THE STORY CATCHER TEASERS

As part of my week long celebration of THE STORY CATCHER's release by Anaiah Press,  I thought I would tease you with some of my other stories. Just enough to help give you a sense of my writing style...as if you couldn't figure THAT one out already...;~)

Here's a some of my picture books:

BARNYARD CHRISTMAS

"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the barn,

Not a creature is stirring while down on the farm."

Blurb: All the barnyard creatures were getting ready for a winter's snooze when up in the sky a special Christmas visitor comes swooping down to stir up a little Christmas spirit. Who's that riding in a sleigh pulled by eight tiny hawks? Why, it's Santa Claws, of course!

OH NO, MOE!

Blurb: Every year Moe tries to win his town's Halloween contest but the costumes keep playing tricks on him. This time he has a tasty snack motivation and a fool-proof plan to take first place!

THINGS GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

Blurb: Jack's afraid of what's in the closet. Monty's scared of what's in the bed. They both should be worried about what's down the hall!

ONE POTATO TWO POTATO

Blurb: Fox is looking forward to lunch when a broken basket causes his meal to get away from him.  Fox has a rollicking, frolicking chase down the hill as he and his friends try to catch rumbly, tumbly potatoes before they get away!

Here are some of my chapter books:

THE WARRIORS THREE

"Chapter One: Krutch Park

Large oak leaves swirled downward, showering the three boys with bursts of red,

yellow, and brown as they raced each other to Krutch Park.  Reaching the monkey bars

first, Billy let out a shout of victory before pushing his shaggy blonde hair out of his eyes. 

He glanced over his shoulder at the others as they ran to catch up to him."

           

Blurb: Billy, Alex, and Nathan have been friends as long as they can remember. But the challenge of competing in a martial arts tournament will not only test their friendship, but will also uncover an unexpected hero.

THE CHOCOLATE TRAIN WRECK

"Chapter One: The Essay

          

          The blast of a train’s whistle as it rumbled across Lebanon Street startled Abigail from daydreaming about Papa’s yummy homemade chocolate chip cookies. Every kid in her third grade class knew how much Abigail loved chocolate. Why even her best friend, Billy, said she would turn into a chocolate chip cookie herself if she didn’t stop eating so many of them!"                   

Blurb: Abigail's favorite things are trains and chocolate chip cookies. But when she has to write an essay for school, she doesn't know what to write about because nothing exciting ever happens around town. It will take 50 tons of chocolate, an airborne diesel train, and an unsolved mystery to give Abigail enough excitement for a lifetime of essays!

Here's some of my young adult novels:

LACEY'S BRIDGE (Work In Progress)

"Prologue

            Tears streaming down her face, Lacey raced to the bridge.  She was numb to the feeling of branches scratching her arms and the wind tangling her hair.  Her attention was focused on the destination.  She had to get to the bridge in time.

            Lacey broke through the trees just as the sun slid from behind dark clouds.  Ahead of her were moss-covered posts and snow stung her eyes as she stumbled toward the bridge’s edge.  Exhausted, she paused a moment to rest her head against the gnarled wood as memories of Tommy washed over her."

Blurb: Lacey always seems to be running away from something; mostly her abusive mother. Tommy tries to live up to his drunken father's expectations, but it never seems to work so he dreams of the day he can run away. Life and love happens when these two run into each other. That is until the shooting starts.

LUNADAR: HOMEWARD BOUND (Work In Progress)

"The setting sun bathes the deck in an unnatural light.  The men are restless.  They have been too long from land, too long from home and it weighs heavily upon their spirits.  This night will be a rough one with choppy seas and razor sharp tongues.  My hand is firm upon the railing and my body sways in rhythm to the waves.  My eyes peer into the fading light as if to see land just beyond the portal.  I will get no rest this night.

Voices waft up from below, a harsh word muttered here and there as the men settle down in cramp quarters which reek of sweat and dirt from many days at sea with only each other and the moonlight for company.   My body begs for rest but my mind races.  Crowded with the what-ifs and what-could-have-been of another life time.  Too late to change things.  The sea is my master and I follow wherever it leads me.  I struggle to stay awake. Many depend on me to lead them through the rocky maze which lies before us.  But I am confident.  I know this path well, having traveled it many times.  Truth be told,  I could steer this ship through these waters with my eyes closed.  Every rock and shell is as familiar to me as the stars in the northern sky.

The maze is done and once again we are on the open sea.  A solitary moon looms before me, the only other thing awake at this time of night.  Midnight hour. Witching hour.  A time when the portal opens between the here and now to stretch into the outer world.  My heart races as if mere wishing could make these sails quicken the journey.  At last we are homeward bound and another moon will not rise before we are once again in the arms of our loved ones.  All that stands between them and me is the moon."

Blurb: Lady Ariana never wished to become a young ruler in the wake of her father's death nor to wage war with Lord Shemar and his Drundles. And she never expected to be caught in the snare of the mermaid's song until that night of the Winter's Solstice. But her father's people depend on her and a portal to another world could hold the key to saving the future of her beloved water city of Lunadar.

There you have it. Some stories to tease your senses and maybe peak your interest as to what's in store in the future for readers from my role as THE STORY CATCHER.

You can order my book, THE STORY CATCHER, through the following buy links. It is available in both ebook and print copies. Here is the book blurb and book trailer.

 

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00PHJRVG0

Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.com/0990908542

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-story-catcher-donna-l-martin/1120753878?ean=9780990908548

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/492614

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23584993-the-story-catcher

Blurb:

Addie comes from a long line of readers, or "story catchers," as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own, though, the words play tricks on her. Addie tries everything she can think of to corral those wiggly letters, but it will take a little faith to become the next STORY CATCHER.