#SampleSunday Jan. 1, 2012 Sneak Peek Into Dragonfire

I’ve been busy writing the third book in my Crystal Keeper Chronicles, The Lost Secret of Dragonfire. Here is a sneak peek into my current draft. The last look was in May 2011. Wanda had her little brother break her crystal pendant. So, she was off to visit master miners and makers of crystal pendants, the dwarves.

A Look Into the third book of the Crystal Chronicles: The Lost Secret of Dragonfire:

There was a sudden flare of light. Then, I saw standing in front of us, a shaggy man as tall as me. He had a long, brown beard, a bulbous nose, and beady brown eyes. His eyebrows were beyond bushy, and he held a torch flooding the corridor with enough light to make the crystals glint in all directions. His cloths looked like a peasants drawing from one of my fairy tale books. You know, long following sleeves, vest, drawstring at the collar, and brown baggy pants. But the most distinguishing thing was his hands. They were large and beefy. It made him look out of proportion. I saw the glint of boots under the cuff of his trouser.

“Welcome to the City of the Dwarves. For a human child, to be this close, you must be a Crystal Keeper and on fairy business. I’m Clarkson. The Watch for the Western Edge of the Dwarf Capital. Be what business ye on?”

I cleared my thought and stood up a bit. I tried to sound official by saying, “I am a Crystal Keeper of the Western Realms of Fairy. You are right. I have come on fairy business. I be named Wanda.” Flashbacks of the visit to the Renaisance Fair came flooding back to me. I pointed down at Brewford. “This is my cat sorcerer and assistant, Brewford.”

And instructor, guide, and general reference for advice. Brewford nodded. His head voice was filled with cat dignity.

“What is it that you wish of the Dwarf Kingdom?” The dwarf folded his arms. “It is my job to find the best resource to guide ye.”

I couldn’t continue with the Faire language. I was going to have to switch to normal talk. “Well, Clarkson, my little brother totally broke my crystal. I need a new one. My unicorn guide said this was the best place to come.”

He answered with a gruff affirmative that ended in a grin. “Good to switch into the informal language. I was never good at it in school, you see. Your unicorn was right. We supply the Fairy World with most of their crystals for Keepers, healing, building, and pretty much anything else that could be needed. If a dwarf knows anything, it’s crystals, stones and the earth. It is our speciality. If you need it, we can mine it.” He gave me a wink and motioned to follow. “I think the Dwarf King would be interested in hearing your problem. Maybe you can help us with ours.”

We did notice a magical imbalance in the paths on the way here Dwarf Clarkson. Brewford had taken the lead in front of me. He slipped right next to the dwarf. If I’m not mistaken, the energy flow is being interrupted. Have you found the source?

“That is the problem Cat Sorcerer. We can’t find the interruption point. If we knew where it was, we could fix the imbalance. It’s as if someone has found a way to divert power from the paths, and it’s starting to affect the roots. We need to find it, or the fairy paths themselves will start to collapse. The Fairy World would be divided permanently from the Real World. The imbalance could destroy both worlds.”

There was a tisk, tisk from Brewford. It is more serious than I thought. You’re right in taking us to the Dwarf King. I’m going to need to ask some questions as well.

This sounded like some kind of Fairy Armageddon. I had to get this straight. “Do you mean, the Fairy Paths would collapse? Be destroyed? How would the fairies travel and communicate?”

It’s worse than that Wanda. Brewford’s head voice actually held a note of concern. The fairy paths connect the World of Fairy, but it is also the conduit for all of the Fairy Magic. Without the Fairy Paths functioning correctly, Fairy World magic will be cut off or worse, fade from the World of Fairy.

“And the World of Fairy,…” I left it hanging in the air as it started to settle into my mind.

“…would die.” Brewford’s words were more chilling than the air around me.

Oh boy. Not good. I hope we could find this Dwarf King fast. I was right that I felt a need to go quickly.

We arrived at the corridor end. It opened up to the glow at the end of the tunnel, and I couldn’t speak. We were in a cavern, the largest crystal cave I had ever seen. The walls were lined with crystals and structures of crystal, stone, and rock. It was beyond cave dwelling and cave man like. It was a catacomb of crystals and caves.

In and out of different level openings, dwarves moved in and out. Some had beards. Some had long walking sticks, carts, baskets, and even small mules. The rush of industry was about this place, and dwarves were everywhere.

“Welcome to Geldenar”, said Clarkson. He waved his hand about and grew with a big smile. “I can tell this is your first visit to the Dwarf Nation. Your eyes are huge. Glad that you seem impressed.”

Look for other sneak peeks and release information for The Lost Secret of Dragonfire through this blog.

**The Crystal Keeper Chronicles are available on Amazon.com as paperback or Kindle editions.
Also available on Smashwords.com.

