Monday, December 19, 2011

Star-Crossed Rascals has been added to 5StarBooks. Yay

What a surprise this morning to recieve an email to say my book:  
Star-Crossed Rascals has been added to the website 5StarBooks. I'm thrilled! Click on the logo below and it will take you there to see. Or click on my book tittle above to go to Amazon books or 5StarBooks to go to their website.


Here is the Book that was chosen:

Paperback version on Amazon Books:



eBook Version on Amazon Kindle


To go to the book sellers just click on the book covers.









Saturday, December 17, 2011

Rascals do their Happy Dance




Yay! Pollyweena and Gertie are doing their happy dance because their latest book:
Rascals Sing at The Opera House is starting to sell on Amazon.

Even Mange is excited and is waggling his butt!




Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Friday, December 9, 2011

Little Girl with Alopecia Areata


I wrote Velvet Ball and The Broken Fairy, as a paperback and eBook. This is the story about a nine-year-old girl with Alopecia Areata  I'd heard that many children with this problem get bullied and ridiculed at school, so I wanted other children to be aware of the plight of a bald child, and the things they have to cope with. But I also wanted this story to be a happy story, one where children accept and love themselves the way they are, and for other children to accept and love other children with differences. To do this I created Roseberry, a dysfunctional and bossy little sprite, who also gets bullied because she doesn't know how to use her magic.


As I began writing this story, the two characters took over and the story unfolded without me knowing where it was going. Even I was entertained and surprised by the events that unfolded and the characters that emerged.

I think Velvet and Roseberry must be hanging around at the moment and must want their story told because suddenly I'm selling quite a few of these books, both in paperback and ebooks. I've sold many author copies myself, but now buyers are coming from unknown readers, so I'm sure the girls are out and about. If you've read the story you'll understand why, but I can't tell you because I'd give the ending away.

However, I'll post the most popular review from Amazon below. And if anyone knows of a child with Alopecia and would like a free eBook just ask in the comments below. I'll also give a paperback of this story to the first person who gives a new, verified review on Amazon or Smashwords and then post the link in the comments or connect with me on Goodreads.

Here is the review from Amazon:
Quote{
5.0 out of 5 starsQuirky & delightful - a great readNovember 20, 2010By
Elizabeth SwigarAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)This review is from: Velvet Ball and The Broken Fairy (Velvet and Roseberry) (Kindle Edition)In this book, the plot centers around two characters - a little girl with alopecia, and a fairy who can't do magic. Both are bullied, both are feisty, and both stick to their guns. Both discover hidden powers within themselves that they never new existed - powers they never would have known about had they not crossed paths. The end comes with several twists and turns that I did not expect, and the author resolves the issue of whether Velvet should accept her baldness or rebel against it quite nicely. 
The story takes place in a small town in Australia. Certain details are quite charming for a US reader like me, such as the appearance of native animals like butcher birds and kangaroos. The setting is well brought to life and the descriptions of the school remind me of my own elementary days. I love a strong female heroine, and this book offers two. Interactions between the two contribute to their wonderful character arcs. Conversation between them, and among the secondary characters, feels natural. I particularly like Velvet's surprising mother, who appears in the story in unexpected ways, and her father, who breaks the mold for the traditional masculine father. The author treats these characterizations gently, incorporating them into the plot in a natural way that I find charming. 
This book is good for all readers, full of humor and enough gross-out details to charm any child or adult reader who enjoys children's books. Faced-paced and quirky, the author's style is firmly entrenched in Velvet's voice, making us feel as though Velvet wrote the book. 
Highly recommended. 
A wonderful read from start to its surprising finish. A fairy tale about a medical condition - what could be better?} End quote.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Boofhead and Beanie's Christmas Greeting



 
Beanie & Boofhead 
   wish you a
Merry Christmas 
       and a 
Happy New year.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Save a Macropod Joey


I love Macropods 



Macropods are: Kangaroos, Wallabies, Padamelons, Potaroos, and more. 

