Review and Blog Tour for The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox

1:32 AM

The Magic Warble
Join Victoria Simcox, author of the children’s fantasy chapter book, The Magic Warble (Two Harbors Press) , as she virtually tours the blogosphere in December on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!


Review
This book was such a spectacular escape that I just couldn't put it down. The action never stops and keeps the reader enthralled as Kristina fights to save Bernovem. This is an excellent read for teens or adults. Simcox weaves a wonderful tale of excitement and friendship in The Magic Warble.

About the Author:

Victoria SimcoxVictoria, known as Vicki, was born in 1966, in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, to an Austrian immigrant mother, and a Dutch immigrant father. She has one older sister, Jeannette. When Vicki was 7, she moved with her family to British Columbia. In her early twenties Vicki moved to Western Washington and now resides in Marysville WA. She has been married to her husband Russ, for nineteen years and they have three children; Toby, who is fifteen, Kristina, thirteen, and William, eight. She has home schooled her children for the past nine years, and she also teaches elementary school art. Vicki’s other family members are, a Chihuahua, named Pipsy, two cats, Frodo, and Fritz, and two parakeets, Charlie, and Paulie. She did have a pet rat named Raymond when she started writing The Magic Warble, but sad to say, he has since passed away of old age. Vicki enjoys writing, painting watercolors, watching movies, hanging out with her family, and chauffeuring her kids around to their many activities. Her favorite author is C.S. Lewis, and one of her fondest memories is when she was twelve. She would sit at the kitchen table and read The Chronicles of Narnia to her mother while she cooked dinner. These magical stories were very dear to Vicki and she remembers wishing, If only I could go to Narnia like Lucy and Susan. Vicki hopes that maybe, she can touch someone with her story in a similar way. You can visit her website at www.themagicwarble.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Twelve-year-old Kristina Kingsly feels like the most unpopular girl in her school. The kids all tease her, and she never seems to fit in. But when Kristina receives an unusual Christmas gift, she suddenly finds herself magically transported to the land of Bernovem, home of dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals, and the evil Queen Sentiz.
In Bernovem, Kristina not only fits in, she’s honored as “the chosen one” the only one who can release the land from Queen Sentiz’s control. But it’s not as simple as it seems. To save Bernovem, she must place the gift she was given, the famous “Magic Warble” in its final resting place. And she must travel through the deep forest, climb a treacherous mountain, and risk capture by the queen’s “zelbocks” before she reaches her destination. Guided by her new fairy friends, Clover and Looper and by Prince Werrien, a teenage boy, as well as an assortment of other characters, Kristina sets off on a perilous journey that not only tests her strength but her heart.

