Meet Topaz, the Yellow Conjure Cat: Topaz and the Green Fairies is Awarded the Silve...

 

 Topaz and the Green Fairies is Awarded the Silver Medal by Literary Classics

 

Bozel, a genuinely likable young fairy, sets out on his own in an attempt save his family and their community. Torrential rains are causing his village to slide into the river and their homes and land are being destroyed by mud slides. Young Bozel has been selected by the green fairies to find a safe-haven before they all perish.

Can such a young boy save his people? Does he have what it takes to overcome the obstacles and trials he must face? Youngsters will thrill at the adventure and excitement of this delightful fantasy for children. Along the way makes new friends who will help him on his journey. In their travels they meet Topaz, a magical cat with mystical powers. Together with his new friends they devise a plan to rescue Bozel’s community.

Author, Pat Frayne, introduces young readers to an eclectic group of animals, including the ever-so-unusual buckwetcher, and the enchanting ghostbird. With just enough suspense to keep children on the edge of their seats, this marvelous children’s book will enthrall young audiences.

 

 

Give Your Best Book Reading Ever

 Give Your Best Book Reading Ever 

 

Arrive early and bring a bottle of water. I'm always more comfortable if I give myself a little time to become familiar with the setting before I begin the reading. Being there ahead of time gives me a chance to adjust the microphone and organize my papers.  Appearance is important. Dress appropriately and put on your happiest face. Let your audience know you want to be there.

You can begin by thanking your audience for their support and thanking those who worked so hard behind the scenes to make the event possible, but please don't bore everyone with a long list of names.

By now you should have practiced your reading until it's pitch perfect. That means you won't be tripping over difficult sentences. That's why, when you practice it's "crucial" to read aloud. If you can't recruit a family member or a friend to listen, you can always read to your pet.

When you read, think like Dan Holloway. "- read with every ounce of passion that drove you to write in the first place."

Another point Mr. Holloway makes is this - Great readings need to do three things:

1. hold the listener's attention from beginning to end

2. make the listener crave more

3. spotlight the author's writing skills.

Mr. Holloway also says: few passages in a (book) or a novel will do this.

That’s why he suggests keeping your reading short, but reading enough to "- demonstrate your skills at pacing, description, and dialog."

You will want to keep an eye on how your listeners are responding as well. Are they getting restless? Always leave your listeners wanting more rather than boring them with too much. A proper reading should last about thirty minutes for an inexperienced speaker. In most cases, the time is determined by the event organizer. Be sure you have an idea of how long you're expected to read. Whether the reading is ten minutes or thirty, read only those passages that will encourage your listeners to want to buy your book.

Choose four or five short passages you'd like to read; however, you may read only a couple. Many authors, Brad Phillips for one, prefer not to devote their entire time to reading from their book. After reading a short "compelling passage" they tell their listeners something about it. You can use this technique throughout your reading.

If your audience has time to ask questions at the end, be sure you've anticipated what they're likely to ask ahead of time and be prepared to give a short informative answer. Some questions might be:

• How did you decide on your title?

• How did you decide on what to put on the cover?

• Did you model your main character's personality after someone you know?

• Why did you become a writer?

• Where does your creative inspiration come from?

When answering questions, it's always a good practice to repeat the question in case there are members of the audience who didn't hear it clearly. This is helpful if the event is being recorded.

Most importantly, don't forget to say something to remind the audience just how unique your book is while reminding them of what you want them to do before they leave - buy your book!

My thanks to authors Chuck Sambuchino, Brad Phillips, Dan Holloway, and Alan Rinzer, for their very informative articles on this topic.

References: writersdigest.com. mrmediatraining.com, thecreativepenn.com, alanrinzer.com

Otis, The Great Owl

Otis, the 'Great Owl'

(a character from Topaz the Conjure Cat Books)

Otis, The great owl, as he is so often referred to by his friends, is unusually large for a Great-Horned Owl. His wingspan is immense, measuring nearly ten feet in diameter. Three to five feet is the average wingspan for most owls. He's extremely loyal to Topaz and may take on a paternal role in his efforts to stop Topaz from doing something he considers dangers or foolhardy. The great owl's loyalties do not stop there. He's protective of the Fairies and Elves of Knownotten Kingdom as well and will do anything for them. Although Otis is the conjure cat's closest friend, he oftentimes pushes his friend's patients to the point of annoyance with his overly critical points of view.