#SampleSunday Oct. 30, 2011 Pumper Continues His Quest: A Halloween Exclusive

Pumper the Pumpkin: A Halloween Tale by Tiffany Turner

Last week, I posted the beginning of my new Halloween Tale, “Pumper the Pumpkin”. This is a short story for children from 3-8 years old. Pumper was off on his quest to become a jack-o-lantern when he met another pumpkin with the same dream, Mirabel. Together they headed off to try to find a way to become jack-o-lanterns. They were given a clue by a scarecrow to check another part of the pumpkin field. This is where our tale left off. Now, we return to “Pumper the Pumpkin”:

And off they went, up and down, and all around, until they reached the other end of the field. There they found a crow.

“Where are you off in such a hurry,” said the crow.

“To find someone to carve us,” said Pumper. “Do you know someone who can?”

“I think I might have seen a family down at the other end of the field by the farm house. Maybe if you check there, one of the children may want to carve you.”

So off they both went, up and down, and all around the drying vines and dirt clogs to the farm house. There, they saw a small family. A boy and girl were looking among the vines and dirt clogs.

“I don’t see any pumpkins left,” said the girl.

“Maybe we’re too late,” said the boy.

“Wait,” shouted Pumper. He slid and jumped as fast as he could.

Mirabel slid and jumped right behind him. “Wait, we’re still here.”

“Do you hear something?,” said the boy turning to the girl.
Mirabel jumped up in the air. “We’re here.” Mirabel jumped as high as she could. “We want to be carved.”

Pumper jumped in the air. “We’re over here”.

Will they find someone to carve them in time?

To find out, you can get your own copy of Pumper the Pumpkin, link to Amazon.com or Smashwords.com. Happy Halloween!

#SampleSunday October 23, 2011 Pumper the Pumpkin, A New Halloween Tale

Pumper the Pumpkin: A Halloween Tale by Tiffany Turner

For years, I’ve been working on a Halloween Tale about a little pumpkin that has one wish, to be a Jack-o-Lantern. This year his wish comes true. Pumper is the last pumpkin left in the pumpkin patch. All he wants to be is a Jack-O-Lantern to light the way for trick-o-treaters so they don’t get scared on Halloween night. With his friend Mirabel, his dream comes true as this family friendly tale unfolds.

Pumper was a character I created when I was 10 years old. It was a school assignment to write a Halloween story while I was in Fifth Grade. The original story was my exploration in character development and early chapter books.

Pumper’s first adventure is a bit strange, with the loss of his entire family due to high school bullies that smash them in the middle of the night. Thinking that was too scary, I took that out as an adult, and came up with a quest adventure to replace some of the previous ideas.

Here is an excerpt from the beginning of Pumper the Pumpkin:

Once upon a time, there was a small pumpkin left in the pumpkin patch on Halloween Eve. All the other pumpkins had been picked and given good homes. But Pumper the Pumpkin was the only one left of all the pumpkins that had been before.

He wanted to be a Jack-o-Lantern. It was his one wish, to be all lit up on Halloween night, bright and shiny, so all of the Trick-o-Treaters could say “Hi” and not be afraid.

He was feeling rather sorry for himself when he heard some crying out in the distance.

Who could that be? He was the only one left in the patch? Or was he?

He headed off slowly in the direction of the crying. He slid over drying vines and dead leaves. There were holes and ditches where all the pumpkins had been on display.
He went up, and then down. He went sideways, and around. And then he arrived where the crying had started.

It was a girl pumpkin, all alone. She sniffed when she saw him. “Who are you?”

“My name is Pumper. What’s yours?”

“Mirabel.”

“Nice to meet you.” He nodded and asked, “How come you are all alone in the pumpkin patch?”

“Because no one picked me for their pumpkin. All I want to be is a Jack-o-lantern. It means so much to be lit up so all the Trick-0-Treaters will say ‘Hi’ and not be scared.”

“Wow! I thought I was the only one. I thought I was all alone in the pumpkin patch.”

“Me too,” sniffed Mirabel.

“Maybe we can work together to find someone to make us into Jack-o-Lanterns.”

So off they went to look for someone that could turn them both into Jack-o-Lanterns.

They went up and down, around and between drying vines. Then they spotted a maze of corn. The farmer had cut paths throughout the cornfield. Maybe someone was still exploring their way out. After all, the sun wasn’t down yet.

So they went into the maze. They went around and down through husks of corn. They went slow and fast until they found the middle. In the middle was a scarecrow.

“Hello Mr. Scarecrow,” said Pumper. “We’re trying to find someone to carve us for Halloween. Could you carve us please?”

“I should think not,” said the scarecrow. “My job here is to make sure the crows don’t get any of the corn in the maze. There is still plenty to do, and I don’t have time to do any carving. What you need is a nice boy or girl to carve you. There might be one or two still left at the other end of the field. The sun isn’t down yet, and many people look all the way until it is dark.”