In our garden, we have many Red-necked Wallabies and Grey Kangaroos. Though we live in the bush, we're not that far from a busy highway, and sadly we see many dead native animals on the roads. I know this can't be avoided, but when it comes to my tiny village, it breaks my heart to think that these precious animals get run over when the speed limit is only 30 kilometres per hour. Still, it's not always possible to avoid the roos at dusk when they sometimes leap out in front of a moving car, even if the driver is going slow. However, we've lost many due to people refusing to slow down. And it's sad to think that that little animal could have had a wonderful life, and sometimes there's a joey in the pouch.

When a Macropod has been killed it's often possible to save  joey that is still in its mother's pouch. This can be gruesome and it's understandable that folks don't want to touch, or go near the dead animal, but please take the time to phone a wildlife rescue in your area because if there is a living baby in the pouch it will most likely die a slow and painful death from hunger and exposure. Plus it could be injured and in pain.

If you're able to rescue the joey, please don't pull the joey away from the mother if he's still suckling from the teat because this might tear the roof of the joey's mouth and then he may not survive. If he's not suckling, take him out and wrap him in a towel, blanket or tea-shirt to keep him warm until you find a wildlife rescuer or a vet. Most vets don't charge a fee to the public for the treatment off wildlife. Do not feed the joey cows milk, just keep him warm and get him to a vet or a wildlife carer ass soon as possible.

I'm a member of a wildlife rescue and recently I was called out to collect a joey that had been bouncing around a property for two day after its mother was killed. It had no food and was suffering from hunger and exposure, but died on the grass before I arrived. So if you see a joey without a mother, please call a wildlife rescue for help. You may save a precious life.

Here are some photos of the Red-necked wallabies and Kangaroos in my garden:

  
 

 

Sorry about this, but recently, on my morning walk in my small village,  I came across this poor wallaby and her little joey that had probably been hit by a car. Unfortunately, the joey had been pulled from the mother's pouch by a large bird, though it looked like the poor little guy had already been badly injured.


It broke my heart, knowing these beautiful little animals could have lived a wonderful life. The speed limit in our country village is 30 kilometres per hour, not sixty or seventy and we often have folks speeding. Many animals are just left to perish, without first checking the mother's pouch, though many kind folks have accidently hit animals even doing the correct speed. Those wonderful people contacted us and the joeys were saved. 

Here are two joeys that were saved and lived.




Here are phone numbers to keep for wildlife rescues in NSW Australia:

Taronga Wildlife Clinic, via Zoo switchboard: 02 99692777 press 0 for operator
WIRES Sydney: 1300 094737
SydneyMetWildlife: 9413 4300 
FAWNA (Mid North Coast: 6584141
Wires Nambucca: 6564 8661
Wires Tamworth: 1300 131 554
Wires Coffs Harbour: 66527119
Native Animal Trust (Hunter) 0418 628 483
Wildlife Aid (Singleton, Musw, Scone) 0447 667737
Wildlife Arc Central Coast: 4325 0666
Nth Tablelands Wildlife Armidale: 1800 008 290
National Parks and Wildlife Hunter HQ : 4984 8200
Koala Preservation society - Port Macquarie: 6584 1522
Koalas in Care Taree: 6552 2183




Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Paperback Giveawy for Rascals Sing at The Opera House

I'm doing a Paperback Give-away for my new book: 
Rascals Sing at The Opera House 

I'm giving away two paperback copies over at Goodreads, so be sure to come on over and enter. Plus, if you'd like a free eBook of this story, post on here, email me, or send me a message at Goodreads and I will give you a discount code to download a free eBook on Smashwords.

To enter the paperback Give-away, just click on the link in the Goodreads post on the right of this blog on the sidebar.

Good luck!
Pollyweena Grubble

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Belly Gut Cakes


Gertie decided to cook cupcakes for play-lunch
But there wasn't any flour.
So she mixed all the yummies into a bunch
And had it cooked within an hour.

Gertie's Belly Gut Cakes

Ingredients:

One cup full of raw oats
One cup of sultanas
One cup of dried apricots
One cup of sunflower seeds
One cup of Oat-bran
One cup of shredded coconut
1/2 a cup of crushed nuts 
4 weetbix
1 raw egg
Seven tablespoons off melted coconut oil
Three tablespoons of honey

Mix ingredients in a bowl, then place in cupcake papers and cook in oven for 20 minutes on a medium heat.


When the cakes were cool
Gertie took them all to school
And when she'd eaten all the nuts
She got a rotten belly guts.






