Welcome to the new home of Author & Professional Speaker, L. Diane Wolfe (AKA "Spunk on a Stick") and The Circle of Friends!

The Circle of Friends series follows a group of young adults as they face different challenges and learn to overcome. The emotionally gripping stories focus on love, friendships and the pursuit of dreams. Aimed at adults/young adults, these books defy the growing trend of salacious titles, especially for teenagers. Positive and uplifting, this series will leave readers determined to overcome their obstacles and achieve their goals.

This blog is now the home of the original The Circle of Friends website.


Thursday, October 24, 2019

Spooky Chills on Audio - Music Boxes

Available now on audio!

Music Boxes
By Tonja Drecker
Narrated by Nance Weber

A Barnes & Noble “5 Spooky New Middle Grade Books for Campfire Chills!”

“I only desire your talent...”

Twelve-year-old Lindsey McKay's biggest dream is to be a famous ballerina. But after moving to New York, she ends up at the Community Center with a teacher who’s a burly bear in tights.

When she meets Madame DestinĂ©e, the teacher of a top dance school who offers her classes for free, Lindsey can't believe her luck. In exchange, she must perform in the school’s exclusive midnight shows, ones sure to make her a star. But something’s not right...

One by one, the other dancers disappear. Each time they do, a music box with a figurine just like the missing ballerina joins Madame DestinĂ©e’s growing collection. If Lindsey doesn’t discover the truth about the dance school, she might end up a tiny figurine herself.

Find the audio book on Audible / iTunes / Amazon

Find the print and eBook on Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Amazon /Kobo / Books-A-Million / Goodreads

Tonja Drecker is a writer, blogger, children’s book reviewer and freelance translator. After spending years in Germany exploring forgotten castles, she currently resides in the Ozarks with her family of six. When she’s not tending her chickens and cows, she’s discovering new adventures, nibbling chocolate and sipping a cup of tea. Blog / Bookworm for Kids


Who is ready for some Halloween chills?

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Tragedy on the Trail of Tears - New Middle Grade Book

Dancing Lemur Press is proud to present its latest release:

Stone Man
And the Trail of Tears

By Charles Suddeth

Driven to Stone Man’s trail...

After U.S. soldiers attack twelve-year-old Tsatsi’s Cherokee village, his family flees to the Smokey Mountains. Facing storms, flood, and hunger, they’re forced to go where Stone Man, a monstrous giant, is rumored to live.

His family seeks shelter in an abandoned village, but soldiers hunt them down. Tsatsi and his sister Sali escape, but Sali falls ill and is kidnapped by Stone Man. Tsatsi gives chase and confronts the giant, only to learn this monster isn’t what he seems.

Their journey is a dangerous one. Will Tsatsi find the strength to become a Cherokee warrior? And will they ever find their family?


6x9 trade paperback, 164 pages
Print ISBN 9781939844620 - $12.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844637 - $3.99
Juvenile Fiction: Boys & Men/Legends, Myths, Fables-Native American/Historical-United States-General

“The scenery was wonderful and I loved the action-packed scenes. As sad as the story was, I liked how all the characters were still hopeful and did not give up. We should all have the mentality of these characters. I adored the ending and it warmed my heart! 5 stars.” – Pages for Thoughts reviews

"The story starts off at a frantic pace and doesn't let up, sure to pull in readers who normally don't read historical fiction. The ending is perfectly executed.” - Greg Pattridge, Always in the Middle reviews

“This is a historical adventure which draws in and allows the reader to feel as if they are really there.” – Tonja Drecker, author of Music Boxes

“I found this story enjoyable, educational, and inspiring. It inspired me to reach out to others and help people in need, even if they’re strangers” – The Wood Between the World reviews

Charles Suddeth loves to tell stories of all sizes and shapes and flavors. He has published picture books, middle readers’ books, young adult thrillers, and adult mysteries. Of Cherokee heritage, he draws inspiration from hiking Tom Sawyer State Park and teaches in Louisville, Kentucky.
Website

Buy it at Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Amazon / Kobo / Dancing Lemur Press

The author is also doing a blog tour, talking about many aspects of the Trail of Tears and Cherokee Indians:

Oct. 3 - Bookworm For Kids - interview
Oct. 5 - Damien Larkin - guest post
Oct. 7 - June McCrary Jacobs - interview
Oct. 8 - Angela Brown - guest post
Oct. 9 - Jemi Fraser - guest post
Oct. 10 - Sandra Cox - guest post
Oct. 12 - Ellen the Cynical Sailor - interview
Oct. 14 - World of My Imagination - interview
Oct. 15 - Beverly Stowe McClure - guest post
Oct. 16 - Sherry Ellis - interview
Oct. 21 - Dorine White - interview


How much do you know about Cherokee Indians and the Trail of Tears?