It's another WOW Wednesday here at the desk and I'm pleased to have the wonderful DW Davis visiting today. 

~~~

DW Davis is an independent author of young adult romance novels told from the guy's perspective. RIVER DREAM was his first novel. DREAMS CHANGE and DREAMS ADRIFT continue the story begun in RIVER DREAM.

DW’s writing reflects his memories growing up along the North Carolina coast near Wrightsville and Carolina Beaches. DW left that area when he graduated high school and traveled half-way around the world and back collecting memories and experiences which help shape his characters. Now back in eastern North Carolina, DW enjoys bringing to life characters whose adventures take place in his favorite part of the world.

Meet eastern North Carolina author DW Davis

Connect with DW on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/RiverSailorLiterary

Follow him on Twitter:

@DWDavisRSL

And check out his blog:

http://dwdavisauthorfriends.blogspot.com

~

River Sailor Literary

Post Office Box 458

Pikeville, North Carolina 27863-0458

The Books:

Book Title: RIVER DREAM

Author: DW Davis

Publisher: River Sailor Literary

Published: March 26, 2011

Format: Paperback 5.25 X 8 inches

Also available as a e-book

Pages: 234

Paperback ISBN: 978-0983355618

eBook ISBN: 978-0983355601

Available: From Amazon.com and other select on-line retailers.

Contact: DW Davis, Author/Publisher

dwdavis@riversailorliterary.com

www.facebook.com/RiverSailorLiterary

www.riversailorliterary.com

RIVER DREAM is a young adult novel set in southeastern North Carolina in the late 1970s. The story follows two best friends, Michael and Rhiannon, from middle school through high school, as they learn about loyalty, loss, love, and the real meaning of friendship. Rhiannon and sailing are Michael’s two greatest loves. Sailing is the one thing he can always count on. Rhiannon is the one he can count on to keep him confused. Michael’s loved Rhiannon since they were kids, but she has rules against dating her best friend. Rhiannon loves Michael, but won’t let herself show it. Then, as high school begins, the new girl in town sets her sites on Michael. What will Rhiannon’s rules cost her, and will she ever get to show Michael she really does love him, too?

Thank you for your interest in RIVER DREAM, and may all your River Dreams come true.

Book Title: DREAMS CHANGE

Author: DW Davis

Publisher: River Sailor Literary

Published: August 2, 2012

Format: Paperback 5.25 X 8 inches

Also available as a e-book

Pages: 254

Paperback ISBN: 978-0983355632

eBook ISBN: 978-0983355625

Available: From Amazon.com and other select on-line retailers.

Contact: DW Davis, Author/Publisher

dwdavis@riversailorliterary.com

www.facebook.com/RiverSailorLiterary

www.riversailorliterary.com

DREAMS CHANGE is the much anticipated second book of the River Dream series. It begins four years after high school graduation with Michael’s return to North Carolina after being medically discharged from the Navy. Michael's dream of a life with Rhiannon changes when she chooses to stay with the Peace Corps in Africa rather than rushing home to be by Michael’s side while he struggles to overcome his wounds and restart his life. Maeve, his summer love from long ago, re-enters his life and a new dream begins to grow in his heart. But his new start is haunted by events that Michael keeps locked deep in his memory.

Thank you for your interest in DREAMS CHANGE, and may all your River Dreams come true.

Book Title: DREAMS ADRIFT

Author: DW Davis

Publisher: River Sailor Literary

Published: May 20, 2013

Format: Paperback 5.25 X 8 inches

Also available as a e-book

Pages: 244

ISBN: 978-0983355656

Available: Direct from publisher

Contact: DW Davis, Author/Publisher

dwdavis@riversailorliterary.com

www.facebook.com/RiverSailorLiterary

www.riversailorliterary.com

DREAMS ADRIFT is the much anticipated third book of the River Dream series. It begins immediately after the end of DREAMS CHANGE. In DREAMS ADRIFT, Michael and Maeve are about to renew their vows in the big, beach side wedding Maeve had always dreamed of when Rhiannon’s unexpected arrival threatens to derail their plans. Will Rhiannon be able to win Mike back, or will his new love for Maeve be stronger than his old feelings for his high school sweetheart? The fates once conspired to change Michael’s dreams. Are they now conspiring to set his DREAMS ADRIFT?

Thank you for your interest in DREAMS ADRIFT, and may all your River Dreams come true.

.

WOW Wednesday - Greta Burroughs Visits The Desk

I'm excited to have the fabulously talented Greta Burroughs at the desk today. Let's get right to her books, shall we?

