BETWIXT AND BETWEEN... 
a book for tweens (ages 9 to 15), is a fantasy/adventure story about the spiritual journey of a 13-year old boy. Sent on a Quest by his Guardian Angel to gain knowledge and discover who he truly is, Michael finds himself suspended in the bizarre land of Betwixt and Between. He must travel a dangerous path if he hopes to return to earth and home again. Using his wits and all his energy Michael struggles to reach his goal. If he succeeds in his quest, what will he find? What is the secret knowledge awaiting him?

 AN EXCERPT FROM BETWIXT AND BETWEEN:    

“Come back, Michael, come back.”
Michael tried to answer his cousin Kaity’s cry. He swallowed a mouthful of water instead. His head bobbed up and down in the churning water of the Palatucka River, but he managed to catch a glimpse of her racing after him. Above the roar of the water he heard her older brother, Tyler, shout, “He can’t come back. I’m going for help.”

“I’ll go with you,” called Kaity’s twin, Curtis.

It had rained for days. The shallow stream Michael waded across a few weeks ago was now so deep he couldn’t touch bottom. Tons of water plunged down from the mountains swelling the creek to a turbulent river. It sped over rocks and boulders, past the loblolly trees-- pulling Michael with it. He tried to fight the strong current. Too powerful; I can’t do it. Dragged underwater, hurled up again, he gasped for breath. Michael’s stomach sank. Kaity’s falling behind. She can’t keep up with the swift current. Around a curve, another curve, until Kaity disappeared.

His strength was fading. In desperation he reached for a boulder. Too slippery! His fingers slid off the surface; he was swept away. Roaring sounded in his ears. The din grew louder with each passing second. His already racing heart pounded even harder. A waterfall! Hurtling toward the brink of a cliff, he made a frantic attempt to turn back. Impossible! The power of the raging river carried him on.

“OH, NO-O-O-O-O---”

Flung over the edge, arms and legs thrashing as he fell, Michael plunged into the angry waters at the bottom of the waterfall. Down into a cold, dark whirlpool, turning round and round, sinking deeper and deeper, until it became so dark he was spinning in blackness. He couldn’t see or grasp onto anything. Pray . . . . Our Father . . . . His lungs were bursting; he couldn’t breathe. Try, . . . Our Father who . . . Pain exploded in his head.

And then he didn’t think at all.

Hope you enjoyed reading the above excerpt.  I am currently writing a sequel to Betwixt and Between called Above and Beyond.  It takes place many years later and features Michael’s daughters, Carly and Anna along with Joseph, their guide in the strange land in which they find themselves stranded.  

Look for my latest novel, a cozy mystery for adults entitled “Long Shadows” scheduled to be released in January 2013.  It tells the tale of two women who arrive at a house plagued by a death, a missing heiress, and unanswered questions.  Their presence stirs up old mysteries and new perils.  Will they survive their confrontation with danger?

TRUTH AND FREEDOM GO HAND IN HAND

            This blog site was established when my first-ever book “Betwixt and Between” was published.  It was meant to give information to readers about my books and the novels of other authors and to exchange thoughts and ideas on writing.   My intention was to keep it strictly limited to the aforementioned subjects.  However, recent events in the United States have brought this country into a dangerous crisis.  After much prayer and thought I feel that I cannot in good conscience fail to comment on those events.

            The First Amendment to our Constitution states:  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”  The amendment forbids the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion and/or hindering the free exercise of religion. 

In direct opposition to the First Amendment—which guarantees freedom of religion and is the only protection religious groups have from persecution—our President recently issued the HHS Mandate, a decree which would force Catholics to act against their religious convictions concerning abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception.  It is not important whether or not one agrees with the Church’s stand on such issues; what is important is that Catholics have the right to believe and act according to their consciences, just as all other religious denominations have the identical right. 

            Yet in a blatant challenge to an established Church, the President is attempting to force Catholics to do his bidding and act against their consciences and religious convictions.  In a clever move our President deliberately chose to focus attention on the controversial issue of contraception, obscuring the true issue of Freedom of Religion.  After all, the truth isn’t going to obtain votes for him, is it? 

To my dismay—but not to my surprise—the so-called “enlightened press” jumped on the bandwagon  and joined the President in muddying the waters of truth by calling opposition to the HHS Mandate a “contraception controversy” and insinuating the Church is hostile to women.  These political lies and innuendos are used as a smokescreen because what the administration is doing cannot be justified.  Notice how our President avoids discussing his mandate in terms of religious freedom. 

Be assured this is not a "contraception" issue or "a war against women."  It is a Freedom of Religion issue and this is a truth President Obama needs to hide since the great majority of Americans believe in the precious freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.  This is the first obvious move of the administration against organized religion and it is only the beginning…..