Owls are birds of prey, and Otis is no exception. He prefers to begin hunting at dust for an hour or two and again before dawn. His diet consists mostly of fish and mice when living in the wild. Over time he's made it a learned practice not to prey on the inhabitants of the kingdom, simply because most of them have become his friends. As a result, Otis has developed an appetite for the finer foods he finds at the king's table, and he takes full advantage of his standing invitation to Sunday teas at Knownotten Castle. 

Owl Facts:

Owls are skillful hunters. They have outstanding hearing; however, owls are best known for their binocular vision. This extraordinary gift allows them to see for great distances. Their powerful feathered talons are another asset, making it possible for them to crush the bones of their prey and swallow them whole once they've removed the unwanted parts with their beaks. Because the feathers in their wings are stiff, and owl's wings are virtually silent. This enables them to pounce on their prey without notice. This may be their greatest advantage.

Topaz the Conjure Cat Books

Topaz and the Green Fairies earns the Silver Award for Chapter Book & the CLC Seal of Approval

Topaz and the Green Fairies earns the 2016 Literary Classics Silver Award for Chapter Book & the 2016 CLC Seal of Approval

Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval For Topaz and the Green Fairies

Bozel,  a genuinely likable young fairy, sets out on his own in an attempt save his family and their community.  Torrential rains are causing his village to slide into the river and their homes and land are being destroyed by mud slides. Young Bozel has been selected by the green fairies to find a safe-haven before they all perish.

Can such a young boy save his people? Does he have what it takes to overcome the obstacles and trials he must face? Youngsters will thrill at the adventure and excitement of this delightful fantasy for children.  Along the way Bozel makes new friends who will help him on his journey.  In their travels they meet Topaz,  a magical cat with mystical powers.  Together with his new friends they devise a plan to rescue Bozel’s community.

Author, Pat Frayne, introduces young readers to an eclectic group of animals, including the ever-so-unusual buckwetcher, and the enchanting ghostbird.  With just enough suspense to keep children on the edge of their seats, this marvelous children’s book will enthrall young audiences.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Posted by Literary Classics Book Awards at 10:27 PM

Buy on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016SPOP7Y

Book Review: Topaz and the Green Fairies

Our Review......

An abundantly likable and enjoyable novel for the young and young at heart, Topaz and The Green Fairies is the latest release in an engaging series from author Pat Frayne. It’s often hard to find the right timbre when writing for a restless audience that’s short on attention, but Frayne imbues her pages with a quiet charm that hits the right narrative and emotional beats from the very start. With a whimsical mix of lovable characters that children will quickly warm to, the adventure is reminiscent of time honored classics. Imaginative and rich in detail, Frayne has a genuine flair for this genre, creating a beguiling world of magic and intrigue whilst careful to capture those human elements of fantasy fiction that make for the best of reads. Underpinning it all is Topaz. A wonderfully imagined character that captures the universal fondness of cats and proves amiably endearing as Bozel’s quest unfolds.

Delightful to the end, Topaz and The Green Fairies proves a magical read and one deserving of a place on your bookshelf. It is strongly recommended. - Book Viral Review

http://bookviral.com/topaz-and-the-green-fairies/4591617555

More about Topaz

 Topaz, the Yellow Conjure Cat

As I've already mentioned, Topaz is not an ordinary cat. He's very much a product of the mystical world he lives in. His large luminous topaz eyes, a trait characteristic of his breed, have an unsettling effect on those who are  unaccustomed to him. Even those who know him well may be put off on occasion. That may be because Topaz appears to be looking through  a being rather that looking at them.

Aside from his eerie eyes, Topaz has other physical traits that set him apart from some other cats. He weighs more than the Elf king and his shoulders come well past the king's waist. This would make him roughly one hundred and fifty pounds. His thick short hair is a buttery yellow color and is striped with pale orange.

 Topaz is committed to the ancient Code he swore to uphold as did his forefathers before him. The Code governs the use of his unique conjure power, and the power has its limits as well. These are but a few of the challenges our conjure cat faces when confronted with other beings who threaten the peace and safety of his beloved Knownotten Kingdom.

Nevertheless, Topaz's dedication does not end here in the Kingdom of Knownotten. He's often called to travel to other lands to protect  the powerless victims of evil and injustice. And he's not above accepting the advice and companionship of others as he strives to fulfill what he sees as his duty to protect the fairies and elves and other mystical beings.

Although these tales were written for the entertainment of those who enjoy fast- paced mystical adventures as well as original fairy tales, there is an emphasis on the value of courage, commitment, friendship, and loyalty.

