It is with great pleasure that I host a fellow Story Empire author today on my blog with her newest book release! D.L. Finn is not only a talented writer but an inspired one. I’ll let her tell you about her newest creation!
Thank you, Jan, for having me here today to share my final children’s release, “Tree Fairies and Their Short Stories.”
I’ve lived in the forest for thirty-one years. A couple of years ago, I had an experience that I shared through my poetry.
It was a beautiful mountain morning, and I was enjoying the warm sun while standing on our deck. I took that moment to appreciate my surroundings when I heard a sound. My first thought was it was a radio or someone singing. Puzzled, I looked around to see where this was coming from.
I quickly established it wasn’t the usual music my husband played in our garage, and it wasn’t from the other homes nestled in the woods. The hum was coming from below where I was standing. My attention was drawn toward a patch of orange flowers where the perfectly pitched “La-la-la” floated to me. Then, a bee flew away, and the song stopped.
In that moment I was positive a bee had just sung to me, and then later I wondered if an angel had been present. I never knew what I had experienced that day, other than something special had just happened.
When I started working on Tree Fairies, a knowing flowed through me. It hadn’t been a bee or an angel like I first thought singing—it was a fairy! The fairies wanted their tale told, and magic visited that day to remind my inner child of that.
Fun Finn Facts
1. I believe magic and miracles exist. They communicate with our souls.
2. I’ve selected the path to happiness instead of collecting “things.”
Blurb
When reality and magic meet in the forest
It’s 1969, and twelve-year-old Daniel Burns is camping in the redwood forest with his family. Danny wants to listen to his music and read, but his family has other plans. S’mores around the campfire and stories end their first day. The family is sleeping soundly in their secluded tent when Danny wakes up and finds his sister, Colette, is missing. Assuming she went to use the outhouse, he goes after her. When he finds his sister, they discover there is a thin veil between reality and fantasy.
Two bonus short stories offer a glimpse into the magical world that finds Danny and Colette. These hidden beings not only share our world but have a role in protecting their forest.
Excerpt
Roselle
2004
Roselle stopped midair to admire the pink, orange, yellow, purple, and red that filtered through the redwood forest as the sunset. She carefully scanned the area to make sure no one was watching, and then, with a huge grin, she dove into a double roll.
“Woo-hoo!”
Her twirling skidded to a halt when an older fairy from the school office flew directly under her. Her always-braided gray hair had yellow flowers woven in like she was meeting someone special. The fairy made a sharp turn and shot out of sight without acknowledging Roselle’s childish frolicking.
Roselle couldn’t hold back a smile. It was hard to contain her exuberance because the forest was the best place to live. Everything about the redwood trees was amazing. They made tannin, a natural insect repellent that gave them that wonderful red tone and protected them from fires.
The only downside to a smaller number of insects was fewer birds, which she loved the most. The bright yellow Wilson’s warbler was her favorite. They added so much color to the deep green forest, and the male had a little black cap that she found endearing. Right now, her warblers and many others were on their way south as fall left summer behind, which also meant they would have winter bird visitors soon.
She found the year-round birds, the great horned owl and red-tailed hawk, beautiful but annoying. Those birds could ruin a peaceful moment like this. Both seemed to forget fairies weren’t their meals. Roselle reminded them with a powerful jolt that felt like a mini lightning strike. It didn’t hurt them, but they didn’t like it, either.
Her carefree moment quickly passed when she flew by her school. She sighed deeply and headed for the forest floor. “Darn paper’s due tomorrow. Why did I wait to write it?”
The paper stood between her and the upcoming fall break. It was normally a time when she could roam the forest uninterrupted and take in the deciduous trees as they burst into red, orange, and yellow. However, this break wouldn’t be the same without her human friends, Wren and Sierra. Roselle missed their company and all their silly jokes, including the ones about her putting off getting things done.
Sierra would say, “If they had an award for procrastination, you’d win first place.”
Wren would add, “But you’d be late and miss the ceremony.”
Okay, maybe she did put things off until the last moment and might be late for school now and then, but at least, at some point, it all got done. When Wren and Sierra left for college two months ago, it was like she lost a part of herself.
Purchase Links:
Author Bio
D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include adult fiction, poetry, a unique autobiography, and children’s books. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
D.L. Finn Links:
D.L., some things we just accept and not try to explain away. I believe in magic and miracle too. Your bee brought an amazing message and I’m glad you listened to your gut that whispered the truth. I’m going to have to get this. Keep writing these uplifting stories.
Hi, sister! Thank you for your comment for Denise. I agree that if we listen and pay attention to what’s around us, the messages can come in the strangest of ways. You are going to enjoy this magical story! I love you!
All the best with your new release, Denise! Thanks for hosting, Jan. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by to support Deinse, Mark! I appreciate your support and I know Denise does as well!
Always a pleasure, Jan. 🙂
A wonderful read, Jan. Congrats to Denise! I’m vacationing in redwood country and have thought of her stories frequently! Happy Reading.
Thank you, Diana! Happy vacation and enjoy visiting the redwoods. Happy reading xo
😀
Oh, how perfect, Diana! I would love to have the chance to see the Redwoods. Maybe someday! Enjoy and take lots of photos!! Maybe you’ll capture one of a fairy flitting around! Thank you for stopping by!
