Spotlight: The FunGkins

 

Blurb:

The FunGkins

Book I

   With the evil Leprechauns (The Shangaar) hot on their trail, who would ever guess that the fate of the littlest people would fall on the shoulders of a 10-year-old human girl named Clara Gooday? Her unwavering belief in the Littlest People may be the very thing that saves The FunGkins and all of Halladon from a fate worse than death.

   
But first, she will have to deal with the seven foot tall evil Mr. Mustashio; he is one hundred and fifty years old but doesn’t look a day over forty. Working for the evil Shangaar, he has moved into the funeral home next door, masquerading as an undertaker. But why have he and his sly talking dog Snodsty come to town?  

   Clara is sure Mr. Mustashio is evil and is out to capture The FunGkins. With her trusty magic telescope in hand; she can become invisible at will. Armed with her bag of tricks, it’s her plan to watch every move the tall skinny man and his talking dog make.

   Clara Gooday lives in Pirate’s Cove a small town on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Several strangers (fairies) have move to town. With their bird-like names and features, they are even stranger looking. Some are good while others are pure evil. They all came to Pirate’s Cove the day Clara was born. But for what reason have they come?  Who is Clara really?  What secret does she hold? What if she’s the key to the legend foretold?    

   Clara has many questions, but when she meets Jack One and Jack Two (FunGkins) she and her Aunt Tilly are shrunken down to size and whisked off to the magical world of Mushroom Valley. There all of her questions will be answered.

   Accompanied by her Aunt Tilly who’s a school teacher, Clara’s journey will take you on a roller coaster ride of adventure. One where there are so many twists and turns that there are just too many to mention here. So if it’s a thrilling adventure you have been looking for; buckle your seat belt and hold on tight for this is a ride you can enjoy all day and all through the night.  

Author’s Bio:
C. Raymond Gray 

He’s one of twenty children; for as long as he can remember Mr. Gray has had an interest in the wild and mysteries of the forest. As a boy, at times he’d play all day in the woods, while observing the ways of animals. He became amazed at how nature worked together. This fueled his vivid imagination as he grew. What he learned enables him to weave the most amazing tales. Over the years his stories have blossomed into many wondrous tales. He has been: an athlete, teacher, poet, inventor, storyteller, business-man, now an author. However, of these storytelling is his favorite. Often times he can be seen in classrooms or on stage, telling stories of folklore about history’s legends and the days of old. To date, his stories have been enjoyed by thousands of students, parents, and teachers alike. At their request, he has brought “The FunGkins” his first book to life. To contact Mr. Gray send email to crgray@azebrapress.com    

 Book Details

·       Paperback: 346 pages 28 Chapters

·       Publisher: AZebraPress.com (October 15, 2014)

·       Language: English

·       ISBN-10: 0615921574

·       ISBN-13: 978-0615921570

     Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches

Preferred Links

www.azebrapress.com  

https://twitter.com/thefungkins

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-FunGkins/ 

Guest Post: Sahar Sabati

Guest Post:

Reading a book allows us to escape into a world where things are different and, most of the time, better (at least at the end of the book).  In Spirit Within Club, I put together a group of ten year-olds who, although not perfect, were striving for excellence by constantly trying to improve themselves.

I found the response to these characters quite interesting.  Broadly speaking, they were of three kinds.  For the most part, readers responded positively to them; barely a handful were of the second kind, i.e. reacting quite negatively.  Then there were readers who liked the book but found it too unrealistic in its relentless optimism.  These are the ones who to this day intrigue me the most.  Some thought that the characters were too perfect; others thought that the adults were too nice; and some thought that everything tied up too neatly.  I constantly reread the first volume of the Spirit Within Club as I work on the second one and it strikes me each time how normal the kids in this book are to me; these are the ten year-olds that I have had the opportunity to interact with.  I feel sad that readers found them abnormal in the level of excellence they strived for.