~~~

“Gerald and the Wee People”

In “Gerald and the Wee People”, Gerald and his best friend, Vernon discover a mysterious spot in the woods where Gerald visualizes a miniature village complete with 

 http://viewbook.at/weepeople

 wee inhabitants.

He enjoys going back to that spot and watching the day to day activities until trouble starts in the village and he tries to convince Vernon that the "visions" are real and the wee people need help.

While trying to prove that the whole thing is just Gerald's wild imagination, the boys literally fall into the new world and get caught up in a war. The boys come up with ways to keep the invading force from entering the village but another solution has to be found in order to put an end to the conflict.

Along with a few companions from the village, Gerald and Vernon embark on a quest to face down the deranged forest god who instigated the mayhem. The dangerous path is laid out by an ancient prophecy, but not everything goes as planned.

The adventure continues in the second book in the  

Wee People series, “House on Bo-Kay Lane.” 

Gerald and Vernon believe their time with the wee people came to an end after they returned to their home world but begin to wonder when strange things started to happen at an abandoned house in their neighborhood. Ghostly images of familiar faces from the wee people village are seen in the windows, echoes of voices from the past haunt the boys’ dreams and an undeniable curiosity draws Gerald and Vernon to investigate the mysterious haunted house. What they find takes them back to the world of the wee people and a new adventure begins.

http://viewbook.at/bokaylane

In “House on Bo-Kay Lane”, a mirror is found in a forgotten room in the far-seers’ training center. Sheela, a far-seer master and Alyson, an apprentice firestarter are unwillingly drawn into the depths of the mirror and wind up in the abandoned house on Bo-Kay Lane. Sheela uses her telepathic skills to enlist the aid of Gerald, Vernon and Gerald’s father, Andrew to help find the way back to the world of the wee people.

That problem resolved, they try to unravel the secrets of the mirror and find that it is a portal between their two worlds, as well as to a time in the future and possibly even to a parallel universe. They also discover that someone is trapped inside the mirror and the decision has to be made as to whether or not to help the trapped soul escape the confines of the portal.

Meanwhile, the wee people discover the origins of their world. That knowledge is not well accepted and leads to discord between them and the outworlders, Gerald, Andrew and Vernon. An uneasy truce paves the way to an understanding and acceptance of the unwelcome facts and eventually to a solution of how to deal with the man in the mirror. 

Book three in the series will be out later on this year.

Author Bio

Greta Burroughs loves to read. No matter where she is, there is always a book close at hand. Her love of reading began at an early age and blossomed over time to include many different genres, her favorite now being fantasy.

As a preschool and elementary school teacher, Greta tried to instill the joy of reading in the children she worked with. Books were an important part of her classroom and story time was the highlight of the day.

It has been a while since Greta was in a classroom but she had lots of experience in reading to children of various ages and remembers what they enjoyed listening to. She tries to incorporate that knowledge into her work as an author and believes it makes her a better writer of children's and young adult books.

She now resides in SC with her husband, Robert and three dogs. Greta has six books published at the present time; three children’s books in the Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat series, two MG/YA fantasy entitled Gerald and the Wee People and House on Bo-Kay Lane, and a nonfiction account of her experiences with an autoimmune blood disorder called ITP - Heartaches and Miracles.

~~~

For more information on Greta's books visit the links below.

Website, here.

FB Author page, here. 

Amazon author page, here. 

Twitter  @gretaburroughs

Linked In, here. 

Blog, here.

Pinterest, here.

~~~

.

