Dangers abound for Penelope Grace and her friends.
Only one question remains.
Will you brave the dangers with them, reader?
*
Below them stretched a dark, endless valley that no sunlight seemed to reach.
Nothing grew there. The valley was stunted and barren, its flat expanse only broken by the twisted stronghold that rose up in its center like a scar on the land. Its towers, made of black, implacable rock, rose up. Ice smothered every surface, and in this view, Penelope Grace could see what people feared in her favorite season.
Svarthol was the long, dreaded march of endless winter, without the promise of new life to come.
Tilly interrupted her thoughts. âAre ye ready, Penelope Grace?â
âYes,â she whispered, taking a deep breath as she continued to gaze down into the valley. âI donât suppose daylight will be too helpful to us in there.â
âAye. But ye have Light of an altogether differenâ sort to guide ye. Letâs be off,â Tilly concluded, not explaining her words as she trotted down the only rutted path to Svarthol.
Once they entered the valley, Penelope Grace was horribly on edge, though there were none of the dangers she had anticipated. None of Denagonâs creatures lurked behind the dry husks of once tall trees. Nothing stalked them or sought to prevent their progress on the long stretch to Svartholâs entrance.
The valley was desolate and still, and Penelope was all the more terrified because of it.
Something was not right.
A vast expanse of land still separated them from Svartholâs gates when Penelope Grace stopped short and whirled around, knowing that she had heard the whisper of something behind her.
âTillyâŚâ
The fox saw it and barked a warning that was drowned out by the roar of bursting earth and the dull murmur of creeping vines.
They were separated before a thing could be done.
Nearly choking on the dusty earth clouding the air, Penelope cried out, âTilly!â
No answer.
âTilly!â
She spun about, peering through the dust-choked air for some sign of her friend. Reaching forward to keep herself steady, Penelopeâs finger scraped against something sharp, and she jerked back in pain.
She stood still, breathing hard, listening, and waiting.
But when the dust at last cleared, Penelope Grace was alone, just as she had feared, shut in by a twisting maze of bracken and thorns.
*
What awaits Penelope Grace in the maze will be uncovered this Friday in Installment Eight of Penelope Grace and the Winter Carousel. You can subscribe below to receive installments of the story!
What will you receive when you subscribe? I’m so glad you asked! đ
Four weekly installments of Penelope Grace and the Winter Carousel
Illustrations to accompany the story
A chance to win an art print of your favorite illustration (read all the details here)
Unlimited access to all past and future book releases, as long as you remain a subscriber!
This week, I have the pleasure of sharing an excerpt from the third installment of my novel, Penelope Grace and the Winter Carousel, in which the search for the Wilderbeast has an unexpected ending…
Read on.
*
They raced down the snow-covered steps, each eager to catch their first glimpse of the Wilderbeast.
âWhere should we look first,â George asked, his face vibrant with anticipation and joy.
âWell, she came up our steps from the right, so ââ
âTo the park! Race you!â
Penelope laughed and ran after him, her cloak flowing behind her as she hurried to catch up.
They were nearly there when George finally slowed, his cheeks bright pink from the cold.
âDo you suppose, Penelope,â he asked in between deep breaths, âthat the Wilderbeast will hurt us?â
âNever! Wilderbeasts come to the brave of heart to take them on wild adventures. They would never hurt anyone.â
With the park now in view, she smiled and cried, âCome on!â
Both Penelope and George quickly lost track of time and the Wilderbeast, but their time in the park did them immeasurable good. For a while, they could remember that, despite their concerns, there was still hope if they would only look for it.
Sometime later, as they made their way home, Penelope felt all the more determined to help her father; she could see him failing, could see all his joy and warmth fading in time with Uncle Alex. Perhaps, this Christmas would not be the same, but Penelope Grace fiercely believed that it could still be good.
Only a few streets separated them from home when George, suddenly remembering, cried in dismay, âThe Wilderbeast! We never found her!â
âIt will be all right, George. You never know when she might appear.â
They spent the next several minutes debating with great animation what the Wilderbeast might look like. As they turned down their street, George stopped in his tracks, delighted that they no longer had to guess.