Topaz, for all his good points, is not a perfect being. Like some of us, he's been known to lose his patients and to speak without thinking. As you learn more about him, I'm sure you'll find these aren't his only failings. All the same, he's well loved by his friends and by readers, young and old alike.


Topaz the Yellow Conjure Cat Books 

Daisy

Daisy

            Daisy, the young fawn, is one of my favorite characters to write, mostly because she was suggested to me by my Granddaughter, Caitlin. Cait was about nine years of age at the time. As Daisy's personality developed, I was surprised to discover this little fawn had taken on some of Cait's behaviors and attitudes. I have to admit this made Daisy's character easier to write, and it was a lot more fun.

When the first book, Topaz and the Evil Wizard was written, Daisy had not yet come on the scene; however, when I wrote the revised edition of this book, I felt compelled to at least give her a mention. For all intents and purposes, Daisy should have been in the first book. When you read it, I'm sure you'll see why.

Daisy was hardly more than two hours old when Otis, the great owl, rescued her from a flash flood in the Mountains of Scarford. Unable to save her parents, Otis brought the tiny creature to the Knownotten Castle where he knew she'd be well cared for until she could fend for herself. The old Elf king loved her from the moment he saw her, and so Daisy became a permanent resident. Not only did she have the run of the castle, Daisy (unlike my granddaughter) was spoiled beyond belief. King Kittle could find no fault with her no matter what she did.

Fawns are one of the world's most adorable animal babies, and I love to collect pictures of them on Pinterest. http://pinterest.com/talesoftopaz/

The Gestation period for a fawn is about ten months. Most fawns are born with white spots that fade by the time they are a year old. Although families stay together, young fawns are cared for by their mothers. Deer may birth one or two fawns at a time. Triplets are rare.

A mother deer wastes no time cleaning her newborns with her tongue. The youngsters must be as scent free as possible if they are to avoid detection by predators. Newborn fawns take their first steps within the first twenty minutes after birth. There's a heartwarming video of this on Wikipedia. It's important for fawns to get their legs under them soon after they are born. They need to stand in order to nurse.

All deer belong to the herbivore family. They are designed by nature to derive their nourishment from living plants, and they are selective about what they like to eat. Fresh, easily digestible greens and tender young twigs are more suited to their four-chambered stomachs. They also like lichen, fungi, and fruit. The deer around our way love our neighbor's new rose buds. And because deer are such excellent jumpers, the barbed wire fence that separates my neighbor's back yard from the wild landscape behind it is no deterrent.

I was surprised to learn that deer are indigenous to every continent in the world with the exception of Australia and Antarctica. On Wikipedia, I also learned that deer have facial glands in front of their eyes that contain a scent used to mark their territory. They do this by rubbing their faces against trees around their home site. Unfortunately, following these 'rub' marks is one-way hunters can track deer.

Another thing I didn't know is that all deer have antlers. Hence the need for a calcium-rich diet in greens. The female deer have what is better described as small stubs. The female reindeer, however, are the exception. They grow the real deal.

Deer have excellent night vision. This is due to a layer of specialized tissue behind the retina that reflects visible light and increases the light in the photoreceptors. Not only does this increase the animal's night vision, it's also responsible for 'eye shine', giving the pupils that spooky glow in the dark feature.

Raccoons Are Cute!

Raccoons are cute, curious, nocturnal, interesting, intelligent, and good at learning lessons. Here in Arizona, raccoons live along the riparian waterways and on the outskirts of towns and cities. You won't find them where a permanent source of water is not readily available. A raccoon's most outstanding feature is its front paws. Each paw has five fingers, and raccoons are capable of using their paws in much the same way we use our hands. This makes them adept at opening coolers, back doors, backpacks, or almost anything that promises to contain something edible.

Their appetites are just as flexible. They eat insects, snails, worms, crawfish, frogs, nuts, berries, and a variety of plants, small birds, and mammals. They have even been known to make a meal on garbage, carrion, or birdseed. So be careful about what you leave laying around the back yard that might attract these opportunistic characters. They will take advantage. They have entered homes through pet doors to finish off any leftovers to be found in pet bowls.

If they really like a newly discovered territory, they will make a home close by, perhaps in you woodpile, in your shed, or under your porch. Before you know it there will be a den of cubs or kits, anywhere from three to five of them. Raccoons mate all year round and the average gestation period is about sixty-five days. The youngsters are raised by the mother. In the wild, raccoons are only expected to live for one to three years; however, as pets or in captivity, they can survive for much, much longer. Some have lived for as long as twenty years or more.

