Author Archives
Author Archives: Judy Probus
Ice, ice baby
Out my window, the harsh ice queen waves her hand and snuffs out the sun. She floats across the snowy landscape of icicles that sparkle like her crystal palace. Traffic ceases, the quiet is haunting. Nothing moves save for the birds at my bird feeder. The sun is absent, I can only imagine the magical orb’s fiery presence. I raise my cup of hot cocoa to the south, thankful for warm thoughts from a friend. Stay warm and well everyone!
All We Need Is Love
On June 25, 1967, during a live broadcast of their new song, “All You Need Is Love” The Beatles sent out a universal appeal for spreading love across the world. Today, the song’s sweet message still resonates as we approach February 14th, Valentine’s Day, the universal day of love. In my town, heart-shaped candies and boxes of chocolates, red and pink cards, and various colored roses have been on sale for weeks. Diamond advertisements abound. All signs indicate that Cupid is once again preparing to descend upon the population with arrow poised across his bow, ready to set hearts afire. …
Snow Globe Wonder
Looking out of the window, I feel as if I’m gazing into a life-sized snow globe. Lunch time thoughts: The snow queen dances and waves a crystal scepter of light. Flakes glisten like sequins on her whirling gown of white. Magical frost spreads over hill and dale, everything in sight. Radiant shock and awe – the icy prima donna delights!
In Your Face, A Snowy Day Tribute
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. – U.S. postal creed. Over the weekend, during one of Kentucky’s coldest winters, when snowfall threatened to cancel our plans, my family incorporated the U.S. postal service’s creed with gusto. We donned boots, coats, and scarves, all united in one mission: to make Gram’s 84th birthday a success! Six adults, one child, and one dog piled into two trucks and one SUV, determined to surprise Gram who expected us all to call with regrets. Opting out of toting hot …
Ten reasons to explore your imagination
What is invisible, intangible, and the world’s most powerful renewable resource? It is the imagination. Merriam Webster defines the word as “the ability to imagine things that are not real; the ability to form a picture in your mind of something that you have not seen or experienced.” Other talented and influential people have shared that… The imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. Albert Einstein Anything you put your mind to and add your imagination into can make your life a lot better and a lot more fun. Taylor Swift The man who has no …
Zhii (character description and sketch)
This marks the fourth post of a series of posts that introduces the characters in the adventure fantasy novel, ImagiNation Unveiled: The Hidden Realm. Zenith is the pampered and arrogant future Impress of the ImagiNation. She prefers to be called Zhii. Isolated and protected from reality beyond the Crystal Castle, Zhii is only interested in one world – hers. Like her father did before her, Zhii studies martial arts and dragon riding in preparation for the day she rules the ImagiNation. Beautiful and strong, but emotionally immature, Zhii’s temper flares out of control often. Inspire, her pet peacock, is the only outsider …
Trevor Edwards (character description and sketch)
This marks the third post of a series of posts that introduces the characters in the adventure fantasy novel, ImagiNation Unveiled: The Hidden Realm. Non-stop all day, everyday, eight-year-old Trevor lives in the moment and leaves a trail of chaos in his wake. A natural explorer, he knows almost every inch of the woods behind his house. Bugs, frogs, insects, and rocks fill his pockets and find their way into unwelcome places in the Edwards’ home. When Trevor’s not playing baseball, soccer, or video games, he pranks his family and friends. A combination of extrovert, entrepreneur, and budding comedian with curly …
Hanna Edwards (character description and sketch)
This marks the second post of a series of posts that introduces the characters in the adventure fantasy novel, ImagiNation Unveiled: The Hidden Realm. East meets West when five-year-old Hanna is transported from an impoverished orphanage to a renovated farmhouse on a quiet country lane. Six years later, the adopted eleven-year-old girl squeezed between two brothers has chiseled out her own niche in the Edwards’ clan. In her spare time, Hanna enjoys books, music, dance, and horseback riding. Her Asian looks and southern roots are complemented by her natural intellect – a trait her sports-minded brothers envy and rely on. Studious …
Ace Edwards (character introduction and sketch)
This marks the first post in a series of posts that introduces the characters in the adventure fantasy novel, ImagiNation Unveiled: The Hidden Realm. Lean, green, and seventeen, high school quarterback, Ace Edwards, runs hard into the future. Rooted in Alabama, he searches for direction at the corner of humble beginnings and what do you plan to do with the rest of your life? During Ace’s senior year, his goal is clear: win the state championship and land a college scholarship that will lift him up and out of his small town existence. Turmoil on and off the gridiron explodes just days before the state championship. Challenges …
The book cover unveiling of ImagiNation Unveiled: The Hidden Realm (high resolution image)
I am happy to share the new cover of my debut adventure-fantasy novel. The cover is a result of months of intense collaboration between myself, a writer in Kentucky, and a talented graphic designer in Argentina. Our passion to create something new and exciting carried us through the language, time zone, and technological barriers that we encountered. From the geodesic domes on the castle to the heart-shaped red dragon’s tail, every aspect of this unique cover was crafted to provide a true representation of the story. I sincerely hope you enjoy the results of our tireless efforts. Enjoy!
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"I think this could have the potential to be this generation's answer to The Never Ending Story."
-NarniaFans.com -
"A fascinating fantasy novel ... Reading this book felt very much like I was watching an episode of Avatar meets Indiana Jones in space."
-MuggleNet.com -
"If you liked Harry Potter or any of the other now famous and popular fantasy books then you will love this book!" - lnsmit05 (Amazon verified review)
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"This book would capture the imagination of upper elementary age through adult readers." - Janie (Amazon verified review)
