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Inspired the Same Love of Reading
Journey to Nirisia follows a quiet fourteen-year-old girl whose summer job quickly turns into a journey to a magical world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My passion and drive comes from the desire to place compelling books in the hands of an Upper Middle-Grade audience. I write stories that challenge and engage young readers while honoring their intelligence and curiosity. My aim is to inspire the same love of reading that shaped my own childhood.
Many readers will recognize Emma’s anxiety and uncertainty. How did you approach writing those aspects of her character?
Everyone experiences anxiety and uncertainty at some point in life, especially during the teenage years. My stories feature characters who are imperfect—and who are not expected to be anything else. Through their journeys, I hope readers recognize just how awkward, challenging, and complicated life can be. More importantly, I want them to understand that it is perfectly fine to be different, to have fears, and to experience emotions that take time and courage to navigate.
Were there scenes or characters that surprised you while writing the book?
Great question. Truthfully, my answer is no. I knew exactly who I wanted each character to be from the start. Emma, the introvert, is wonderfully flawed, and I wanted her journey to begin that way—filled with doubt, insecurity, and moments of indecision. After all, regardless of age, we all experience these feelings from time to time.
If my writing can make readers think, ‘that’s exactly how I feel,’ then I’ve accomplished my goal. My hope is that my audience sees themselves in these characters and realize they are not alone in their struggles, fears, or uncertainties.
Can you give us a glimpse inside the next installment of this series? Where will it take readers?
I would love to tell you about The Library Between Worlds: The House That Lies. If you love mysteries, this one is for you.
The story summary is: Dunhallow is cursed. Its residents are vanishing without a trace, and though all believe that Ashford House is the cause, none have lived to prove it.
But when Emma, Faylen, and Cedar find themselves in this spooky town, they set out to be the first ones to return with answers. And when someone close to them goes missing, waiting is no longer an option. They must uncover the dark secret hiding behind Ashford House’s walls—or sealed away in its basement.
Can the trio solve the mystery that an entire town cannot, before Ashford House claims them too?
Author Links: Amazon | Website
5 Star review / Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Reader’s Favorite*
Emma has always preferred the company of books over people. She believed in the magic within their pages, never suspecting the worlds they held truly existed. Now she is about to discover just how real those worlds are.
A dark force known as Eraser is ravaging countless realms, destroying their stories one by one. With each tale he consumes, he moves closer to unraveling reality itself.
To stop him, Emma must find the Wizard’s Crystal, a magical prison powerful enough to contain him. If she fails, every world ever written could vanish, leaving no stories left to save.
Benjamin Impossible: The Helium Heist
Timothy Root’s Benjamin Impossible: The Helium Heist is a captivating narrative that follows the adventures of twelve-year-old protagonist Benjamin Impossible. Tasked with a mission to retrieve his father’s groundbreaking hyper-helium invention from NASA, Benjamin, accompanied by a robotic dog and his exceptionally intelligent younger brother Charlie, embarks on an exhilarating journey. The story unfolds in a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, featuring a flying houseboat and a plethora of high-tech gadgets that aid Benjamin in his quest.
The novel is a thrilling blend of humor and adventure, striking a chord with a younger demographic, particularly boys. It cleverly incorporates elements of humor akin to that found in “Captain Underpants” and the thrilling escapades reminiscent of “Secret Agent 6th Grader”. Root’s narrative thrives on its unpredictability and relatable character logic, making scenarios like a cheese whiz twinkie wiener sandwich seem entirely rational. Root’s vibrant storytelling is visually stimulating, suggesting it would transition well into an animated series or film. An innovative touch is the integration of QR codes linking to free audiobook chapters, an acknowledgment of diverse reading preferences, and a nod to the digital age.
Benjamin Impossible: The Helium Heist is an engaging and humorous read, particularly appealing to middle-grade children seeking a blend of humor, adventure, and imagination. Timothy Root’s keen understanding of his audience shines through, promising a read that is as entertaining as it is relatable. This book is an invitation to a world where adventure awaits at every turn, and the impossible is merely a challenge waiting to be overcome.
Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0CRQPNV9P
FastFlight 540: In Search of Xander
FastFlight 540: In Search of Xander whisks readers away on an exhilarating adventure alongside the indomitable Anslie Dawn as she embarks on a daring mission to reunite with her missing husband, Xander Bump. This latest installment in the series is nothing short of captivating, ensuring that readers will be glued to its pages from the very beginning to the thrilling conclusion.
M.M. Mesldorf’s writing shines brilliantly as she effortlessly paints vivid landscapes, breathes life into well-rounded characters, and weaves a narrative that effortlessly resonates with a wide audience. What’s truly impressive is her ability to craft a story that stands alone while seamlessly fitting into the broader series narrative, ensuring that readers, whether new or returning, never feel lost. To fully immerse yourself in the characters’ journey and appreciate the depth of their struggles in book 3, I highly recommend devouring all three books in order.
Mesldorf’s story unfolds seamlessly as we transition between the perspectives of Anslie and Stuart. Stuart’s intriguing adventure and the enchanting world he discovers while searching for his mother will transport you to a magical realm. Yet, this tale is more than just an adventure; it imparts valuable lessons on determination, courage, and the importance of family. These underlying values add depth and substance to the narrative, turning it into a rewarding read for all. The inclusion of simple yet evocative images throughout the book breathes life into each chapter, enhancing your reading experience in unexpected ways.
Anslie’s quest to find Xander is filled with excitement, emotional depth, and valuable life lessons. Its universal appeal and seamless integration into the series make it a must-read for anyone yearning for an adventurous tale that resonates on a deep level. FastFlight 540: In Search of Xander promises a delightful and meaningful reading experience that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this remarkable journey.
Moraline
Moraline, by Cintia Alfonso Fior, is a middle-grade magical realism book about twelve-year-old Moraline, who moves to San Diego with her family. She is teased at school by other students, who also pull pranks on her, causing Moraline to run away, trying to escape. However, when she meets a sacred Lakota leader among the great Sequoias, Moraline is empowered to change the world around her. This experience inspires the young student to befriend other kids, and they find the power to fight injustice.
Cintia Alfonso Fior brings readers a story that is rich in culture and the good and bad of childhood. I enjoyed how she brought in a group of middle schoolers to show how they can be nice to one another instead of bullying each other. She shows that you don’t have to be an adult to make a difference in the world, which I found inspiring to young readers. It’s a fantastic book for schools, libraries, and families.
Moraline by Cintia Alfonso Fior is a fantastic and charming read that will captivate young readers’ attention while providing important motivational messages. The storytelling and characters are excellent, and I found the illustrations and author’s descriptions of the places vivid and enjoyable. Moraline’s character development was amazing, and I was cheering for her when she finally found her voice and confidence.
Moraline by Cintia Alfonso Fior is a powerful, relatable story that is well-written. It’s a great tale about a young girl overcoming her fears and not letting anyone or anything stand in her way.
ASIN B0BNQVG6FQ | Pages: 190
FastFlight 540: Stuart Bump
Fast Flight 540: Stuart Bump (Book 2) by M. M. Mesldorf is an exhilarating fantasy book that continues the story in book 1. Filled with surprising twists and turns, this lively fantasy story is sure to satiate any young reader’s appetite for adventure. Mesldorf’s writing style is simple but keeps the reader engaged throughout. The illustrations that accompany the story inspire the imagination and invite curiosity into the characters’ lives. The story begins with a brief overview of past happenings. I found the prologue to be a great refresher of book 1 and it helped to connect the events of past and present conditions. This will also help any readers who didn’t read book 1 first.
Stuart’s character tries to find a way to stand out from everyone when in reality he is a curious child who seems misunderstood by the people around him. As the story progressed I started to understand Stuart’s character better and he grew on me. The mother, Anslie, is an enchanting character and I enjoyed reading about her as well. In all, readers will find each character unique and intriguing in their own way.