Not all raccoons have a black mask like the Proc'yon lotor. There is another breed called Bassarucus astutus. These raccoons have whitish rings around black eyes. The rest of the raccoons face is a plain gray color. That brings me to Dooley. This rambunctious critter is a member of the later breed and a beloved character in the Tales of Topaz the Conjure Cat Books for middle school children. Dooley makes his first appearance in the Mountains of Scarford when he bumps into Topaz. In this tale Topaz is searching for the Wizard's Tomb in Topaz and the Evil Wizard. Dooley, although quite likable, has a few unfavorable characterizes as well. Because of his natures to be curious, he often appears nosy. He's also blunt to the point of rudeness when he feels his patience is being tried. All things considered, Dooley's heart is in the right place and he seeks to do good whenever he has the opportunity.

 http://www.pinterest.com/talesoftopaz/

More about Great-Horned Owls

Owls Rock

Great-Horned Owls are adaptable creatures. They can be found anywhere in the United States and that includes parts of Alaska as well. Their diet consists of a wide variety of critters. They have been known to dine on almost anything from fish, bugs, and reptiles to birds and mammals. Some of these as big or bigger than they themselves, mammals like skunks, raccoon, and opossum. They kill their prey by crushing them with their powerful feathered talons before they swallow them whole.

Owls prefer to nest in the natural openings they find in trees, or they will take over the abandoned nests of other birds or animals rather than building a nest from scratch. Where they nest is just as versatile as what they choose to eat. Cliff edges, small caves, low bushes, tall grasses, bushy places on the desert floor, and hollows inside cacti are but a few. They have nested in a coyote's den or inside the entrance to a badger's burrow. Sometimes they have even chosen to nest in man-made structures.

Not far from the small town where I live is the larger town of Prescott Valley, Arizona, and the local Home Depot. For years now, a family of owls continue to nest on the very top storage shelf of the outdoor gardenmart. The area they chose is against the wall and under an overhang. Their nest is safely nestled between a large stock of cardboard boxes.

Home Depot has become their private sanctuary. Store employees avoid going anywhere near the site until the nestlings are old enough to move out of the nest and hang out nearby. By this time, the youngsters are about six weeks old. At seven weeks they can fly a little, but owls aren't competent enough to fly well until they are at least ten to twelve weeks of age. Parents continue to feed the juveniles until they are about five months old. And growing young Owls eat a lot!

Eventually, It takes both parents to keep them fed. This means that hunting times are extended to include daylight hours as well. The parent owls usually have large caches of food stored close to the nest. This place is where the owls bring their prey first. Here is where they discard the unwanted parts, things like heads, wings, and feet.

These discards they leave for the Home Depot employees to deal with at a later date.
To learn so much more about these fascinating raptors go to Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_horned_owl#Territoriality_and_movements

Book Viral Review

        Topaz and the Green Fairies

Editorial Review:
An abundantly likable and enjoyable novel for the young and young at heart, Topaz and The Green Fairies is the latest release in an engaging series from author Pat Frayne. It’s often hard to find the right timbre when writing for a restless audience that’s short on attention, but Frayne imbues her pages with a quiet charm that hits the right narrative and emotional beats from the very start. With a whimsical mix of lovable characters that children will quickly warm to, the adventure is reminiscent of time honored classics. Imaginative and rich in detail, Frayne has a genuine flair for this genre, creating a beguiling world of magic and intrigue whilst careful to capture those human elements of fantasy fiction that make for the best of reads. Underpinning it all is Topaz. A wonderfully imagined character that captures the universal fondness of cats and proves amiably endearing as Bozel’s quest unfolds.

Delightful to the end, Topaz and The Green Fairies proves a magical read and one deserving of a place on your bookshelf. It is strongly recommended. - Book Viral Review

 http://bookviral.com/topaz-and-the-green-fairies/4591617555

Imagination (third installment)

Imagination

In the beginning, my imagination seemed to flow with ease.  I finished the first draft of each of the first two stories in less than a week after I'd begun to write them. Sometimes the ideas flowed so fast I found I’d written myself into a corner and had no recourse but to self-sufficient.

At other times the dilemmas I created for my characters would take a few hours or even a couple of days to resolve before I could move forward. This was especially true in the third Book, Topaz, and the Green Fairies. Yet my passion for writing never waned. I love the challenge. It's like trying to solve a difficult puzzle. My biggest problem is spelling. Thank goodness for 'spell-check'.

As a newbie to writing, I had to learn the craft as well. So I joined a writers group,  attended multiple workshops, read several books, and scoured the internet for articles written by accomplished writers. 

All in all, writing about Topaz and his friends has been an enjoyable experience for me. It's also been many hours of hard work with seldom a day off. I've put in more hours  per day writing than I ever did when I worked as a full-time RN. The truth is, most days I barely notice how long I've been in front of the computer until my husband says, "are you ready to  for something to eat?"

Thankfully, he's quite self-sufficient, and he actually likes to make his own meals! 

http://www.patfrayne.net

Topaz, the Yellow Conjure Cat

Topaz, the Yellow Conjure Cat

As I've already mentioned, Topaz is not just an ordinary cat. He's very much a product of the mystical world he lives in. His luminous topaz eyes, a trait characteristic of his breed, are quite unsettling to those beings unfamiliar with conjure cats.  At times, those eerie eyes may be a bit unnerving for close friends as well.  This happens when Topaz appears to look through someone rather than looking at them. But that's by far, not the only reason others find them so disturbing.

Aside from his strange luminous eyes there are other traits that set him apart. He has quite a long tail, and his short buttery yellow fur is striped with pale orange. Topaz is a large, lean, muscular cat that weighs more than the Elf king. His shoulders actually come past the king's waist. This would make him roughly one hundred and fifty pounds.

Unfortunately, Topaz is the last cat of his kind. Even so, he's committed to the ancient Code he swore to uphold as did his forefathers before him. The Code governs the use of his unique conjure power. Nevertheless, this power has its limits. Armed with only a basic understanding of how this power works, Topaz struggles with this insecurity even as fights to protect the kingdom and all its inhabitants. These are but a few of the challenges our conjure cat faces when confronted with other beings who threaten the peace and safety of his beloved Knownotten.

Nevertheless, Topaz's dedication does not end here in the Kingdom of Knownotten. He's often called upon to defend the powerless victims of evil and injustice in other lands. Because he is wise, he's not above accepting the advice and companionship of others as he strives to fulfill what he sees as his duty to all Fairies and Elves as well as other mystical beings.

Topaz, for all his good points, is not a perfect being. Like some of us, he's been known to lose his patients and to speak without thinking. As you learn more about him, I'm sure you'll find these aren't his only failings. All the same, he's well loved by his friends and by readers, young and old alike.

Although these tales were written for the entertainment of those who enjoy fast-paced mystical adventures and original fairy tales, there is an emphasis on the value of courage, commitment, friendship, and loyalty.

* Fairy and Elf are capitalized because they are the name of a nationality in this series.

Topaz the Conjure Cat Books 

Book Description

Topaz and the Green Fairies                                by Pat Frayne

“For once in his young life he had a sense of self-reliance and what a responsibility that truly was. Whatever happened to him on this journey had the power to make him stronger. Or he could let it destroy him”. Such are the thoughts of young Bozel, a pivotal new character introduced in Topaz and the Green Fairies, the third installment in the Tales of Topaz the Conjure Cat series by Pat Frayne.

In this latest high adventure story we journey to an island in the midst of chaos. Severe storms are threatening to obliterate the home where the Green Fairies have lived for generations. It is up to young Bozel to find help to save his people before they perish. Armed with little more than a blanket, a hand drawn map and a small bag of food, Bozel bravely sets out alone to do as he has been tasked.

 Along the way he encounters numerous obstacles and life challenging situations. Bozel must overcome not only his own personal fears and self-doubt, but very real dangers as well. The story switches between Bozel’s trials, to that of our old friend Topaz and the inhabitants of Knownotten Kingdom who are experiencing struggles of their own. Otis has been injured and is trapped in a desolate land where he encounters a sinister, ghost-like creature.

When Topaz, Otis, Dooley and Daisy’s paths finally collide with Bozel the race is on to formulate a plan to try and save the Green Fairies before all is lost. Topaz will be faced with the ultimate test of his strength, courage and commitment to others. Pat Frayne has once again created captivating and memorable characters who not only show their flaws and weaknesses but also their grit and determination in the midst of adversity. This fun, fast paced fantasy, about a land inhabited by mystical beings will be sure to capture the reader with all its exciting twists and turns.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1518621155/?ref_=pe_584750_33951330