Author Spotlight Wendy & Charles Siefken

It's Wow Wednesday! Visiting the desk today is the writing duo, Wendy and Charles Siefken. The Siefkens are a mother and son writing team. How great is that? They've authored, Kai’s Journey: The New World Chronicles. Kai's Journey is part of their Young Adult (YA) Kai and Clover Series. Can teenagers really save the world? Read Kai's Journey today to find out.

An awful mistake, an unlikely companion, 

Kai’s Journey to save the human race.

After his father accidentally releases a killer virus into the world, Kai is left alone to battle the creatures the virus created. While fighting for his existence in the barren post-apocalyptic world, Kai runs into an unlikely ally in a young woman named Clover.

Fueled by a flicker of hope, the two teenagers join forces with a rag-tag band of survivors in a heroic journey. Can the human race endure?

Here's what readers are saying about Kai's Journey:

"Most stories about zombies and other creatures are not usually as touching as this. There is a love story in this book that is so sweet. I was really swept up in the moment and enjoyed the suspenseful ride that this unusual story took me on." ~Brenda Perlin

"It was wonderful to see him find himself as he navigated through the horrible consequences of experimentation gone wrong. The authors of the story weave a wonderful tale of fantasy and imagination with a flare for real world application." ~Tamy

"Not only did I enjoy this book, my teenage daughter fell in love with it and Kai.I highly recommend it." ~Dawn

"The story is one of survival but also zest for life. Still finding happiness through the most difficult of times." ~Bruce Goldwell, Author

and so much more!

§

Wendy Siefken (1966-Present)Currently working full time from home on writing stories and now a virtual assistant to those in need of an extra pair of hands online. Wendy lives on a farm with her family and enjoys reading, gardening and other activities with her family and friends. This is our first publication with many more to follow. This all started as a school project for her youngest son and business partner, Charles Siefken, that has grown into a desire to be published.

Charles Siefken (1992-present) is a recent graduate of high school. This is his first book of many to be published. He currently resides in rural central Iowa where he enjoys reading sci/fi books and playing video games among other things. We have found a publisher, Master Koda Select Publishing! Christopher Paolini was his inspiration to become a writer.

Here is where you can connect with Wendy and Charles:

Blog – http://siefkenpublications.blogspot.com/

Website – http://siefkenpublications.info/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SiefkenPublications

Twitter – https://twitter.com/WendyandCharles

Amazon link: http://dld.bz/cQ4UA

§

Author Jennifer Loiske Visits The Desk

Today, Jennifer Loiske visits the desk with a few short excerpts from her book, 'Club Number Five'. With these excerpts, we get a taste of her writing style and the vampire story between the covers.

Please welcome Jennifer to Nadia's desk and feel free to leave 

a comment for her in the comment section below.

§

Jennifer says of her young adult paranormal story,

“A bit different vampire story, with a pinch of dry humor,
sassy characters and a friendship that’s worth to die for.”

Five short excerpts of Club Number Five by Jennifer Loiske

The second I woke up I knew I had been bitten. My throat hurt and I couldn't move my head without weeping. I slid my hand to my neck and felt it get wet. I swallowed. I didn't need to look to know my hand was covered in blood. My blood. I tried to remember what had happened last night, but the images were groggy and all I did remember was a boy. And not just any boy, but a boy I'd been following like a lovesick puppy for a month now.

***

“I think I'm a vampire.”

Silence. Kate's eyes widened and she opened and closed her mouth in turns. “You think you're a vampire.”
I nodded and she lifted her finger. She formed questions like what, when, who with her lips but nothing came out. I nodded again and saw an angry flash in her eyes.

“And that's why you dragged me here in the middle of the night?” Kate's voice rose alarmingly.

“Shh,” I hushed. “I don't want to wake my parents and neither do you.”

Kate got up and paced back and forth. “You don't think you're a vampire, Sam. That kind of thing you know.”

***

The godlike boy just stood and puckered his perfect lips. Just as if he knew everything about me and my miserable life.

“Well, what can you do if you're so hungry you could bite your little sister? So hungry it hurts and the only thing you can think of is blood?” I yelled.

