Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s Name:
Peggy M. McAloon
Brief summary of the story:
Book 1 of the Elle Burton series, Elle Burton and theReflective Portals, is about a young girl who encounters winged
creatures from another dimension on her tenth birthday. Her first encounter is
at Wolske Bay in Menomonie, WI where she captures one of the creatures entering
Earth from a reflective portal (her own reflection in the lake). She is enticed
by these creatures to help them protect the children of Earth by becoming an
Earth Guide.
Being a guide seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. Elle is an
ordinary kid and has always loved helping others; now she’ll have magical
assistance. Not everyone wants her to succeed. There are evil forces that do
everything in their power to keep guides like Elle from offering support to
those in need. Can Elle be brave enough to oppose them?
Brief description of the world or location you created for this
story:
Fiori is unlike any place on earth. There are more
flowers than you have seen in your entire life. Some are as large as a tractor
tires with centers as big as a meat platter. The inhabitants of Fiori live in
rustic stilt houses scattered in and among the flowers where they can gaze down
at the beautiful valleys of flowers below them. There are reflecting ponds
throughout the valley. Fiorins depend on them to travel between Fiori and
Earth. The sky is
burnished with the red, purple, and gold shades of the most spectacular sunsets
imaginable. There are no clouds in the sky and the ground is covered with carpets of orange,
crimson, and yellow. Azaleas, bougainvillea, ice-blue calathea, and thousands
of white kukui blossoms fill the valleys.
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| Amadeus Fighting a Zorin |
If we were to visit Fiori as tourists, what would you recommend
that we see or do there?
Definitely attend an event at Mother Blue’s Temple. The
structure looks like the Doric temples in ancient Greece. Columns
adorn the outer part of the colossal building, reaching up toward the crimson
sky. The structure is completely covered in the softest of
pearl-white flower petals. Enter through the arched entrance to enjoy one of
the many banquets there. Strings of flowers cover the entrance. Brilliant metallic golds adorn the white inner
walls. Golden chandeliers hang from the ceiling and art tapestries
hang on the walls, depicting scenes from Fiori and from the human world.
Taking a ride on the back of a turquoise Truero in a reflective pond is an
absolute must! If you are extremely lucky and Mother Blue is particularly fond
of you, you may be able to tour the land on the back of Pegasus.
What dangers should we avoid in Fiori?
Fiori is bordered on one side by a rugged mountain range where the
Zorins live. The Zorins live in the cliff dwellings there. They resemble an
alligator although they do walk upright on their hind legs towering nearly 10
feet tall. The creatures have soulless sulfur-colored eyes with bulbous
eyelids. They are covered by scales (avocado and tobacco brown with globs
of tarry mucus attached to them). You will immediately notice the dozens of
sharp and horribly stained teeth in their huge mouths if you are unlucky enough
to run into one. No one has ever returned to Fiori after a close
encounter with these creatures. Zorins can take the shape of a human (both
adult and infant), causing confusion for both Fiorins and earthlings. Fiorin
Perimeter Control rules require that you get no closer than 150 yards to the
outer perimeter of Fiori. They can use their uncanny ability to suck in huge
amounts of air and draw in any Fiorins or humans unlucky enough to be near
them.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might
be served in Fiori?
While in Fiori, anything you may need is provided. Whatever your
favorite foods, they will magically appear as desired.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Fiori?
In book one, the only weapons utilized against the Zorins are
wooden poles and spears. Zorins do have deadly reactions to pollen, which is
one of the reasons the valleys of flowers protect the Fiorins. There are no
modern weapons in Fiori.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to
travel in Fiori?
In Fiori the creatures that live there have wings. They need no
other form of transportation. Human Guides who are visiting can travel on the
backs of Pegasus and the Trueros. Otherwise, they can ride in carriages pulled
by giant spiders.
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| a truero |
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we
encounter in Fiori that we don’t see on earth?
Things seem a bit backwards in Fiori compared to Earth. Spiders
are huge and elephants are house pets. The turquoise Trueros are very much like
swans yet they are large enough to carry a human on their back. The plants and
flowers are gigantic compared to their counterparts on Earth. Fiorins, when they
travel through the reflective portals (through the reflections of the children
of Earth), are the size of butterflies in Earth’s dimension, but they are equal
in size to humans in the realm of Fiori. They look very human-like with larger
eyes than humans and wings like a butterfly or fairy. The Zorins have already
been described. They look rather like an alligator but walk on their two hind
legs in an upright manner.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the
lives of people in Fiori? If there is magic, please give some examples of what
it involves or how it’s used.
All Fiorins have the ability to sing a “Siren Song” that can drive
a human insane. They use this to protect children if they have enough time.
They are not allowed to physically harm any human but can inflict temporary
pain to prevent harm to a child under the age of 8. Fiorins are assigned to
every new-born baby on Earth. They breathe the first breath of life into the
child so they will have a kind heart. Some do not make it to the child before
birth because of trickery initiated by the Zorins.