No doubt that, amidst the noise created by sensationalistic articles about the plummeting norms of society and the increasing debauchery of the younger generation, countless stories of excellence are lost.  And yet, how can we consider the bar so low, when there are so many stories around us about the heroism and selflessness characteristic of that age group?  I came to realise that the third category of readers is the very reason why I need to continue writing this series.  In a small way, I’m contributing to a movement countering the portrayal of the younger generation in popular media.  We need more stories that look at the thousands upon thousands of youth who are working hard on becoming better individuals and contributing to the betterment of their community.  We need to stop focusing so much on the few that misbehave, and be inspired by those who shine brightly.  And so, the Spirit Within Club series—and the still untitled young adult book I’m currently working on—will continue to feature kids and youth who, although imperfect, try hard to be good people.

About the book:

The arts teacher is ruining what used to be Aiko's favorite class. 
Zeke misses out on the best part of the whole year – the science fair – when he has to go into the hospital. 
Arwen lives to play soccer but a stupid lie means he might not be allowed to play. 
Ghada comes home to find that her beloved grandma has died. 
When ten-year-old friends set up an after-school club so they can hang out together more often, they don't expect to be able to solve these problems themselves. 
But when they tap into the spirit within them, they and their friends discover that they have the power to make the world a better place.
The Spirit Within Club on Amazon
Author's Blog

Author Interview: Sahar Sabati

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

There are two processes we can all contribute to:  our own mental, physical, and spiritual development, and the material and spiritual development of our communities.  Things are changing so fast that what works one day might not work the next.  My favorite thing as an author is the opportunity to explore different ways to pursue this two fold process.  I hope that my stories help others come up with unique and avant-garde ways of contributing to making their communities better.

What is one book that you read in your childhood/young adult years that had a particularly big impact on you?

Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, which I read when I was twelve, made me realise that even with the best of intentions—in Dantès’ case, a desire for justice—a hero can actually be quite the antihero.

What types of books do you read for fun?

Anything that captures my attention!  This changes according to what is happening in the world—from comets to natural phenomena to social affairs—as well as to what I am myself writing.  For example, I’m really curious about the question of social justice in the context of food, which I am satisfying with books like Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss.  I usually end up reviewing most of these!

What other projects are you working on?

I’m working on the second volume of Spirit Within Club, as well as on a young adult novel both of which I hope to have published by the end of the year!

What inspired you to write Spirit Within Club?

A lot of preteens want to make their communities a better place, but society deems them incapable of doing so significantly.  My personal experience has been that, when lovingly helped by their parents, their teachers, and older youth, they are able to do so much!  I had the opportunity of working with preteens when they were 12 and it was so inspiring to see how they grew to take ownership of the process of betterment of their communities.  They inspired me to write about the coming of age of a group of preteens who wish to make the world a better place, and what they can accomplish when they are helped adequately by older individuals.

Which literary character (preferably from a book most people know about) do you think you are most like?

I often feel like the women in Jane Austen’s books; misunderstood and encouraged to fit a mould that is completely different from who I am.


About the book:
The arts teacher is ruining what used to be Aiko's favorite class. 
Zeke misses out on the best part of the whole year – the science fair – when he has to go into the hospital. 
Arwen lives to play soccer but a stupid lie means he might not be allowed to play. 
Ghada comes home to find that her beloved grandma has died. 
When ten-year-old friends set up an after-school club so they can hang out together more often, they don't expect to be able to solve these problems themselves. 
But when they tap into the spirit within them, they and their friends discover that they have the power to make the world a better place.
Author's Blog
The Spirit Within Club on Amazon

Character Interview: Astro

 

Astro:

Well, here’s a big WOOF and a thank you for having me on your blog. I had had a sniff around and I think this is a great place. While we are talking would you mind scratching behind my ear please? It’s a tricky spot and I just can’t reach.

Larissa:

No problem, Astro. How does that feel?

Astro:

That’s grrrr- ate! Fanks!

Larissa:

You are welcome, Astro. Now, can you tell me what it’s like to be the star of Astro’s Adventures?

Astro:

You know stardom is never an easy thing to live with. Sure, we all want to be famous but let me tell you it certainly has its problems, even for a handsome dog like myself. I find that the puppy-ratzi are constantly jumping out and taking my photo. It’s a real invasion of my privacy. Just the other day I was rolling on my back in the grass with my privates exposed for all the world to see then – snap, snap, snap! Photographers everywhere and all splashed around social media (the pictures not my privates). Still, it’s the price you pay for being fabulous.

Larissa:

How did you become the star of Astro’s Adventures?