“Shh.” He grabbed my arms, but I shook him away. I was so angry I had to let it all out.

“I didn't ask for this!” I cried. “I didn't want to look like a supermodel and I didn't want these strange powers I have now. I just wanted to have Jonathan!”

“Immortality,” he said quietly.

“What?” I asked, stunned.

“Add immortality to your list, too.” He shrugged.

“Arggh!” I shouted and hit the wall. A piece of stone dropped onto the ground. I stared at the round hole, exactly the size of my fist, in the wall. I turned to the boy, full of rage, just to see that he was gone again. I was getting seriously snappy at people disappearing around me and leaving me alone with my ever-so-growing question pile. I hit the wall again and cursed. My hand was unscathed and it didn't ease my anger a bit, but I was so mad I had to hit something.

***

The bell rang and, after a few minutes, I saw him. He glanced at me murderously but I didn't move.

“Hi.” I smiled as he got closer.

“Get off my bike,” he growled quietly.

I was aware of the looks and whispers around us and I knew we'd be the new gossip tomorrow. “I don't think so,” I said, and slid my fingers onto the edge of the seat. I was sure he would push me aside roughly, but he didn't lift a finger to me. He stared at me and I stared back. Nope, no surrendering from me today.

“Fine. Suit yourself then.” He slid himself in front of me, put his black helmet on and, before I could act, turned the engine on and stepped on the gas. I couldn't do anything but quickly place my own helmet on, put my arms around his waist and hold tight. I heard some girls gasping, but I was too afraid to look back. I had never been on a motorcycle before, but somehow I knew this wouldn't be an easy ride.

***

Wow, I thought. Was that how he saw me? A desperate stalker? I blushed.

“You're not even my type,” he hissed, and I could see he wanted nothing more than to get rid of me. And still I couldn't help myself.

“Blonde and stupid?” I offered.

“No!” Jonathan snapped. “A human.”

“Excuse me?” I stared at him and climbed off the bike. “That's a bit lame, don't you think? A week ago I was a human, remember?” I poked his chest with my finger.

“Hey!” he yelled and grabbed my finger.

“There's something else you're not telling me, isn't there?” I accused and poked him with another finger.
He grabbed that one, too, and looked a bit scared. What was going on? Why would he be scared of me? I struggled but his hold stood. “Tell me,” I hissed between my teeth.

“No,” he hissed back.

I struggled more fiercely only to find myself in his arms. In some other circumstance this could've been tempting. Being so near him. But now it only got me angrier.

“Tell me!” I flashed my teeth. “Or I swear I'll scream!”

He flashed his teeth and tightened his grip. I could feel his fingers biting into my flesh but I refused to yield. He stared at me and I stared at him, and neither of us wanted to give in.

Finally, he pushed me roughly away. “You're someone else's call.”

§

I live in Finland in Naantali, which is a small sunny town on the southwest coast (mostly known of the Moomin Valley). I’m a pre-school teacher by profession but I stayed home when my youngest daughter suffered brain fever, which developed severe epilepsy in 2004. I guess that’s when I first considered starting writing again as I had to stay awake and monitor her whilst she was sleeping and it can be really sleepy and boring when the house is quiet… I’m a workaholic and I always have a lot of projects going on at the same time. I write articles to the magazines and I’m a part of the team that makes Epilepsy Finland Magazine. I love chips, cheesy teen movies (and series too!), books, animals and I have a soft spot for the ones in need of a helping hand. A huge part of my royalties go to charity; mainly to help families with epileptic children but also to the epilepsy units in the hospitals.

If you'd like to connect with Jennifer Loiske,

you'll find her at the social media and author sites below.

http://jenniferloiske.wordpress.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5821849.Jennifer_Loiske

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferLoiske

https://twitter.com/JenniferLoiske

Club Number Five is on sale for 99¢!

That's a bargain no matter where you live in the world.

To purchase Club Number Five, follow the UK and US Amazon links below.