No fairies yet, and no bears (darn). But I’ll keep looking!
Thanks for hosting, Jan;) Don’t you love the concept and the cover?
Thanks, Sandra and happy release day!
Yes, I do, Sandra!! It’s totally wonderful! Thank you for stopping by!
Congratulations, Denise. Thank you, Jan, for hosting today.
Thanks, John:)
My pleasure, John!
😁
I am reading this delightful book now. I am loving it! Thank you, Jan, for hosting Denise today.
Thank you, Karen 🙂 Yay! The fairies and I are excited you are enjoying their tales. Xo
Truly my pleasure, Karen. It’s such a magical tale!
I think the fairies sensed a kindred spirit. Love this story, Denise. Wishing you tons of sales and plenty of fairy dust!
I totally agree, Jacquie!! Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you, Jacquie:) I hope the fairy dust finds you too xo
The fairies and I are thrilled to be visiting your wonderful blog space today, Jan. Thank you for all your kind words xo
It is my pleasure to host you, Denise! And thank you for writing such a magical story!
Hi Jan, this is a lovely post about Denise’s new book. I don’t mind giving up my things either so long as its not my dollies or my books [smile].
Lol, Robbie. I love that comment. Thank you for stopping by! Hugs!
Thank you, Robbie 🙂 Perhaps, I’m not ready to give up my books either… lol
These fairies are indeed magical Jan. I have shared the review of this book today at my blog. What a co-incidence! 😊
Oh, how wonderful, Balroop!!! Heading over to share your review! Thank you!
Thank you, Balroop:) Yay! Maybe the fairies had something to do with the posts being on the same day!
You made me smile Denise. Thanks.
This was such a great book. Denise does a brilliant job of making the reader feel as if she is right there with the characters. I hope your readers will pick this book up. They won’t regret it. 😊
I totally agree with you, Yvette! I loved this book, so full of wonderment and magic! Thank you for stopping by!
The fairies certainly had a lot of help getting to this point, thank you, Yvette! I’m so happy you felt like you were there with the characters when you read it… happy dance xo
Everything about these tree fairies is exciting. I love that you say, “I have lived in the forest…”
I agree, Jacqui! I just finished reading this lovely book and it is totally heartwarming and magical! Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you, Jacqui:) There is something special about these tree fairies. I’m grateful for every year I’ve been able to live where I do.
You make me want to go search my local forest.
Congratulations on the new release, Denise! Thanks for sharing, Jan!
Thank you for stopping by, Erika. It’s such a beautiful and magical book!
Your support is gold, Jan!
Thank you, Erika 🙂 I appreciate you dropping by!
You are welcome, Denise!
The bee/fairy/angel story is beautiful. The best things happen in nature. Thanks for sharing that experience with us. And best wishes with your release.
Thanks for hosting, Jan.
I loved that story. I have a feeling Denise lives in a magical place! Thank you for stopping by, Staci!
Thank you, Staci 🙂 I agree that the best things happen in nature. I’m pretty sure the fairies wanted that to be told!
Another great tour post. All the best with it Denise.
Thanks for stopping by, Craig!!
Thank you, Craig, for following along 🙂
Wow, what an unusual and cool experience with the bee / fairy, Denise! I loved the magic of this post.
Wishing you all the best with your release.
Thank you, Jan, for hosting.
The magic of the post matches the magic of the book. I just finished reading it and my review is coming soon. Thanks for stopping by, Mae!
It was one of those experiences where you can’t believe it’s happening, yet it makes perfect sense at the same time. I’m glad you felt the magic come through the post! Thank you, Mae 🙂
What an awesome experience to have, Denise – you never know when inspiration will strike. Best wishes with the new release!
That is so true, Teri!! Thanks for stopping by!
It really was an amazing experience! I agree you never know where inspiration will come from. Thank you, Teri 🙂
Denise, this sounds like such an enchanting book! And, I think that bee was an emissary from the fairies, for sure. I wish you every success with your book and your day in the spotlight with Jan. Jan, thanks for bringing Denise to us today.
Thank you for stopping by, Maura Beth. I loved the bee story! I just finished reading this book and it is uplifting, magical, and fun!
🙂
Thank you, Maura Beth 🙂 Yes, an emissary from the fairies makes perfect sense!
Cool experience with the bee, Denise. Wishing you all the best on the new book.
Thank you for stopping by to support Denise, Joan!
And thank you for hosting. I replied in such a hurry this morning, I forgot to thank you.
It really was very cool and something I won’t forget. Thanks, Joan:)
I love your experience with the bee, Denise!❤️Congratulations on your book. I look forward to reading it. Thanks for hosting, Jan!
Thank you, Jill, for stopping by. I just finished reading this beautiful book and loved it!
Yay!
Thank you, Jill:) I hope you enjoy meeting the fairies!
That’s a lovely story about the bee, Denise. Best of luck with your latest book! 🙂
Jan, thanks for sharing Denise and her new book with us today 🙂
I agree, Harmony. That was a heartwarming story about the bee! Thank you for stopping by to support Denise. It’s my pleasure to share!
Thank you, Harmony, it was one of those moments:)