Since the back of the shed gang are like children(no wait, that is an insult to children) I wanted to step outside of my usual adult content reading and pick up the latest from one of the greatest, Diane Major and her brand spanking new series designed for those who have a license to act like children, because, they are children.
Diane was scheduled to come by the shed of solicitation but the plane that she was on took a wrong turn, and instead of taking her to this most easterly point of North America, took her to Caroline Island, in the Pacific ocean. So why she relaxes on one of the most pristine tropical islands Mother Nature has to offer, I have the pleasure of introducing book one of her children's series for her.
First let us learn more about her:
Diane grew up in Horden,
a mining village in the North East of England. She is happily married with two
grown daughters and two grandchildren.
Diane
gained her professional qualification in Youth & Community Work at Durham
University in 1988. Once qualified she worked in the voluntary sector and
then for local government which offered her the opportunity to develop many
skills. During her career, Diane worked in Community Development, Youth Work,
and Adult Learning. She has enjoyed watching staff, and service users, gain
skills and grow into confident and articulate people.
It was not until Diane
was in her 50’s that she returned to study and was delighted when she
successfully gained a BSc Open Degree (Hons) and a PGCE in Leadership and
Management.
Diane took early
retirement in 2011. She now enjoys spending time with her family, writing, and
gardening, as well as fundraising for a local charity that works with children
and young people.
Although Diane has
written several books this is her first one for children.
All of Diane’s novels are an escape from
reality, if only for the time it takes you to read one of them.
The Book:
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Target Age Group: 9-12 years
This is a modern fairy tale.
About the series in the author's words:
"Everyone loves a fairy
tale. As a teenager I wrote such a story. My mother can still remember the hand
written notebook full of information gathered from my imagination.
Unfortunately those notes are long gone. My vivid imagination never faded.
After writing several
fantasy adventure books, I decided it was time to write something for children,
although it bears no resemblance to the one I wrote all those years ago.
Mason lives with his Mom, and their cocker
spaniel named Bess. The little family live in a small town and Mason attends
the local school. Without his Mom’s permission, Mason takes part in the annual
Sports Day. Mason’s actions trigger a series of events which
will dramatically change their future…
I have dedicated this book to my nephew’s son. It is a
pleasure to look after him two afternoons every week. As for the dog in the
book, it is based on my daughter’s cocker spaniel, named Bud. I dog sit every
day."
To spark your interest(like it is not sparked already) Dianne has generously provided an excerpt from book one of MASON AND
BESS THE ADVENTURE BEGINS:
Excerpt – Chapter 1
Sports Day
Anna shouted at her son,
“Why did you do that! I told you that
you couldn’t!”
Mason was
twelve years old, had short brown hair and soft brown eyes. The boy was
decidedly fed up, and was only too aware that he had never been allowed to take
part in Sports Day at School. Well, that was at least for the past five years. Mason couldn’t actually remember anything
before he reached his sixth birthday.
The fact he
wasn’t allowed to take part in the Sports Day at School just wasn’t fair; he
knew how good he was at all sports.
“Are you
listening to me Mason,” Anna said angrily.
“Aw mom,”
Mason responded in a deflated tone.
Mason was
thinking about how his Mom never let him play with other children when he was
at home. He had to stay in and play on
his computer, or tablet. It was all so very boring. The only time he could show
off was in the play yard, when he would race the other children and always
win. All those times he played football
in the yard, he was the star who scored all the goals. So, Mason had always
been frustrated about his Mom never letting him take part in the Sports Day, when
all his friends did.
This year
had been different. Mason decided not to tell his Mom it was Sports Day and he
entered all the competitions as did most of his closest friends. He knew if he
asked his Mom, she would simply stop him. She would, as always, write a note to
the school insisting that he did not take part.
Mom’s excuse was always that he would make himself ill, but Mason knew
that wasn’t true. He had played rough games, ran races, and took part in ball games
with his friends during sports lessons, and in the school yard. During all his
years at this school he had never even had a cough.