Sunday, November 6, 2011

Rascals Sing at The Opera House, available as a Paperback


Rascals Sing at The Opera House is now available as a paperback on Amazon books. I had to hurry and write this story because some of my favourite fans kept asking for the sequel to Star-Crossed Rascals. I hope this book makes them laugh as much as the first in the series, and I already have a plot for the third book. But first, I have to finish the sequels to Velvet Ball and Molly Gumnut. I can't have Molly and Velvet getting jealous of Polly and Gertie because I'd never hear the end of it. I had so  much fun writing this story, but even more fun drawing the illustrations, though they took me forever. And to think five years ago, I didn't even know where commas went or how to spell. Now I've self-published four children's books as well as drawn my own illustrations and written songs and poetry for all my characters. This book is dedicated to all those children out there that struggled to learn like I did. And for all those kids that had embarrassing accidents at school like I did. You're never too old, or too young to learn anything. Follow your dreams, children and pay attention in school. And if your teacher won't teach you, turn her into a wicked witch in your book. LOL.

Here is the link to the paperback at Amazon Books: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1466471859And 

Here is the link to the eBook on Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Rascals-House-Adventures-Gertie-ebook/dp/B00622EMW2


This book was inspired by the things that happened to me as a small child at school. Here is a photo of my very first classroom and in it sits my best friend. Unfortunately, I can't bee seen in this photo as I was probably at the other side of the classroom, but I'll post a picture of me below.


My best friend is sat at the table on the top left. She's the girl with a bow and pointing at a reading card. She's sat next to the little boy with blonde curly hair. My best friend inspired Gertie, and yes, we really did go to a singing festival and I really did have to mime. My voice was horrible, but I so loved to sing. I was only allowed to stay in the choir if I promised to mime. Which I did, but I got into trouble from my teacher for wobbling my head like an Opera Singer. She said I was over acting. Though it wasn't the teacher from kindergarten. That teacher was wonderful, it was a later teacher. I also really did stink out the classroom, but to find out how, you'll have to read the book.


This is me as the rascal who inspired Polly.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Rascals Sing at The Opera House Now available as eBook

Finally, Rascals Sing at The Opera House is now available as an eBook with Amazon Kindle and on Smashwords for $0.99

The paperback version will be available very soon, hopefully this week on Amazon Books as are my other three books, and also with amazon Kindle.

This is the second book in The rascals series. The first book is Star-Crossed Rascals. Here is a link to my Smashwords page: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TrishaPuddle


Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/100658

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Rascals+Sing+at+The+opera+House&x=0&y=0

Monday, October 24, 2011

Another 5 Sar Review for Star-Crossed Rascals


Yay! I received yet another 5 Star review from a reader on Smashwords today. Here it is:

Polly and Gertie are best friends forever. They do everything together, whether it is disgusting like chewing bubblegum they have just picked up on the street or riding a bike like crazy.
Polly does get upset with Gertie for being silly or being totally careless when Polly thinks taking a risk is totally unnecessary. However, everything always works out between the two of them. (not going to give out any spoilers here)
When we meet Polly, her parents are away so auntie Mabel looks after her for the time being. However her aunt isn’t the best possible choice for a babysitter, which makes Polly’s life miserable and extremely difficult. Aunt Mabel doesn’t even try to understand Polly and can’t stand Gertie around Polly, blaming her for all the trouble Polly gets into. But telling the truth, when it comes to trouble Polly is as creative as Gertie.
Polly’s story made me laugh like crazy & made me cry at the end of the book.
This girl reminds me so much of another little girl I remember from my childhood. Little red Scandinavian rascal named Pippi.
Patricia Puddle did an excellent job at portraying friendship between two girls who aren’t into ballet & doll house parties. Their friendship is not easy but real friendships never are and they usually require a lot of unconditional acceptance.
Polly and Gertie’s friendship is realistic, they have ups & downs but most importantly one loves another and they are there for each other.
The book is a fantastic read for kids age 5-13 (not to put any crazy ideas into little kid’s minds ☺).
I would recommend “Star – Crossed Rascals” also to parents, teachers & librarians.

