09/04/2015

The Proof is in the Pudding!

I’m sure sure some of you are familiar with that idiom — or, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” as they say in the U.K.! Generally, the saying is attributed to Miguel de Cervantes translation of Don Quixote, written in 1615, “al freir de los huevos lo vera,” (“you will see it when you try to fry the eggs”)! Only a writer would find that amusing!

Regardless of which idiom you are familiar with, the meaning is the same; the end result is the mark of whether something is a success or failure. And so, the PROOF of Phillip’s Quest, Book III: Across the Elusive Sea is done, it looks amazing. The story is exciting, and action packed. Phillip and Dreamspinner are on their way to Winterfrost with a crew of elven pirates, and I couldn’t be more pleased!

Eating the PUDDING, my friends, is up to you! This third adventure will be released in time for the holidays — prior to Thanksgiving — so I hope you will add it to your favorite child’s reading library. That’s really the only way I know whether I did a good job!

Of course, all three Phillip’s Quest books are available on your favorite on-line book seller, as are the two Ragwort Chronicles! So, there you are — chocolate or vanilla? Enjoy!

05/27/2015

What to do? What to do?

Twenty days from today the gang at Winterfros t– Phillip, Dreamspinner, Edward, Llamont, Oli, some of the others and I will be posting the very first craft of the summer! As Edward would say, “Nuts and acorns, that’s exciting!” Right now, the main issue amongst the contributors — all of the above and more, is who goes first. And, I have to make that decision. They all have such good ideas, but I think I am going to use Dreamspinner’s idea. It will be a project that will take you well into the summer months and beyond — hopefully, you will keep it forever!!! Got any idea of what that might be?

Sign up for this page, and you can guess anytime before June 23rd! Just send me a message and if you’re right — there will be a prize! Dreamspinner is a dinosaur, so she likes big prizes and while it may not be big in size, it’a pretty cool!

Here, is a picture of the likeness of Dreamspinner, right after she was repurposed from an old dinosaur toy. Now, she can travel with me wherever I go!

01/03/2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM WINTERFROST!!!

Can I just tell you that the gang at Winterfrost is beyond ecstatic about the New Year! Edward celebrated on mulled acorn juice and, well … Anyways, he’s just waking up! There are so many new adventures that the village is eager to tell, and right now, everyone is talking at once. Oh, my head! But, I’ll let them all get a word in through Phillip and Dreamspinner.

Phillip: Boots ‘n’britches! Another year in a gnome’s life is like ten in human years, so I feel happy and honored to be able to tell you my stories in Phillip’s Quest! That lovely lady, Belinda, is taking the most painstaking care to make sure that she tells about my quest, correctly. We wouldn’t want her to be struck down by a wizard! But..

Dreamspinner: Enough about you, Phillip, MY turn! So, we still are in Winterfrost where it’s terribly cold, but we are moving on with our quest — and yes, Miss Belinda is doing a splendid job! We still have a very long way to go until we find the castle but, we’ll find it! So many new friends to tell you about, so be sure to read the new book, “Above the Stars,” and thank you for letting us be part of 2014! Now onto 2015! Happy New Year! Oh. by the way, that’s Phillip and me going to Chaspere’s castle, above the stars!

Thank you, Phillip, and Dreamspinner.

The next book in the Phillip’s Quest series is “Across the Elusive Sea.” I am very please and proud to announce a new member of the Winterfrost team. She is my cousin, friend and the new illustrator for book three! Her name is Lorraine, and I know that you will love her artwork as much as I do! Welcome, and thank you, Lorraine!

I have not forgotten about the Ragworts, either! While Rawlink is busy defending Twistedoak, his brother Roscoe, is on his way to the Diamond Mines. A very treacherous journey, indeed. Roscoe’s story will be published in June! The Ragwort Chronicles, Along the Way: Roscoe’s Journey.

The Ragwort Chronicles, The Beginning: The Ragworts of Brokenfell

If I can get the fairies, gnomes, squirrels and pirates (did I say pirates?) to cooperate, am hoping to get a Tuber Family and Other Magical Creatures’ Cookbook out! But, in the meantime, if you would like the human consumption version of any of the recipes in the back of the books, let me know! Fill in the request form on the page at this website!

Don’t forget that all books are out in ebook form! In January, Above the Stars is on SALE for $2.99 on Amazon, in ebook!

Winter-time is reading time! Happy New Year!

06/02/2014

New Contests and Give Aways for Phillip’s Quest and the Ragworts

The last post I wrote was how to submit a review on Amazon.com. Like FaceBook and other social media sites, there is a definite algorithm for how they rate their users. None, more evident than Amazon.com. An author must have 40+ reviews on a book, before Amazon even notices them And, they rank an author by the number of those reviews. There are literally millions of authors on Amazon, so you can imagine how difficult it is to move up in rank. The higher the rank, the better the royalty. Right now, “Winterfrost,“has only 8, count em’ 8 reviews of the almost 500 books sold. Phillip is very sad. Just the other day he said to me, “Boots and britches, Miss Belinda, what are we to do?” And Edward…well, you can imagine a squirrel going well, nuts! So, I said, “Guys, I’ll think of something.” Here it is! A CONTEST! 1. Either email, IM or Private Message me through FB and send me your email address after you have written a review on Amazon.com of either “Winterfrost” or “The Ragworts.” 2. After either “WInterfrost” or “The Ragworts” reaches 40 reviews, there will be a random drawing for an: a) FREE First Edition, signed copy of Phillip’s Quest, Book II: Above the Stars, b) a card for a free ebook of your choice from Authorhouse.com and c) a free Autumn Moon Tree, made by Ethora. Check out the Etsy shop!“Nuts and acorns, acorns and nuts, that’s a lot, Miss Belinda!” Edward began running around like a squirrel with peanut butter! “Yes, Edward, it is, but we have to get these folks to write those reviews!” So, folks, please help us get to 40 reviews on Amazon.com and you can win a prize! Only 32 to go! Thanks. xoxox