Halfway down the street, just a few feet from their doorstep, the Wilderbeast lay settled in the snow, as if waiting for them all this time.
She looked very much like a dragon, but rather than scales, her sleek frame was covered in fur of a soft violet color, dappled in blue and green. As Penelope and George drew near, the Wilderbeast rose, extending her gossamer wings and lowering her head to look at them with her great, green eyes, the color of moss on rain-soaked bark.
They were less than a hundred yards from her when George halted, looking up at the Wilderbeast in wonder.
âShe looks so kind,â he breathed.
âThatâs so those who look closely enough will know they donât have to be afraid of her.â
He was quiet for a moment more, then, âWhatâs her name?â
âLunella,â Penelope replied, âfor the way her wings shimmer in the moonlight.â
Just then, the Wilderbeast, seeming to decide that the two were worthy companions, lay on the ground once more and extended her leg so that Penelope and George could climb up.
âShall we get on,â Penelope asked.
George offered her nothing more than a smile for an answer, and together, they ran to the Wilderbeast, but then â
âWhat on earth are you doing?â
Their father stood on the doorstep, and the Wilderbeast disappeared like a dusting of snow snatched by an icy breeze.
*
What do you suppose awaits Penelope Grace and Georgie inside? To find out and join the fight for wonder for yourself, subscribe below to receive weekly installments of the story through February 2021.
This is the week! The first installment of Penelope Grace and the Winter Carousel publishes this Friday, December 11th! Here’s a sneak peek to tide you over until then.
*
Penelope Grace was a remarkable girl.
Of course, that word â remarkable â can mean many different things, depending on whom you ask.
Upon entering the Saris household, you would first be taken to the kitchen for a warm cup of tea to fight off the early winterâs chill. There, Nurse Sasha â who oversaw everything â would happily offer you her opinion. She could hardly find it less than remarkable that a girl of sixteen could behave so like her nine-year-old brother as to be nearly indistinguishable.
Once welcomed and enlightened, you might continue to the living room and find a comfortable chair near Penelopeâs mother, Mary, who is patiently mending the latest torn and dirt-stained dress. She would share with you how her daughter is remarkably and admirably unconcerned with what others think of her.
Over the years, her friends marveled to find that Penelope was just as likely to pick up an imaginary sword as an intricate piece of embroidery. Growing serious now, Mary would tell you of the many encouragements she has received to rein her daughter in.
But it is too rare a gift to see a childâs spirit endure into adulthood. As Penelopeâs mother, she would ask, how could she do less than safeguard it?
But just then, young George would come bursting in, his great-uncle Alex not far behind, and insist on knowing what your conversation was about.
âWell, George,â Mary would ask with the warmest of smiles, âwhat do you think makes your sister remarkable?â
He would think hard about it for a minute or two but, his nose crinkling up as he grinned, would soon reply with a firm, âTwo things.â
And then, leaning forward as if to share with you a very great secret, George would tell you a story. Just last week, Penelope had, remarkably, succeeded both in assembling an entire regiment of nutcracker soldiers in the foyer and in vanishing from sight before Nurse Sasha could certainly accuse her of having done it.
âAnd the second,â you would ask, sincerely eager to know.
âShe is the only grown-up who isnât only teasing me when she says she still believes in Father Christmas.â
Equally impressed by both these reasons, you might then turn to great-uncle Alex, whom you would find no less willing to join in the conversation.
He would have to say that Penelope was remarkable for her persistent delight in all things simple, yet extraordinary. Even now she remains as enchanted with his magic tricks as she was on the day he first arrived from Greece to share them with her.
But of all her family, acquaintances and friends, only her father, John â who has been listening by the crackling fire all the while â could tell you with absolute certainty what it was that made Penelope Grace genuinely remarkable:
âWonder.â
*
To read more, subscribe below! For $3.99/month, you’ll receive a new installment each week, along with a special illustration to accompany the story and the chance to win an exciting gift in the coming weeks! See you Friday đ
Welcome to the final week of Author Spotlight Month!
I had the privilege of interviewing Niki Florica! She has some great insight to share about balancing a passion for writing with a day job, what inspires her to pen the stories she does, plus a special shout-out to H.A. Pruitt!