Astro:

Well, it all started about four years ago. There I was locked in solitary confinement through no fault of my own – well, I had hurt my leg and wasn’t allowed to run around. I innocently sent out a message to The Organisation to save me – this is a secret group you people know nothing about. It’s set up to help save dogs from neglect. We are taught about it at puppy school.

After my plea to be rescued, Commander Rocky sent around his crack team of operatives to save me. As things turned out I wasn’t really imprisoned and the other dogs found out how spoilt (I mean, cared for) I really was. Boy, did this make Rocky mad! He was so furious he dragged me to the Check Out where I saw how poorly treated so many dogs were.

This made me very sad. I even cried. Rocky said I had learnt my lesson but I decided that I couldn’t leave the other dogs there. Do you know what they say about the Check Out? You go in but you never ‘check out’! It’s a horrible, sad, smelly place. Anyway, without giving too much of the plot away I single-handedly saved the day (Well, with a little help from the operatives, anyway.) Then I was asked to join The Organisation as a secret operative. The rest, as they say, is history.

Larissa:

I understand there are seven published books in the Astro’s Adventures series. Do you have a favourite one, Astro?

Astro:

I think they are all my favourite because I’m in them all. It’s hard to choose really. Having said that, I love the Golden Treasure because I got to meet Stella Dóro in it. I love Rampaging Rats because I got to travel across Australia and I helped save the bond that exists between humans and their dogs. In Major Dakota’s Ghost, I was in charge because Commander Rocky was dog-napped and that was fun. The ghosts were a bit scary though.

In the Gypsy Curse, there was a robot that looked just like me. What a handsome devil he was too. Sadly, he was a bit naughty and in the next book, Christmas Calamity, he caused an awful lot of trouble for the dogs and Santa Claus himself. In Neptune’s Trident, I was lucky enough to travel under the seas and met Neptune the great god himself. He was a bit strange but I fought an evil pirate catfish and travelled on a luxury liner. That was a lot of fun! Well, until it sank anyway.

Larissa:

What’s next for Astro’s Adventures?

Astro:

I’m glad you asked me that question. Our latest mission was one where we saved circus animals from a cruel and deadly fate. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s called the Haunted Circus. Susan Day, our scribe, has been busily writing it up.

Before that we were sent on a space adventure to save the moon. It’s a long story but I think your readers will love it. Susan also does the illustrations so this book isn’t quite ready for publication. She’s really slow. I wish she’d hurry up so I can see my beautiful face in print again.

Larissa:

Well, thank you Astro for sharing some of your story with me. Before we go is there anything you’d like to share with my followers?

Astro:

I would like to remind everyone that all dogs need a loving home, good food, lots of tummy rubs and a ball to chase. To make sure this happens, Susan sends the sales of our books to our local animal shelter.

If your followers would like to read more about my adventures they can hop on over to:

Astro's Author, Susan Day

http://www.astrosadventures.net

or grab yourself a copy on Amazon or Smashwords:

Amazon

Smashwords

Susan likes to post free children’s activities and she reviews other children’s books on her blog. They all can be found here:

http://www.susandayauthor.com

Larissa:

Thank you for being my guest, Astro. Can I stop scratching your ear now?

Astro:

It was my pleasure but if you could just scratch a little lower… that’s it… just over to the left… yeah, yeah… just a bit more…

Book Description:

There is a special organisation responsible for the wellbeing of all dogs. Its main goal is to make sure that all dogs are provided with a proper home, a nice warm bed and a cat to chase. This organisation is kept secret from every human being and operates, as you are about to see, right under our very noses. In this children's story, the first of Astro's Adventures series, Astro learns a valuable lesson about being spoilt, about friendship and about loyalty. At first, he appears to be an embarrassment to The Organisation when they find out he's not been held prisoner but is in fact, very well looked after. However, things turn when Commander Rocky decides to teach Astro a valuable lesson and Astro's true character shines. In the end it is Commander Rocky who learns something very important about this scruffy dog. All the dogs in Astro's Adventure are real and they all play and run together regularly. The cats, Nigel, the twin tabbies and Speed Bump Charlie (yes, that's his real name) are also alive and living, all be it, reluctantly with the Astro's Adventures gang. This story will appeal to all the family and to anyone who enjoys the company of a dog.