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:

L. Palmer

Title of book and/or series:

The Pippington Tales: Book 1 – The True Bride and the Shoemaker

Brief summary of the story:

There is magic in the streets of Pippington, but most people are too busy to notice.

Shoemaker Peter Talbot needs a little magic. Cheap, factory made, shoes are putting him out of business, his nagging sisters will never let him rest, and his efforts to find true love are constantly thwarted by worldly fickleness. However, the gift of a wild primrose and a shipment of rare griffin skin are about to change everything…When beautiful handmade shoes begin appearing in his shop every morning, Peter is determined to find the source. What he finds instead will be far more exciting and wondrous than he could ever imagine.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:

Pippington is a town somewhere between the 1910’s setting of Downton Abbey and the magic of Storybrooke in Once Upon A Time.

Here, the magical is possible, but hardly sensible, and better left ignored. However, magic is difficult to ignore when pumpkins start turning to carriages in one’s backyard, one’s brother appears to now be a frog, or completed shoes start appearing on the shop counter after only being imagined the night before.

If we were to visit Pippington as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

What you do while visiting Pippington depends on how much you want to spend.

If you want to rub shoulders with the upper class, I’d recommend dinner at the Gormand and an evening of theater and dance at the Morveaux. Talk to the right people, you might be invited into the inner circle of Mrs. Petunia Ophombauch, and she will introduce you to the exclusive marvels of high society.

If you’re more interested in a rougher crowd, I’d recommend a day at the dragon races, followed by dinner and some good dancing at McBriar’s. Just make sure you’re ready for a brawl.

No matter which crowd you choose, make sure to visit Talbot’s Boots and Other Footwear and order a pair of shoes. Your feet will discover a new world of beauty and comfort.

What dangers should we avoid in Pippington?

The dangers of Pippington are generally hidden. Magic is rampant throughout the city, but not discussed in polite society. The dangerous sort of magic may come in the form of an old woman asking for a coin, a charming stranger, or a secretly enchanted hat. In other words, you don’t find danger – danger finds you.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Pippington?

Pippington’s cuisine is close to Earth’s, but the Gormand and other restaurants serve a fine griffin steak. The steak is best medium-rare with a spicy mustard sauce and roasted potatoes.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Pippington?

Many citizens in Pippington are partial to a classic brawling style, using punching, kicking, and biting. Those with magic, however, train in secret for sorcery battles involving conjured flame, tossing about objects, and other magic-based methods of mischief and injury.

Some with magic prefer practicing how to turn people into frogs.

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Pippington?

Attempts have been made to expand the use of dragons to a means of transportation, but the high expense of maintaining a dragon, and the likelihood of falling without proper harnessing, has made this prohibitive. In fact, a recent law was passed to ban riding dragons without proper licensing of both dragon and rider.

Most citizens use the public trolley system, private motorcars, bicycles, a classic horse and carriage, or their own feet. There are rumors of women using brooms, but these remain unconfirmed.

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Pippington that we don’t see on Earth?

In addition to dragons and griffins, any creature which appears in a fairy or folk tale in any culture on Earth might make an appearance. Mermaids, for example, are rumored to live in far-off waters, but none have been found in the local lake.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Pippington? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.

Magic is similar to another wavelength in the air – similar to sound and light waves. Some people are more attuned to magic, and you can manipulate the air through sound – whistling, singing, music – or attach the magic to an object, allowing for specific spells. Those in the underground magic social circles who can do air-based magic look down on those who can only do object-based magic.

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Pippington as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?

Time in Pippington passes in the same fashion as Earth. In the summer, the citizens of Pippington celebrate Abeyance Night, enjoying peace in the city with fireworks and parades. In the winter, is High Winter, where families come together to feast and enjoy each other’s warmth.

Is there a particular religion practiced in Pippington? Please describe what it involves.

There are several religions practiced in Pippington, including some underground religions involving magic. The general citizenry participate in Dalthonism.

The Dalthon is an oligarchy of five gods who embody five virtues – courage, honesty, charity, patience, and virtue. These gods dress in simple clothes and represent the everyday person. They are in eternal battle with the Carricks, who represent five vices – fear, falsehood, hatred, glutton, and lust. These gods dress in finery, using their glamor to draw people into their traps.

If you follow the Dalthonian Path, your afterlife will be in a Paradise, where you will live in peace. If you follow the Carrickian Path, your afterlife will be in an endless maze of darkness and misery.

Most citizens of Pippingtons participate in surface level church activities – weekly sermons, periodic charity drives involving baked goods – and give little thought to the deeper questions of their religion.

What is the political or government structure in Pippington? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?

Pippington is part of Barthan, a democratic republic ruled by a generally elected president and parliament elected prime minister. About two-hundred years before The True Bride and the Shoemaker, Barthan was a monarchy ruled by an aristocracy of magic-users. With the invention of the gun and other devices, the common class revolted and established rule by the people. Great efforts were made to erase traces of magic in the more populated areas, and the survivors with magic moved west to the Surris Mountains.

In the Surris Mountains, magic is practiced freely, and Barthan leaves the citizenry alone. In return, residents of the mountains support the Surris Rangers, who monitor and capture those are doing harm with magic. Those who are dangerous to humankind are imprisoned in the Culparr Mines.

In Pippington, there is a mayor and city council, with each member elected every four years.

While the mayor and city council are respected, most of society listens to the opinions of Petunia Ophombauch and her societal column in the Rosetown Journal. Reputations live and die by the stroke of Mrs. Ophombauch’s pen.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?

All stories and characters I write are a combination of experiences and people I have met. While the world is long ago and far away, the characters are grounded in real emotions and every day experiences. For example, in The True Bride and the Shoemaker, Peter goes through the same romantic rejection most young adults have experienced.

What literature influences the world of Pippington?

O. Henry’s New York (see The Gift of the Magi) and the less bleak parts of Dickens’ London.

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?

Dating. I find it’s a hot-button issue for many single adults.

Author Autobiography:

L. Palmer has spent many years traveling fictional worlds and building tales of grand, epic adventures. When she was in the midst of a grand battle between two ogres and a stegosaurus, she stumbled upon the world of Pippington. Dreams of wizard duels and clashing armies gave way to motorcars bumping down old city lanes and fairy godmothers disguised as high-society gossips. Here, she found a new literary home.

In between exploring the hidden lives and magic of Pippington, L. Palmer lives among the mountains of Utah and attends graduate school at Brigham Young University. She developed her imagination and adventure skills through growing up in Girl Scouts, working for ten years at resident summer camps, teaching high school English, attending and working at the University of California Santa Barbara, and reading great books of fantasy and magic. The True Bride and the Shoemaker is just the beginning of many tales to come.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?

The True Bride and the Shoemaker is available in print and e-book at via Amazon.com, as well as a few local stores as listed on the book’s page on my website: http://tinyurl.com/truebride

Where can readers connect with you online?

Website: lpalmerchronicles.com

Twitter: L_palmer_1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lpalmerchronicles

E-mail: [email protected]

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Pippington. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to Bitter Thorn Grove, in Realm Explorers Part LXIX!

-Annie Douglass Lima

Take the biblical tale of Creation. And then ask… what if Eve… had said no? Would evil have given up all attempt? Or would it instead have carried on, scheming, waiting to pounce? And what then? From that joy-filled world where the lion lies down with the lamb, where we are in perfect relationship with Glory and where there is neither death nor sadness nor dissonance… how would that Unfallen family, mirroring God’s heart, react to the Fallen – and the other way around?

By imagining a universe in which the Fall is deferred by a generation, the book allows us to go behind the scenes to live and experience the events and characters of Genesis 1-4 from the inside, rather than reading about them from the outside. From first temptation to eventual fall, and the unravelling of relationship leading to that first, most shocking, conclusion, and the grace which follows, we smile, laugh, wince, mourn and rejoice with those inhabiting those days. What might it really have been like before the Fall? In practical terms. And after?

The novel is in two halves. Part I is set in Eden, and traces the tale from first moments of consciousness to cataclysmic Fall. Part II follows Cain and his family as they build their lives outside Eden’s boundaries, and the relationships which are destroyed and rebuilt.

Two great Trees. Of Life, and of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Only one forbidden. What happens when the fruit of the forbidden one is eaten? And why?

This ‘what if’ scenario is one that, surprisingly, does not appear to have been explored before. It is a story that Anna couldn’t believe had not already been written. ‘Hence,’ she says, ‘since no one else had yet written it, I needed to.’

By placing the story in the realm of ‘what if’, Anna continues, ‘it permits a meditation on fundamental biblical truths in a way which is simultaneously gentle and unthreatening, yet perhaps all the more thought-provoking precisely because they have been transposed to a safe environment. Readers find themselves mourning the relationship with God, Creation and each other, thrown away by the Fall; atheists have absorbed the message without antagonism, while Christians have come away with a new and refreshing reminder of His joy and grace.’

Eden Undone is a story of grace and joy, loss and sin, hope and redemption. It is accessible to all – from the age of 9 to 95 – and is enjoyed equally by Christians and non-Christians. It is funny and tragic, gentle and powerful, original and thought-provoking.

It turns out that publishers and distributors have zero budget for promotion of their books. The distributors haven’t even mentioned Eden Undone in their catalogues. So this novel desperately needs YOUR help to make it through – please consider supporting generously at http://igg.me/at/Eden-Undone
(You can get a free copy of the book, among other incentives, in exchange for your support!)

Sample chapters from Eden Undone:

NB. Throughout this book, names for God are used interchangeably, depending on which facet of His character is to the fore.

Glory, Majesty, Love… all these are wholly Him yet none by themselves encompass Him.

CHAPTER ONE

24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

(The Book of the Beginning 1:24-27)

Memories of memories, without shape or form. He was floating up, rising, surfacing through inchoate shadows. Fragments of impressions, feelings. Light and dark. Palms to rough bark. Knuckles on soft soil. Dust. Wordless sounds. And then – explosion of lucidity, consciousness. Opened eyes meeting the face of Love, radiating joy.

“Your name is Adam,” He said. “Welcome, my beloved!”

And: “Come. Come with me.”

8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground —trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

[…] 15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

(The Book of the Beginning 2:8-15)

“I’ve got something to show you. Close your eyes,” He said.

The world moved.

“Look,” He said.

It was a garden. The man knew it was a garden, knew the word, knew the name. Garden. Eden.

There were trees. Trees of every kind, shape, and size, as far as the eye could see. And flowers. Riots of colour, exuberant cascades, shy petals in tiny nooks. A gentle breeze filled Adam’s lungs with the subtle afternoon perfume: nothing cloying, nothing clashing. A bird chirruped. Curious eyes turned to them, drew towards them. In the distance, some animal let out an ecstatic bugle of welcome.

And a moment of stillness, breathless, expectant.

“I planted it,” He said. “For you. Do you like it?”

There were no words. Words aren’t sufficient for first glimpse of beauty, first breath of awe. Only the heart that fills until it feels as if it could explode from joy.

Only a nod, and the heart that leapt.

God rejoiced.

And a thundering of hooves, pounding of paws, as noses nuzzled and soft fur touched. “Welcome,” they said. “Welcome. We have been waiting for you. Come and see! Come and see! Come and stay!”

“Will you?” He asked.

“Yes,” said Adam. “Oh, yes!”

CHAPTER TWO

13 …every precious stone adorned you:

ruby, topaz and emerald,

[…]

14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub,

for so I ordained you.

You were on the holy mount of God;

you walked among the fiery stones.

15 You were blameless in your ways

from the day you were created

till wickedness was found in you.

16 Through your widespread trade

you were filled with violence,

and you sinned.

So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,

and I expelled you, O guardian cherub,

from among the fiery stones.

17 Your heart became proud

on account of your beauty,

and you corrupted your wisdom

because of your splendour.

So I threw you to the earth;

(Fragment: The Lord’s Lament)

He had kept most of the gems. Smuggled them out with him when he was cast out from Heaven. Idiot …One…, not to have realised that the gems were being sneaked out. Or worse, to have realised, and not cared. He couldn’t quite bring himself – not even now, when he was entitled to his fury! – to curse God. Not that it would be blasphemy, of course; how could it be, when that …One… had shown Himself to be so weak? It was simply that, well… and so what of it? It could not, would not, could not be interpreted as weakness on his own account. If anything, Lucifer thought, it was, well, proof that he had been maligned. And it certainly could not be taken as proof that deep inside he was aware of who (a pause. Even in his own thoughts he could scarcely bring himself to think of …that Being…) …the One… was. He was no mere throne bearer, worship leader, guardian of the holy places, cherub he! He, Lucifer, who by rights should be on the throne, not merely bearing it. He, Lucifer, the most beautiful in all the hosts of heaven: he who had been adulated by all, and called the bright morning star, son of the dawn. Even without the living jewels whose fire had reflected his beauty before and still showered him with their lustre now.

And power. For the umpteenth time, Lucifer nursed his bile against his Creator. What did that …One… know about power!? Power was for using. Power was for creating more power, bartering for what you could get, and simply grabbing what wasn’t up for exchange. Power was created by those strong enough to lust for it, strong enough to foment dissension, to weaken everyone else and to make oneself look bigger. Power went to the strongest. The strongest deservedpower.

He could not have been created himself. Could not. Particularly not by that… that… …One… who had failed to surrender His throne to him. Granted, he had no specific recollection of what he’d been doing when light was separated from dark, and dark from light, but … but that did not mean that he was created. Or, even if he had been created, then certainly not by that… that weaklingwho occupied the throne and wielded the power he craved, the throne and power which should by rights be his…

Take the Earth. The Earth was supposed to be his. To use as he saw fit. To take the things he wanted. Such as more gems. He was certain that with gold and jewels one could accomplish all sorts of things. Precious stones reflected his beauty, dazzled and awed those around him. Especially the living jewels, the stones of fire, which adorned Heaven and in which he had clothed himself too. Granted, those he had smuggled out were losing their life and becoming …hard… but they were still precious. And still reflected his beauty. And still instilled awe. And where you could instil awe, you had power. And power… power was everything.

What use was power if you didn’t use it to exploit those around you, if you didn’t use it for yourself, if you chose instead to use it for others? Sign of a weakling, that was, and by the end, he’d even managed to convince others of the angelic host the same thing. Managed to convince them that he would run a far tighter ship if he were in power rather than the present incumbent. With, of course, the right incentives to those loyal to him…

Didn’t that count for something, that he’d succeeded in convincing some of the lesser angels that the power should be his?

And where were those beings now? Scattered. Weaklings.

He was surrounded by weaklings, that was the problem. Above and below… Why, even the fact that he’d been exiled from Heaven was proof of that impotent …One’s… weakness and stupidity. Now if he’d been on the throne, he’d have known the right way to treat a menace as powerful, beautiful, and, and, and powerful as himself. If the roles had been reversed, hah! then Heaven would have seen what Power truly meant. And he wouldn’t have been so idiotic as to leave his enemy running loose…

There, he’d said it. The… One… was… the enemy. All that faff that the… One… had said about grieving for Lucifer, all that mourning his so-called corruption, all that pleading with him to throw away his pride and come back to be forgiven. Forgiven?! How dare He? How dare He suggest that Lucifer was wrong? Or patronise him by mourning for him? Just signs of weakness, hypocritical cant to cover up a Lord too weak to do what needed to be done. Lucifer wasn’t going to fall for it. Would not be taken in by that pretence of love. Love? Even the word now tasted disgusting to him. Slimy. Lucifer spat. The horrid taste remained, and the churning of his insides. Love? Pah!

Well, He’d regret it, Lucifer vowed. Power was his by rights, and since the …One… had been so stupid to let him loose…

Nursing the dimming gems and his enkindling grievance, Lucifer beat his great wings and continued to roam the world of his exile.

CHAPTER THREE

19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.

(The Book of the Beginning 2:19-20)

They danced there with him, leading the way, showing him, welcoming him. “Welcome,” they cried, the merriest confusion of sizes and shapes and colours, ‘til he could scarcely begin to take it all in.

The colours alone – just glancing around him, why, if he’d been the one to create green, and it had occurred to him, then, well, perhaps a single shade? But here – just the greens alone, in too many shades to even begin counting. And that was just the greens. Every colour was a celebration of variety on its own: put together and the infinite colours sang of their Maker’s joy and unbounded exuberance. And then there were the textures. And the shapes! And the interplay of them all…! And then the animals! Fur and feathers and scales, rough and smooth, big and small!

He hardly even knew where to start. There was so much to do, so much to learn! It was so gloriously new, so endlessly challenging, so full of awesome wonder.

He put up his hand toward one of the leaves caressing his face. It was delicate, a fresh green, unfurled from a branch with smooth silvery bark. Birch.

But even as he was touching it, he became aware of a chorus of voices, getting louder by the instant. “We’re coming! We’re coming! Wait for us! Here, let us through! We’re here! We’re here!”

With a rush and a rustle of undergrowth, a parting of surrounding hoofs and paws, whiskered faces and feathered wings, two new somethings careened out of one of the bushes, through the throng, and hurtled against his legs in a flurry of silky fur, wet noses, wagging tails, and furred paws, bowling him over.

With a thump, Adam landed on the soft grass, laughing.

“Welcome! Welcome! Oh, welcome!”

It took a few seconds, but finally the two somethings succeeded in untangling themselves from Adam’s legs and each other, and Adam found himself looking at two pairs of excited eyes.

“Hello,” he said. “Er, I’m Adam. What about you?”

“We’re… we’re…”

They almost floundered for an instant, until He said gently to Adam:

“Actually, I thought you might like to Name them all. Who do you feel they are, Beloved?”

It was his first Naming. He could feel their Name shaping itself in his heart and mind. It was the right Name, he could feel it, the Name that belonged to them. “Dog,” he said.

The two bounded up. “We’re dogs! Yes! Dog! We’re dogs! Here, did you hear? Did you hear? He’s named us, he has! We’re dogs, we are!”

They chased each other ecstatically round and round the clearing, weaving in and out of the surrounding forest of legs and hoofs and paws, while Adam picked himself back up off the soft sward. One of them was so excited that he tumbled head over heels before continuing the romp, and then they both landed, panting, pink tongues lolling, back at Adam’s feet.

“We’re coming with you,” they said. “We’re here! We’re here!”

Adam laughed, rubbed their ears, and looked up into the next pair of great brown eyes, set in a long face with a velvet nose and a black mane. A happy whoosh of warm sweet breath fanned his face. “Lord Adam!”

“Horse,” he said, and with a joyful nicker, Horse made way for the next somethings.

They were all there, big and small, welcoming him, receiving their Names, while God beamed with delight.

Lion. Swallow. Elephant. Sheep. Mouse. Bear. Bee. Cat. Eagle. Rabbit. Giraffe. Beaver. Owl.

Glorious Tiger with her stripey hide.

Tall Serpent with his proud carriage and jewelled colours.

Cow and Bull with their glorious horns.

The pair of Squirrels with their pitterpatter of tiny paws, scampering and skittering along the branches, leaping featherweights from twig to twig, bushy red tails held high.

“We’re here too! We heard! We heard! Welcome, Lord Adam!”

Adam’s heart danced a jig of pure joy, and the soaring paeans of praise rising unprompted to his lips harmonised with the hushed choirs of angels above.

CHAPTER FOUR

You were […] perfect in beauty.

13 You were in Eden,

the garden of God;

every precious stone adorned you:

(Fragment: The Lord’s Lament 28:12)

And Eden. Eden should have been his. Was his by rights. He’d been there when the …One… was creating it.

The …One… had even asked whether he liked it! Of course Eden had been meant for him – why else would the …One… have shown it to him and to the other angels, if not because He’d secretly been intending to give it to him all along? And then… then to discover that it had actually been meant for that… that … creature! That weak, fragile little two-legged monstrosity that He’d created out of dust, raised from the mere fabric of the world itself, given life and consciousness by His breath! How dare He pass Lucifer over in favour of that…. that mud-man? He didn’t have the power that Lucifer had. Nor his perfect beauty. Nor his wings. Nor his position. He hadn’t been a throne-bearer to the Almighty. What right did that interloper have to… to usurp his rightful prize?

And to add insult to injury, now that he’d been banished from Heaven, he wasn’t even allowed back into Eden either! When anyone else could have plainly seen that Eden was his by rights, and that in mere deference to his former position, he should at the very least be given Eden to set up his residence. As… as an apology for the way he’d been shamefully passed over andthen banished. Banished! When by rights his ambition should surely have led to his promotion! So Eden was, after all, his by rights – he’d set foot in it long before the …One… had created that thing. He’d been there first. How dare He then snatch it away again to give to that creature?

Well, if he couldn’t have Eden, then it was up to him to see that that creature wouldn’t have it either. Or the …One…. Lucifer would show Him. He’d see. He’d pay. No-one was going to mess with him.

And then, who knows, once he’d evicted that… squatter, then he’d have shown that idiot …One… just who had more power, he or the squatter, and then the …One… would see sense and give Eden back to him.

After all, Eden should have been his in the first place.

And if he couldn’t have it, then no-one could.

CHAPTER FIVE

9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

(The Book of the Beginning 2:9)

Joy upon joy, awe upon awe, wonder upon wonder. Each step they took together, each corner they turned, each dell he explored in God’s company, it seemed to Adam that they came upon something new and more beautiful than the one before. Sometimes, he’d almost have walked past it had Glory not drawn his attention to it and opened his eyes to see it properly and share God’s passion for it.

It wasn’t just the animals who had different names and personalities, likes and dislikes. The plants did too, and during their walks together, Adam got to know each of them.

“This one,” He’d say, “likes your help keeping it trimmed,” and the vine put its pretty blush into its grapes.

Or:

“This is the Avocado. See how her fruit covers itself? Try it!” and so Adam peeled the glossy, nobbly black coat and tasted the perfect nutty richness within, buttery-soft and satisfying. They shared merry laughter when the fruit – so ripe that the coat came away in easy strips – skittered out of his hands and left a trail of green cream along his arms and down his leg where the fruit had slid. Adam rinsed himself in the nearby brook, cool and sparkling as it burbled along its bed, and flicked some of the water towards Dog, who had been bounding along beside them. Dog responded by plunging in and spluttering with delight, and the two of them enjoyed a brief splash-fest before emerging again, dripping, onto the bank, water diamonds glistening before the warmth of the sunshine dried them again deliciously. Dog decided that shaking himself vigorously and making the water droplets fly up in great arcs was almost the best bit about getting wet.

Cherries – huge, rich, black, bursting with flavour – became an instant favourite. And the flowers on the tree (for all the trees in the Garden had both flowers and fruit on them at the same time) also took his breath away with their beauty. Beauty down to the smallest detail.

“You are free to eat from any tree in the garden,” He said. “But you mustn’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die”.

“What does “die” mean, Lord?” he asked then.

A great sadness crossed His face. “It’s when someone is cut off from my presence, Adam.”

A chill ran down Adam’s spine. Cut off from Love’s true light? That… that would be like drawing breath and finding no air, opening his eyes and seeing nothing. Conceivable only in the dimmest fashion, but gut-wrenching even at that remoteness. No, dying was not something to which he felt drawn…

But then “Come, dearheart!” and the moment of the shadow of fear melted in the light of His Love, tucked away from experience and stored only in knowledge.

They bent down to speak to Mole, who had swum his way up through the rich soil to greet them and had now emerged, sneezing and blinking in the sudden sunlight, with his great shovel paws resting atop his little mound. Crumbs of soil still covered his velvet fur, and his nose twitched. “Welcome my Lords, welcome,” he snuffled. “My burrow is yours, if you’d like to visit? It’s cool and restfully dark,” he added, squinting in the unaccustomed light, and plainly convinced that any sensible being would be equally uncomfortable in so much blinding brightness. “If you give me a few minutes, that is, to make the hallways a little wider?”

Adam gravely thanked him, touched by the invitation, but reassured him that they were quite happy up here in the fresh air, and might find soil quite difficult to breathe.

“But there’s lots of air here!” defended Mole. “In between the soil. And the roots. I like roots,” he added. “The roots here are lovely. Ask the Lord. HE knows.”

Glory smiled, and assured him that indeed He knew; and Mole, finally convinced that the Lord Adam would not be joining him and Mrs Mole for tea, disappeared again in a flurry of earth as he burrowed back down again into the welcoming blackness, full of the clean scents of soil and roots.

And the Lord showed Adam how the loam crumbled, and spoke of the different types of soil and how this one was loved by such a tree, and that one was loved by that. Adam ran his fingers through the soil, feeling its beautiful texture, and marvelled anew at the vastness of God’s conception, that knew and loved every atom of this world He had created, from the depths of the earth, and the crumbs of the soil, to the trees that fed on it and the creatures that lived on – and in – it.

And Dog enthusiastically got his muzzle covered by the loose dirt where Mole had been, before deciding that perhaps he too was too large to breathe the air in between the soil and had perhaps better stay up top instead of taking up Mole’s invitation.

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Anna Lindsay graduated from St.John’s College (Cambridge University) and has worked everywhere from Hong Kong (as a volunteer working with Jackie Pullinger to help drug addicts) to temping in Switzerland and as a teacher in the UK. Health challenges forced retirement, since when she has served her community in a volunteer capacity including 16 years as a Trustee of a tiny local Registered Charity in the centre of Cambridge.

Anna Lindsay is available for book signings and interviews, and can be contacted via [email protected].

Author’s name: C.N. Pinckard

Title of book and/or series: Arising from Darkness

Brief summary of the story:

Meranda decides she has had enough of the way Gavid treats her and feels away from him. She runs into the King of Yevin and is immediately put to death by Gavid. King Ledric heals her and discovers she is a Riftrider with a strange birthmark on her shoulder. Treidon discovers his true love in Meranda and is his a Riftrider as well. She talks about a lord name Siebrien who plans on over taking the realm. They all rush to Elmwick and give Meranda the trials, but she is plagued by Nightmares and demons who wish her dead. No one knows the real reason, but they find a way to make the trials and hopefully stop Siebrien.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:

I created this world with the thoughts of the different regions of the world, artic (snow region), the flat lands (the grasslands region) the desert (desert region), and the forest (the forest region.). each has it’s own dangers and troubles, just like here on Earth.

If we were to visit Seilla as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

Going to Elmwick to see the monstrous tall trees.

What dangers should we avoid in Seilla?

There are kinds of dangers, from plants that could eat a man whole to goblins, trolls, orcs, ogres and even Lizardmen.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Seilla?

No, mostly mutton, veal, and the like.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Seilla?

Combat consists of swords, daggers, axes, typical, but there are some not so typical. Such as the hair cat o’nine tales, and the spiked chains

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Seilla?

Mostly animals are used to travel. Although there is a special race that use their abilities to travel and help others travel through the shadows.

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Seilla that we don’t see on Earth?

For one, the sentient races are Goblins, orcs, gnomes (not the cute garden variety either.), lizardmen, trolls, barbarians, elves, kobalds, dwarves and dragons. Animals are typical, but some not so typical the ankheg which is a flesh eating large bug. Or the cockatrice. There are monsters everywhere in the Realm of Seilla.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Seilla? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.

There are always magic and supernatural at play in the Realm of Seilla. There are demons that constantly are plotting against the entire realm, and magical abilities are either studied or come natural.

Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Seilla? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.

Yes, there is an ore named Ultrim that holds a magic that is cast on it. For example if you cast cold on the metal, it will constantly keep cold, thus helping the elves of the realm keeping their meats cold, if you cast lightening on it, it will keep that electricty and provide power to the realm. There is also running water in the realm as well, it is powered by the spells of filtration and constant flow.

Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Seilla.