UK Link http://www.amazon.co.uk/CLUB-NUMBER-Immortal-Blood-ebook/dp/B0095K4RMS/

US link http://www.amazon.com/CLUB-NUMBER-Immortal-Blood-ebook/dp/B0095K4RMS/

§

.

"Digitus 233" by K.D. Emerson - The author. The Book.

 

I'm happy to share a great author, editor, publisher, marketing genius and friend with you all here at the desk today. It's my pleasure to introduce you to K.D. Emerson and the first book in the Digitus Series, "Digitus 233". I'm personally not a reader of YA books but when I read Digitus 233 by K.D. Emerson, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it and looked forward to the second in the series.

  

Ms. Emerson is not only a wonderful author, she is a source of strength and sounding board for friends and the authors she supports. These authors not only include the ones signed to her publishing house, Master Koda Select Publishing, but also that brave new species known as indie authors. Her undying support is well known among her friends. The happy & go-getted-ness (like that?) just falls off of her and those around her can't help but to be infected, in the best of ways, of course.

 

~~~ 

 

What's the book about?  

Here's a tidbit to whet your appetite.

 

 

When Zeph, the adventurous son of a millionaire hid in the cargo hold of the Learjet carrying his brother Zander to camp he had no idea there was anything dark or ominous going on. That was until he watched Zander ejected from the plane onto a barren arctic island and Zeph, trapped in the cargo hold, found himself headed for South America. Will he be able to expose the truth behind Digitus, the world’s dominant corporation or will they succeed in their sinister plan to control his brother and destroy the world?

  

 

Excerpt:

 

Deep within the dark abyss of his mind, Zander tried to shout, but no sound escaped. It felt as though a heavy mallet beat against his skull. Pushing the pain to the back of his mind, he forced himself to focus and slithered through the murk toward a pinpoint of light. Gulping for air, he burst through the blackness and forced his eyes open. A scream escaped before he could stop himself. Inches away, a face; a set of open blue eyes stared at him. Was it a dead body? He struggled with his arms and legs, unexpectedly unable to force them to move. He was tied up in some kind of silky material! The eyes in front of him blinked. This time he caught the scream half way up and swallowed it. He had to get control of himself.

 

Can't wait? You can purchase a copy here: 

http://amzn.com/B00AQJ7NKA

 

~~~

 

You'll find many great reviews for Digitus 233. Below are a few samples from readers who took the time to share their thoughts about the book. So you know I'm not just blowing smoke, my own review is listed first.

 

• Digitus 233, the debut novel by K. D. Emerson, is well written and engaging. The story rounds the bend (more than once) when least expected taking the reader to surprising and astonishing places. I enjoyed peeking into the lives of these brilliant teens. Though they are 'chosen', they are still teens with the full range of emotion that entails. The plot is layered in such a way that I eagerly turned the pages to find out which character was facing the unimaginable and how they would accomplish the seemingly impossible task before them. There is strength and resilience in these characters that one has to admire. The reader will cheer them on with each new barrier placed in their paths. I found the hunger for power at any cost unsettling & realistic - the mind manipulation of the unknowing intriguing. Even though evil appears to be on the verge of triumph with no foreseeable way out, hope reigns supreme throughout the story. The plot and characters left me eager for more from this author. I look forward to K. D. Emerson's future works.

• This is the most exciting book I have read in years! If you want to read a book that makes your pulse run faster, cause your hair to raise on your arms, hold your breath, make your heart pump faster, get sea sick without being at sea, feel frozen though you are warm, and keep you on the edge all the time this is definitely the book for you.

• OMG what a ride!!

• Digitus 233 tells a story, but it isn't that simple. This is one deep story that will have you guessing and gasping at every turn. You'll want to wear your literary seat belt for this one. In this dystopian young adult thriller Emerson shines light on power, control, and life in general, all wound into one breathtaking story. The author allows you to get inside the heads of not only one main character, but of all of them, which allows for so much breadth and life.

 

• I will have to say this book was a fast action read that was thrilling to the very end. Not only do you become involved in the lives of the characters, you also are very involved with the plot. The different conspiracies will leave you guessing quite a few times. 