“Thank you friend Scarecrow,” said Mirabel. “We’ll go see what is at the other end of the field.”

And off they went, up and down, and all around, until they reached the other end of the field. There they found a crow.

A Note on the cover art: I drew the cover and used GIMP to complete the project. My husband, Keith, helped with final touches. The drawing of Pumper was developed when I was 10. Each year, I would carve him from my chosen pumpkin with the same eyes and face. One year I got creative and used paper to create his facial features. He lasted until Thanksgiving that way. Now Pumper will live forever in this Halloween Tale.

**Pumper the Pumpkin is available as an ebook at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

#SampleSunday June 12, 2011 Summer Reading Tribute

I was out on my porch enjoying the summer weather, when it dawned on me. This is the time that my first book, The Lost Secret of Fairies, takes place. What a perfect time to put up the beginning of the story to get everyone into the summer reading mood.

Before the excerpt, I will share the inspiration for this part of the story. As a kid, I would love to hop the fence and read in quiet seclusion in the middle of the orchard behind my house. I grew up in the Silicon Valley before all the orchards were torn down and turned into computer companies.

Back then, it was more often called the Santa Clara Valley. I was lucky enough to grow up with an orchard that was the starting point of many kid adventures. Throw in a creek nearby, and you have a perfect run-around adventure playland.

My books include many of the childhood adventures come to life. At the start of the first book, Wanda is reading in the orchard behind the fence. Many summers started out in the same way for me as a kid. I invite you to enter into that world of adventure with an added bonus, fairies and cats. They seem to go well together.

Excerpt from The Lost Secret of Fairies pages 7-9:

So, you want to know how I became a Keeper? I’d probably have to explain the last few years. I guess I could begin at the beginning, but that would be too much like a fairy tale. This is anything but your average fairy tale. But then, the fairies always say “There is a beginning to every ending,” so maybe I should start there.

Let’s just say my name is Wanda, and no one understands me. That’s why I was out there in the middle of the orchard that first day I had free from gymnastics practice. It was the end of June, you know, that time you’re finally free from school. You know, when no one bosses you around.

I had escaped from my mom long enough to sneak over the back fence of my house and hide in the orchard. I was reading my favorite fantasy series at the time. Nothing much different than what I normally do.

I didn’t notice the air smelled extra fresh. I remember my hair tied back in a ponytail because of the heat, and wanting it to be a different color than my stupid, boring brown. I’d make a better outcast if I had some cool off the wall color hair, like jet black or cherry red. I’d studied the bottles carefully in the drug store.

I didn’t notice the sun doing strange reflections as I walked out to my favorite spot to read. I mashed down the grass into a perfect fairy bowery. The kind that is perfect to read in, hidden and secluded. I could see around the orchard at cat level. Nothing was crawling or walking around. There was just a slight breeze to disturb the tall grass growing around my hiding spot.

I remembered the last scene of my current book-de-jour. The princess was escaping from Landau, the dark sorcerer who was trying to take over her kingdom. Now, what would she do?
Would she use her secret power of flight? Or would she some how find the way to the locket she needed to free her frozen Mother Queen?

Yes, she’s going to have to fight him. I checked to see how many pages were left. Twelve. Good, I’m getting close to the climax.

I wiggled to get more comfortable in my grass hide-away. Glancing up, I blinked as the sun above me looked no different than before. A sharp bright flash came to the side of my vision. I shrugged, and figured it was a reflection of my glasses. Back then; I thought most things were just a flash, or something that I imagined. I know better now. But back to the story, or it just won’t make sense to you later.

I closed my eyes to listen to the breeze drifting across the grass. I was feeling pretty free right then. No more Jessica Newark to bother me. I hated her making fun of my fashion sense. Like I really cared about their group of popular trends and know-it-all about boys. What point was there? I liked being a loner. It was easier.

I was going to have to see them at gymnastics class. Thing with being in the same area of school and community center, sometimes the two overlapped. But for now, I could ignore them as long as I stood on the other side of the gym. Too bad Michelle moved. Emailing isn’t the same as being there. Good friends are hard to find when you’re fighting to save the world. But that comes later in the story.

Like I said, I was enjoying the summer weather, in my favorite reading spot, alone, how I liked it. I heard a little swoosh of something approaching. I thought it was my cat Brewford coming out to visit me, so I looked up.

“Caw!”

I was startled by the bird squawk. Shaking my head, I tried to find the source and saw nothing. Oh well, time to get back to where the princess was just about to make her move out of her hiding place to reach for the magic locket and….

“Caw.”

Not again! I looked around for the source of the awkward noise. Nothing. I shrugged, looked down to read and…

“Caw. Caw!”