*
Niki Florica is a passionate writer, blogger, and daydreamer who finds joy in Jesus, her Underwood typewriter, and in her daydreams-turned-stories. Driven to inspire her fellow young adult readers with plots that enchant, convict, and shine with Truth, Niki is dedicated to capturing that Truth in the fantastical. She plans to dive deeper into creative writing and literature in her university studies . . . unless, of course, she finds Narnia first.
There are so many genres to write in. What made you choose Christian fantasy? What do you think makes this genre unique/important?
I donât think of myself as a writer of Christian fantasy as much as a Christian writer of fantasy . . . in other words, I dream of shining Truth to those who donât already have it, in places they donât expect to find it.
Iâve had a heart for the fantastical since before I was old enough to recognize it, dreaming of Peter Pan and Narnia, getting lost in my own imagination, finding God in faraway places. I think we all want to be transported beyond the ordinary, but whatâs amazing is that Truth can be brought to life in those far-off worlds in dazzling ways. God isnât limited by physical realityâHe can meet us in our imaginations just as easily. When fantasy meets Truth, it brings us closer to the wonder and creativity and greatness that is God . . . and by knowing Him there for a little, we can know Him better here . . . to paraphrase good olâ C.S. Lewis.
Do you have any advice for writers who are trying to balance their dream of writing with a day job?
Itâs so different for everyone, but Iâd say: find a time that works for you, offer it to God, and donât panic when things come up that take temporary priority. God knows our dreams, and Heâll bring them to fruition in His time if thatâs part of His plan, so relax, focus on living for Him first and foremost, and find a system that allows you to enjoy writing, not to see it as an extra heap of stress. I often use writing to take âbreaksâ from work throughout the day, so I have a reason to make time for itâfor my own sanity! Whether your sweet-time is late nights, early mornings, or lunch breaks, thereâs no perfect formula. Just write when you can, and entrust it (and your dream) to God!
Supporting indie authors is so important. What are some ways that readers can do that?
Anything you can do to give an indie author extra exposure is a huge support! Bookstagram is a great way to do thatâif readers are like me, they fall in love with book covers before they even meet the storiesâbut book reviews, social media shout-outs, and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth are all great ways to support.
If you want to go the extra mile, I strongly believe in personal connection. Authors donât just need support for their books, they need support as people. If you loved their book, find a way to reach out and tell them. Engage meaningfully with their social media posts if you can. Be the person who lets them knowâsometimes on days that they may really, really need itâthat what theyâre doing is worthwhile.
Are there any indie authors whose books you would recommend readers check out?
I know sheâs already been featured this month, but I am just so inspired by H.A. Pruitt and her novel, Anelthalien. Seeing the passion she pours into her story and how God is using her gifts to glorify His name is just incredible. She inspires me as a person and as an aspiring author, and a project filled with that much Godly love is bound to be truly powerful!
What are you currently reading?
Iâm waiting for Brandon Sandersonâs new Stormlight Archive novel, but I may wait until the end of the semester to dive into that adventureâor risk binge-reading right through exams.
Are there any current projects that you can share with us?
Yes! Thanks to NaNoWriMo 2020, Iâm currently knee-deep in a contemporary YA standalone novelâa complete departure from anything Iâve tackled so far. It was partially inspired by the newest Little Women film (I still havenât gotten around to finishing the bookâI know, I know!) and itâs inspiring me to take a break from fantastical creatures to tap into something simple and intimate. The story follows a cluster of small-town, slightly-Irish teensâa girl, her two brothers, and the almost-brother-but-maybe-something-else neighbour boyâand how their love for each other is threatened by the space creeping in between them. Each character expresses themselves differently (which is fun for me) and they all struggle with something unique that they feel the need to bury, hide, or fight on their own. Iâm already so in love with this little gang and so invested in their healing. Even people who love each other deeply can exist lightyears apart, but God can make a family out of strangers and constellations out of stars, and I canât wait to see Him breathe His healing power into this story.
That’s all for Author Spotlight Month! A huge thank you to all the authors who were kind enough to participate: H.A. Pruitt, Richard Spillman, Lisa Howeler, and Niki Florica! Go read all their wonderful stories đ
Next week, we’ll be going somewhere new, to a home nestled on a quiet, cobblestone street, where a young girl is holding tightly to wonder…
Writing this installment was one of my greatest joys. I hope you enjoy it!