 

• Engaging, imaginative and a great read for adults and teens. Now, there are not many books you can say that about! I give it 5 stars and have to say K.D. Emerson delivers a exceptional read.

• This is a fast-paced, hold-on-to-the-edge-of-your-seat, heart-thumping thriller. It captivated my attention from the first page and wouldn't let go until I finished it in one sitting. WOW! An amazing ride. Can't wait for the next book in this series. Well-written and highly recommended.

• This is a book I've been waiting for a long time! A perfect adventure without violence or sex. Something that suits both girls and boys and yet is a great read for adults too. Personally that `for boys' part makes me especially happy as I've really had a hard time figuring out what to recommend for teen and young adult boys but not anymore. So if you are Teen/YA reader, have sons, nephews, grandsons... don't waste time pondering what to read next.

~~~

 

Author Bio:

 

 

 

K.D. Emerson was born several years ago. We won’t go into how long it has been because she has this fantasy that she is still a teenager off to conquer the world. Her first novel was written in pencil, stapled together and placed in the school library. At age 6, she didn’t have a clue an author needed a publisher. She has a passion for the written word and assisting other writers in becoming the best they can be. She also loves to promote others and cheer them on to victory.

 

K.D. Emerson loves to hear from her readers. She also likes new friends. You'll find it easy to connect with her at the sites listed below.

 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/kimmutch.emerson

 

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MstrKoda

 

Website for the Digitus Series:

www.digitus233.com

 

Amazon links:

US: http://amzn.to/12JsPkx and

UK: http://amzn.to/UAoT1S

 

Amazon Author Page:

www.amazon.com/author/kdemerson

 

GoodReads:

http://www.goodreads.com/kd_emerson

 

 

 

.

Welcome Dianne Gardner

I'd like to welcome Dianne Gardner to the desk today. I'm excited that she's joining us to share her fascinating story with my readers.

We've all met them, those people who seem to have lived several lifetimes in one. Dianne Gardner is one such person possessing many talents. She shares her creative side with the world through her painting - she's an accomplished artist - and storyteller. Though certainly not the limit to her creativity, we'll focus on these at the desk today. Let's get right to the questions, shall we?

~~~

Q & A with Dianne Gardner:

Life experiences mold us as human beings and it would seem moreso for the creatives among us. Your creativity seems to have many veins reaching out into the world around you, Dianne. Tell us, was there a particular life event or series of events that set you on your creative journey?

What I have learned from writing.

When I was young I wrote poetry in order to express my deepest thoughts, make sense of them, validate them, and understand them. Through the years, reflecting on those poems and the moods that inspired them taught me something about the creative process, and creative people

When I was a teenager I used to tell my friends that their (and my) mood swings and depression were the key to creativity. Instead of fighting them, I’d say, we should embrace them. See those dark moments for what they, that is, a time to soul search.

As a much older and hopefully wiser person, I still embrace my moods. They don’t have nearly the swing they used to probably because I have a brighter outlook on life than I did when I was a teenager. But they certainly come in handy during the writing and painting processes.

Having published my first work a year ago I have to say I’ve learned more about writing lately than this teenage tidbit I still hold on to. Though mood swings might be a catalyst to sitting down and writing my heart, I’m finding other avenues of inspiration as well, such as walking in the woods, music, and brainstorming with friends.

I’ve also learned that patience is a top priority to good writing.

I’m on my fourth book now. Each book has been a product of more and more patience than the one before. Not just with editing, but with developing. I’ve found that resting after a scene, taking a walk in the woods, really thinking about the story and the possibilities, can prove to be extremely fruitful.

I have a portfolio now. I’m happy with it, especially since the last of the trilogy is finished. Now I can spend more time developing the craft of writing and story telling than I did when the excitement of being a newly published author was way too overwhelming to contain.

What is one of the most unusual things you have done in your life? 

