we could never have imagined underneath. And of course, themes of Fate and Destiny trickly backward from the end to touch every aspect of the story (which I’m pretty damn clear about right from the start!).
The feminist themes in Matriarch are a bit more subtle than you’d guess based on the title. Less about female power, and more about female agency. About the assumptions made by those in a position of power, and the harm such assumptions can cause.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on my most ambitious work yet. Where my previous books have all been 100 – 220 pages, I expect this to run maybe 400.
The title is HAPPYVILLE, a portal fantasy which I like to describe as Over the Garden Wall meets Neverwhere. It’s about a young girl who’s lost her memory and finds herself in a strange land.
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At the end of the Turkish War of Independence, a British soldier disobeys orders to return home. Setting out to explore a country he had only known as trespasser, he uncovers danger, mysteries, and magic—adventure, obsession, and true love.
One hundred years later, the soldier’s great-granddaughter sits at her great-grandmother’s deathbed while the old woman recounts this very tale; it is the last she will ever tell.
Secrets are revealed as past and present collide, and as one woman’s future draws toward its inevitable close, another finds hers thrown into uncertainty.
Believe in Fairies
Believe in Fairies by Wayne Gerard Trotman and Sherrie Trotman is a children’s story about why you should believe in fairies. It discusses topics such as how devoted fairies are to keeping plants alive. Fairies will put dewdrops on flowers to cool them and cover them with parasols to protect them from the rain! Fairies also love healing, and feeding the weak flowers. They take pride in taking care of their plants and your garden because the beauty of those flowers is what proves that their magic is real.
The authors of this story give beautiful descriptions and rhymes to captivate their readers. They provide details on how the fays take care of plants, and what exactly they do for them. The art is vibrant with plenty of action on the page that will certainly capture a child’s interest. I especially loved a sad little snail that appears about halfway through, so cute. There is much to learn and see while reading Believe in Fairies which is why I found this book to be so enjoyable!
Believe in Fairies is an enchanting poetry book that I think is perfect for young readers. Children will learn a lot about the fairies and walk away with a better appreciation for nature. Wayne Gerard Trotman and Sherrie Trotman will have readers believing in fairies in no time.
Pages: 32 | ISBN:1916184863
The Magic Sensation
The Mermaids Melt at Dawn spins several yarns into a mythical story that combines many different genres. What was the initial idea behind this book and how did it change as you wrote?
When I started writing The Mermaids Melt at Dawn, I was inspired to begin the story like an old fairy tale. I also wanted the story to be somewhat tethered to reality, especially in the beginning, so I combined my passion for vintage fairy tales and historical fiction. Rok, a Cajun boy growing up on the bayou in the 1800s, was the first character to enter my imagination, and from there, the story transformed into a nautical adventure to Barbiche Island. I have always been fascinated by mermaids and Greek Mythology, so I decided to add a flair of mythology as well.
I am drawn to stories where humans, gods, and creatures coexist. I think there is something incredible about Rok, a real human, witnessing the mermaids of Barbiche Island. Rok lifted the veil between reality and fantasy and tasted the magic that humans so often dream about. As I wrote The Mermaids Melt at Dawn, I tried to capture the magic sensation we feel when we see the first snowflakes of winter or when we catch the first wave in the ocean.
Yarn 8 is my favorite from the book. Do you have a favorite yarn?
As I created different yarns and characters, I was curious to see which ones readers would enjoy the most. Based on the feedback I’ve received so far, Yarn 8/The Curse of Rhodanthea is a fan favorite and the most treasured yarn. Yarn 8 happens to be my favorite yarn as well. Of all the characters, I think Rhodanthea embodies a beautiful brokenness and a humble strength. For me, she is the perfect blend of human, god, and creature features. My second favorite yarns are Yarn 7/The Maiden and The Lyre and Yarn 9/The Rot Spine Monster. I had so much fun writing them, and they brought back fond memories of reading Greek Mythology as a child.
Each yarn seemed to focus on a different theme or had its own feeling. What were some emotions or feelings you wanted to capture in your stories?
Each yarn captures different emotions, moods, and personalities. Much like vintage fairy tales, each character can represent the light and dark aspects of ourselves. The Mermaids Melt at Dawn illuminates common archetypal patterns that are shared by all humans. Some of the experiences I tapped into are anger, sadness, fear, loneliness, love, humility, jealousy, joy, revenge, and remorse. I also crafted the story with some moments of surprise and horror as an homage to fairy tales and mythology, which were not rainbow and butterfly stories. They often had grim and shocking endings. Who could forget when Little Red Riding Hood found the granny wolf in bed, or when the old witch planned to stuff Hansel in the oven?
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time of year to write a paranormal romance! My next book is in the early stages of the creative process, but characters and scenes are coming to life more and more every day. I hope to release my newest book within the next 6 months, and maybe it will be in time for Valentine’s Day!
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LITERARY TITAN 