Never forget

Today please honor everyone who was killed in the attack on 9/11/2001. Many heroes ran toward the scene to rescue those who were trapped. Also, please remember those on Flight 93 who valiantly fought against terrorists and gave their lives in the effort. May our flag forever fly over "The land of the free and the home of the brave."

copyright: 2018 Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

Interview with author/publisher Kathryn Ellizabeth Jones

Kathryn, your new book sounds intriguing. How did you get the idea for it?

Great question! My grandson, Christian, came up to me one day and asked, “Why don’t you write boy books?” I asked him what sort of book he’d like if I was going to do that. He said, “Well, I have always wondered what would happen to the earth if it stopped spinning.” LightShade was born. The best news is that, yes, boys will love it, but so will girls!

What’s the title of your new book? Tell us a little bit about it, without giving away too many surprises.

The complete title is, “LightShade – The Space Adventures of Aaden Prescott.” LightShade is book one and takes place in the future where many advances in technology have been made, including flying cars, cyborg police officers, and yes, talking plants. The book is filled with humor, many surprises, and plenty of opportunities to ask yourself, “Is the Prescott family going to make it?”

What genre do you think it’s most suitable for?

LightShade is tween science fantasy.

What do you hope your readers remember most about the book?

Faith is a big deal. It doesn’t come easily, nor does listening to those who may have passed through some things you haven’t yet grasped. There is also something to be said for honoring your talents and abilities. Pride can get in the way of what we do well.

When do you expect your book to be released?

August 29 is the release date. I have some fun things coming up after that time. There will be a release party at The Printed Garden in Sandy, Utah on Friday, August 31 at 7 p.m., and plenty more fun after that. My website www.ariverofstones.com will let you know what’s coming up.

Do you have other projects you’re working on?

I have just finished the first draft of Light Descending, book two of the Aaden Prescott Space Adventure series that will be out in the spring of 2019. I am also working on the third book in the Brianne James Mystery series. This will be out in the fall of 2019.

Do you have a favorite part in the book?

Yes!

Unfortunately, I don’t want to give anything away. But I would be happy to share the beginning!

Beginning of the End

You'll probably hate me, but I don't care. Most people on Earth hate me already, and if you're reading this book, you are one of the few who escaped. Wait, that can't be right.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

It all started with the newscast. I don't usually listen to the news, but there it was that day like fire. My mom was making dinner and I was playing with Legos. If you remember how Legos used to be, you'll be surprised that I heard anything, but that day, that day I'll never forget, we were told the horrifying truth.

Mercury was on its way to Earth. Not to visit, if you get my drift, but to crash land. At first, I laughed it off, but then I remembered it wasn't April Fool's Day. It was August 1. It was hotter outside than the heater running, or fire lighting up a swimming pool.  If I told you I wasn't scared, I'd be lying.

Mom hadn't heard it. But I blinked at the projected flat screen in shock. Sure enough, the words repeated themselves. "Prepare yourselves," the man said. He had fake hair on the top of his head to look real and a frown on his face that was so wide, I knew that if he could be tipped upside down, the smile I'd get would be as big as anyone would give if they’d received what they wanted for Christmas.

Except – this wasn't Christmas. It felt like the stuff I'd learned in Sunday school about the Earth ending and the apocalypse. Except, it wasn't that, or was it?

I dropped the Lego I was holding. It was green. I still remember the color because of what happened afterward. If you don't believe in little green men, you should. And you should believe in UFOs, patches in the grass in the shape of circles, and the movie ET.

But I'm forgetting already.

My Mom looked at me in shock. "What?" she asked, even though I’d told her the truth as calmly as possible. My hands were shaking, but I hid them in my jean pockets so she wouldn't know the complete truth.

Some things are better for a mom not to know.

So, I told her again.

She laughed.

I got mad.

She laughed harder. And then she looked into my eyes. Really looked, you know the way moms do when they think their boy has messed up or told a lie to their brother. I don't have a brother, but I know these things.

She said, "Really, Aaden.”

I'd been told about my 'imagination' since the time I knew what people were saying. And I knew something else – something so terrible, that, up until that night and the newscast, I thought it was the most horrifying thing I would ever hear.

"Aaden… really. What fire are you going to start now?"

I'd been told about the meaning of my name for years. Now that I was ten, I was beyond tired of hearing it. I suppose you want to know what my name means as if you really care, but maybe it will be of some interest to you after you hear what the newscaster told us next. For, after I got Mom to leave the kitchen and come into the living room – which took some effort I can tell you – she stood with her mouth open, as if I'd told her I was going to leave home or something.

But then again, we were all going to have to leave home – and soon – or we'd be scorched.

So, here it is. Two years ago, when I was bored and really had to know the truth for myself, I went to Mom's computer, and put in the spoken password I wasn't supposed to know.

I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was. "Someone like fire,” the computer said.

I looked into my mom's eyes now, and the television was still blaring the news of Mercury. We had only two weeks to find safety.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I have already mentioned that boys and girls will love this book, but I’m also hoping some teens and adults will read it. LightShade is a clean read and there are readers of all ages who want that in a book. There is also a lot of symbolic imagery for the deeper  

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

The year is 2037. The Earth is about to be destroyed along with the human race.  Fortunately, Aaden’s father is an astronaut. Unfortunately, Aaden’s family is not on the planet’s escape list.

With only two weeks before Mercury blasts through the Earth, the Prescott family must travel by foot to the Ophir mountains in Utah where a space plane is waiting.  They must hide themselves within the plane’s walls and escape Earth before it’s too late.

With the help of Neva, an alien living secretly on Earth, they will get additional help – enough to keep them going. But will Aaden have the courage to use the powers within him he is only beginning to understand? Will he have the faith to listen? And if so, will time be in their favor, or will the Earth and all its inhabitants, ultimately turn… LightShade?

Links:

http://www.ideacreationspress.com

http://www.ariverofstones.com

Thank you for spending time with me today, Kathryn Elizabeth. It was fun learning about your new book. Best wishes.

Brand new video movie about Deanie Humphrys-Dunne's books!

The amazing graphic artist, Rhonda Patton, has just created a new video movie about Deanie Humphrys-Dunne's books. Please take a minute to check it out. These are wholesome, entertaining stories with powerful life lessons for young readers.

copyright 2018: Deanie Humphrys-Dunne
www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com/

Growing up at Sweetbrier

Some of you may know I grew up at a riding school called Sweetbrier. Do you know how it got that name? The original owner named the farm Sweetbrier because of a variety of roses that flourished there. Residents of  Easton, the farm's location, said people came from miles around to see those gorgeous flowers. But, if you weren't a fan of flowers, maybe you came to Sweetbrier to visit with the horses. There were all shapes and sizes of horses and ponies because we taught children and adults at the magical place called Sweetbrier.
Did you know, even the Budweiser Clydesdales came to visit when the Barnum Festival was in town. Generally, nine of the huge horses stayed with us. People called daily to inquire about visiting hours for the famous horses. Each of the big steeds had its own personal groom to tend to every need. For example, each Clydesdale at at least fifty pounds of high quality hay each day and as much as fifty pounds of grain.
for more of this story, please visit:
www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com/
copyright 2018: Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

Deanie Humphrys-Dunne's interview with Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

Tell me about your love of horses. When did it begin for you?

My parents owned a riding school called

Sweetbrier.  They moved there when I was a 

baby so as long as I can remember, I wanted to ride well and compete in horse shows. I started riding at about four years old before I could walk very well.

I was born prematurely. At first, doctors said I would be slow at meeting certain milestones. I talked in complete sentences at one-year-old, but when I wasn’t walking at nearly four, my dad took me to a specialist. The doctor said I’d never walk. As you can imagine, my dad was not pleased. He was a determined person who never accepted something he thought he could change. 

Therefore, my dad picked me up and stormed out of the office. My dad told me not to worry about what the doctor said because it was wrong.  Daddy said he’d teach me to ride and I’d be fine. It was the decision that changed my life because I learned to walk and began working toward my dream of becoming an equestrian champion. Incidentally, I always referred to my dad, as “Daddy” because nothing else fit. We had a special bond.