The story seemed episodic, with chapters that connect the events and actions that take place. This fun adventurous tale is perfect for young readers as it is filled with action, fun mischief, and tricks that will keep you hooked until the very end. The story takes place in two fascinating worlds, the world of dreams and reality. I felt that the book had a slow start but the ending of the book made up for it all. The build-up, when connected, created a beautiful climax in the story.
FastFlight 540 (Book 2) takes readers on a spirited adventure that will make them fall in love with the characters all over again. I recommend this book to young readers and teen readers as they will surely enjoy the inherent adventure and wild turn of events faced by the characters in the story.
Pages: 337 | ASIN: B0BQ9JB4NC
Saturday
Jessica is a normal teenage girl on a normal Saturday when her mom gets the news: she got a new job offer and Jess is moving to New York. The good news? They’re finally getting away from her abusive father. The bad news? Jessica, her mother, and her two younger siblings, are uprooting their lives and moving across the country. Come Monday, Jess gets to start a new school for performing arts. Her passion for music and acting throw her into the spotlight, much to the dismay of the school’s queen bee, Macy. Macy seems to have a grip on everyone’s life and connections to all the big producers. Will Jess be able to stand against Macy and her plans to destroy Jess? Or will Jess be another one of Macy’s many victims?
I felt that Saturday was an enjoyable young adult novel overall. The title of the book is not explained until the very end of the book, which leaves readers wondering throughout the book. And in those last few pages it was made out to be a theme.
I think this would be a great book for middle-grade readers or young teens who are struggling with fitting in at school or facing bullies. This is stirring melodrama that follows an interesting character through hurdles I think that many readers will be able to relate to.
I would recommend Saturday to young readers looking for a book that is easy to read but still carries an important message. The themes of bullying and conflict resolution make this a perfect book for that age-group. It portrays ways to stand up for yourself without becoming a bully. It discusses conflict resolution without condoning abuse or putting the abuser down. It portrays the difficulty of learning right from wrong in a manner that would be beneficial for any teen. I appreciate Cindy DeFuria for finding that balance in her story and I respect the message that she is sending through this poignant contemporary fiction book.
Pages: 188 | ASIN: B0BL5FH1VC
The Freedom To Follow Your Dreams
DREAM JUMPERS the INHERITANCE follows siblings who are ushered into the hidden world of the Dream Jumpers. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Nine years ago, I dreamt, unparallel to any dream state I remember to date. The vision was clear I had to write a book. The idea, I believe, came from God because I wasn’t thinking about writing a book. More likely, I only would want to illustrate a book, not write it. Two weeks later, I had written fifty-two thousand words. Later, I realized it was more of an outline than a book.
Your characters are interesting and well-developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I knew who and what I wanted to be at age five. However, my gender, and race, were societally marginalized, which held me back. For many years I fought for the courage to be who I am today. The longer I live, I see a better world if the youth strives to find their true young selves to succeed. No worries, that will include older folks too. My literary focus is to persuade ALL to find their life’s purpose. I developed each character reasonably quickly because I knew and recognized each personality’s voice. I had conversations with them at some point in my life and knew their backstories. Eventually, I embarked on an unlimited research trek to learn how to write, and the learning curve was very high. I persevered.
What were the themes vital for you to explore in this book?
The various themes were presented so teens who read the book might be inspired to find their particular purpose. The book’s message is to encourage children to follow their dreams. Once they graduate, dedicating their youth and begin to understand their journey to fulfilled lives. The freedom to follow your dreams is imperative to build a flourishing world. The dual-gender twin theme was a perfect way to get girls and boys to understand their gender importance. The Academy was vital to socialize and teaching the children how to accept their inheritance. They will learn how to help others and themselves. I included fun and humor throughout the book to lighten some heavy themes.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m working on the sequel to DJTI. I have many stories to tell and characters to introduce to my people. I’m not sure how many books will be in this series; I know I have more to write, and neither am I sure when it will be finished.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