Heed the implicit warning:  The mandate issued by the President is clearly intended to weaken and/or bring down the Catholic Church. If the government succeeds in its attempt to wield power over Catholics, it will surely follow that they will then dictate to the religious denominations of all people, Protestants and Jews included.  As a Catholic and as an American citizen who loves her country, I would write these same words if our President had acted against any other religion in the same way he has acted against Catholics.  Let us choose Truth and Freedom or we will all live with the consequences.

“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” –John 8:32

PAINTING WITH WORDS

I love to write.  In particular, I love writing for tweens, teens, and even kids who are all grown up. In the past I hadn’t asked myself why I enjoy writing so much.  But today, with a little analysis, my conclusion is simple…it’s probably in the genes.  It’s certainly in the family.  My cousin, Heather Haven, is a successful author who wrote the Alvarez Family Murder Mystery Series and my aunt and son have also dabbled in writing. 

Delving back into childhood memories, I remember my father at holiday gatherings seated in an armchair, a flock of kids gathered around him as he wove stories for them.  Our favorite tales were his fictitious adventures as the “Sheriff of Applesauce County.”  For years all the youngsters in the family believed they were the absolute truth and Grandpa had been a sheriff in the Old Wild West.  When he died two of his adult grandsons came to the funeral parlor with a toy sheriff’s badge and slipped it into his pocket.

            I’d often amuse my own grandchildren with tales of a “pretend” land.  Though I loved to read and never passed a day or night without spending some time with my nose in a book, it didn’t occur to me to put my make-believe stories into writing.  I was an artist, busy with family, teaching, and using my free time to paint or sketch. 

           

However, little by little the urge to write grew and I began to study writing.  It seems to me there’s a strong link between visual and literary art.  Author Brad Meltzer said he loved “to paint with the written word.”  I believe writing is “painting with words” and at this time in my life I’m having lots of fun “painting” in this way.  I’m especially drawn to writing for youngsters.  It seemed natural to elaborate on some of the stories I’d told to my grandchildren and to use them as a foundation for a book.  The result was Betwixt and Between, a novella for tweens (ages 10 to 14), and my first published book.  It is now available as an e-book and in print.

It’s the story of Michael, a thirteen-year-old boy, whose guardian angel sends him on a spiritual Quest to find out who he truly is.  He travels though a fantasy land of fun, adventure and…  Danger!   Among the friends he meets are a young French girl named Callie and super-intelligent Professor Nomolos.  He also finds a strong enemy blocking his way.  Blackjack opposes him at every turn.  Will Michael overcome all obstacles to complete his Quest and return home?  Will he discover who he truly is?  I found the replies to these questions as I wrote, allowing Michael to lead the way. 

I’m now in the process of “painting” a sequel to Betwixt and Between entitled Above and Beyond, in which Michael’s daughters, Carly and Anna, will make their own fantasy journey of self-discovery.  I’ll be traveling with them.  Wish us luck.

GREETINGS!

                              MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

                                              

Wishing everyone a New Year filled with blessings.  May we be united in peace and joy throughout the year.

A Horse Called Trouble

Welcome to a talented author who has just written a novel for tweens entitled A Horse Called Trouble.  This is a novel that would be a great Christmas present for the young teen or near-teen in your life. 

Introducing Charlotte Volnik…..

Greetings.  Thanks for allowing me to visit your blog today.  It is such a treat to be able to visit and I’m so excited to be here and announce my newest tween novel, A Horse Called Trouble!  And I would also love to offer a FREE copy of my e-book to one lucky reader who leaves me a comment!  (I hope you love free stuff as much as I do.)

A Horse Called Trouble

Abandoned by her mother at a young age, Tara Cummings has been passed from foster home to foster home; not wanted anywhere by anyone.  At thirteen she’s skeptic and suspicious, with no family, and no friends.

Horse therapy “will teach trust, perseverance, respect, and the value of teamwork,” or so says the program’s instructor.  Tara is unconvinced.  Trust only broke her heart, perseverance meant more failures, and no one respects or wants to team up with the misfit foster kid.

            At the farm, Tara meets Trouble, an angry and defiant horse, bent on destroying everything and everyone around him.  Tara is frightened of the enraged horse, until she realizes Trouble is as misunderstood and untrusting as she is.  Pushing aside her

fear, a special bond is formed, much to the surprise of everyone at the farm.  Trouble trusts Tara, and Tara in

turn, finds hope and acceptance as well as the will to love and trust again herself.

But Tara’s confidence is shaken as an even greater challenge looms ahead.  Trouble’s mean and manipulative owner is the one and only Alissa, Tara’s nemesis.  Can Tara overcome her own limitations and fight to save the horse who freed her heart and gave her life value and meaning?  Or will Alissa destroy them both?

