Praise for Myrtle Mae and the Mirror in the Attic

“Myrtle Mae and the Mirror in the Attic is a delightful romp through a hidden world of goblins, witches, magic, and ancient prophecies. The story centers on Myrtle Mae, a normal 9-year-old girl by all accounts, who learns one day that she is the prophesied Mae witch who will deliver this secret world out of the clutches of darkness. A tall order for a nine year old, indeed, but precocious Myrtle is brave beyond her years. Will she succeed in her quest? With its fantastic characters, loveable heroine, and an epic battle against the forces of evil, Myrtle Mae will appeal to a wide audience, especially to those looking for a little magic in their lives.  If you, too, are searching for that enchanted world beyond the veil -you may cease your quest – Myrtle Mae has what you seek!”

-Molly Jones, Librarian

Thank you Molly.  I believe you have just made my day.  :)  I will be giving your library some copies to share with your patrons.

Do you journal?

     I was recently cleaning out some boxes of old papers and writing when I came across my journal.  I had somehow forgotten all about it.  I began flipping through the pages and memories, causing myself to have a few good laughs and remember some fond times.  Then I wondered why I hadn't kept up with it, and written more.  I mean, I'm a writer, so why did writing in my own journal become such work?

     Well I'm not exactly sure, but I think in the midst of writing on my books, meetings, day job (yes, I have one), friends, family, time for myself, and a list of other things, my journal just fell by the wayside and became one of those less important tasks that had to take a back seat.  However, sitting there holding it in my hands and flipping through the pages made me realize something about it.  Journaling is like a diet.  Yes, I said it, a diet.

     Dieting is something that we all do from time to time for various reasons.  Some people diet every single day and others only need to when an important event is approaching.  Some do it for health reasons and some for personal.  Any way, or reason, you diet it is personalized for you.  Well journaling is the exact same concept.  Bare with me here.   Ok, there are people who journal because it helps them relieve stress or get out there feelings.  Some people use it as a way to express themselves privately and others as a way to document.  (history, family events, etc.)

     Writers journal for all of those reasons as well as for practice, story ideas, getting thoughts down, etc.  Here's my point.  Whatever your reason for doing it, just like a diet, if you fall off the horse get back up.  Take a few minutes, dust yourself off and go again.  The act of journaling has many benefits for your body, mind, spirit, emotions, and your brain.  Especially your brain.  So I have decided to keep my journal out on my desk and write in it when I feel inspired to do so.  It may not be a day to day account of my life or a historical account of world events, but it is my journal after all.  It will be written in when I decide to do so.  So.... give it a try.  Journal or diary, pick it up and dust it off.  Put your pen or pencil to the paper and say whatever you feel like.  You never know what will happen.  It could be a key to future civilizations about our current lives, or something for the grandkids to know you by.  It could even be the inspiration for your future novel or just simply something to one day find in a box of papers and will remind you of memories you will cherish.

Take a peek of Myrtle Mae and the Mirror in the Attic

If you get a chance, and want a sneak peek of Myrtle and the Mirror in the attic, go to http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/302695-myrtle-mae-and-the-mirror-in-the-attic and let me know what you think.

Snippet from Myrtle Mae and the Mirror in the Attic

Here's a snippet of Myrtle Mae and the Mirror in the Attic. Just wanted to share a bit and see what everyone thought so let me know. So...here ya go.


Far away, on the other side of the thin blue veil that separated the worlds, a short, stout, middle-aged woman wearing a rather odd looking, hooded coat appeared at the edge of a long, country drive. Gravel crunched beneath her feet as she glanced around her in the darkness. Large old trees lined the road where they were standing. The song of crickets could be heard breaking through the silence all around them. She stood there for a few moments making sure she was alone. She had gifts, supernatural gifts, which enabled her to do many things that a normal person might not be able to do. She would have to be careful about using magic on this side of the veil. She had heard stories about what happened to witches here.

Standing there in the darkness, barely taking a breath, she calmed herself allowing her mind to search the area in all directions, for at least a five mile radius, before she was satisfied enough to move. Not sensing any danger nearby, she moved aside some fabric and looked into the gentle face of the sleeping baby she carried.

The child still had a slight blue aura about him, rippling in the gentle breeze of the night. Fine, dark hair crowned his head and bright, round eyes with specks of moonlight, danced with curiosity at what was happening to him.

