Neverdark by C.S. Einfield

I just had to share with you this gorgeous children's book

by C.S. Einfeld and Aaron Einfeld.

The Faeries of Southnut are in big trouble. Lord Darkwater is up to no good.

The White Castle of Doru is under attack by the greatest army Princess Fiera's ever seen. Lord Darkwater is poised to crush her tiny kingdom unless the king gives Fiera up to become his wife.

Well, fffungus! She's having none of that!

The race is on for Fiera to outwit Lord Darkwater's Dragonfly Riders, Bat Brigades, and even a giant, faerie - eating Spider to save herself and, before it's too late, her whole world.


My Review
This is a classic fairy tale with a contemporary feel and I read it in just a couple of sittings. Aimed at tweens, this beautiful feisty little book kept me (aged 42) totally absorbed and entertained.

Fiera is a fairy whose life and home is under threat and who must embark on a quest to save all she holds dear. The format isn't new, but the telling is fresh and funny. Einfeld's voice jumps off the page with humour, originality and a sense that you are in the company of a born story teller.

I instantly bonded with the characters - all distinctive and wonderful. (Manuel the crow is my favourite). I could picture this as a Pixar movie - there's comedy, pathos and adventure in spades. Added to this, Aaron's illustrations made my heart skip a beat every time one appeared on the page.

If you have children, I urge you to get them a copy. If you don't, then read it yourself. What an absolute treat!

Neverdark on Amazon

Hot New Author: Johanna Frappier

Today I’m excited to welcome my new best author friend to the blog – Johanna Frappier!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I live in Massachusetts with my husband, three children, and two cats.  We are in training to be alpaca breeders and are working on weekends to build our farm.  I watch the skies by night for UFOs and beg my favorite psychic friend for stories.

What will readers like about your book?                                                    I've always loved stories that weave in and out of silly, scary, grief, happiness…  I love when the emotion of a character is at one level, then without warning shoots somewhere else-just like in life.  So you’ll find a lot of unkempt emotion in FAIRY CIRCLE.  Just tryin’ to keep this fantasy real!

What inspired you to write it?

My mother raised me on Grimm’s Fairy Tales and fairy tales from all over the world.  But she especially loved Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and tsk tsked the modern vampires that have so many conflicting emotions. This is where she and I differed-I can’t get enough of the modern moody vampire! 

Also, when I was nine, my older brothers took me to see some Disney movie at the theater.  After my parents dropped us off and drove away we left the Disney line and I was escorted to the Poltergeist line…  The movie was almost sold out and there weren’t enough seats together. I had to sit with strangers because my six-year-old brother “would be too scared” to sit alone!  I don’t think I can put into words how much that film terrified me, but I can say, I’ve never slept a whole night through since!  I totally credit Poltergeist with the things that still go on in my head today. ;o)

Do you have any new works in the pipeline?

FAIRY CIRCLE is part of a series called, The FAIRY CIRCLE Series.  Currently, I’m giving FAIRY THIEF, the second book in the series, a going over for release on October 1, 2011.

Who are your favourite authors?

Ooooh!  I love:  Clive Barker, Stephen King, and Mary Stewart.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.

When I went skydiving for the second time, I pulled my chute and zoned out.  When I was supposed to flare to slow myself down I was too slow getting about it and hit the ground hard.  Luckily, I only twisted my ankle.

You’re a braver woman than I am! Thanks so much for gracing us with your gorgeous presence and I hope squillions of people buy Fairy Circle.

Thank you for interviewing me, Shalini.  I must get back to my book.  It’s my new fave: HIDDEN.  

Yay!

www.johannafrappier.blogspot.com

Johanna on Facebook

Fairy Circle at Amazon for Kindle US

Fairy Circle on Goodreads