And here is the link to Smashwordshttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/65250

The sequel: Rascals Sing in the Opera House will be available very soon.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

The Minds of Little Children



My fourth book Rascals Go to the Opera House is finally completed. The illustrations took me as long as writing the story, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

I hope children and adults like this chapter book for reluctant readers as much as
Star-Crossed Rascals, but I couldn't help myself, I made it quite gross. I guess I'm still that seven-year-old child with memories as clear as clean water, though my short term memory is slipping a little.

When I was a small child, I often had little mishaps at school and I guess most children do at some stage. But this is rarely spoken about by children because of the embarrassed. I know I was so embarrassed sometimes that I refused to go to school. I would chuck a tantrum and use every excuse from tummy ache to complaining that my pigtails didn't match or my socks were uneven. When that didn't work, I would make myself sick.



I had a teacher that refuse to let children go to the bathroom unless it was recess. I guess that doesn't happen these days, but it was terrible when it happened to me. I was a small child and seemed to have a tiny bladder. I could never wait until playtime. One day after an accident, I came up with a brilliant idea - or so I thought. Hiding behind the coat racks at the back of the classroom, I waited until everyone went out to play. Then I stuffed my wet underpants down the back of the school radiator.Yay! I thought. They'll dry there. Lucky for me, I had my gym shorts in my bag, but no way could I play handstands with my friends. I told them I had a tummy ache. LOL.

Though I thought I had solved my problem of the day, I had created a big one. Of course when I sneaked back to my classroom before the other children, my underpants were warm and dry. Yay! I outsmarted the kids that usually teased me. I put them on and sat at my desk with a smug grin on my face. Well, that is until the teacher started sniffing the air. A minute later, the headmistress came into the room and wrinkled her nose. She immediately opened a window and said the classroom stunk. Then she asked us all which one of us had wet their pants. Yipes! I couldn't smell anything. Were they talking about me? I hadn't realised that the steam from the drying underpants had lingered in that classroom. I was terrified.



Then to make matters worse, a boy put his hand up and suggested to the headmistress that it was most probably me as I often had an accident. I was indignant. I stood up and yelled that it wasn't me and when the teacher checked my pants, she found that I was dry. Yes! I'd outsmarted them all, but by the skin of my tiny teeth.

The teachers never found out who's stunk out the classroom, but through my school years I had many odd accidents. Like the day I thought the linen towel, hanging from the wall would make a great swing. I was still only seven and tiny for my age, but while I was swinging  too and fro, the darn container broke from the wall and landed on my head. Yipes! There was a huge hole in the wall and I was covered in grey dust and rubble, not to mention a big bump on my head as big as an egg. Only my best friend saw this happen and she steered me away before I got caught. Once again, I outsmarted the teachers as they thought it had just fallen from the wall.


The name my teacher used to address me was Wish-washy. That name stuck for years and I came to believe I was a bit thick as I had many occurrences like these. (Which are all made into the fictitious children's stories in my Lovable Rascals series. Star-Crossed Rascals is the first and Rascals Sing at The Opera House is the second and due out very soon.)

It was at this age that I had to have a few childhood operations, so I missed out quite a bit of my schooling, which set me behind in my lessons. I couldn't keep up with my classmates and that teacher was no help at all. She often sent me to sit outside the principal's office instead of keeping me in at recess and teaching me what I'd missed and needed to learn, like reading and writing. Of course, being the little weirdo I was, and still am, I learned to cope by making my classmates laugh. This brought me many friends an made my childhood years happy ones. I lived in England until I was twelve, then moved to Australia and while I was on a website a year ago, I came across one of my old friends from my childhood. This fellow now hosts my website. What a fun world cyberspace is.

As I grew up, I realised I wasn't thick at all, just uneducated. So I went and educated myself to the best of my ability, but I still wanted to make kids laugh, so when I write my children's stories, I add things that children actually do. Some of these things are quite gross and I've even had one man tell me that he wouldn't let his grandchildren read books such as mine - meaning ones that talk about toilet habits and cheeky children.



LOL. Well, my books are not for everyone, but so far my fans love them. Children love to read gross things and even if some parents won't let them read such books, they'll hunt them down in libraries and even at schools. I've had many teachers and librarians tell me that the reluctant readers love them. I even had a wonderful review from a lady with an autistic boy who wouldn't read, but is now one of my best fans.