Q)  What inspired you to write this story?

I have always loved horses.  Such marvelous creatures they are.  Proud, elegant, powerful, yet gentle, compassionate.  And I was fortunate enough to be able to call several of them my friend and confidant as I grew up. 

I knew I wanted to immortalize some of my treasured equine friends but I never expected to write the story of Trouble in such a fashion as I did.  It was after visiting a horse farm that also entertained a horse therapy program for troubled youth that the story sky-rocketed. Tara came to life and shared her entire sad story with me and I couldn’t help but oblige and put it down on paper.  And Trouble? He’s a mix of several of the horses I knew.  Full of spunk, spirit, trust and devotion.  It’s a horse story, full of conflict, with antagonists you’ll love seeing get what they deserve.

Q)  Tell us about your characters.

A horse called Trouble has many characters my readers will be able to identify with, from those who are picked on and put down, to the bullies and followers.  And I hope my readers will discover one thing from my story—not to judge people before they really know them.

My main character, Tara Cummings, is a bright girl, but due to her situation—her abusive mother abandoning her and throwing her into foster care—Tara is left vulnerable, picked on and put down.  She tries to become invisible, staying under the radar of the bullies and teachers, doing only enough to survive.  Accused of a crime she didn’t commit, Tara is placed in an alternative school and forced to enter a horse therapy program.  There she meets Trouble.  Trouble is exactly her opposite.  He is defiant and spirited.  He refuses to be broken and will not succumb to the cruel treatment used to try and force him into submission.  He is strong and willful, yet Tara sees his vulnerable side, knowing the inner conflict only too well.

Trouble is a book about growing and believing in oneself to overcome what the world presumes of you.  It’s easy to feel put down and unaccepted by the standards set by society today.  But by believing in and staying true to oneself, the future can only offer the stars as the limit.’

Q)  What can readers expect from you in the future?

My first tween novel, GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND made its debut in September and is available in both print and e-book versions now.  It is a tween ghost story with a twist of Native American folklore and based on the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island.

My next novel, THE SECRET OF THE STONES, is the first of a series called THE LOST DIARIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND and will make its debut in April of 2012.  THE STONES is a much lighter story and is a Harry Potter meets Merlin the Magician kind of story.  A Merlin-loving tween is thrust into magic mayhem when the gift he’s been entrusted to protect turns out to be the enchanted object detailed in a mysterious prophecy.

Q)  Where can readers find you?

My readers can contact me at ckvolnek (at) yahoo (dot) com.

They can join me on my webpage”  www.ckvolnek.com or visit me at my blog: www.ckvolnek.com/blog.html.

They can also find me on Facebook (C.K. Volnek) or Twitter (CKVolnek), Good Reads and Jacket Flap.

My book trailer is on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyJ1J9wESEY

My books are available at the MuseItUp Book Store as well as Amazon and many other fine book locations online.

Thanks for allowing me to join you today!  And remember everyone…I’m offering a FREE copy of my e-book to one lucky reader who leaves me a comment!

C.K  Volnek

HOORAY! BETWIXT AND BETWEEN IS NOW IN PRINT!

Many of you have asked about getting a print copy of my book, Betwixt and Between.  I'm happy to announce Betwixt and Between is now in print.  The paperback edition is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble and is a fantasy adventure tale with a spiritual theme for kids from 9 to 14 years old.

The book will also be available at a "Meet and Greet the Author" session which is planned for the near future.  Will publish details on that soon.

HUGS ACROSS THE BORDER

            Returned from Montreal, Canada two days ago where I attended the MuseItUp Publishing Retreat.  Wow! What a wonderful experience.  So many good things were jam-packed into the three day Retreat, I didn't catch my breath until waiting in the plane for take-off to Home Sweet Home.

It was a pleasure to meet Lea and Litsa, two women who accomplished an amazing feat.  They created a publishing company that is, in reality, a family of authors from all over the world.   Kudos to each of them...their accolades are well-earned.

I was also happy to meet so many MuseItUp Authors and my editor, Nancy Bell, who gave me such good advice while I prepared my book for publication.  Since we’d only communicated previously through the internet, it was great to meet everyone face-to-face.

And last, but not at all least, it was a joy to get together with my cousin, author Heather Haven.  We hadn’t seen each other for about five years and though we kept in touch, it can’t compare to meeting in person.  We arrived a day early so we’d have a whole day to share, laugh together, and catch up with all one doesn’t bother to say on the phone or in an e-mail.  And it was such fun to sit side-by-side with her at a Meet and Greet Authors’ Book Sale.

When it was time to say “good-byes,” there were hugs for all our new friends across the border and throughout the United States.  I went home with many happy memories and a firm desire to return some day.