I lived in a Hogan in the southwest desert. A house made from cedar poles and adobe, we built them ourselves and the Navajos thought ours were so much better than theirs, several of them had us travel (by wagon) to their homes and build a Hogan for them! In trade they would feed us a steady diet of fried bread and mutton stew. While the men were building, I helped herd sheep. Back on our 80 acres of land in an area known as “desolation flats’ we kept 25 horse. Our property was adjacent to BLM land, so it’s like we had the whole blast red-coated dirt laden country to call ours. We herded cattle for the rancher who lived a few miles away.

Do you write a specific genre? Do you have a targeted age group in mind when you write your stories?

I write fantasy, but a lot of it has my own crazy experiences in it. I target teens (especially boys for the Ian’s Realm trilogy)  9 to 90 fantasy.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Study!!! Hone your craft. Join a critique group. Get beta readers. Learn and don’t think you are the best author in the world.

Are there other tips you could give that you learned on your sojourn to your first published novel?

You can’t ever learn too much. Really! You can always get better at your craft so don’t stop learning!  Go to conferences, workshops, find people who write that you admire and learn from them. Read. Read books on writing too.


Another tip is research. I'm a hands on kind of person. In the Ian's Realm trilogy Ian travels to a mountain and eventually has to enter some dark and loathsome caves. My husband and I took a trip to Ape Cave, a lava tube under Mt. St. Helens where you walk a mile in pitch black. What an experience! And it helped to write that part of the story! You see the photographs I took in The Dragon Shield trailer nicely animated by my videographer Alex Chandler.



Another research project I did was help construct a yurt with some SCA reenactor friends.
They made this yurt, the walls and everything
and were excited to set it up for me.

I put the step by step raising of it on my blog for you to see. In the short story Meneka, the native people are shown how to erect a yurt for the first time in their lives by the young wizard. The Realm habitants live in yurts.

I was excited to have my granddaughter invite me to chaperone a field trip on The Hawaiian Chieftan, a tall ship that berths in our waters alongside The Lady Washington (the Intercepter in the Pirates of the Caribbean). That was so much fun and so educational. And it was also so timely because I was in the process of writing about Ian's tall ship adventures with the pirates in Rubies and Robbers!

I love making my books my story.

 

 

~~~

Dianne Gardner's Bio:

She's been a painter all her life having started at the age of 12 under her mother's supervision. Her first private art lesson was with a sculptress in California. Excelling in art in school and on to college, her portfolio includes portraits, inspirational works, and plein air landscapes. She was the portrait painter for the Washington Renaissance Fantasy Fair for several years painting 20 minute oil paintings during the fair. She has just recently started illustrating books, beginning this endeavor with a 9' triptych of Stenhjaert the Dragon, the antagonist in Ian's Realm.


Dianne is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National League of American Pen Women. Besides the Ian's Realm Saga (Deception Peak, The Dragon Shield, and Rubies and Robbers which will be released in 2013) she boasts authorship to four short stories titled A Tale of the Four Wizards Series which interweaves with the Saga.


She writes for middle grade and young adults targeting boys and adventure loving girls, but adults are some of her most zealous fans of all. Her writing definitely falls under the 'family friendly' category!

You'll find Deception Peak, Book I in The Ian's Realm Saga here. 

~~~

If you'd like to connect with Dianne, please click on the links provided below.

Publisher’s website:
http://www.hydrapublications.com/shop/deception-peak/
Official book blog:
http://dragontargeseries.blogspot.com/
Dragon Shield Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c2rm6mGBrM
Website:
http://gardnersart.com
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/TheIansRealmSaga?ref=ts&fref=ts
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/DianneGardner


Finally, to see the book trailer for book 2 in The Ian's Realm Series, "The Dragon Shield" that Dianne mentioned above, check out the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c2rm6mGBrM&feature=player_embedded

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It's been a real pleasure having you here at the desk today, Dianne. Thank you for coming by and sharing your experiences and work with us. It's been informative, enlightening and fun, fun, fun! 

 

 

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*Please note that the photos on todays blog are copyrighted by Dianne Gardner and may not be taken from this blog without her express written permission. Thank you for your integrity.

 

 

 

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