A great black bird hopped into the grass alcove I had created. The bird stalked forward with a grace that gave him authority. His large beak dipped down as he pointed one eye to look at me.
This was odd, but I wasn’t scared. Animals can be friendlier than people most of the time. “What are you doing here crow?” He continued to eye me, twisting his head back and forth. Then hopped up next to my arm. Now, this got me to back up a little. Mind you, it was only from being startled. I mean, how scary can a crow be? Except that normally crows didn’t act like this.

“Caw.” He fixed his eye on me again.

I was afraid to make any movement. Mostly, I was fascinated why the crow was doing this. Was I in his territory? Was it a female crow guarding her nest? I looked around for something in the grass. I thought of my butt crushing her eggs. Oops.

The crow came forward and dropped something that sparkled as it landed in my lap. It hopped backwards and looked at me with puppy dog eyes. This was definitely a strange bird.

I picked the thing up by the cord, and let it dangle in front of me. The crow watched, moving its head to follow the crystal pendant.

“Caw.” He/she/it continued to eye me sideways as I looked at the pendant.

The leather cord was worn, but still strong. It wrapped around a clear quartz crystal. Hints of sunlight sparkled as I turned it in my palm.

Definitely weird. “Curiouser and curiouser” kept repeating in my head like from a bad “Alice in Wonderland” cable movie. I turned it over watching the crystal catch the light. Etched into the crystal were lines or maybe writing, but it was nothing I’d seen before.

If I had known better, I would have dropped the crystal, and ran for my backyard fence. I could have never looked back. But I didn’t want that. And that Alice in Wonderland movie in my mind kept playing. Where did curious get her?

“Is this what you’ve been cawing so much about crow?” I held up the crystal.

“Caw.”

“Are you trying to tell me something,” I felt like one of the heroines in my books. Strange. I sat down leaning closer to the crow.

“Caw.” He hopped away from me and looked back. “Caw.” He began to bob up and down, moving back and forth.

“You want me to follow?” I kept my voice calm as the crow bobbed again, seemed to nod, and turned hopping through the tall grass.

That’s when I took a moment to think. I mean, this could have been my way out? But my sense of adventure was sparked. What was going on? Crows didn’t turn up out of nowhere, drop a crystal pendant in your lap, and hop away beggin’ you with a look to follow? That stuff only happened in movies or books.
I wanted to see what was going on. It could be a trained crow out drawing unsuspecting kids to some weirdo’s house. Like what they show on the news. Or even some new reality show catching unsuspecting kids in orchards. You know, cameras in the bushes somewhere. I tried to look around for something mounted on a tripod. But I doubted it. Nothing that exciting could happen to me. So I thought.

I looked at the crystal. It winked back a flash of light. Was there movement in it? What would the princess do? I had a choice, I guess, like her. I could go after the crow, or go back to reading.

I looked around. There was a rustling movement along the tops of grass stems as a flutter of black feathers rose above the jungle of high grass.

I got up, brushed off the clinging grass stems. I placed my book down under a half-covered rock, and held the crystal in my hand. I felt the wire wrapped tightly around the crystal.
Something began to puzzle me. I guess that’s why I decided to follow. Why was the crow doing this? What was this pendant? And if the crow was leading me on an adventure, it might be more exciting than just sitting here and reading. There was only one way to find out. I headed out after the crow and towards my destiny.

**The Lost Secret of Fairies is available on Amazon.com with paperback and Kindle editions. Also available at Barnesandnoble.com as paperback or Nook editions.

#Samplesunday May 15, 2011 First Look into Dragonfire

I’ve been working diligently on the third book in the Crystal Keeper Chronicles. I want to post the first look at the progress of the book. Some new things are going to be happening to Wanda. Plus, dwarves are starting to become a pivotal part of the Dragonfire secret. It’s all starting to come together. Keep in mind, this is an early draft and will be subject to revision. But I want to give my fans a first glimpse, and then you can let me know what you think. Wanda has just arrived home from school:

When I got home, I dumped my books on the ground and tried to think of something to do. I felt so tired from everything. My head was spinning, and I thought I’d lay down. Maybe a nap would be good. Anything to forget the horrible day I’d had at school.

I took off my crystal pendant and put it by my nightstand. I always did this when I went to sleep. The crystal hummed and warmed in my hand. The crystal fairy that lived within was like an adviser from time to time. I’d learned that if it got warm, she usually had a message. I held it and listened for her head voice. Her voice hummed in my head. Sometimes a break from your problems can help you sort them out later. Rest, and all will be well when you awaken.

Before drifting off to sleep, I remember thinking of Chyra, my unicorn guide in the World of Fairy. She was a master of the fairy paths, and had helped me find Balkazaar’s hidden cave. I wonder what she would think about Eddie. Maybe I just had to rely on my fairy friends now. Malik, a brownie from my home fairy realm, was a real trickster that loved to give advice when not wanted. Lavendora was another fairy that didn’t seem to trust cats. And then there was Brewford. At least he would be there to help. He’d said it often enough.

I thought of Chyra, riding the fairy paths, crossing the large waters to Ireland and maybe other lands. The last thing I remember before my subconscious took over was Chyra stepping onto a rainbow path as I saw her leave from our last adventure.

Then I heard laughter. Small giggles at first, that turned into bubbling laughter. It was followed by a mind voice that sounded like cutting glass. HELP! Wanda, help me. I opened my eyes to see my little brother standing near my bed. He was holding my crystal pendant and pulling on the cord. He started swinging it with a big smile.

“Heah, put that down.”

With an eruption of laughter, my brother ran out my bedroom door and down the hall.

I could hear a scream in my head from my crystal fairy. Help me. I am flying around and hitting the walls.

I scrambled out of bed as fast as I could. I ran down the hall and grabbed him by the shoulders. “Give it back to me now. MOM!”

“No, it’s my pretty necklace NOW.” My brother’s toddler voice spit the t’s at me. “I found it. All mine.”

“No it’s not. I put it there before I went to sleep. MOM!”

“Alright, alright. What has he done now?”. My Mom circled the distance from the kitchen to living room. “You’re only back for a few hours from visiting your father, and already into trouble.”

He smiled back at her. He got the “Puss and Boots” look from Shrek, and gave my Mom the flash of the big brown eyes. My brother got away with a lot by just smiling.

“My pret-ty.” He stressed the ts in a long drawn out demand of ownership. “MINE.”

“No dear, it is your sister’s necklace. Please give it back.”

“No.”

“Please dear, it will make Mommy very happy.”

“No.”

“Come on you brat, give it back.” I was losing my patience.

Mom turned to me and said, “Wanda, you have to be gentle with him. He doesn’t understand.”

“Yes he does. He thinks if he holds anything it’s his. That’s how he understands.”

Mom ignored my quip and continued with her pleading. “Give it to Mama, and I’ll give you a big surprise in return.”

His face lit up for a moment. His shaggy brown hair fell in his eyes as his knobby hands flexed on the pendant. “What surprise?”

Mom eyed him back leading him into the bait. She leaned inward. “A big cookie, just for my little man.”

“Cookie.” He dropped the pendant and toddled into the kitchen. Mom followed as I swooped up my pendant. I looked it over. The wire had broken on one section and I could see a crack on the bottom point. This didn’t look good.

“Mom, why couldn’t he have just stayed at Dad’s until Christmas or something?” I was filled with seething rage. “Why did he have to come back today?”

Mom’s voice echoed from the kitchen. “You know the arrangement with your father Wanda. These month long visits are suppose to help them bond more as men. Plus, it helps out with the budget and preschool schedule.”

“Yeah, this month it’s our turn to shuttle him back and forth. I know I’m going to hate October. Can November and December count as one month?” I always got Mom and Dad’s crazy mixed-up custody schedule confused. They switched off watching the little terror to help each of them. He was a lot to deal with at once. But I think it was just to help with Mom’s budget. Things were always quieter the month he was visiting Dad.

Now the mischief-maker of the house was back. I could at least escape during the summer by hopping the fence and reading. But now that he was here again, I’ll have to make sure everything was far out of reach. I’d lost track of so much just trying to find Eddie and help the fairies.

I looked at the pendant again. Yes, there was definitely a large crack at the bottom of the crystal. I held it to see if I could get any warmth from the crystal fairy within. I thought talked to her, Are you all right? Did he hurt you?

I felt massive pain in my head. I hurt. He cracked the crystal. You need to take me to the Fairy Queen. And then more pain rushing between my eyeballs. Ouch. It hurt more than sinus pressure headaches from my allergies.

Ok, hold on. I put the necklace around my neck and looked at the clock. 4:30pm. There was enough time for a quick trip to the Fairy World before dinner. “Mom, I’m going out in the orchard to read. I’ll be back in an hour.”

“Ok dear, no more than an hour. I’ll have dinner ready at 5:30pm.” I headed for the sliding glass door that lead out to our backyard. I saw my brother round the corner of the kitchen into the living room stuffing his face with a big, chocolate chip cookie.

“Brat,” I whispered back at him.

“I got a cookie and you don’t.” He smiled again while I stepped out onto the porch and didn’t look back. That’s one thing good about the Fairy World, I can at least get away from my little brother.

**The Crystal Keeper Chronicles are available on Amazon.com as paperback or Kindle editions.

#SampleSunday May 8, 2011 Happy Mother’s Day

For Sample Sunday, I’d like to take an excerpt from my second book, The Lost Secret of the Green Man. Wanda and Edina, her newly found friend, are getting to know each other. While heading to the crystal store downtown, they stumble onto the subject of their mothers. Excerpt taken from pages 24-25:

Getting out of the crowd worked at least. We headed over to a bus stop that didn’t include my route home. How was I going to get home? Ok, don’t panic. You’re on a Crystal Keeper Quest. Finding out about how to help the fairies by going to a crystal store is a logical place to start. But how do I explain it to Mom? Wait. I could call her.

“Eddie, is there a phone booth or something near the store?” I tried to not sound too worried. I had a tendency to worry too much and show it. Sometimes it drove me a little crazy.

Eddie stopped looking down the road for the bus. “You can use my cell phone to call home if you want.” She dug in her backpack. “You need it now?” She looked up at me from her stance of balancing her backpack on her foot.

“No, maybe it would be better to call her once I’m there. It’s downtown right? I used to go before with my friend, Michelle, on Saturdays. It’s always better to let my mom know I’m ok, and where I am. She likes that. But it’s hard when I have to use pay phones. They’re hard to find now.”

“You can’t get a cell phone?”

“Too expensive. Mom doesn’t have one herself right now. The divorce is making it hard to make ends meet, she says.”

“Sorry Wanda. I remember when my parents got divorced. It was hard not having my mom around, but at least the fighting stopped.”

“You live with your Dad?

“Yeah, my mom went into the Peace Corps. She said she needed to find herself, and left not too long after my 9th birthday.” She picked up her backpack and let it hang on her shoulder. “If it hadn’t been for the fairies, I don’t think I’d gotten through it all. My dad is ok, but he’s not around a lot. But at least the fairies are there for me.”

“Yeah, they have made me feel less lonely since Michelle moved.”

The sound of the bus pulling up changed the conversation into a scurry for our backpacks. We filed into line and found two seats together. -From The Lost Secret of the Green Man

To all the Mothers today, sometimes kids just don’t appreciate you all the time. But they always know deep down that you’re important to them. And there are times others are like a mother to kids. It takes a lot of motherly love to help raise a child.

To all the Moms and any woman that supports a child in some way, Happy Mother’s Day!

Free Libraries: A Thing of the Past?

Library Books image courtesy of school-clipart.com

I was reading my local newspaper through its website. I don’t think I’ve actually read the paper in several years. Most of my news comes to me through the Internet, the Daily Show, or the Colbert Report. I found out about Osama bin Laden’s death through the Internet. Facebook seems to have news travel faster than the mass media.

The article I found mentioned my local county libraries charging out of district fees to non-residences. Yes, the library card as a free prospect was going to be turned into an $80 charge if I didn’t live in the right city. I don’t according to the newspaper website.

Luckily, I don’t use the county libraries as much as the city library. Kind to think of it, I’ve been getting most of my books from either Amazon or book exchange websites like Paperbackswap.com. Agreed, I pay for postage, shipping and or the cost of the book. But these all save me time. The library, if it is free, does save money. But I’m sure if the county is starting to charge fees, the similarly broke cities will follow suit. So I began to wonder, is the Free Library System going to be a thing of the past?

I have wonderful memories of my local library. My first lessons of responsibility came from my first library card. If I lost a book, I had to pay for it with my allowance. As I got older, I used the free aspect of the library to get free movie rentals. If you were patient, the library could save you a lot of money if you were on a student budget. I even remember being absolutely devastated when my local library closed after the 1989 California Bay Area Quake. Two weeks without videos and library books, oh the horror.

Now, video stores are empty with lease signs posted on the doors. Of course, I haven’t walked into a video store since 2005. I’ve been using Netflicks or On-Demand movie rental. Or I even go and see the movie when it is first released.

As far as books, I did make a promise to myself this year to go and start using my local library branch more often. I did, for a while. But then Amazon, with it’s tempting “no waiting list” for my favorite authors, links me to click to charge my latest awaited book. It’s just too easy and fast. I think my patience is less while I’m older. Or it just goes to other places, and I have less tolerance for waiting for library books to come in. Maybe I just like the convenience of the Internet. I didn’t have it in the early 90s when I was a college student.

Then I discovered Paperbackswap.com. Here was a way to get older books from other readers, and send out a lot of my paperbacks from the shelves. I knew they’d get a good home since they were going to people that requested them. Yes, it can take awhile to get a book. But at least you know it’s coming from someone that enjoyed it, and when done, you can pass it along.

So, maybe I have just outgrown the library. If I want a book fast and it’s my favorite author, I’m willing to pay for it and support the author at the same time. Plus, I’ve discovered a lot of Indie Authors that you won’t find in most libraries. Amazon has far more available than most libraries could ever hope to have. And I’ve found that the libraries just don’t take any old books either. Most of my old books end up at Goodwill. But then, that could be just my local system. It may vary in other areas.

Plus, for those hard to find/out of print titles the on-line book exchanges seem to be working. It isn’t free, since you do have to pay postage. But it is more of a recycle program, reusing books and clearing space in your home, so you have more books to read. Plus, a lot of rural areas far from libraries have postal service. This can make it easier than making a trip into the local town library. Or if there is a small town library, the selection isn’t as big as on-line.

Lastly, with cities around the country looking for ways to add to their budgets, programs such as libraries will most likely start having fees. Since one library has started in my area, I’m sure more will follow. If you use the library a lot, it will still be worth it. Of course, that’s only if the fee is reasonable.

I do hope they allow students to have the free card still. That is when I used the library the most, as a struggling student both in high school and college. Any break at that time in your life is well worth it. And if my fee helps kids and college students to use library services, so be it. But then, I’m already paying income, property, and sales taxes. I already know that nothing is really for free.

**Local Newspaper: San Jose Mercury News article on $80 fee for County Libraries
*More free clip art available at school-clipart.com.

#Sample Sunday May 1, 2011

In the spirit of Mother’s Day next weekend, I wanted to post an excerpt from The Lost Secret of Fairies of Wanda and her mother. Remember those times growing up where your mother busts you for coming in late from playing outside. But what if you had a secret you couldn’t tell her?

Excerpt from pages 38-42 of The Lost Secret of Fairies:

Bright light. The sun was blinding after the dimmer light of the crystal caves. There was no sign of Malik. All I could see was a crow. “Malik?”

“Caw…caw…” The crow came closer and bowed. Behind something bumped my leg. A black cat was looking up at me.” “Meow…purr”. She rubbed around my legs.

“Where should I start looking for the spring?” I asked both of the animal-fairies. Both black creatures looked at me. “Do either of you know?” Complete silence. Not even a meow or caw.

“Wait,” I snapped my fingers. “I got it. The old Keeper thought it was north in the creek.” The black cat and crow just stared back. Not even a nod. Hmm. “Then the creek has got to be the place to start.”

“Wanda!” My name coming from the direction of my house broke my thought. That can’t be good.

“Oh no, that’s Mom.”

“WANDA!”

I looked down at both animals. “She only yells like that when it’s time to come in. It must already be near dinner time.” I looked around, and noticed the sun was already lower than it should be around dinner. In fact, it was only a little time before sunset. Had I been gone all day? But it only seemed like an hour at most in the crystal caves?

“Wanda, Wanda, please answer!” There was a plaintive plea in her tone now. She must have been really worried. How long had she been calling me?

“COMING MOM,” I yelled back. I turned to the crow and cat. “I’m sorry, I have to go in and see what my mom wants. It’s a lot later than I usually stay out here. She’s probably worried.” The crow bobbed down, and the cat lowered its gaze and looked up again.
“I’ll take that as an o.k.”

I headed back towards my house, stepping through the knee-high grass and avoiding the pitted spaces between dirt clogs. My crystal pendant swung as I walked. I tucked it under my shirt.

Finally, I got to my back fence, and hefted myself over. I jumped down onto the backyard grass. I saw Mom standing on the patio; hands on her hips, and the ‘I’m-in-trouble’ look on her face.
“Where have you been Wanda? I’ve been calling for almost 10 minutes.”

I looked down, arms behind my back. “I guess I was further out than I thought. I didn’t hear you till just a bit ago.” There that was the truth; I’d not heard her until I was out of the cave. And I had been too far away to hear her.

“Next time, you need to be more careful where you set up a place to read. I need to be able to call you in Wanda. You’re not really supposed to be out there, close to the house, I can still watch you.”

I hunched my shoulders, getting in the dejected posture that seemed to help show I was sorry when I was busted. I couldn’t tell mom about the fairies. Would you? And if she believed that, would she believe I was their new Keeper? I didn’t even know what that was yet. Or how I was going to find the magical spring. Or how I was going to save the fairies from the pollution disease.

“Come inside. It’s way past dinner. It’s cold now, so I’ll have to warm it up in the microwave.” Mom turned in the patio doorway, and retreated into the house. I turned behind me to see a crow land on my back fence.

“I’m sorry”, I whispered behind me. “I have to go in for dinner. But I’ll be out again as soon as I can.”

“CAW.”

I turned and went inside.

The Lost Secret of Fairies.

is a children’s book for ages 8-12, middle reader novel. It is the first book in the Crystal Keeper series.

Sample Sunday March 13, 2011

The Lost Secret of the Green Man by Tiffany Turner

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, I wanted to post a scene from my new book The Lost Secret of the Green Man. Wanda is traveling to Ireland in hopes to meet the Green Man. She is hoping he may have some answers to help save the fairies, again. She is following her leprechaun guide when she spots a patch of luck. This excerpt is from Chapter 7, pages 53-55 Hardcover edition:

He headed up the narrow path covered in a green blanket of clovers. I had a chance to spot the number of leaves. I glanced down and noticed a four-leaf clover among the others. An impulse over took me to pluck it. I remembered what Broc has said that sometimes the Fairy World made you feel compelled towards things you would need. So, I put it in my jacket pocket. Never could hurt to have a little portable luck.