That's my only aim with my books, to make people laugh, mainly children. Though I have many pensioner fans as they love small books with larger writing and the slap-stick humour of my stories.

I'd love you to comment and let me know what you think about gross children's book.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Author Interview (in South American Rainforest Indy Style) with Chrissy Peebles




Here's my weird and wonderful interview with one of my favourite authors, Chrissy Peebles. And would you believe it takes place in the South American Rainforest - Indiana Jones Style - Cyberspace of course.

Hi Chrissy. What on earth have you got me into, dragging me into a cyberspace version of the South American Rainforest? You know I'm allergic to insects. Ouch! Splat! That mosquito was enormous and it just bit me.

Hi Trish! You are such a wimp. Now put you're protection hat back on and let's dive into the world of Indiana Jones

Hugh? Are we going on a treasure hunt for Indy’s golden idol? *birds squawk, insects buzz, mist swirls, and sunlight streams through the rainforest canopy*

Thanks for interviewing me out here in the rainforest. I hope it wasn’t an inconvenience, Trish.

Well. I only took a cyber-train, cyber-plane,cyber- jeep, cyber-canoe and sailed down a cyber-river loaded with piranhas, hippos, and crocs. But anything to promote your book, right? *big grin* You owe me girl. I'm covered in cyber-bites.

*Motions around* Oh, don't be such a meanie bum, I thought this would be the perfect spot for the spirit of my book since it takes place in the jungle. Anyway, I just read your new book that's coming out any time soon. And it was full of gross stuff. I could hardly eat my dinner with some of the things Aunt Mabel cooked for that Pollyweena kid. So you ow me, Patricia Puddle.

*Smacks giant blowfly* Okay, okay, you don't have to shove me. I'll do it, I'll pretend it's great to be here on your stupid little expedition, but I’m allergic to insects, eww. I hope we find the hidden temple, and soon. *Big sigh* So let’s start this interview, shall we? Go ahead tell me about your book.

I’d love too. My book is called Agartha's Castaway. Three teenagers are shipwrecked in a strange tropical jungle…hey, kind of like this one.

*Yipes!* Uh, oh. I read your book. There better not be T-rexes in this jungle. Anyway, how does your novel differ from all the other YA books out there?

I think what makes the novel unique and different is the way it crosses dinosaurs with UFOs. It’s kind of like Jurassic Park MEETS Independence Day with Twilight-like romance.

I love the genre-bending. So what’s your favorite movie song?

It’s…uh, Trish, why are you staring at me like that?

Well, um, Chrissy, I’m trying not to stare but you’re wearing a rough, snapped brim brown fedora, safari clothes, boots, and a leather coat. I always knew you were a little weirdo like me.

Oh, what, this get up? I’m Indy. *Smiles and cracks a whip* Well, this outfit sure goes along with my favorite movie song--Indiana Jones. I also like Star Wars, Jurassic Park and The Neverending Story.

Sing in the rain or dance in the streets?

*Thunder cracks in the distance complete with pouring rain and flashing lightning.* 
Oh, poo! My hair is wet now. Oh, well I'll sing you the theme song to Indiana Jones, then.

*smiles* I always knew you liked to sing, and you’re awesome, but could you try to sing a little bit better. You sound like Pollyweena Grubble, the MC in my upcoming children’s book. Her singing is so bad, she asked to mime.

Ha, ha. Hey,your mascara is running.

Poo! it was supposed to be waterproof. Oh, well, at least I don’t look like a drowned rat like you. So Chrissy. Tell everyone what makes you unique? Then they can have a good laugh like me. LOL.

Duh! We’re having an interview in the rain in the middle of the jungle aren’t we? I guess I’d have to say my imagination and humor.

Don’t forget the big wooden spoon you use, Chrissy.

What?

For poo stirring. Hahahaha.  Sorry, now you can tell everyone something that you’re really good at?

*Adjusts wide-brimmed fedora* Why I give the best shots in the world.

What? And you’re proud of that?

Giving shots with no pain is a skilled craft. I swear I’ve given 5,000 of them in my nursing career.

*Covers butt* Okay, well just don’t think about giving me one. How can you drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it?

Concrete floors are very hard to crack!

