Tuesday, February 08, 2011

The Magical Pony School, Book One: Jane's Transformation

It's finally here!  The first book in my middle grade fiction series is up on Amazon as an e-book - you can see the cover and click over to Amazon from the sidebar to your right.

The product description is not up yet - that usually takes a little longer to go up, but I'll give it to you here.

Jane loves ponies and riding, and after a lesson one day in which she rides a circle and suddenly feels total harmony with her sometimes difficult pony, she goes home to discover that she has been invited to attend the Magical Pony School. The book opens as Jane and her fellow first-year students are getting ready for the Winter Solstice ceremony - a very special event at the Magical Pony School.

Things don't quite go as planned - and Jane soon finds herself on the adventure of a lifetime, where she encounters wild pigs, shapeshifting creatures, bugganes, dwarves, an odd bitter woman, and finally, a black mare with one eye and two donkey guardians who lead her to the most important part of her journey: saying goodbye to her father and letting go of the need to be perfect.

The Magical Pony School series is a good read-aloud for younger children, an "advanced" chapter book for early middle graders, a quick read for older middle graders or avid readers, and will appeal to both girls and boys - there is magic, adventure, and a fair amount of Celtic lore. For readers who ride, there is classical riding and a focus on partnership, not domination, over our equine friends.

This is also likely to be one of those books horsey moms and grandmoms will enjoy.

Fiona and the Waterhorse, book two in the series, should be out before summer.

If you read this and enjoy it, I encourage you to review it, talk about it, and spread the word!

15 comments:

Grey Horse Matters said...

This sounds like a book I would like to read to my granddaughter. She is definitely into her horses and I'm sure she would love it even if she is only 5 going on 10! I'll be sure to download it to my Kindle shortly.

p.s. some of the animals might sound a tad familiar to the readers of your blog?

billie said...

Yes - some of you will recognize things. :) I suspect your granddaughter will enjoy it - do a pre-read though as one character is a bit scary - will depend on the sensibility of a younger child as to whether it will be appropriate.

My children were hearing LOTR at age 3, thanks to dear husband, and they had no problem with it - but I know that varies wildly.

ponymaid said...

Billie, this book sounds absolutely wonderful. I especially like the sound of those two donkey guardians...

billie said...

Matthew, thanks for your help in getting the technical issues dealt with!!

billie said...

Sheaffer, I would love for you to do a review. :)

ponymaid said...

Done and done, Billie. I just need Herself to figure out how to actually get the book...I will work with her. She is slow but teachable on a rudimentary level.

billie said...

Sheaffer, if I can help, let me know.

Shinyfluff said...

sounds really sparkly and good!

Shinyfluff said...

how do you get it if you don't have a kindle? do you have an e-book download pay site?

billie said...

Shinyfluff, there is one very sparkly scene.. :) Thanks for the kind words!

billie said...

Shinyfluff - if you go to Amazon there is free software that is very easy to download onto your computer or smart phone. They have software for Macs, PCs, iPads, and most smart phones.

At some point all my books will be available via Amazon in print version - I have to work on the cover design for the actual printed book, which is different than the e-book covers.

The software, although free, is supported well by Amazon. I need to go check out the UK Amazon - I know my books are on there too but I'm not sure about the software.

Shinyfluff said...

Thanks for the tip: I downloaded Kindle for Mac and read the preview of the book...looks great! I am going to order it today : )

billie said...

Oh terrific! I was wondering if you'd be able to get the software being in Slovakia! Let me know what you think and if you enjoy the book I'd love it if you wrote a review on Amazon!

Shinyfluff said...

just ordered it on Kindle for Mac! looks really good!

billie said...

Yay - thank you!