*
Chip was dreaming.
He was in a dark place, deep within the earth. All the shadows in the world seemed intent on suffocating him. He looked around, anxiously trying to catch sight of Alfeus or Beauregard, but the darkness was all-encompassing.
Chip shivered from the damp and the cold, shivered from how very alone he felt.
But then, a clink sounded behind him, the twinge in his left ear faded away, and Chip turned.
Barely a foot away, a diamond was laying on the cool rock, shimmering as if in defiance of the dark.
Chip huddled close to the jewel, comforted by its cool light, but no sooner had he nestled against it than the light began to fade.
The twinge in his left ear returned in full force as his paws scrambled clumsily to keep hold of the diamond. So frantic were his movements, though, that the now dimly glowing jewel skittered across the rock floor.
Its light much too faint by now to allow the rabbit to find it once again, Chip just sat there, watching the diamondâs radiance succumb to the dark, never thinking to simply ask the light to stay.
*
He woke with a start, unsettled and discouraged by the dream. Chip saw no reason to dampen the othersâ spirits, though, so he kept the dream to himself.
They had stopped to rest underground, Chip and Alfeus feeling spent after their many adventures, and Beauregard always agreeable to a nap. The moth rested nearby, but Chip could see its pale wings fluttering softly, as if it were eager for them to be on their way.
Much like the underground path they had visited not long ago, the walls of this tunnel were encrusted with jewels of various kinds, though not as many as heâd found in the fire lizardsâ dwelling.
He shuddered, hoping that none of the lizardsâ tunnels connected to this one. Ready for adventure as he was, Chip wasnât sure he could bear another encounter with the fiery creatures.
Shaking loose any lingering thoughts of the lizards, the young rabbit returned to looking around the tunnel, and he wondered again at the presence of the jewels.
What were they doing here?
But a loud snort from the waking Beauregard woke Alfeus with a start, sent the moth flying, and put a stop to all Chipâs wonderings.
Distracted by the excitement of continuing on their way to Abaline, the many jewels became, for the time being, nothing more than brilliant sparks of light in the darkness.
But I believe, and I think you do, too, that theyâre something a little bit more.
*
It wasnât long before matters took an unexpected turn. The further the small group of adventurers travelled, the more they realized that this part of the underground was quite unlike any other.
Near the underground river, it had been abundantly clear that the fire lizards ruled; no other creatures dared to make their homes in those tunnels and caves.
Here, however, just the opposite was true. Small glow worms made their meandering way across the rocks in search of cool earth to sink into. Toads hopped along the slick stone paths, seemingly oblivious to Chip and his companions, before disappearing beneath lily pads that covered the small pools they called home.
Fluttering about Chipâs ears almost playfully were insects with the most intricately designed wings he had ever seen. They moved so swiftly, though, that after only the one clear sight of them, they seemed to disappear, and the only thing that betrayed their graceful flight was the pale luminescence of their wings.
Chip breathed in and out slowly, savoring the richness of the air. Moss and lichen covered the ground until only small patches of bare rock could be seen, and it gave the tunnel an earthy smell that Chip loved.
He looked all around in wonder as countless creatures hopped and flew past jewel-encrusted walls, water softly splashed, and the tunnel filled with the sounds and smells of it all. This felt like a wonderfully secret place, and our small rabbit friend felt entirely content to remain there.
They all remained quiet through this part of their journey, unwilling to interrupt the peacefulness of this place.
That is, of course, until Alfeusâ paw became hopelessly stuck in a thick patch of moss.
The chipmunk gave him a long-suffering look. âThere is nothing but mud beneath my foot. If I stay still, Beauregard, I shall sink into the mire and be lost forever.â
Chip chuckled, earning himself a withering stare.
âYou always did have a touch of the dramatic in you, Alfeus,â the beaver replied with a fond look that was not returned. âNow, stay still and hand me your paw.â
âDo you listen to yourself?â was the exasperated answer. âHow one is supposed to stay still and move at the same time, I would very much like to know!â
All the same, Alfeus held out his paw.
