Today it's my pleasure to spotlight a young adult fantasy novel by my author friend Peggy McAloon. Make sure you enter the giveaway at the bottom!
-Annie
The first book in my Elle Burton Series, Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals, is now available! Click here for more information and to view it online. It's also available in paperback from Amazon.com and from other retailers and bookstores.
Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals is a delightful
fantasy about a young girl recruited by winged creatures from another dimension
to help them protect the children of Earth.
As a Guide to the Fiorins, Elle experiences tremendous loss,
joy, and incredible evil as she struggles on her crusade to protect other
children.
Her journey to adulthood begins in book one as she discovers
magical foot lockers, spider elevators, an enchanted bronze pendant, and the
beloved Pegasus.
Elle struggles with the loss of her father, who was
stationed in Afghanistan. She is challenged to address bullying, abuse, and
other issues that children everywhere encounter on a daily basis. Journey with
her as she faces the three challenges predicted in the ancient writings of the
prophet of Fiori. Will Elle turn out to be the child who will change the world
as predicted in the sacred scrolls? Will she complete three challenges by her
11th birthday? She is aided on her quest by the Fiorin warrior
Amadeus.
Elle Burton and the
Reflective Portals is true fantasy, written in a language that will make
sense to today’s youth. With secret friends, winged creatures that resemble guardian
angels, talking animals, spider elevators, a magic pendant and flowers as big
as tractor tires, this book contains everything to capture the imagination of
children everywhere.
Elle Burton will inspire children to reach their highest
potential and to protect themselves from the real and imagined dangers that
exist in the difficult world we live in.
Q: Why did you decide to write a fantasy for
children?
A: As a person who suffered abuse as a child, it
was my vision to write a delightful story that kids would enjoy; a story that
would empower them to seek help if being hurt. I also wanted to inspire those
children who enjoy a safe and loving environment to be able to recognize kids
in trouble and attempt to help them. The statistics on abuse and bullying are
staggering. It was time to develop a story about a child who exhibits the kinds
of behavior that every parent wants their child to develop. Elle is a modern
day role model who has faced her own challenges and recognizes the problems
that her friends face on a daily basis.
Q: Who does this book appeal to?
A: My intent was to provide an engaging fantasy
that would be enjoyed by children from age 10 – 19. Elle is only ten as book 1
begins, but the series will follow her to adulthood. What has amazed me with
beta readers is mothers and grandmothers have enjoyed the book as much as
children ages 11-13 who have read it. One grandmother told me she cried while
an 11 year-old laughed animatedly as she talked about Jimmy Backus the class
bully.
Q: When will the next book be available?
A: I have about 120 pages of book 2 already
written. The editing process took much longer than I had envisioned on book 1,
but I expect book 2 to be available by the end of 2014. There will also be
short story additions to the book on my website plus Elle is writing a
cookbook. She has already released two chapters of the cookbook to people who
have registered at my website: http://peggymcaloon.com/
There will be a free pdf version of the book available on my
website for a limited period of time, starting the end of May, 2014.
About the Author
Peggy Mound McAloon is a recognized watercolor artist who has received national awards for her efforts in the conservation of water resources. Her journey through child abuse, depression and a debilitating car accident elevated her desire to help children cope with their challenges.
She attended the University of Northern Iowa on Scholarship
from the Miss Washington Pageant. The majority of her career was spent as the
National Account Manager for a division of the National Association of Credit
Management, helping commercial credit managers through trainings, seminars, and
an array of services. Her previous book, The
Art of Business Credit Investigation was published under the name Peggy
Mound and is now out-of-print. (Highlighted in Inc. Magazine)
In addition to watercolor, she enjoys an array of crafts and
is an avid reader. She has been a contributor to Fox , NBC, and ABC News. She
as served her local community as a columnist to the Dunn County News for many
years and is active in efforts to raise scholarship funds for young women. She
is a founding member of the Women’s Giving Circle of the Community Foundation
of Dunn County.
Connect with Peggy M. McAloon:
Blog: http://peggymcaloon.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/peggymcaloon
Twitter: @peggymcaloon
Now, enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card and a signed
copy of “Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals!
3 comments:
Thanks for sharing on Whatever Wednesday on Thank You Honey!
This sounds like a great read for our Bignificent. Love reading your review. Thanks for sharing at Booknificent Thursday
I think I'd really enjoy this series. Looking forward to reading it! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday! Looking forward to seeing you again this week!
Tina
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