“Mason, I
have told you, you will make yourself poorly doing all that running around,”
stated his Mom.
Mason
looked up at his Mom with his soft brown eyes narrowed and said abruptly,
“That’s not true! I run about and win
everything in sports lessons. The only
time I get to show off is at the Sports Day and you never let me compete.”
“It’s for
your own good. Besides, if you’re ill I have to lose work,” his Mom replied
sheepishly.
Mason
noticed that her cheeks had gone a colourful shade of pink.
“Be a good
boy Mason and go to your room while I finish tea,” said Anna trying to change
the subject.
Mason
dropped his shoulders and lowered his head as he thumped up the stairs. On reaching the top of the stairs he turned
and shouted for Bess. Bess was his best friend at home. In fact, he couldn’t
remember ever not having Bess. A bouncier, black and white cocker spaniel
didn’t exist. Bess of course responded in a second and came hurtling up the
stairs.
Anna
shouted, “And don’t you let her on your bed. She leaves hair everywhere.”
Mason
thought, “Whatever,” as Bess followed him into the room.
As soon as
the two friends were inside, Mason closed the door shut and slumped on the
bed. Bess sat looking at him with her
huge, droopy, dark brown eyes, those eyes that flickered with orange when she
got annoyed. The cocker spaniel’s
beautiful black and white face was pleading for the comfort of his bed.
“Come on
girl, you know I love yeah to bits.”
Bess didn’t
have to be told twice. She jumped onto the bed and enthusiastically licked
Mason’s face.
“I know
girl. It’s awful having to stay here all day on your own. Not to worry, its
Saturday tomorrow, so we will have the whole weekend together.”
Bess wagged
her black and white tail, and licked Mason again.
In due
course, Anna shouted Mason down for his tea. Mason and Bess bounced downstairs
together. Normally, after tea, Mason
would tell his Mom about his day. Because he had disobeyed her, and joined in
the Sports Day, it was time to disappear and head for his room. Mason slipped
up the stairs with Bess tracking his every move. At nine o’clock Anna looked into the room and
sighed. Mason was fast asleep with Bess
cuddled in tight.
As soon as
Anna woke up the next day, she called for Bess, and let her outside. Anna put
the kettle on for her morning brew and let the spaniel come back in. When Anna
held her cup of hot, refreshing tea, she sat at the kitchen table, and opened
the local morning newspaper. Anna couldn’t believe her eyes. There on the front
page was a picture of Mason crossing the finishing line at Sports Day. The
article said that her son had excelled in every race. She could feel her face
distort and her heart began to bang. This was the last thing she needed. The
damage was done!
Anna had
kept Mason a secret for five long years and all she could do was hope no one
from their past discovered the article. If anyone found out then they would all
be on the run. Anna sighed and decided to carry on as usual. After all, what
would be the point of creating a fuss if no one saw the story in the newspaper?
She prepared scrambled eggs on toast and gave Mason a shout.
After a few
minutes, Mason was at the bottom of the stairs, and then arrived in the
kitchen. Anna pointed to the paper.
Mason ran over with a huge smile spreading across his face.
“See Mom, I
told you how good I am. The man from the paper said he was going to use my
photograph, but he didn’t say it would be on the front page,” Mason said
excitedly.
Anna looked
despondent and replied, “Yes, I know how good you are, but you must never do it
again. I hope no one puts two and two together.”
Anna looked
from Bess to Mason.
“Why, Mom?
It’s great; I want the whole world to know how good I am.”
“It’s not
that straight forward. Promise me you won’t do anything like this again,” said
Anna.
Mason
kicked the air and looked at the floor.
“I mean it
Mason. You have no idea what kind of trouble this might cause.”
Bess sat
looking at Mason, her tail never moved.
Mason’s
face hardened and he said sadly, “OK Mom, but I don’t understand.”
Anna looked
at Mason and said softly, “I know. When
the time is right, I promise, I’ll explain.”
Links:
Twitter: @dianemajor1
AmazonUk:
Amazon US:
Cool post...how do I get an interview??
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