Funny girl! But guess what? I’ve actually cracked a concrete floor. Yes I have. When I was helping my husband to build our full brick house in the country. We did everything, just the two of us, and I cracked the slab when we poured the concrete, so there.

*Ducks under giant fern and smiles* Ah, you always have to be the best. Now, you’re stealing my lime light too, you bozo!!!

Well, you’re making me romp around the jungle. But sorry, I forgot this was your interview. Let’s continue, shall we? What if we run into a tiger or a giant anaconda?

Trust me.

Hey, isn’t that what Indy always says? Okay, next question. If you could be any character from the X-men, who would it be?

Think blue skin. Yellow eyes. Mutant shape shifter. I’d live in the Marvel universe, home to the most kick-butt superheroes in the galaxy. Any idea who I’m talking about? *smiles* Yep! Mystique from the X-men.

How about if you could be one of the characters from Lost?

Oh! I’d love to be Kate Austen. (Evangeline Lilly) She knows how to track people, goes on dangerous excursions, she works hard, kicks butt…and the chick just rocks!

Hang on, I'll just move this branch aside. Oh, cripes!  There's a horrific stone sculpture of a Chachapoyan demon. and those vines and leaves are covering me. Geese, that black entrance looks like it's designed to look like open jaws. Chrissy, surely we’re not going in there? The freaking place is covered in spider webs!

Yep, we’re going in! So channel your “inner Laura Croft”. Or distract yourself by giving me the next question. *carries torch as she walks up the twisting, narrow passage from the main entrance. It’s wet, dark, and hanging with plants and stalactites. Whistling drafts and dripping water fill the air*
*Gasps* Oh my gosh, Trish, there's a big, hairy tarantula crawling up on my arm.

*Whack!* Don't be a baby. It's nothing more than a fly. I’m more freaked out by  those thousands of  snakes hissing and slithering everywhere.

I would like to now tell everyone that I’ll take snakes any day over spiders!

Dually noted!

Here's a torch, Trish. Wave it at anything that slithers.

Snakes. Why'd it hafta be snakes? *CLANG! Giant spikes spring together* Eeeeuuuew! I had to jump out of the way then. I think I hate booby traps even more!

Hey! Like you told me, don't be a baby.

*Points* But there's a skeleton impaled on that spike! We can’t go any further.

Now, Trish, we don't want to be discouraged by every little thing.

Okay, now you sound like the famous Indiana Jones himself. Okay, we need to be extra careful. And we really need to get on with this interview. Burger King or McDonalds?

I like the loaded Whopper better than the Big Mac and- *lets out long scream*

*Without warning Chrissy and Trish fall down a set of narrow stairs.*

Ouch! Shine the torch down here, will ya Chrissy? I think I broke something.

*shines torch downward as two idiots scream*

The floor is covered in human skeletons! I wanna go home. It’s dark, there’s spiders…and human bones. *crunching with each step* I’m not sure I’m liking your fantasy. So what made you become a fantasy writer anyway?

I love all genres. But to me, there’s no greater genre than fantasy. I also love that in fantasy I can push the envelope outside normal boundaries.

Push the envelope? Well, you certainly do that in all of your stories. And even here in real life, like bringing me out here to die in some Egyptian temple.

*Chrissy chuckles* No one is dying today.

*Chrissy motions inside a large, domed room with ten skylights shining beams on a black and white tiled floor* Let’s go inside! *walks to jeweled idol sitting on a polished stone altar* The statue, it's beautiful! Isn’t it, Trish?

Wow! We’re going to be rich!

*Chrissy reaches in jacket for a small canvas bag; and begins filling it up with dirt* Trust me, everything’s going to be okay. *Chrissy’s hands slowly inch closer toward idol*

Trust you, you greedy pig. Anyway, your hands are shaking. If you mess up, we’re dead. Try to distract yourself. Why don’t you tell me about your next project?

Good distraction. I have written the sequel to Agartha’s Castaway. I hope to have it out on Amazon Kindle soon. And I am ¾ of the way through a new adventure fantasy called, The Ruby Ring. It’s about a twenty-one year old girl named Sarah Larker who returns to a cave where her sister disappeared five years earlier. She walks through a portal and is mistaken for a runaway princess on the run by a dangerous Immortal king in medieval times. Her plan is bold as well as daring—become this princess, wed the king, and slip on an ancient wedding ring that will unlock the portal. Then find her sister and run as fast as she can out of Dodge. But taking on the identity of Princess Gloria comes along with dangerous consequences; and slipping on the ruby ring comes with an even higher price.

