The first book in my Elle Burton Series, Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals, is now available!  Click here for more information and to view it online.  It's also available in paperback from Amazon.com and from other retailers and bookstores.  

 About the Book:

Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals is a delightful fantasy about a young girl recruited by winged creatures from another dimension to help them protect the children of Earth.

As a Guide to the Fiorins, Elle experiences tremendous loss, joy, and incredible evil as she struggles on her crusade to protect other children.

Her journey to adulthood begins in book one as she discovers magical foot lockers, spider elevators, an enchanted bronze pendant, and the beloved Pegasus.

Elle struggles with the loss of her father, who was stationed in Afghanistan. She is challenged to address bullying, abuse, and other issues that children everywhere encounter on a daily basis. Journey with her as she faces the three challenges predicted in the ancient writings of the prophet of Fiori. Will Elle turn out to be the child who will change the world as predicted in the sacred scrolls? Will she complete three challenges by her 11^th birthday? She is aided on her quest by the Fiorin warrior Amadeus.

Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals is true fantasy, written in a language that will make sense to today’s youth. With secret friends, winged creatures that resemble guardian angels, talking animals, spider elevators, a magic pendant and flowers as big as tractor tires, this book contains everything to capture the imagination of children everywhere.

Elle Burton will inspire children to reach their highest potential and to protect themselves from the real and imagined dangers that exist in the difficult world we live in.

Q: Why did you decide to write a fantasy for children?

A: As a person who suffered abuse as a child, it was my vision to write a delightful story that kids would enjoy; a story that would empower them to seek help if being hurt. I also wanted to inspire those children who enjoy a safe and loving environment to be able to recognize kids in trouble and attempt to help them. The statistics on abuse and bullying are staggering. It was time to develop a story about a child who exhibits the kinds of behavior that every parent wants their child to develop. Elle is a modern day role model who has faced her own challenges and recognizes the problems that her friends face on a daily basis.

Q: Who does this book appeal to?

A: My intent was to provide an engaging fantasy that would be enjoyed by children from age 10 – 19. Elle is only ten as book 1 begins, but the series will follow her to adulthood. What has amazed me with beta readers is mothers and grandmothers have enjoyed the book as much as children ages 11-13 who have read it. One grandmother told me she cried while an 11 year-old laughed animatedly as she talked about Jimmy Backus the class bully.

Q: When will the next book be available?

A: I have about 120 pages of book 2 already written. The editing process took much longer than I had envisioned on book 1, but I expect book 2 to be available by the end of 2014. There will also be short story additions to the book on my website plus Elle is writing a cookbook. She has already released two chapters of the cookbook to people who have registered at my website:  http://peggymcaloon.com/

There will be a free pdf version of the book available on my website for a limited period of time, starting the end of May, 2014.

Peggy Mound McAloon is a recognized watercolor artist who has received national awards for her efforts in the conservation of water resources. Her journey through child abuse, depression and a debilitating car accident elevated her desire to help children cope with their challenges.

She attended the University of Northern Iowa on Scholarship from the Miss Washington Pageant. The majority of her career was spent as the National Account Manager for a division of the National Association of Credit Management, helping commercial credit managers through trainings, seminars, and an array of services. Her previous book, The Art of Business Credit Investigation was published under the name Peggy Mound and is now out-of-print. (Highlighted in Inc. Magazine)

In addition to watercolor, she enjoys an array of crafts and is an avid reader. She has been a contributor to Fox , NBC, and ABC News. She as served her local community as a columnist to the Dunn County News for many years and is active in efforts to raise scholarship funds for young women. She is a founding member of the Women’s Giving Circle of the Community Foundation of Dunn County.

Connect with Peggy M. McAloon:

Blog: http://peggymcaloon.com/

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

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/peggymcaloon 

Twitter: @peggymcaloon

Now, enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of “Elle Burton and the Reflective Portals!