Laurel’s Marvelous Kingdom
by Monique Roy
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GENRE: children’s early reader
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BLURB:
One stormy night, a wicked witch kidnaps the kingdom’s two princesses in an attempt to turn them against each other. Now, Prince Falcon must save the princesses before one of them turns evil.
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Excerpt One:
One night, when the wicked witch of the land snatches up Princess Astrid, her sister, Princess Laurel realizes it will take more than her superpowers to make trees, plants, and flowers grow to rescue her sister. With the help of childhood friend, Prince Falcon, Laurel rides deep into the dark forest in search of her sister, and where it’s believed the witch lives. Then, on a stormy night, the witch kidnaps Laurel and flies her on her broom to her creepy den. It’s there that Laurel discovers her sister’s jealousy of her powers. Astrid receives some sisterly love and learns that everyone is unique and to embrace her natural gifts. Meanwhile, Prince Falcon meets a wise pink rabbit to help him on his journey to find the princesses.
This fairy tale story will enliven the imagination of children with a little witchy fun in between. The story teaches children about what makes us unique, appreciating your special characteristics, and doing what you love.
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Interview:
Monique Roy Answers
Where are you from? Tell us a little about yourself!
I was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and moved to Dallas, Texas, when I was 4. I grew up in Dallas and still reside in the Big D with my husband and son.
Tell us about your book? How did it get started?
When the wicked witch of the land snatches up Princess Astrid, her sister, Princess Laurel, realizes it will take more than her plant-growing superpowers to rescue her. With the help of a handsome prince, Laurel rides deep into the dark forest in search of the witch’s den.
To her horror, Laurel discovers that Astrid is jealous of her superpowers, and has teamed up with the witch to weaken Laurel’s powers. Now, Laurel must convince Astrid to abandon her evil ways and return to goodness — before the witch and Astrid shed harm onto the kingdom.
This fairy tale story will enliven the imagination of children with a little witchy fun in between.
The story teaches children about what makes us unique, appreciating your special characteristics, and doing what you love.
I wanted to write a book with some fairy-tale elements. I began writing about the princess with powers and the evil witch and the book flourished from there.
How do you create your characters?
Creating a compelling character takes some work. First, consider the character’s name. Names should be word pictures of the character. Next, you need to give your character a certain age and set the character into a time period. Then, you create the character’s appearance and give them a specific look. Is your character tall or short? Thin or fat? Pretty or ugly? What is the character’s personality? Who is their family and who are their friends? What challenges do your character’s face? What makes them happy or sad?
What inspires and what got you started in writing?
I have enjoyed writing since I was a child and wrote stories in a journal when I was young. I completed a journalism major in college so writing also stemmed from that. I have always wanted to write books and wrote my first book, “Once Upon a Time in Venice,” in 2007.
Where do you write? Is there something you need in order to write (music, drinks?)
I write at a desk or from a recliner. I just need a good cup of tea and some quiet. Maybe, I have a Twizzler or two.
How do you get your ideas for writing?
Good writers read a lot. They don’t steal from other’s work, but they do find inspiration in the work of others. A passage in a book, a fact, a line of dialogue, or an unresolved situation usually gives me an idea for my own work. Movies are more visual than books, but sometimes I find an idea in something that the filmmakers left unresolved, or in a fact presented in a documentary. I also do some research from a historical perspective. Also, exercise relaxes the mind and gives me some time to think. Sometimes ideas spring up that way.
What do you like to read?
I like to read historical novels and thrillers.
What would your advice to be for authors or aspiring in regards to writing?
Follow your passion. Write as much as you can and read as much as you can. Write with intention and learn about good writing. In addition, read about the publishing industry and trends.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Learn more at www.monique-roy.com
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Monique’s passion for writing began as a young girl while penning stories in a journal. Now she looks forward to deepening her passion by creating many unique stories that do nothing less than intrigue her readers.
Monique holds a degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and is the author of a middle-grade book Once Upon a Time in Venice, historical fiction novel Across Great Divides, and historical fiction novel A Savage Kultur.
Monique was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and her grandparents were European Jews who fled their home as Hitler rose to power. It’s their story that inspired her to write Across Great Divides, her first historical novel.
She resides in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and son. She also works as a freelance writer.
Website – www.monique-roy.com
Laurel’s Marvelous Kingdom – Kindle edition by Roy, Monique . Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Laurel’s Marvelous Kingdom: Roy, Monique: 9781637282670: Amazon.com: Books
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Monique Roy will be awarding a free hard copy of Laurel’s Marvelous Kingdom to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for hosting!
The story sounds really interesting.