It seemed to all that the amusing incident would end right there, until, when Beauregard gave Alfeusâ paw a good tug, the chipmunk did not budge.
A hint of panic crept into Alfeusâ voice. âPut a little more effort into it, Beauregard! I do not wish to become a part of the scenery.â
âIâm sure one more tug ought to do it, Alfy, never you fear.â
Alas, one more tug did not do it, and before Alfeus could protest (as he surely would have), Beauregard wrapped him in a giant bear hug. With a great heave, the beaver tried to free his friend. Just as he did, though, an ominous rumble filled the tunnel, and as all the small creatures nearby scurried away, the ground beneath them crumbled, and Beauregard and Alfeus disappeared from sight.
âAlfeus! Beauregard!â Chip cried, truly frightened now. Quick as he could, he hopped to the edge of the gaping hole his friends had fallen into.
He was just about to jump in after them, heedless of the danger, when the great rumble filled the space once more and the rock shifted back into place. In seconds, the tunnelâs floor was whole once more and the moss was creeping back over the rock, as if the giant hole had never been.
Chip stared in disbelief, unwilling to believe that his friends were gone and the most obvious path back to them was barred. But just then, a deep boom set the tunnel shaking and rocks clattering.
Chip didnât think.
He just ran, heedless of the direction he took through the branching tunnels and the sudden darkness surrounding him.
When next he stopped, heart racing, body shaking, Chip knew he was lost. Still, he was poised to flee at the slightest sound, and when it came, he bolted.
Down the nearest tunnel he flew, never considering the dank, musty smell stealing away the good, clean air.
Looming shapes rose suddenly all around him. Chip gasped in surprise, veering away from one only to nearly collide with another.
Whichever way he turned, it made no difference. He was hemmed in on all sides, and, at long last, Chip stopped short, heart pounding more powerfully than he had thought it capable of.
Thick darkness still surrounded him. So frightened he could hardly move, Chip curled himself into a ball. He closed his eyes, his whole body aching for fear and the longing to not be alone.
A few moments passed before Chip noticed the light.
Tentatively, he opened his eyes and saw that, though still a good distance off, something was illuminating the tunnel. He rose slowly. Fear still clamored for his attention, but the rabbit felt its hold shaking loose. He could see now the strange, looming forms that had frightened him so.
Countless toadstools of all shapes, sizes, and varieties filled the tunnel. Chip stared up in awe at the tangled forest surrounding him, some of the toadstools rising close to the tunnelâs ceiling, others remaining near to the ground, but all of them impossibly vibrant.
He was as entranced by this underground wonder as he had been by the vivid wildflowers in the forest clearing. This, however, was a sight all its own. Whether it was deepest green, richest purple, or impossibly bold red, color was everywhere, and all the while, the light led him on, lending a brilliance to everything it touched.
Yet, when he reached its source, it wasnât at all what Chip expected.
A solitary diamond lay on the rock just as it had in his dream, only this time, there was no sign of the light fading. The jewel lay at the entrance of a new tunnel, which branched to the left and down. If it led deeper underground, Chip thought, perhaps he would find Alfeus and Beauregard. He could see specks of light further down the path, and he suspected that they came from more jewels.
With no further hesitation, Chip continued on, no longer afraid, for, though he had not consciously thought it, some piece of him understood that when fear had kept him from speaking, his desperate need had been a prayer, and it had been heard.
It’s been a little while, friends! I’m excited to get back in the swing of things, sharing stories and bookish love with you all.
Without further ado, here is the next installment of our favorite rabbit’s adventures!
*
âI might have known!â
âNow, Alfy,â Beauregard said, sidling as close as he dared to the chipmunk, âdonât be like that. You know I never meant to lose your hazelnuts, and I certainly never meant for you to be near drowned in an underground river. Why, I didnât even know youâd be there!â
Of course, you already know, reader, that the only word Alfeus really heard was hazelnuts.
âOf course not!â he cried. âYou never mean anything, and yet it happens! Chaos ensues! Whole stores of hazelnuts lost! All because of those rascally, conniving, miscreant rabbits of yours! And you, Beauregard Beaver, do nothing but encourage them!â
âNow, Alfy,â Beauregard protested once more. âConniving seems a bit severe. Mischievous, perhaps. And as for that particular mishap, it was awfully funny,â the beaver concluded with a barely concealed laugh.