Each Fiorin then has one special power. Amadeus, the warrior, has
the ability to summon huge storms with wind and lightning. Milo is capable of
blowing himself up into a giant sponge to protect children who may fall or be
injured in a car accident.
 |
Medallion on Mother Blue's Necklace
(back) |
 |
Medallion on Mother Blue's Necklace
(front) |
Mother Blue, the Empress of the Fiorin colony in Book 1, has
multiple powers and a bronze necklace that holds the secret to her powers. The
necklace can only be activated by the human guide who has been predicted to
come to Fiori during their 11
th year in the Sacred Scrolls of
Destiny. It has been given to numerous guides in the past, but no one has had
the ability to unleash the magic. No one knows yet the extent of the magic that
the necklace holds.
The necklace had magical powers only for Mother Blue and the "chosen one" as predicted in the Sacred Scrolls. The chosen would accomplish 3 major challenges during his/her 11th year. Mother Blue had loaned the bronze pendant to other guides, but no one had yet been able to unleash the magic. Now it's Elle's turn to try.
There is a magic fountain in Mother Blue’s Temple. She is able to
look into it on the day a child reaches the age of 8 to determine what the
future holds for them on Earth.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Fiori? If you
haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
When you think of Fiori, think of the Garden of Eden. Magic
exists, but there is no modern technology.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available
for entertainment in Fiori.
Fiorins are a very simplistic race. They turn huge flowers into
May poles and swings with the assistance of spider webs. They also fashion
elevators utilizing spider webs. They live in the natural surroundings and
revel in food, dance, and song.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Fiori
as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
A brief second on Earth is the equivalent of hours and hours in
Fiori. Most Fiorins are thousands of years old in Earth time. They do not marry
as do the people of Earth. They consider themselves to be part of one huge
family. The days are continuous. Night never falls. The sky is filled with the
colors of the most vibrant sunset you have ever seen. Fiorins acknowledge
holidays celebrated in all countries on Earth but they do not celebrate any
specific Fiorin holidays. Celebrations are spontaneous when an Earth Guide has
a major victory against evil.
What is an Earth Guide?
Earth Guides are chosen by Mother Blue through her knowledge
gained through the magic fountain. They are humans who are able to move
throughout Earth through a wish. Fiorins can only travel on a wish with an
Earth Guide. The Human Guides are the only ones (other than some children under
the age of 8) who can see the Fiorins on Earth. It is their responsibility to
offer whatever assistance the Fiorins may require to protect the children of
Earth. Guides are life-long assistants but they do have free-will and can
decide to quit if they so desire. All memories of Fiori and the winged
creatures will then disappear from their memory.
Are there any other creatures that assist the Fiorins?
Fiorins have the ability to communicate with all animals on Earth.
They also employ messengers to carry messages between Fiorins and Earth Guides.
(We know these messengers as carrier pigeons, although other birds can carry
messages in times of great need)
Is there a particular religion practiced in Fiori?
We are not aware of any particular religion in Book 1 of the
series other than a tremendous respect for the environment.
What is the political or government structure in Fiori? Who is in
charge there at the moment and what kind of leader is she?
All Fiorins are equal. The leader is Mother Blue. She has the
undying love and support of all her subjects. She leads with compassion and
love for all Fiorins and the people of Earth. This is how it has been for
centuries and no one questions her authority or knowledge. She acts more as a
mother figure than an absolute ruler. Free-will is encouraged.
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Bellengrath Gardens, AL: Similar to the Land of Fiori
|
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures,
etc. in your book?
I would have to say that everything in my life has inspired the
realm of Fiori. I was raised in a very religious home. Most of our activities
outside of school were centered in the church. I loved the stained glass
windows; most especially the one that had a beautiful angel. The Fiorins are
based on my childhood vision of what my guardian angel might look like. Fiori
is a combination of my vision of what I believe heaven might be like and a
section of walkway in Bellengrath Gardens in Mobile, AL that are alive with
azaleas in the spring of the year. Flowers of every description adorn the
property and it is as close to what I would hope heaven would look like as
anything I have ever seen next to the tulip fields in the Netherlands.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on
in your book?
Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals is about a young girl who
has been chosen as a Guide at a very young age. She faces the challenges of
bullying and parental abuse in this first book. As a victim of child abuse I
understand how terrifying the threats are that a child is subjected to. It is
my hope that we can inspire children through storytelling to trust enough to
find an adult who can help them as Olivia did when she finally admitted to Elle
why she was hiding in the bathroom at school. This is a different
approach to the problems of bullying and abuse. Children are more aware of
these issues than we give them credit for. The protagonist, Elle Burton is a
normal young girl who can inspire kids to stand up to bullying and abuse and
become more empowered than they have ever been before through a delightful and
believable fantasy.
 |
| Peggy McAloon |
Author Autobiography:
Author Peggy McAloon retired from the field of commercial credit,
is the author of The Art of Business Credit Investigation, and
is a recognized trainer and speaker. She enjoys
watercolor art and has received national awards for her efforts in the
conservation of water resources. Her own journey through child abuse,
depression, and a debilitating car accident elevated her desire to help
children cope with their challenges in such a way that they are inspired and
empowered.
 |
| Peggy McAloon with Anneka Rogers |
Eleven year-old Anneka Rogers acted as a consultant on the book.
Her insistence that the class bully be “saved” provides the framework for one
of the most exciting chapters in the book. Anneka is eleven years old and has
participated in Tour Cross Country Team, CORE Values Program, Battle of the
Books, 4-H, and Running Club.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?
“Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals” is available in both e-book
($2.99) and soft-cover ($13.95)
Where can readers connect with you online?