There is jousting, skilled events for each of the classes (ranger, riftrider, knight, fighter, etc)

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Seilla as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?

No, weeks are 10 days a week, month is 40 days, years are 400 days. On the land of Yevidin there are fall festivals, spring festivals, summer celebrations and a winter celebration. Barbarians, Dwarves and Kobalds have their own.

What is the political or government structure in Seilla? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?

The typical Medieval ruling, monarch, lords, ladies, dukes and dutchesses, etc.

Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Seilla?

There are a few, to become a shadow elf you must face several trials.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?

My book 1 has been influenced by the military and other events of pop culture.

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?

Demons, we all have them, we all fight them. They are always out to get us and will try and destroy us. We have to use our strength, faith and courage to fight them.

Author Autobiography:

C.N. Pinckard is from Bossier City, Louisiana where she lives with her husband of twenty years (seven time cancer surviver) and two autistic boys. Her own autism spurred her love of reading fantasy. When she graduated from the small rural school she attended, she soon married and began her family, all the while dreaming of the day when she would begin her journey writing. In the present day, C. N. Pinckard enjoys every minute of working on her Riftrider’s Return series as well as making jewelry, bookmarks, and handmade textures to use with photography or cover art.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015WJ1C32/ref=cm_sw_su_dp Kindle

http://amzn.com/1494468794 Paper back

http://www.inktera.com/store/title/169cc1ff-3544-4955-b01f-a986cc480a0a Inktera

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/arising-from-darkness Kobo

https://www.oysterbooks.com/book/w3eP8SNXtjWrqPLikDfTL7/arising-from-darkness-riftriders-return-1 Oyster

https://www.scribd.com/book/253203908/Arising-From-Darkness-RiftRider-s-Return-1 Scribd

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/arising-from-darkness-christina-pinckard/1121098306?ean=2940151711883 Barnes and Noble

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id959980605 Itunes

Where can readers connect with you online?

FB: https://www.facebook.com/CNPinckard

Twitter: @CNPinckard

Website: http://kelinrose.wix.com/cnpinckard

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Seilla. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the fantasy land of Pippington, in Realm Explorers Part LXVIII!

-Annie Douglass Lima

Author’s name:

Linda M David

Title of book and/or series:

The Firestone Crystal

Brief summary of the story:

Agathea Fulstropp (prefers to be called Thea) becomes the first Earth pupil at The Firestone Academy on Planet Aruuliah after coming into possession of a strange crystal. Not only does she have to contend with strange, alien technology and lessons in telepathy and astral projection, but also hostile aliens and a mysterious cave creature that continuously invades her dreams. What can it possibly want from her?

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:

On the planet of Aruuliah the sky is pale mauve with just a hint of violet, and has a bright red sun. It is a world filled with an abundance of exotic trees which dwarf everything around them, and strangely-shaped plants and flowers, the like of which has never been seen on Earth. The wealth of colour is amazing, their vibrancy, stunning and the air, clean, pure and fresh.

The Firestone Academy itself is a vast circular complex of gleaming glass and marble buildings set out like the rings of a circle, each joined together by open walk-ways and glass corridors. The centre of the complex comprises an attractive courtyard which is encircled by the Halls of Residence, consisting of Celestial House, Cosmic House and Asteroid House.

The middle ring of buildings house the Chambers of Learning, where all lessons take place as well as several Lecture Halls, the Halls of Dining and Communication Chambers, while the outer ring contains the Halls of Knowledge and Great Meeting Hall. They are bordered by the Recreation Zone where students can engage in sport and leisure activities, buy supplies and sweets and eat at the Fun-Food Café.

If we were to visit Aruuliah as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

Utopia is the planet’s main city and it is, as you would expect, very futuristic. All of the buildings are constructed from glass and marble that gleam and sparkle from top to bottom. The unique structure of each building sees them reaching dizzying heights and are built in such a way that seem to defy gravity itself. They also have their own individual shape and style that manages to fit in with the overall design of the city, giving it a certain sense of majestic splendour. Although the first book is set mainly on school grounds, in the second book there is a trip to Utopia’s famous Leisure Centre, where the students learn to hover-skate.

What dangers should we avoid in Aruuliah?

Aruuliah is not really a dangerous place, however, it is very early on in the series, so there are a lot of things I haven’t discovered yet!

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Aruuliah?

Oh, too many to mention! The Fun-Food Café at the Academy has a very interesting menu. Their specialty is the Thunderbolt Sizzler, an extremely hot and spicy burger, Crispy-Crusted Weedroot, which are long, curly crispy-fried chips made from an assortment of tasty local vegetables and Honey-Roasted Warty Bread, a kind of sweet-flavoured pizza. There is also a dessert called a Chocolate-Chilly Shock, which freezes your entire body for ten seconds, allowing you to savour the flavour as it slides down your throat.

The Molten-Lava Shakes are also popular with the students, a steaming-hot milky drink that bubbles thickly when poured and comes in a variety of flavours such as Crystalized Ginger, Candied Orange and Butterscotch Toffee.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Aruuliah?

Aruuliah is a peaceful planet, however I have a feeling Book 3 may involve some combat.

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Aruuliah?

From Earth, travel to Aruuliah is via portal, where an ‘invisible window’ in space opens up and when you just step through, a brief moment of weightlessness is experienced.

Travel to the Firestone Academy is via a vehicle known as a Tierrapod. This is metallic silver in colour and shaped like a giant bullet, with the main body being made from a bright, sparkling metal, while the top and sides are glass. All transport on Aruuliah uses hover technology or flies. They moved on from the wheel long ago!

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Aruuliah that we don’t see on Earth?

In the first book, we are introduced to sprogletts which are tiny humanoid creatures, about three inches in height. They come in a variety of colours and are completely hairless. Upon reaching maturity, and depending upon their habitat, they take on the characteristics of their environment. For example, those living in or near water may develop fins and gills, whilst those living in an area populated by birds or specific insects may grow wings or feathers. They will blend in and camouflage themselves in order to live in harmony with their surroundings and commune with nature.

There is also a mysterious cave-dwelling creature, but I can’t reveal too much about that in case I spoil the surprise. Other creatures, such as gruzzlings and cheebles are introduced in Book 2.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Aruuliah? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.

There is no magic as such, however, at the Academy, there is a powerful concentration of energy in the Gardens of Meditation and Tranquility which the students are taught to use to increase their own energy levels. By merging their consciousness with nature and the natural energy it provides, the state of kinaaja can be achieved. There are ten stages of kinaaja and at each stage, students can accomplish different things, such as promoting plant growth, seeing auras and engaging in astral projection.

Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Aruuliah? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.

Most mundane tasks such as making beds, taking baths and showers and cleaning are fully automated. There are also Duplicating Machines which are programmed with foods and dishes from a wide range of planets and are voice activated. By stating the name of the planet and dish you would like, the machine dispenses a compartmentalized tray with different sized, shaped and coloured pills. At the push of a button on the tray, the pills transform into the requested meal (which tastes just like freshly-made food). By pushing another button on the tray, any left-overs simply disintegrate leaving the tray clean and spotless.

Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Aruuliah.

Apart from hover-skating, there is a game called Dodge-Ball Dilemma available. The game involves two teams of up to six players, each of whom possess a total of three soft balls, filled with a thick, luminous fluid. Players have to hit the members of the other team with these balls which are designed to burst on impact. A computer-controlled ball is then released which automatically targets any player spattered with the slimy gunge. There are several levels to this game which could end up with as many as five of these balls targeting the players at any one time. Once the player is hit, they are out. Although it is a lot of fun to play, all players end up drenched in a wet and sticky liquid that takes forever to wash off.

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Aruuliah as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?

Strangely enough yes, they are exactly the same. Students have lessons all week and have weekends off. There are half-term holidays and although the end-of-year-holiday is not called Christmas, the concept is the same.

Is there a particular religion practiced in Aruuliah? Please describe what it involves.

There are a range of religions, as on Earth, however inhabitants tend to lean towards a more spiritual type of existence rather than a religious one.

What is the political or government structure in Aruuliah? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?

There is a main Council of the Coalition of Developing and Evolving Planets, which was established to ensure that all planets and people exist in balance and harmony with one another. The Leader of the Council is Caziel, whose wisdom and knowledge is sought by many.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?

I consider myself to be a spiritual person, so I have tried to incorporate this into the book, such as the meditation practices and awareness of energy. Also, the importance of having balance and harmony in one’s life.

The first part of the second book is actually located on the island of Nevis, where my parents are from. I was able to include information on some of the island’s natural beauty and attractions, as well as their annual cultural festival, Culturama.

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?

I think the main topic in this instance would be issues about race. Thea has always been the only black student at her previous schools (on Earth) and so, has always felt different from her peers. That feeling of ‘not fitting in’ has never left her, however, when she enrolls at the Firestone Academy, every student is different as they are all from different planets, yet it’s not a big deal.

Students and staff are from all over the Universe and are descended from reptilian, animal and bird species, all of whom have evolved into humanoid beings. There are a multitude of skin colours, from the palest to the darkest imaginable in a variety of patterns and markings. There are also a range of appendages and attachments, from tails and horns to tentacles and feelers, additional skin augmentations in the form of spikes and ridges, and an assortment of fur and feathers, talons, claws and webbed feet! Thea finds that now she is the one who has to learn to accept others’ differences in the same way that they readily accept hers.

Author Aautobiography:

Linda David was born in Cyprus to parents who both hail from the Caribbean island of Nevis. Although she was raised mainly in England, she has also lived in Germany as well as St Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies. She has always enjoyed reading and was encouraged to do so from a very early age, and that is partly what inspired her to write. Even today she can remember the excitement and wonder she used to experience as a child when reading fantasy and adventure stories, so she hopes that through her own writing, she will be able to inspire and encourage other children’s interest and pleasure in reading as well.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books?

My books are available on Kindle and Paperback here.

Where can readers connect with you online?

More information can be found at my website. I can also be contacted through twitter and my Facebook Page.

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Aruuliah. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part LXVII!

-Annie Douglass Lima

Author’s name: James Gardner

Title of book and/ or series: The series title is the Redemption of Aria. The first book is called Silver’s Journey.

Brief summary of the story: Silver, an average New York teenager, finds himself mysteriously transported to a new world, where he must undertake a momentous journey to Braknór and face countless dangers along the road.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story: Aria is a land of wonders with many distinct cultures, clans, and tribes, each with something different to offer. There are dangerous and uncharted territories to the east, forests that hold their fair share of mysteries and unusual creatures, towns and cities offering varying views on religion, government, and society.

If we were to visit Aria as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
It really depends on the kind of person you are! If you’re a sightseer, then you’d want to stop by Dexon, with its peculiar layout and magnificent castle, and if you’re feeling adventurous, the great walled city of Braknór would be a marvel to behold. If you enjoy traveling to modern day malls on Earth, then you’d be thrilled to visit the town of Crowduria with the most active market in the realm. On another note, any lovers of nature would enjoy spending time in the Arian Plain with its lush, pleasant air and beautiful scenery, or a trip to the Sea of Light that dances to the beat of the stars in the night. And for any thrill seekers out there, the Berullian Forest is the place to be, offering many creatures to hunt as well as a chance sighting of some rare animals.

What dangers should we avoid in Aria?
The answer to this question relies heavily on the specific location in Aria. First of all, you should always keep an eye out for bandits, pickpockets, and your occasional group of unfriendly hunters. But if you should find yourself in the Berullian Forest, keep an eye out for the Zwarkrade, vicious pack hunters that have uncanny wit and dangerous intellect, wild boars… oh, and those pesky branches and roots that seem to have a mind of their own. If you’re foolish enough to journey to the Madgeroost, you’ll most likely have to deal with the Grackle, a seven foot bird with a frighteningly sharp beak and blinding speed (a little tip: don’t look directly into its eyes). Finally, if you survive an encounter with the Grackle and for some unfathomable reason want to stay in the Madgeroost, you’ll have to watch out for exiles from Dexon and Warkreig, but above all, keep low and out of sight. The Madge is always watching.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Aria?
If you want a meal that’s easy on the stomach, you’d probably enjoy Crowdurian stew with beef and gravy, but if you’re a real connoisseur of exotic foods, then you may be offered a Zwarkrade by the Gerridi tribes or boiled fish by the Nazka (if you live that long with them).

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Aria?
The most common weapon used is a one-handed sword, but the different cultures of Aria have unusual fighting styles. The people of Warkreig prefer massive two-handed swords that can crush down upon an enemy in one powerful blow, whereas the people of Dexon use two shorter swords for quick, deft strokes. Barbarians from the north seem to enjoy ramming their enemies using a heavy wooden shield with a prominent spike in the center, and of course, there are more specific weapons for precise uses like short spears for killing wild boar or longbows with bodkin arrows for armor-piercing.

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Aria?
The main method of transportation is by horse, but there is an unusual way that Arians use that seems to have dwindled in modern society: walking.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Aria? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
Magic plays no role in Aria, but there is definitely something supernatural about the place, especially surrounding the followers of the King, (God) who seem to be blessed in countless ways, sometimes imperceptibly, but sometimes in a undeniably huge miracle.

Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Aria? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
The technology of Aria is set around a Middle Age world that is somewhat parallel to ours. Most of the technology is the same, if not very similar.

Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Aria.
Arm wrestling is a common competition that many taverns host for fun, but for the more serious, there are contests of skill such as archery and swordplay as well as tests of strength, wit, and speed.

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Aria as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
The year round calendar is the same in Aria as on Earth, but there are some holidays that the people celebrate. One for followers of the King is the birth of Jesus. The Warkreig have various special feasts and traditions to honor the chiefs of the past who performed great feats.

Is there particular religion practice in Aria? Please describe what it involves.
In Aria, there is no dominating religion. The Crowdurians are a polytheistic society, believing in hundreds, if not thousands of different gods. The people of Braknór most often tend to be atheist, or to be generous, deists, at best believing only in the existence of a god. But all throughout the land, there are followers of the King, who worship Him in prayer and seek to do His bidding. No matter where you go, there’s always some of them around.

What is the political or government structure in Aria? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
Ethron is the self-proclaimed ruler of Aria and has stretched his mighty hand across the region. However, at heart, he is a tyrannical villain with only a heart for himself. Under his overview, the different cultures of Aria have different leadership roles. Crowduria has a single king (Fergusop), the Nazka and Warkreig have a chief that dictates the law, and the people of Dexon have two kings to balance the power in the nation.

Are there any unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Aria?
There are no particular practices that would land you in hot water if you overlooked them, per se, but it’s always best to know how each city or town operates so that you can best know how to react. For example, you will always need to keep your guard up in Crowduria because there are plenty of smooth talkers who will try to relieve you of your hard earned cash. Oh! One more thing… It’s a ‘cultural practice’ for any kind visitors to the Nazka to become their slaves for life, so… don’t visit.

Has anything in your actual life inspirited the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
Most of the people groups in Aria are purely born of my imagination, and a lot of the places are merely the fantasies of my mind. But in a very real way, the entire book is an allegory of life, focusing around the different kinds of people you will meet. I feel that many of the pieces of advice given by the sage characters of this book are either truths that I have learned in my life as a Christ follower, or words that God put into my head at the time.

What, if any, “hot button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
There are no real controversies or hot topics discussed in my book; it instead focuses on a young man’s journey to knowing God on a deeper level.

Author Autobiography:
James Gardner was born in January, 1999. He is a homeschooler with a passion for writing. In 2013, he began creating a story about a fictional world named Aria. Through the encouragement of family and friends, he brought the world to life. When he isn’t working on his next book, he enjoys spending time with friends and playing sports. Currently, he resides with his parents in their home in Florida.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?
My book can be purchased in print at http://www.amazon.com/Silvers-Journey-Redemption-Aria-Book-ebook/dp/B011SWLFJI/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438969726&sr=1-1&keywords=the+redemption+of+aria

Where can readers connect with you online?
Readers can connect with me through my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Redemption-of-Aria-by-James-Gardner/475531112616774?ref=bookmarks

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Aria. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the planet Aruuliah, in Realm Explorers Part LXVI!

-Annie Douglass Lima

Author’s name: H.R.B. Collotzi

Title of book and/or series:

Avonoa Series: The Secret of Avonoa (Book One), The Shadow of Avonoa (Book Two)

Brief summary of the story:

The Secret of Avonoa:

Parents are wrong. Teachers are wrong. His leader tries, but fails. The young dragon Dak can’t imagine why he still bothers to do as he’s told. However, dragon law could take his life if he disobeys, so he’s forced to pass the Krusible. The most important test in a young dragon’s life, the Krusible is the only way to gain freedom from the Rock Clouds where his dragon ruck lives, but he can’t manage to remain silent for it. If he doesn’t earn freedom, he might as well crawl into a cave and let his fire consume him.

When Dak’s two best friends, Tog and Priya, leave for an exciting mission, Dak is left behind because of his fourth failed attempt at the Krusible. Instead of remaining behind to endure his punishment, Dak does exactly what everyone feared he might, and secretly follows them. Once on the surface world, Dak quickly learns – in the face of temptation, savagery, torture and possible death – the significance of the secret of Avonoa.

The Shadow of Avonoa:

“Stay away from the surface world!” That’s what Hiro told himself. In fact, that’s what he teaches young dragons now. Humans are dangerous, violent, and evil – best to avoid. That’s all Hiro wants now, too. Until a human shows up in his lair and ruins everything!

Princess Anna tricks Tog, Hiro’s best friend, into sneaking her back into Hiro’s life. Even with the story of a dangerous creature attacking, Hiro refuses her pleas for help. But when the dragons learn that previous involvement with the humans has dire lasting effects, Hiro is forced to investigate. With death sweeping over the land, Hiro’s intervention discovers possibilities none could imagine – least of all, him.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:

The world of Avonoa is much like our world with forests, rivers, mountains and grasslands, except for a few big differences. Avonoa has three moons and one sun. Avonoa also has an enormous mountain in the center with several floating mountains hovering around it. The Inner Mountain, as it is called, is so high it’s difficult for even a dragon to reach the top. One of the dragon rucks of Avonoa lives in the floating mountains surrounding the Inner Mountain. They are called the Rock Clouds. Other rucks live in the desert (a highly desirable place for the sun and warmth), the frozen northern waste (where dragons have become adapted to the cold and ice), and the islands off the eastern coast of Avonoa (where dragons reportedly swim to hunt).

Other points of interest in Avonoa might be Centaur River, so large and long that it cuts Avonoa in two. The centaurs live on the plains at the head of Centaur River. The Black Forest, named for the trees grown so thick that very little light gets through the branches, even in the winter.

If we were to visit Avonoa as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

If you’re a dragon, you could visit one of the rucks throughout the land. Have a game of Catch It or a race to the other side of the Rock Clouds.

If you’re human, sail on Teardrop Sea or take port in Fallen City in the shadow of Kingstor Noble where the king of the Noble Kingdom lives. Order a snork delicacy at an inn in the Just Kingdom, but never a homemade one from a clan mother. Visit a faerie shaman and try to barter the price of a love potion. Visit the Cave of Invisibility in the Allegiant Kingdom where it is said many have entered, disappeared and returned again to tell fabulous tales of small gray creatures on the “other side”.

What dangers should we avoid in Avonoa?

If you’re a dragon, avoid humans! They’re monsters. Real ones! They’ll try to kill you and rip out your brain. If you speak in front of one, dragon law says you must kill them! If they offer you something shiny, just take it and run. They think dragons barter for lives. Stupid humans.

If you’re human, avoid dragons! But if you get cornered by one, make sure you have something shiny or sparkly to offer it. It doesn’t have to be necessarily expensive or extravagant, just shiny. Usually, you can offer this to the dragon and they’ll leave you alive.

And avoid centaurs! They hate faeries more than humans, but they would sooner kill a human than speak to one!

Also avoid the Black Forest – for all creatures! There are all manner of dangerous creatures in the Black Forest, including scorrands (giant two-headed lizards with rows of teeth like swords) and banshees (large black bird-like creatures that kill by screaming at you)! Also, if you see a small floating bulb that changes colors and is propelled by a single tentacle – DON’T TOUCH IT!

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Avonoa?

Among dragons (as the viewpoint this adventure is written from), you would only eat meat, with the occasional sprig of mint as a treat and a single flarote bulb if you’re sick.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Avonoa?

Swords! Although several clans in the Just Kingdom have begun adopting spears for use, the Five Kingdoms of Avonoa were built upon the use of the Five Swords of Avonoa. Each Kingdom has a sword imbued with majikal (spelling is on purpose) powers to give the owner (the ruler of each kingdom) that quality. Nobility to the Noble Kingdom, Justice to the Just Kingdom, Honor to the Honorable Kingdom, Courage to the Courageous Kingdom and Loyalty to the Allegiant Kingdom. Having five kingdoms ensures that there’s never an equal divide of power.

Many staff guards (the lowest rank of soldier) are hired into the Noble army and use only a pike or spear until they learn to use a sword. Once skill increases the staff guard can apply and test for a promotion in rank.

They also use bows and arrows and crossbows. King Philip of the Noble Kingdom is rumored to favor the bow. Humans have large crossbows used only for shooting thick, heavy bolts they call “dragon killers”.

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Avonoa?

Mostly horses and wagons are used by humans. Faeries can fly or walk. Centaurs use only their own hooves and dragons their own wings or claws.

*Note: Distance is measured As The Dragon Flies among all creatures! Dragons can fly faster than a horse can run on a straight open space, but obviously for much longer.

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Avonoa that we don’t see on Earth?

Dragon, centaurs, faeries, and possibly small, gray creatures called goblins, but that might just be myth.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Avonoa? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.

Magic, or majik as is it known in Avonoa, is widely acknowledged. Every species has majishuns of varying degrees of experience. Anyone can perform majik if they know what to do and how to do it. If not, it can be dangerous and possibly fatal to dabble.

Majik in Avonoa is usually a mixture of objects, ingredients and/or symbols chanted over with specific incantations in order to achieve a desired outcome. Rhythm and cadence are fundamental in the use of majik as well as majikal objects.

Objects must be majikally enchanted to use at a later date, such as majikally enchanted glowing orbs used for light, or majikally enchanted cloth that doesn’t get wet. Crystal balls are majikally enchanted crystal and filled with dragon tears. They are used to see the past, present or future, but they’re extremely rare seeing as it’s difficult to find a dragon crying.

Faeries of Avonoa use majik most often. They have the highest number of master majishuns, or shaman, in Avonoa. A shaman can give many answers to questions and fix many problems, but always at a price. Although the number of faeries in Avonoa is low compared to other species, they are considered the strongest race for their use of majik.

Since centaurs hate everything to do with faeries, they also avoid majik and its uses. They do have majishuns and lesser shaman among them, but they are usually shunned by other centaurs.

Humans have few advanced shaman, but they have some. Most faeries try to keep the secrets of majik within their own families, therefore, it’s difficult for humans to find someone to learn from.

Dragons don’t use majik. They are majikal creatures and each has a strong characteristic of majik, but they don’t put them to use. Although Visi, the prophetess dragon, is a highly skilled shaman, she lives far away from other dragons so they can’t take advantage of her skills.

Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Avonoa? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.

Any “advanced technology” would be made from majik. Avonoa is still a medieval-type world, but enjoys comforts from common uses of majik.

Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Avonoa.

Several varieties of games and sports are common among different species in Avonoa.

Dragons enjoy any flying races, like “Catch It”, where an object is thrown and others race to catch it first. However, the most popular game would be “Tossing Riddles”, where they throw riddles back and forth to each other. But don’t be the one to “drop it”!

Centaurs play games of strength and agility. They love doing obstacle courses!

Among faeries the most popular sport is a game called Touratege. A small ball is bounced between hands and feet while participants fly across a field trying to place it in the opposing basket.

Humans play similar games to all of these, but the most popular sport is fighting. Human men from all over Avonoa will gather to watch fighting matches between champions. This sport is the major reason humans are seen as barbaric by other species.

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Avonoa as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?

Number of days of the week are the same, although they have different names and aren’t mentioned for clarity sake. (Besides, dragons don’t worry about such things.) Months of the year are different though. There are fifteen months in the year. The year is separated up into five three-month seasons. Those seasons are; spring, summer, autumn, winter then fall. Rain doesn’t stop often in fall and this is the season in which book two is written. Book one is written in the winter preceding.

Is there a particular religion practiced in Avonoa? Please describe what it involves.

Almost everyone in Avonoa believes and worships (in some form or another) in the Seven High Gods of Avonoa. Those gods are: Shurka, god of the sun; Shurta, god of the moons; Khurta, god of the stars; Kruh, god of the clouds; Tarsa, god of the wind; Tarka, god of flight; Tartaku, god of the sky. There are numerous lesser gods who are worshipped as well.

There is one group of humans called the Hamees who only believe in one all-knowing, all-powerful god. They are often ridiculed and scorned for their beliefs, but they are a peaceful people. They take solemn oaths to care for others and always be honest.

What is the political or government structure in Avonoa? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?

Avonoa is divided into five kingdoms. King Philip rules the Noble Kingdom, King Torodov rules the Courageous Kingdom, Queen Sarador rules the Allegiant Queendom, King Theodor rules the Honorable Kingdom, and King Grisivere rules the Just Kingdom.

The rulers emulate the characteristics of their kingdom. While the Just Kingdom is just in their punishments, they might be less brave to face those punishments than someone from the Courageous Kingdom, etc.

Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Avonoa?

All species and kingdoms have nuances in their everyday way of life. For the most part, humans are accepting of foreigners and their misunderstanding of those nuances. Humans would be more forgiving than other species.

Among faeries, never bring up the centaurs. Among centaurs, never use faerie language or speak of faerie culture. And, of course, dragons and centaurs can’t stand humans, but faeries tolerate them.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?

Not really, I try to make everything as unique and individual as possible. I love dragons, that’s why I write books from a dragon’s point-of-view. I did name the three highest-ranking centaurs after my three kids. I love names and when I hear a name I like, I’ll use it in my writing. Like Priya, I met an awesome Indian woman named Priya and I had to use it for an amazing dragon!

The biggest thing inspired by my own life is the season of Fall. I love rain, so I decided to create a season just for me. Three months of nothing but rain!

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?

I try to avoid controversy in my writing, but a major issue all these creatures have is not accepting each other for their beliefs and cultures. In the second book, The Shadow of Avonoa, the protagonist, Hiro, begins to see how those judgments against other species might be wrong. Book three, The Heart of Avonoa, is where Hiro really begins to change his mind and heart about the differences between others and himself.

Author Autobiography:

I was born in Berlin, Germany as an army ‘brat’. Early in life I found a love for telling stories, but when my parents told me to stop lying I kept them inside my head. When I got older (and hopefully wiser) I decided to turn those ‘lies’ into stories again. I began a serious (if you can call fantasy ‘serious’) writing career in 2010. The Secret of Avonoa is my first published novel with book two in the Avonoa series, titled The Shadow of Avonoa, NOW AVAILABLE!! I also have a couple of modern-day sci-fi novels that I plan to re-vamp into young adult novels when my dragon series is finished. I currently live in Minnesota (yes, by choice) with my husband and our three kids.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?

AMAZON! The Secret of Avonoa is available in paperbackor on Kindle. The Shadow of Avonoa is available in paperback, I’m still working on getting it available on Kindle, but hopefully soon!

Where can readers connect with you online?

Facebookand Twitter are great, but my website is best!

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Avonoa. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the fantasy world of Aria, in Realm Explorers Part LXV!