Alfeusâ paws clenched tightly at his sides as if he were willing the steam to stay firmly between his ears.
Chip, unable to help himself, giggled and asked, âWhat happened, Beauregard?â
The beaver had hoped a certain inquisitive rabbit might ask, and swift as a river, he launched into the tale. âWell, you see, it was like this ââ
âNot another word, Beauregard!â Alfeus declared.
Beauregard smiled, giving Chip a conspiratorial wink. âIf you insist, Alfeus. But looky here! I see Iâm not the only one whoâs taken up with rabbits.â
Alfeus huffed. âChip is nothing like those ruffians, thank you!â
Chip interjected before more bickering could ensue. âIâm on a quest,â he blurted, feeling just a bit silly for how grand he made it sound.
But Beauregard didnât blink an eye. âA quest!â he boomed. âTell me more, Chip!â
âWell,â Chip continued, feeling suddenly shy, âI prayed for something a while ago, and now I keep wondering if the questions we ask and the prayers we say really matter to Him at all.â
Beauregardâs eyes fairly sparkled at Chipâs words. âYouâre looking for Abaline, I take it?â
âYes!â Chip cried, wondering how Beauregard had known. âAlfeus said we must go behind the waterfall and through the cavern, but when we tried, well⌠I mean no offense, but your friends brought a dragon ââ
âThe Cerulean Drake, no less!â Alfeus pointed out.
âYes,â Chip continued, âand her fire woke the most enormous lizard Iâve ever seen, and you rescued us, and, well⌠we lost our way.â
As he shared this, Chip couldnât help but feel discouraged by the unexpected, albeit adventurous, turn of events, but Beauregard only chuckled.
âI donât know how to tell you this, my boy, but you never found your way to begin with!â
âNever found it? What do you mean?â
âWell, if you ever hope to find Abaline, you have to take the back entrance, of course.â
âThe back entrance?â Alfeus sputtered in disbelief. âDo explain yourself, you exasperating creature!â
Beauregardâs eyes twinkled in such a way that made Chip quite certain that teasing Alfeus was one of the beaverâs greatest delights. Still, he did agree to explain himself. âTry as you might, careful as you are, if you go in the front entrance, youâre bound to disturb the lizards. Whereas the back entrance avoids them altogether!â
Beauregard beamed at his flabbergasted companions. âShall I show you the way?â
Shocked and silent, both Chip and Alfeus followed the beaver as he moseyed down the riverbank, each of them trying equally hard not to think about the underwater debacle they could have avoided if only theyâd known. Alfeus was, perhaps, a bit more prickly about the whole affair, seeing as he had been so utterly confident of the way to Abaline.
Beauregardâs cheerful conversation soon distracted them from all their bemoaning and befuddlement, however, and they began to really enjoy the sunshine and breeze, and yes, even the rushing of the river to their left.
âYou see,â the beaver was saying, âliving by the water gives me plenty of opportunity to become acquainted with all manner of adventurers and the like. More often than not, those in search of Abaline know no better than to take the waterfall path, and they soon end up in the same state as you.
âSo, Iâve taken to making my way up and down the river â a bit like a proper Guardian, you might say â so I can help any unfortunates who end up on the unfriendly side of the Obsidian Lizard. When I heard what the young rabbits were up to plotting, I decided it might be the perfect time to be close by.
âOf course, I was only expecting them, but that Frederick made sure to tell me more were on the way. I shudder to think what might have happened if a certain beaver hadnât been there to pull two forlorn, fellow creatures out of the river,â Beauregard said wistfully, casting a sidelong glance at Alfeus, who did not fail to notice.
âYes, yes, Iâm sure weâre very grateful!â
âIâm very glad to hear that, Alfy. And what with all this gratitude weâre all feeling, it only seems right that you might forgive me for all those lost hazelnuts.â
âOh, for goodnessâ sake. Yes, Beauregard, all is forgiven. Are we nearly there?â
âNot much farther now,â the beaver answered, looking decidedly chipper.
âWell, before we get there, Iâd like to know more about those four rabbits and that dragon,â Chip said.