He gurgled at the round, old face that looked down at him. A small, chubby hand reached out from the blanket and grabbed at her cloak. She felt something tug at her heart and a tear slid down her pale cheek, wishing that her sister would have had the chance to raise him herself.

“We should’ve been more careful,” she thought. Somehow, at that moment she could not believe everything she had been through this night to bring him to safety. Lives that had been lost, and a world that had been turned upside down in the chaos, weighed on her mind. She could feel the exhaustion starting to come over her, making her very tired and weary down to her very bones. She looked down at the gently sleeping bundle and took a deep breath. They would be safe here for now.

“What shall we name you?” She asked, thinking out loud.

“Norman? No… Barnabus… Hmh… Felix… Artimus… I’ve got it… I shall call you Marvin! Marvin Mae.” She said nodding her head as she began walking up the long lane towards a large old farmhouse.

“You are a special child Marvin, special indeed.” She pulled the blanket back up around his face keeping him warm and protected. After walking for what seemed like miles, she reached the front porch and entrance to the house and turned the locks in the front door with a flick of her wrists.

A series of metallic clinks and clonks opened the door. A small gray kitten that had been hiding in the shadows stumbled towards her and followed her to the door. It rubbed itself against her ankles and began to purr. She looked down at it and smiled.

“I think we have a new friend Marvin, one who may prove most helpful.” She said looking back at the baby.

“Well then, let’s not stand out here all night; we have wards and protections to put in place and a child to look after. It’s of the utmost importance.” She said to the cat. “Very important… and his daughter will save our world.” She walked into the house with the kitten, meowing, beside her and the door shut itself behind them.

Myrtle Mae and the Mirror in the Attic, Book Trailer - April

The House on Black Mill Road

Book one, of a series my wife and I have been working on, "Myrtle Mae and the Mirror in the Attic," is set to soon be released.  We have been working away on the second book in the series, Myrtle Mae and the Ring of Fire, which will hopefully be released next year.  Also, I haven't been sitting around on my hands when it comes to writing another story of my own.  The House on Black Mill road is in the works as a really scary Haunting story.  Here's a sampling of some of the writing...

A low rumble shook the foundation of the house.  Outside was a gentle autumn rain.  Leaves, just beginning to change their colors, and a slight bite to the breeze cooling even the last bit of warm air that swirled amidst the rain drops, were blowing across the old country road.
Inside, the window panes rattled in their frames and small amounts of dust and plaster fell from cracks into the howling breeze that had found its way in causing the air to have a haze-like appearance.
The damp, mold covered curtains fluttered until the foul spaces between them that let in even the faintest of light fell back into place darkening the secrets inside even more.  Spiders had made their presence with webbing that stretched from corners to floor and fell over everything like linen blankets.  Tiny corpses of flies and moths and many other creepy crawlies littered the dust covered floor. Amid paint chips and pieces of wallpaper, rats and mice had scattered other unmentionables along the warped floor boards and hallways.
Broken glass led to the occasional dead bird and broken window.  Many animals had entered here seeking shelter or food, but even now with a coming storm not a creature was stirring.  Not here.  Not in this house.
This house. This house. This house. This house groaned from pain.  It groaned in sorrow.  It ached in hunger.  It had filled its desires before on the few living that had filled its walls in the past, walls that had been infected long before wood was even cut.  The very ground had been spoiled and soured long ago.
Oh this house…

Myrtle Mae.... The new series!

Almost ten years in the making Myrtle Mae is on her way to shelves and Book Stores near you.  It started with a dream I had several years ago that involved a young girl standing in front of a mirror trying to figure out how to get through it.  She needed to save someone that had been taken through the mirror.  I woke up and jotted down notes and set it aside for a while.  I kept returning to it adding thoughts and notes but never really writing on it very much.  Then a few years later I married My wonderful wife Lynn, who is an amazing writer as well, and I asked her to collaborate with me on this series.  So we worked out an outline, broke the entire story into five books and started working one chapter at a time..Myrtle Mae and the Mirror in the Attic, the first book in the series is now finished and will soon be available.  Book Two is in the works as well as a new Spooky Ghost story i'm working on.  Keep checking in as I share more info later.