-Annie Douglass Lima

Author’s name: C.E. Wilson

Title of book and/or series: To Nowhere/Standalone

Brief summary of the story:

From the moment Lyris is treated to coffee by a beautiful stranger, she has no idea that her life is about to change forever. In her enthusiasm to start at a new school with a new boyfriend, Lyris is almost able to look past his oddities. Almost. The way he eyes up her striking red hair. The way he loves that she’s seventeen. “The perfect age.” And the way he’s gone from all but begging to show her a specific room in a specific house to making her swear never to even think about it again.

When Lyris doesn’t take his strange warnings seriously, she finds that nothing could have prepared her for what lay behind that door.

Suddenly, Lyris finds herself in a world no one would believe. A world where she’s only a few inches tall and giants aren’t creatures from fairy tales. Where humans are no longer the dominant race, but pets auctioned off to the highest bidder. Lyris understands the true danger of such a place, but there seems to be one person on her side. Her kind and surprised captor. And while Brindt appears to be sweet and trustworthy, he also straddles the line between seeing her as an equal and a cute animal.

Lyris has to get home… before the one person she can turn to becomes the one person who can’t let her go.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:

The world that Lyris finds herself in is a place that I don’t think too many humans would want to visit. It’s very similar to our own world in many respects, but it has one pretty large difference (pun intended!) – it is a land where humans are no longer the dominant race, and rather are pets kept by sixty-foot giants. Very Brobingnagian. 😉 Only in this world, unlike Jonathan Swift’s, pet humans are pretty commonplace thanks to other humans called Targeters. These are the ones who pick and choose certain humans and sneak them through the portals to bring them back into the world of giants.

If we were to visit To Nowhere as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there? I would strongly recommend not visiting if you enjoy having your independence or being seen as a person. Giants in this world are always looking for a cute new pet and if you’re not careful, you may end up thrown in a cage and played with by giant children… just like your pet hamster as a kid. If you do find yourself there, be sure to try the bluemelon.

What dangers should we avoid in To Nowhere? I would avoid the giants if at all possible. Not that you could. Once you’re trapped in this world, odds are the best you can hope for is a kind owner who might see you as an entertaining pet. Good luck.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in To Nowhere? There are a lot of blue foods in this world. Bluemelon and starfruit especially. Plus, humans might find it odd that the giants in this world do not eat meat. In fact, they find it disgusting and primitive that humans do.

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in To Nowhere that we don’t see on Earth? Haha, I’m pretty sure people don’t see sixty foot giants roaming around on Earth. Ahh! But that would be so cool if we could!

Is there any advanced or unusual technology in To Nowhere? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples. Collars for pet humans play a very special role in this world. By wearing a collar, humans are able to actually communicate with giants, if the giant is interested that is. The issue is that they’re expensive and it’s easier for giants to treat humans as pets if they aren’t able to understand what these cute little living dolls are actually saying, so few humans are allowed the privilege of wearing one. They are a neat little device used to manipulate the throat muscles so when a human speaks a sentence, a giant can clearly understand them through an earpiece. But like I said, few humans are allowed such an honor as to speak with their giant owner.

Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit To Nowhere? Redheads are considered the most valuable type of human. Red hair is extremely rare among giants in To Nowhere, so any redheads who come along are much sought after by wealthy giants. There used to be interest in brightly colored haired humans, but once they found out the color was fake, they lost interest.

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book? It’s not so much a controversial topic – most people would agree that slavery or ownership of one sentient being by another is wrong. What is dealt with here is more the idea of dehumanization – if you are able to see another creature as being less than human it opens the door for a lot of things that are normally considered monstrous. In this book, since human beings are so much smaller than the giants and are rarely able to communicate with their captors, it makes sense for the giants to keep humans as pets. Crazy huh? And kind of scary. I touch on this issue a lot in my books including my older book “The Promise” and my upcoming release “The Boy with Words.” I love to talk about overcoming differences in a world where some crazy physical or social factor creates a schism. Usually, I tackle size, but there’s nothing I love more than when two characters overcome their differences to trust and care for one another.

Author Autobiography:

C.E. Wilson is currently living in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband, daughter, two dogs and two cats. She loves horror movies and shoujo manga. She is at peace when it rains and enjoys the fall because of football and all things pumpkin. Her favorite subject to write about is size difference, but enjoys trying her hand at all things fantastical.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?

Amazon Kindle ebook (on sale for just 99 cents from September 6-8): http://www.amazon.com/To-Nowhere-C-E-Wilson-ebook/dp/B010WC51UY/ref=pd_sim_351_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TSNEVE1VY903W2TKXEB

Smashwords ebook Formats: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/563861

Paperbacks coming Fall 2015!!!!!!!!!

Where can readers connect with you online?

Writing on the side: http://cewilson5.deviantart.com/

Reading on the side: http://www.goodreads.com/CEWilson

And general shenanigans: http://www.facebook.com/people/Ce-Wilson/100003313330557

http://twitter.com/cewilson1

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to To Nowhere. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part LXIV!

-Annie Douglass Lima

Author’s name:

Lelia Rose Foreman

Title of book and/or series:

Shatterworld

Brief summary of the story:

Amish Wannabes take a ship to another world to set up a peaceful, agrarian society. Once they are self-sufficient, they intend to throw away most of their technology. But twelve-year-old Rejoice does not want to grow up to become a farmer. She wants to be an astronomer. She struggles to understand what God wants her to be as she discovers intelligent aliens in the sea and then discovers an asteroid that is going to destroy the colony’s new world.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:

New Earth, or Shatterworld, as Rejoice prefers to call the world, had been hit by large asteroids five hundred years prior to the coming of the humans. Most life on land and sea had been obliterated. Ninety percent of the world is covered by ocean.

If we were to visit Shatterworld as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

Sailing in the shallow waters would be fun, as would playing with baby hexacrabs. The occasional fair or feast is fun, but for the most part, the colonists engage in work as a godly discipline. They are not thinking about tourists.

What dangers should we avoid in Shatterworld?

Sailing in deep waters would expose you to a variety of sea monsters. Hurricanes can be severe.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Shatterworld?

The colonists work hard and they do like to eat what we would consider comfort foods.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Shatterworld?

They’re pacifists! No fighting. They don’t even like contact sports.

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Shatterworld?

The colonists use VTOLs, space shuttles, boats, rollers, and camels to travel. And walking. Walking is good for the soul.

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Shatterworld that we don’t see on Earth?

The most important are the hexacrabs: sentient, undersea aliens with six armored legs, six tentacles, and three eyes on stalks. The hexacrabs are trying to rebuild their shattered civilization and are looking for their lost libraries, all while fighting off sea monsters and these new creatures, the humans.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Shatterworld? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.

These Christians love God and have banded together in a discipline that they believe will draw them closer to God. They don’t ever think about magic.

Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Shatterworld? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.

If you are at all familiar with science-fiction tropes, you will recognize all the technology in the book.

Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Shatterworld.

How entertaining do you think sermons are? Soil creation? Feeding chickens? Oh, discovering and being attacked by aliens?

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Shatterworld as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?

The colonists follow the Christian calendar, but divergence is coming.

Is there a particular religion practiced in Shatterworld? Please describe what it involves.

Although none of the colonists started out as Amish, the practices they cobbled together most closely resemble the Christian Amish.

What is the political or government structure in Shatterworld? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?

The colonists start out with a form of socialism, sharing all things in common, until they can separate onto individual farms. The man with the biggest voice is Brother Smith, the financier and organizer of the colony. The next most influential is the pastor. Everyone likes to think things are run by consensus.

Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Shatterworld?

Please respect their pacifism, their modest dress, and their sexual mores.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?

When we were stationed in Japan at Yokota AFB, my husband explored the concept of pacifism, because if that was God’s will for us, we wanted to engage in the practice. There would have been repercussions for adopting pacifism, as the US Air Force had paid for his dental school, but if that’s what God calls you to, that’s what you do. We did a lot of study and reading. My husband retired a colonel, so you can guess which way we went. I like writing about people who aren’t me, so I wanted to write about a people the way they see themselves. What would happen if they met aliens who wanted to fight them?

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?

Pacifism. Some people consider monogamy and/or Christianity controversial. Is having some main characters with mild Asperger’s controversial?

Author Autobiography:

I’ve raised and released five children, one of them a Wookie. The Air Force gave us the privilege of living in Japan and a number of states, including Texas, Alaska, and Oregon. I have some minor engagement with ministry in Rwanda, and have begun libraries in eleven primary schools there. I also introduced Golden Grain amaranth to farmers there, which was a big hit, and purslane, which was not. They introduced me to the concept of loving and working under murderers.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?

Shatterworld can be ordered as an ebook or paperback from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, or from any bookstore.

Where can readers connect with you online?

www.leliaroseforeman.blogspot.com, on Facebook as Lelia Rose Foreman, on Twitter as @LeliaForeman

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Shatterworld. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the dystopian/fantasy world of To Nowhere, in Realm Explorers Part LXIII!

-Annie Douglass Lima

Author’s name:

Jessica L. Elliott

Title of book and/or series:

Charming Academy series

Brief summary of the story:

The Charming Academy series begins with Charming Academy, the story that tells what happened before, “Once upon a time…” Each following story is a retelling of a classic fairy tale with a few new twists and turns, particularly in giving more details about what the prince was doing. My goal was to create fairy tales that both girls and boys would love.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:

The series takes place in Sanalbereth, a fairy-ruled empire that is meant to be a past version of Earth. As the princes go on their quests, they run into the same kind of places you might find at home, only a little wilder and more dangerous.

If we were to visit Sanalbereth as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?

Well, you should certainly stop in Biberseth, the capitol city, to see Charming Academy for Boys and Fair Damsels Academy for Young Ladies. Then you can see where all the excitement beings as you watch princes and princesses train for the dangers of being on a quest. But if you really want to know where to go and what to do, you’ll have to talk to Uncle Sebastian. He knows every nook and cranny of the place and is a great storyteller to boot. I believe he lives in Rendorlin, but he travels a lot so you could find him just about anywhere.

What dangers should we avoid in Sanalbereth?

Be careful when traveling to stay clear of the highwaymen and bands of thieves in the mountains. There are also dragons, sea serpents and other beasts that would gladly see you as a main course. Most dangerous, however, are the witches. I’m not talking about the Sisters who work at the schools. We’re talking wicked witches. They may look sweet and charming, but watch out!

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Sanalbereth?

Most people ride horses or take carriages. If you’re lucky enough to encounter a kind-hearted dragon, she might let you ride on her back. But don’t count on it. Your best bet would be to visit Phillip in Maltisten and buy a horse from him. He’s got the best horses in Sanalbereth.

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Sanalbereth that we don’t see on Earth?

There are many wild creatures in Sanalbereth. There are dragons and sea serpents and occasionally you’ll find enchanted princes as frogs, beasts or other things. If you’re very quiet in the woods, you might be lucky enough to come across a unicorn. You can also find fairies, imps, mermaids and other enchanting peoples.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Sanalbereth? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.

The fairies have a kind of magic that gives peace and abundance to the peoples of Sanalbereth. They can also use it to send messages and teleport themselves and others at the end of a quest. There are also witches. Some are good, like the Sisters who live at the schools. They use their magic mainly for disciplinary purposes (don’t ever stick your tongue out!) but also to protect the schools and students. Some witches are evil and they are often a source of trouble to questing princes. One prince very nearly became a dog biscuit! The magic in Sanalbereth is often very subtle and might be overlooked by the casual observer, but it is there.

Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Sanalbereth.

Depending on where you are, you can find jousting tournaments and dressage competitions throughout Sanalbereth. The people here love their horses. There also art competitions, dances and festivals to meet all you entertaining needs.

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Sanalbereth as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?

The calendar is the same. The fairies celebrate the changing of the seasons and each province has its own festivals and celebrations. For example, the farming provinces always have a splendid Harvest Festival.

What is the political or government structure in Sanalbereth? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?

Sanalbereth is an empire divided up into provinces ruled by human kings and queens, most often Prince Charmings who have completed their quests. The empire is ruled by the fairy king and queen who oversee the governance of Sanalbereth. The king is good-hearted and kind. He and the queen regularly travel to the different provinces, especially at times of weddings and coronations within the royal families.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?

Real life often inspires my writing. Uncle Sebastian’s love for travel and adventure stems from my own wanderlust, though I haven’t been able to act on it as often as he has. My characters often have bits and pieces of people I know. But the best example of this is in the second book, Finding Prince Charming. Allegra is terrified of frogs because I am terrified of frogs, and really all amphibians. Can’t stand slimy things! *shudder

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?

I can’t think of any super controversial topics in my books, but each of them deals with different challenges. In Prince Charming’s Search, a character is suddenly faced with abuse and manipulation. Becoming Prince Charming takes a look at split personalities and The Ultimate Prince Charming follows two characters overcoming grief. So I guess depending on who you ask, these could be considered controversial. However, I’ve tried to handle each one delicately and show a positive outcome.

Author Autobiography:

If you ask my mother, she’ll tell you I’ve been writing since I could hold a pencil and telling stories even before that! I went to Emporia State University where I graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Never quite found a teaching job and after getting married, I started looking at writing again. The Charming Academy series is based on bedtime stories I told my youngest brother when I visited home on weekends during my college years. I have three adorable children who keep my life busy and crazy! My husband is a teacher and moved us to southwest Kansas where we have fallen in love with our community and this beautiful area of the state.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.

All of my books are available in print at Amazon. You can also order signed copies directly from me at my website. I’m still working on getting everything in ebook, but for now Charming Academy and The Ultimate Prince Charming are available on Smashwords.

Where can readers connect with you online?

I have a website which is a good source of information for finding my books and keeping up with me. You can also follow me on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter, like me on Facebook, and favorite me on Smashwords.

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Sanalbereth. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the planet of Shatterworld, in Realm Explorers Part LXII!

-Annie Douglass Lima

Author’s name: Laurie Penner

Title of book and/or series: Secrets of Gwenla

Brief summary of the story: Trapped inside a towering fortress, young Julyiah seeks to understand Gwenla’s ancient riddles. As truth is revealed, Julyiah’s heart takes her to both breathtaking and terrifying places. Evil forces try to stop her, for she has discovered how to free the enclosed community from some old and deadly deceptions.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story: Victory Valley is a lot like a peaceful secluded valley on Earth, except that it is completely enclosed within fortress walls, and has been for 400 years. No one is allowed outside the walls, so no one knows what is out there. A spring rises from the upper end of the valley and runs through the lower end, providing water for farms. The ranchers raise cows, sheep, and goats. Only a few horses and dogs were permitted inside before the walls were sealed. Tall trees are rare, because the Agricultural Authority only allows edible or useful plants to grow in the limited space.

Underneath the ground level, the city of Durnee lies in a huge cavern, where the wicked master of the Underground enslaves the poor, and profits from his evil deeds. Valley leaders teach that people who live down there have been deceived by the Lying Wind, but some valley dwellers still travel there by night to gamble, drink, or visit the infamous Durnee Hotel.

If we were to visit Victory Valley as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there? Be sure to see the towering North Wall, where the wealthy leaders live. It has some spectacular stones and other rich ornamentation. The Listening Hall is available for hearing the Music, but you have to get past the guards, who check you for unwanted air movement when you enter. Near the Listening Hall are rooms where you can read the sacred books and listen to safe music anytime, for a price.

What dangers should we avoid in the Valley? Stay out of the Underground and be wary of any breeze, because it might be the Lying Wind.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in the Valley? Yes, be sure to try the napcot fruit, good fresh or dried. Several of the women make excellent breads, plus you’ll want some leaky root for dessert. Nutritious chakia roots are abundant in the Underground, but they don’t have much flavor.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in the Valley? Weapons have not been needed much yet, though a time is coming when they will be. The Valley Law maintains order by carrying swords, though they have rarely been needed (yet).

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in Victory Valley? Horses, wagons, and carriages.

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Victory Valley that we don’t see on Earth? Teka bushes provide valley dwellers with dinner-plate sized leaves for paper, and they grow prolifically both above and below ground. One can write on a Teka leaf with a piece of charcoal, erase it and reuse it several times. When it grows limp, it makes a sturdy cleaning cloth, never wearing out completely.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in the Valley? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used. All of the adults in Victory Valley have an unusual ability to live both in the real world and in their hearts, at the same time. A child reaches this ability after he or she passes through the Understanding, which might be a good or bad experience. Whenever an adult hears true Music, his or her heart takes off to breathtaking places, and at that moment, amazing things might happen in the physical world as well as in the heart.

Is there any advanced or unusual technology in the Valley? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples. Light rocks come in various sizes and qualities, but any light rock will glow after being charged in the sun. One can carry a small one to light a pathway. Larger, clearer ones light a house or entire area. Warming rocks are used both to heat and to cool, depending on how they’ve been temperature-charged. Sound rocks can record music. Many songs were recorded back in Gwenla’s time on these rocks and put into boxes. When someone opens the box, the song plays back. The music cells and Listening Hall have plenty of music boxes for the people to listen to while studying the sacred books.

Is there a particular religion practiced in Victory Valley? Please describe what it involves. Music is a major part of a valley dweller’s life in worship of the One, and the leaders expect the people to attend the Listening Hall every week to hear teaching from the sacred books and listen to songs from the music boxes. Listening to the Music or the Voice outside of this format is considered wayward, even though the books themselves talk about this phenomenon. The kind of music people hear in the valley is a matter of great importance and plays a key part in the outcome of the story.

What is the political or government structure in the Valley? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she? Normally there are five male leaders in charge of the community and the religion, although when Gwenla was alive, her word was dominant. If a leader gains distinction or seniority, he might be included as one of the three high leaders.

Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit the Valley? When you greet someone, be sure to ask, “Where are you?” rather than, “How are you?” Since you can’t see into someone’s heart, the person could be falling off a cliff or in the middle of a fire and you wouldn’t know it, other than by studying their emotional state or asking them.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book? What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book? In my own life, as in many others, there is often a question of how much we should be controlled by government or religious leaders. This theme is represented in the book.

Author Autobiography: Laurie has been writing for over forty-five years, starting when she was fourteen years old on her first inspirational mystery/romance novel. Whether it’s non-fiction or a novel, Laurie’s goal is to encourage people with personal issues to build character in the midst of their trials.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book? On Amazon: Secrets of Gwenla e-book Secrets of Gwenla paperback

Where can readers connect with you online? Secrets of Gwenla Facebook Page Laurie Penner, Author/Editor Page Laurie Penner Website

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Victory Valley. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!

Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.

Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the fantasy world of Sanalbereth, in Realm Explorers Part LXI!

-Annie Douglass Lima