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Being banished from Elvendom is bad enough, taking refuge among the Saxons seems even worse, but life is not destined to improve for young Elgiva when she reluctantly embarks upon the quest for the legendary Lorestone - the only thing with the power to save Elvendom from the evil that threatens to destroy it. At least there is help to be found along the way from a timid Elf-boy and a petulant pony - and from one man in particular who will teach Elgiva the importance of friendship. But can Elgiva's friends help her to find the Lorestone before it falls into the wrong hands?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Elves & Inspirations ...

 

 

 

A book full of magic, elves and Dark Age drama lay hidden in a suitcase, written more than 30 years earlier by a young woman straight out of university. Her life moved on, but the story and characters stayed with her. Only when she self-published did Carol Browne feel as though she was released from the spell that had bound her to the book.

 

The Lorestone is Carol Browne's first novel and was published in 2007 with Upfront Publishing Ltd. Carol has been through years of re-writes, wrangles with those in the publishing industry and learning how to master a PC, to get to this point. Yet she feels there was no other way. "By the end I just had to get it in print. It would be nice to make lots of money from writing, but I'm happier that someone is reading my work."


The Lorestone is a historical fantasy novel set in Anglo-Saxon times. The main characters include an elf, a human and a cantankerous pony, while the plot centres around a quest for a magical stone that tests each of them to their limits. Carol’s style is reminiscent of J R R Tolkein’s and she has an ability to conjure up the ancestors of our dim past, at the same time as creating a whole new world for her fantasy characters.


It was after finishing university that Carol started feverishly writing the story. She was married, unemployed and living in a 'very cold, carpetless' flat in Runcorn, Cheshire.

 

"The inspiration came from an image I had in my head," says Carol. "There were a herd of horses galloping across a plain and two people were watching. It sounds strange, but I just had to know why they were watching. I wrote the story to find out."
 

Though the story was put away for years, there eventually came a point when Carol wanted to try and get it published through the normal channels. However, she found an industry that was very market-driven. “I tried different publishers, but they didn’t want to know because I didn’t have an agent. When I contacted the agents they wouldn’t take me on because I was writing fantasy and that wasn’t a money maker.”
 

However, some agents suggested changes and Carol found herself re-writing the story. “I was learning how to write at this point,” she says. “Also we know more about the Anglo-Saxons than we did when I first wrote the story. I was able to use this new knowledge.”


It was only after seeing a newspaper feature on self-publishing that Carol considered this as an option for her story.
“Life is strange sometimes. My friend showed me the paper for another article but my attention was captured by the one on self-publishing.”


Acting as proof reader, editor and designer, Carol then found herself directing the team at Upfront and in 2007, her book was printed. Though she was unsure of how the book would be received, she has been surprised by the positive reaction from people. “I wasn’t sure if people would think it was a load of twaddle,” she says. “ I just wanted it out there. But I have had some good reviews.


The Lorestone is currently sold at Peakirk Books, St Pegas Road, Peterborough, and is available from Amazon. It is also available from Carol herself, from her MySpace page: www.myspace.com/elwardain.


 For those who are already fans, the inevitable question must be asked: will there be a sequel?


“I’ve had such good feedback,” says Carol. “I have begun the sequel. Ultimately, I just want to write something that someone wants to read. That’s an amazing feeling.”

     by Karen Wicks

Carol can be contacted at

 

 

 

Some reviews

 ...a magical book! I am now at Chapter 9 in my second reading and it is even better than the first time around. The characters and imagery are amazing and I'd recommend The Lorestone to all fans of fantasy, fairies and elves.

P Longmuir , Kilwinning.

 I really enjoyed your novel - it was fantastic. I felt I'd been on the journey with Elgiva...the description was so good. And I loved Grimalkin, the grumpy, old so-and so                                  

P.Geiringer, Surrey.

 "I wanted to  let you know how much I enjoyed your book - it was great! I really enjoyed the story and once I'd started I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen."                                     

E.C.Stowell, London.

"It is a page-turner. I couldn't put it down and I am someone who normally can stop off reading at any point...One of the best of that genre that I've read in a long time."

T.Spencer, Derby.

"An enthralling read. Carol Browne's descriptions are both beautiful and vivid with a perceptive portrayal of emotions. With menace in the air, the suspense builds as the gripping tale unfolds. I didn't want to put it down."

S,Belcher, Cheshire.

"Congratulations on your book, I am just reading it and am really enjoying it...brilliant reading."

J.Chapman, Peterborough.      

"Thanks for writing a wonderful adventure. I enjoyed it totally."

Oric Wolf, MySpace.