Chrissy, don’t take this the wrong way but you’re not exactly inspiring confidence with all those beads of sweat rolling down your face. You sure this is going to work?

Why wouldn't it? Keep me distracted by asking more questions. *makes the switch and grabs the idol*

Vampires or werewolves?

Definitely vampires. I have a thing for boys who sparkle.

*The cave rumbles and shakes* Hey! The swap didn’t work Chrissy!

Oops! *a huge boulder (form-fitted perfectly to the passageway) speeds toward us* Uh, Trish, we have a little problem.

*Gulps* Little?

 Oh, crap! Runaway boulder. Run, Trish, run!

*Trish runs like hell.* You bloody idiot. I knew I shouldn’t have come here. What? You’re trying to kill me and I haven’t even published my next book yet. Goodonya! *Boulder passes by. *runs out of cave, brushing off dirt and pulling twigs out of her hair* That was close Chrissy! Let’s move on to the next question so I can get out of this nightmare. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

The Galapagos Islands. You can swim with giant mantas, turtles, dolphins, tuna, sea lions, and let’s not forget about the 32 species of sharks! White tip reef sharks, whale sharks, bull sharks, and large schools of hammerhead sharks swim throughout the clear waters.

Yipes! What about sharks? Your not scared of sharks?

No way. I think I’m more likely to be killed by lightning or a bee sting than by a shark attack. Swimming with sharks would be such a blast!

Yipes! *Native warriors in full battle paint carry long blow guns. A white man named Belloq dressed in safari gear speaks with a French accent.*

“Chrissy, you choose the wrong friends. This time it will cost you,” said Belloq. *Chrissy hands Belloq the idol*

“Chrissy, who is this weasel?” 

“My competitor, stupid.”

“So, Chrissy,” said Belloq. “I have an interview question for you. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Chrissy bites lip. “Super strength to kick your butt.”

“Yeah that would come in handy right about now,” said Trish.

“And you thought I'd given up,” said Belloq.

Chrissy (eyeing the natives) “Too bad they don't know you like I do, Belloq.”

(smiles) “Yes, too bad. You could warn them... if only you spoke Hovitos.” Belloq looks at the natives. “Kill them!”

Chrissy and Trish exchange a glance. *they bolt into the jungle as a rainstorm of poison darts and spears pass over their heads.

“Yipes! Chrissy, You never told me this interview would entail cliff diving! You know I’m a big coward and scaredy cat.

Sorry Trish. *angry yells radiate from the jungle* Jump into the river!

Do you like to sing in the shower?

Y----E----S! *voice echoes as Chrissy jumps off cliff*

SPLASH! Chrissy and Trish swim to the seaplane! *more arrows whiz past head as Trish climbs onto seaplane* Why did I agree to do this interview with you?

Because you love me? *smiles*

Trish pushes Chrissy. “Always”, bestest friend, but I don’t know why. We didn’t even get the golden idol.

Plane speeds off over the jungle.


Phew! Now that we're back at my place, Chrissy, how about we check out you book trailer? I bet it's over the top like you and your book.

Yep!

All righty then, let's play it. Got any popcorn? Here's the book trailer: http://youtu.be/viwT0M8Ms_g

Sheesh! I'd hate to be those teenagers and I better not see a darn dino or UFO, Chrissy

Oh, I better tell folks where they can buy your book? Here it ishttp://www.amazon.com/Agarthas-Castaway-ebook/dp/B005JPEG9M

Buy it now, you'll love it!


And here is the wacky Chrissy Peeble's blog: 
 







Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Rascals Sequel Out Soon!

I've finally finished my sequel to Star-Crossed Rascals and it will be available soon as a paperback and also an eBook. This book took me longer to finish because I worked on the illustrations as much as the story. I wanted to add more pictures because that's what children love as well as the story. As this book is for young, and reluctant readers, the illustrations are important. I hope the children, and adults like them.

Here is a preview of some illustrations in the next Rascals Chapter Book: