Today is the final day to get your FREE ebook of The Gilding, the first book in The Fairies of Carlow book series.
This series is comprised of middle-grade books. There are chapters, a complex plot, but the subject matter is appropriate for those as young as 3rd grade. I have received comments from all age groups about how enjoyable these books are-so while they are categorized as children’s books, they resonate with adults, too.
You can follow the link on this website (in the left margin) or enter my name into the search bar of Amazon.com to find this book. The price will be automatically adjusted to FREE no matter how you get there.
The ebook for The Gilding, the first book in The Fairies of Carlow series, is available for free! Get your copy now!!!
The Gilding is a middle-grade book, suitable for good readers in 3rd grade all the way up into adulthood. The themes aren’t too advanced for the younger age group, but the plot is complex enough to keep everyone happy.
The three books in this series stand on their own. You will get a glimpse into these characters in the next book to see what they’re up to as time marches forward. I love seeing how characters move forward in their lives, not in epilogue form but in glimpses during stories set a little later in time.
I hope you enjoy this gift to you, dear reader. Sonja
I thought it was time to reintroduce my work to my new followers and readers. I am a writer. I’m also a wife, mom, friend, and therapy dog handler.
I have two book series out right now, plus a nonfiction book based on American history. It also happens to be my family history.
The Fairies of Carlow book series is for those who are able to read chapter books. The material should be appropriate for those in grades 3-6. I’ve also heard from adults who have enjoyed the stories of the fairy princes and princesses who live in the Kingdom of Carlow. While their lives are magical, danger lurks across the border. The horrible Red Caps have a kingdom the adjoins Carlow. Separated by a strong fierce field that is monitored by the Border Council, the Red Caps continually attempt to battle the fairies of Carlow.
Because of the Red Caps, the royal fairies are under strict rules. One daughter chafes under the restrictions and manages to escape. She becomes a commoner and lives as a peasant.
My second book series is about Guinness the Therapy Dog. These books are easy readers and expertly illustrated by an artist who lives in England. They tell the story of my big Bernese Mountain Dog as he brings happiness to high-risk kids and kids who like to read to dogs. Of course, we haven’t been able to do any therapy activities since the pandemic began. We both miss the kids, both at the shelter and at the library.
The nonfiction history book is called The Voyage and tells the story of John Wing as he goes to Oxford, becomes a minister, and takes his family around Europe as he searches for religious freedom. This is an easy reader and illustrated by the same artist who crafted the artwork for the Guinness the Therapy Dog series.
All my books are available on Amazon.com. If you search for my name, you’ll be able to see my entire catalog. This website has direct links to each title in the left margin.
Please leave a review on GoodReads.com and Amazon.com. Sonja
Here are the covers of all my books that are available now!
Go to Amazon.com and search for my name to see the entire book catalog. Every title is available in paperback and ebook.
I have quick links in the left margin of this website that will take you directly to the book’s page on Amazon.com.
The first three books, the Guinness the Therapy Dog series and The Voyage, are illustrated easy readers. The Fairies of Carlow series are middle-grade books with chapters and complex plots. Choose your reading level and the titles that intrigue you. Each book in their series stands alone, so it isn’t necessary to read the series from book 1 (although I think you will enjoy them that way!).
Throwing back to the first book in The Fairies of Carlow. The Gilding tells the story of Fern, a common fairy in the Kingdom of Carlow. She wants to be invisible, but secretly desires to be known.
It is available in paperback and ebook. The next two books in the series, The Outsider and The Commoner are also available in both formats.
One of my favorite philosophies is: You never know what someone is going through, so be nice.
I also like the idea that “unless you walk in someone else’s shoes, you can’t understand what they’re going through.”
I try to keep those in mind whenever I run across someone. If they’re happy, sad, angry, despondent, etc. it’s important to approach with love.
I can remember how it felt to be judged without that person knowing what was going on in my life, and inside my head.
I remember being the one judging. It makes me cringe and I want to find those people to apologize to them.
I think I’m this retrospective because I’m writing Lady Zepherine’s story. She’s going through a lot that I went through and it can be difficult to open those doors. I’ve been very successful in locking up those memories, especially from high school, and now I am taking a key to those rusty locks.
It’s not as traumatic as other people’s experiences, but it was a lot to handle when I was a young teenager. Wait, aren’t all teenagers the same age? Chronologically, yes. But I was young, emotionally and physically. Which can be difficult when you’re in middle and high school.
I can’t wait for you to read Lady Zepherine’s story! Sonja
Okay, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was born on April 12, 1924. Why is her birthday being celebrated today?
Two reasons: King George II and the fickle British weather.
In 1748, King George II decided to move the traditional military parade, called Trooping of the Colours, away from his November birthday because it was too cold. He combined his birthday celebration and the parade at a time of more temperate weather.
Since that time, all British sovereigns are able to choose the date of their ‘official’ birthday, as well as having a more private celebration on the day they were actually born.
Queen Elizabeth II chose June, which is normally a beautiful month weather-wise in England. Originally, she proclaimed that the Trooping of the Colours would be held on the second Thursday of June, but in 1959 decided Saturday would be a better day for the celebration.
Why am I so interested? Because the Kingdom of Carlow from the Fairies of Carlow series is very Irish and is headed by a monarchy. A lot of their rituals and celebrations are based upon those of the British Royal Family.
But, in the Fairies of Carlow, the royal princesses are named after roses and their gowns (Victorian-ish) are the color of their namesake rose. The boys wear morning coats, trousers, and cravats. They are able to fly, but the higher the rank, the less likely they do. It’s a status thing.
The weird thing is that The Gilded Fairies are the highest fairies in the land. Their presentations are always anticipated and feature highly-coordinated and complex flying skills. So, the royals and nobility ride in carriages–and The Gildeds fly. Nothing is perfect, even in the fairy kingdom.
OH! I have to ask: Do you have a place in your garden where the fairies are able to gather? Chairs and tables are best so they have a place to have their tea, which they conjured. It’s a complex process to gain permission to cross into the human world. It’s also very tiring to cross that border. Princess Zepherine may do both in my new book based on her life.
Sunflowers are not wallflowers. I mean, look at her! She faces you and demands attention.
As a writer, it’s difficult to do that. We are, by nature, solitary beings but it’s important to seek recognition. Especially when you’re not on the New York Times Best Sellers list…yet.
The hard part is exposing your work. That can be difficult. Good writing shows a soft, mushy part of your psyche, something you may not want to revisit or have anyone else see.
Writing the Fairies of Carlow series is cathartic for me. I can take all those angsty moments of growing up and put them into the story. Then I get to say what I should have said back then, or done what would have made things better. (Such as, standing up to those bullies, or not taking myself too seriously.)
Sometimes, as I’m writing a scene based on something that really happened to me, I cringe at the memories. Once the story’s finished, I feel better about it, but getting there is a slog through the emotional swamp.
In my new Fairies of Carlow book, based upon Lady Zepherine, I’m taking a look at the bullies who made me miserable during middle school and high school. Oh, it’s hard to look back on those people (both male and female) and remember what I had to endure! But there’s plenty of material! Silver lining? Hopefully!
Recently, I posted about an upcoming book in the Guinness the Therapy Dog series. Now that I’m in final edits for that one, I have decided to write a fourth book in my popular Fairies of Carlow series!
A reader (and Ig friend) asked questions about Lady Zepherine, the mentor Gilded Fairy from The Fairies of Carlow: The Gilding.
That got me thinking, and the good lady demanded that her story be told. I am discovering her history and will tell the story of her younger years.
How did she become a Gilded Fairy? Who is she related to (since all Gildeds are royal)? What is her relationship to Fern the Gilded? Why is she Fern the Gilded’s mentor? Did she ask for that role, or was she assigned?
All those questions (and more!) will be answered in the new book. The title is pending!
Today is the last day to grab your free ebook of ‘The Fairies of Carlow: The Gilding!’
Go to Amazon.com using the direct link in the left margin of this website, or search for ‘Sonja Danielson’ on Amazon.com.
This book tells the story of Fern, whose only focus is blending in. She gets her gift and becomes a Gilded Fairy, one of the most illustrious fairies in the Kingdom of Carlow.
Read about her adventures and how this gift affects her friends and family.
There are some big surprises!
Leave a review on Amazon.com and on Good Reads! I would love to hear what you think. Sonja