What is your handicap? What specific struggles did you have early on that made it difficult to fulfill your dream?

I was born with cerebral palsy. It means part of my brain was damaged when I was born. In my case, it only affects my legs, not my arms or speech. At first, it was a struggle to take one step without falling. I don’t believe most parents would have considered riding horses when walking was a considerable challenge in the beginning. When I started learning to walk, I could only walk a step without falling, but gradually, my balance improved.

I loved being with the horses so I used to navigate the stairs by sitting down. Then I crawled to the barn, which was probably 500 feet away. 

for more of this interview please visit:

http://idea-creations.blogspot.com/2018/07/author-interview-deanie-humphrys-dunne.html     

Sweetbrier House

New review for Charlene the Star by Delores Ayotte

I'd like to thank inspirational author, Delores Ayotte, for her extraordinary review of Charlene the Star. Here is her review:

5.0 out of 5 starsDelightful children's book!

ByDolores Ayotteon July 13, 2018

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Charlene the Star by Author by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne ( Holly Humphrys-Bajaj ~ Illustrator)

What a delightful children's book! Charlene is born into a family of famous race horses but right from the onset she is concerned about her ability to be a race horse. She is tentative when she mentions this to her mother who encourages Charlene to give it a try nonetheless. She has the opportunity to do just that with her two good friends Ann and Blossom. She quickly realizes that she can't keep up to them and is disappointed in her performance. Thank goodness that Charlene is given the opportunity to excel in another area. Her trainer suggests that she be moved to Jumping for Joy Farm to see how she does with jumping hurdles instead of racing. Elliot, her canine friend helps reassure Charlene and encourages her in bettering her jumping talents.

Author Deanie Humphrys-Dunne utilizes a creative approach to her writing that will definitely appeal to her younger reading audience. The animals are able to communicate with each other which gives the children the opportunity to feel compassion for Charlene's challenges. I enjoyed the questions at the end of the book. They are an additional educational experience sure to provide food for thought. This talented author also demonstrates the benefit of recognizing and accepting the fact that we have different talents. Great lesson to be learned in life. Lovely cover to the book too.

Inspirational Author ~ Dolores Ayotte
I'm Not Perfect and It's Okay: Thirteen Steps to a Happier Self

Charlene the Star and her mom
illustration by Holly Humphrys-Bajaj.

An interview with Hattie the chicken

Today we're going to interview one of the characters from Charlene the Star and Hattie's Heroes, a children's book told by the animal characters.

"Good morning Hattie, please tell us some of your favorite things to do.
"Hello, I'm hopping around flapping my wings because I'm excited about talking to you today.
I love wearing pretty bonnets, like the polka dot one I'm wearing on the cover of Charlene the Star and Hattie's Heroes. But another thing I enjoy is helping my animal friends do good things. For example, in the story, Wooliam the sheep raises money for charity with his lemonade stand and other things he does. All of my friends were thrilled to organize our fair to help raise money. In fact, I love organizing parties and special events.
How wonderful Hattie. You and your friends are a great team.
Tell us about your friend, Elliott.
 I love Elliott. He's a handsome dog with big brown spots and an over sized head. He loves giving his animal friends confidence to try new things. He shows a lot of wisdom because he doesn't get upset when unexpected things happen. Instead, he takes action to help solve problems. Elliott and I worked together to solve a big problem we had regarding writing a schedule for our clients' training. We'll show you the picture at the bottom of this interview.
Thank you so much for sharing the picture, Hattie. who drew the beautiful picture and the cover for your book?
Holly Humphrys-Bajaj drew the cover and all of the illustrations in the book. Aren't they fantastic?
Holly is so talented. We love how her drawings show our personalities. It's a busy day for me today, so I need to get to work, but thank you for interviewing me today.
It's been my pleasure, Hattie. Thank you so much for answering the questions."

Hattie and Elliott wring the schedule
illustration and cover by Holly Humphrys-Bajaj

copyright, 2018: Deanie Humphrys-Dunne
website: www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com/