âAh, yes, the Cerulean Drake,â Beauregard said in very sage tones. âSheâs usually much friendlier, but sheâs just laid her eggs, you see, and sheâs fiercely protective of her babes, especially at this early stage.â
âDonât tell me they went near the grotto!â Alfeus fairly squeaked.
Even Beauregard, supportive as he was of the rabbitsâ mischief, looked a bit abashed at this. âIâm afraid so.â
Seeing Chipâs look of admiring wonderment, though, the beaver instantly brightened. âThey meant the babies no harm, you understand! They only wanted a look at the eggs. Sightings of a Cerulean Drakeâs eggs are precious and rare. Only the very brave and determined can find them, and if thereâs anything that those four rabbits are â Roger, Roderick, Eloise, and Fred are their names â itâs brave and determined.â
âWow,â was all Chip could manage, and though the rabbitsâ adventure had certainly affected his own, he couldnât help but be a bit in awe of them.
Alfeus caught the look and pleaded, âNow, please, Chip, donât go getting any ideas.â
âSeeing as heâs gotten this far, Alfy, Iâd guess that our friend Chip has already had plenty of ideas. And heâll need a few more if heâs to make it to Abaline. And speaking of!â
At this, the beaver gestured forward where a dark tunnel entrance could just barely be seen beneath a mass of trailing vines and leaves, some a rich green, some deepest purple. And resting ever so gently on these leafy tangles were perhaps two dozen moths, all nectar and peach and beige in hue.
As the companions came closer, the moths all began to stir and flutter about.
In moments, one moth in particular was flying carefully before each of them.
âNow, no sudden movements, mind,â Beauregard said. âThis moth will lead us on our way, but they only help the very gentle at heart. Donât trouble yourself too much, Alfy,â the beaver continued as the moth came to rest on the chipmunkâs nose. âIâm sure theyâll make an exception just this once.â
It was all Alfeus could do to keep still while the moth judged his merit.
Youâll be proud to know that he chose to ignore that particular comment.
Apparently satisfied, the small, winged creature flew towards the tunnel entrance, slipping behind the vines. Quickly now, before they lost their guide, Chip, Alfeus, and Beauregard followed, braving the underground once more.
*
Any guesses on what waits in the underground?
And if you’d like to read past installments, just click here.
Happy Monday! I thought it would be nice to do a quick intro post for everyone who’s new around here đ
*
I’m Alexandria, fantasy writer & owner of 21:25 Books. I’ve dreamed of starting a Christian publishing company for a couple years now, & in October 2019, I took the leap & did it! God led me to John 21:25 on a Sunday morning when I was wondering what on earth was next.
This was His answer, sweeter than I could have guessed: “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
Welcome to 21:25 Books, friend, a home for stories & writers who are passionate about filling this world with books about Him & the good things He does. For now, it’s just me & my pen, but I’m expectant for all He’ll do in the future.
*
What about you? What God-given dreams are you praying for or witnessing come alive?
This week, I’m introducing you to one of new favorite authors, Kimberly Duffy! Check out my review of her debut release below!
*
Readers are always searching for those rarest of books that not only entertain and delight you, but also work their way deep into your spirit, finding an eternal home there. A Mosaic of Wings is one of them. The story opens with Nora, a passionate student of entomology at Cornell University, who finds beauty and wonder in all of God’s creation, but particularly in the world of insects. But society insists that she cannot add anything of value to a man’s field, and Nora soon finds herself opposed on all sides, most fiercely by her step-father, who promotes a advantageous match as the only proper path for her.
Still, some friends remain true, among them a favorite professor who longs to see her flourish in the field. Before long, Nora finds herself swept off to India, a land all warmth and spice and passion, competing for a scholarship that just might give her the freedom she’s craving to boldly pursue her dreams. It will not be long, though, before this new land and its people, along with an unexpected friend from home, begin to shape Nora into a stronger and more courageous woman of God than ever before, making her one of those rare fictional characters who are most worthy of emulating.
Without doubt, Kimberly Duffy has woven an enchanting tale that will captivate anyone with the courage to pick up this book and embrace all the ways it will challenge and change you.
21:25 Books 