When I was done, I looked up to see both of them gone. “Brewford? Brewford?” What was the leprechaun’s name again? I’m so bad with names. “Leprechaun…friend? Where did you disappear to?”

The mists swirled around me. I couldn’t see down or up. The swirling turned green and black. A voice started to speak within the mist in front of me.

“Turn back Wanda. You will never find what you seek. Travel the Fairy Path no longer.” The voice echoed backwards into the fog and formed a shadow in front of me. The shadow figure formed into a man shape with red eyes. Glistening spaces in the maw of its mouth seemed pointed into a smile. Then he formed into a pale, thin man. He had on a grey and dark purple robe that swirled about him. He held a large walking stick, which could have passed for any wizard’s staff. His pale complexion made him look sick and ill humored. He started to twirl his thin, black mustache. “ So we meet at last.” His nasal voice echoed in my mind after he spoke.

I tried not to smile as the thought came to me and answered, “No, at first.” If this was the Green Man, maybe he had a sense of humor. “And you are the Green Man I presume?” There, that sounded straight from a movie. I might be getting this hero thing right after all.

He only gave me a smile and said, “No, I wouldn’t presume to be him. I’m someone much more important to you.”

He didn’t seem overly friendly, and there was something not right about him. This guy just seemed down right creepy. Maybe he was another kind of trap. He made my skin feel prickly as he looked at me.

Then, I remembered the clover. I held it in my pocket and it tingled. Maybe there was something to the luck being in a four-leaf clover.

“You will let me pass.” I felt bolder. “For it is my choice.” I reached in my pocket and rubbed the clover in my coat pocket. “I don’t have time to deal with super, spooky wannabe shadows.” I started to walk past him.

“Wanda, surely you know not what faces you.” He blocked my path. “I am who you seek.”

“Oh come on! I’ve heard better lines in most horror films. You’ve got to do better than that.” I went to walk past and he blocked the way in front of me. “I’ve faced shadows before. You were never real.” I tried again, and he took two steps back with me.

He seemed to rise up a bit in front of me and said, “I do remember how you faced my allies in the real world. But now, you are in the World of Fairy. And here, fear can become reality in the speck of an instant.” His red eyes gleamed down. “We will meet again. Luck is with you today, for I cannot touch you with a charm of the Fairy Realm held within your hand. But…”
He leaned forward. I could smell his stink like a strong whiff of a cat box right after usage. “We will meet again; sooner than you think.”

A whoosh of black mist ended his words stronger than a period. I was waiting for the whoosh of fire to come up like in the Wizard of Oz. But there was only a strong wind with the scent of rotten leftovers.

Wanda? Wanda? Brewford swept through the murkiness to me. Where have you been? His whiskers were smoothed back against his face. They started to lower some when he continued, along with the fur on his back. He even looked concerned. We lost you in the fog. And then Balkazaar appeared.

“We thought for the worst, friend Keeper.” Lubdan rushed up next to him. His hat was gripped in his hand as if he had been running with it. “Were you frightened with the Master of Shadow Sorcerers blocking the path? We thought surely he would do away with you.”

I noticed a shiver escape my shoulders as I pulled out the four-leaf clover. It was a bit crumpled now, but still whole. “I don’t know what really happened back there, but I know one thing, I definitely had a bit of luck.”

The Lost Secret of the Green Man is available at Amazon and Barnesnoble.com.
Kindle Edition also available.

Read An Ebook Week March 6 – 13

Smashwords is sponsoring the “Read An Ebook Week” March 6-13. Tons of ebooks for children are listed under a special promotion from 50% to 75%. I’m even finding a few books for free. It is a bit hard slogging through the website trying to find all the books. But luckily, Indie Authors are letting me know which of their books are listed in this one week promotion. Here are some featured children’s books below.

I’m starting off the fun with my first book, The Lost Secret of Fairies, FREE. Yes, that’s right, free. So there is no excuse to put off reading an Ebook with your child this week. Here’s the list to get started:

1) The Lost Secret of Fairies:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6090

Free with Coupon Code: RE100

2) My Sparkling Misfortune

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/38174

-25% off with coupon code RAE25

3) The Journey

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/35118

-Free with coupon code RA25

4) The Adventure of Anna the Great (a middle-reader/YA adventure story)

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/13520

Coupon Code: RAE50

5) Tempest (YA/Sci-fi Fantasy)

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/18735

Free with Coupon Code: RAE25

6) Rita Morse and the Sinister Shadow (YA/Sci-Fi Fantasy)

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/39929

Free with Coupon Code: RAE25

OK, you have no excuse. Get your kid reading. Happy Ebook Week!