Book Excerpt:
Bernovem
Afraid to make a move, Kristina lay curled up in the place where she had been dumped out. The laundry sack was gone. The pile of laundry had been replaced by a pile of leaves, and instead of the basement floor, it seemed to be grass. She cautiously poked her head out the pile of leaves and saw a lovely manicured garden. In the middle of it sat a small cottage made of stones and with a thatched roof. The garden itself was circular and along its perimeter was a dense forest. The weather was slightly cold, and the sky was overcast. A cold breeze blew by her and made her shiver. She felt very strange, being in the garden, and wondered if she was simply dreaming. If this is a dream, I sure hope it’s more exciting than yesterday, she thought.She suddenly heard the sound of whistling again, and when she poked her head out of the pile of leaves, she saw a man—or at least she thought it might be a man—coming around the corner of
the cottage. He looked old, and he seemed to be even shorter than herself. He had a stout stature, distinctly sharp facial features, icy blue eyes, pointy ears, a long white beard, and silver hair. Upon his left shoulder he carried a large sack, and in his right hand he held a rake. He walked toward the pile of leaves, and Kristina ducked back down so he wouldn’t see her. He dumped out the large sack onto the pile of leaves, which brought another pile of leaves upon
her head. Kristina tried not to move or make a sound.
Then the little man struck a match and was about to throw it on the pile of leaves, right where she was hiding, but she jumped out just before he did so yelling, “Wait! Please don’t throw that
match!”
The little man almost fell backwards. “What in our lady’s name is this?” he said, steadying himself.
“I didn’t mean to end up in your leaf pile,” Kristina said nervously, while backing away. “As a matter of fact, I have no idea how I got here.”
The little man walked closer to her, leaning forward slightly and holding the rake in front of him, as if to protect himself. He stared at Kristina as though he’d never seen anyone like her before.
“You may find this hard to believe,” Kristina said, “but I was only trying to retrieve a little silver ball.”
The little man’s eyes grew wide. “A little silver ball, you say.”
“Yes, Sir I…”
The little man seemed impatient. “Well, go on. Go on, spit it out.”
“My teacher, Miss Hensley, gave it to me on the last day of school. It was a Christmas gift,” Kristina continued.
The little man twirled his beard around one finger as he thought for a moment. Then he looked up at her and, seeming relieved, said, “Why, yes, of course! How soon I lose my memory.” He dropped his rake on the ground.
“I’m very sorry if I upset you,” Kristina said.
“No, no. No worries! Come with me to my cottage, and we’ll have a nice cup of tea. I could use a little break anyway. My back’s about killin’ me,” he said, stretching backwards.
He picked up his rake, and then put it down on top of a wheelbarrow that was nearby. Then he motioned for Kristina to follow him. Kristina wasn’t sure if she should trust him, but he seemed friendly enough, so she walked after him. When they arrived at the cottage, he pushed open the small wooden door, and they went inside. He took a lantern down from a hook on the wall and led the way into the front room. There was a fire burning in a fireplace, and it made the room—probably the living room—feel cozy and warm. Kristina noticed that everything in the room was smaller than normal.
“Come, child, sit down,” the little man said, pointing to a small couch. “Now, how about that cup of tea?”
“Oh, yes, please. I’m a little chilly and that would warm me up,” Kristina said.
The little man picked up a basket filled with tiny red flowers.
Then he took a big handful of them and dropped them into a black kettle that was sitting on top of the fire. As the flowers fell in, the water in the kettle spat out the top.
“Now, then, let’s discuss matters while we wait on our tea,” he said, sitting down in an armchair across from Kristina. “This little silver ball… do you have it with you?” he asked, while lighting a pipe.
“Yes, I have it in my pocket. Would you like to see it?” Kristina asked.
“Yes, but let me get the tea for us first.” He got up and poured tea into two cups and handed one to her. The tea was fluorescent red, and Kristina had to squint because of its brightness.
“I’ve never seen tea like this before. Its color is such a brilliant red,” Kristina said. She took a sip of it. “Yum, this is very good.
I would say it tastes like…” She paused for a moment and then continued. “Well, actually, I can’t describe it at all, but it is very delicious.”
“It’s fairy blossom, very hard to come by nowadays,” the little man said as he sat back down. He took a big puff off his pipe, then stuck out his knuckle-swollen hand and said, “The name’s
Rumalock.”
Kristina took hold of his hand and shook it. “I don’t mean to ask a silly question or seem rude, but are you a human?”
Rumalock chuckled and said, “No, I am what you would call a dwarf.”
“I’ve heard of dwarfs in fairy tales.” She looked a little embarrassed.
“I never thought they… or, I mean, you were real. I mean, no one I know of has ever met one,” she said, getting a little tongue-tied and turning red. “I hope that I’m not saying the wrong things.”
Rumalock chuckled again. “No need to feel bashful, my dear. I’m sure you don’t run into many dwarfs where you come from, and for that matter, I guess, I could say that I don’t get the chance
to meet many of your type either.”
Kristina took another sip of her tea and then said, “My name is Kristina.”
“Pleased to meet you, Kristina,” Rumalock said. “Now, should we take a look at this little ball?”
“Oh, yes, of course.” She took it out of her pocket and dropped it onto the palm of his hand. He held his eyeglasses with his other hand and peered down at it. He rolled it around and then clasped his hand tightly shut around it.
“Yup! It is the one,” he said. “This, my dear, is a very special day, to say the least.”
“Oh, why’s that?” Kristina asked, looking a little confused.
“This little ball is called the Magic Warble. It is what everyone in our land has been waiting for, for many years,” Rumalock said excitedly. Then, looking very serious, he narrowed his eyes.
“After it was given to you, did anyone else come into contact with it or even with anything that it was stored in?”
Kristina had to think for a moment and then answered, “Yes, three people, to be exact. Wait a minute, four, actually, if you include my pet rat, Raymond.” She started to count on her fingers.
“So it would be Graham Kepler, Hester Crumeful, Davina Pavey, Raymond, and, of course, me.”
“My, my, that many, and a rat also. I haven’t seen one of those little fellows in years. This could make matters very complicated,” Rumalock said.
“How so?” Kristina asked.
Rumalock placed the Magic Warble back in Kristina’s hand and said, “After the Magic Warble was given to you, whoever touched it or even anything it touched, like a container it may have been resting in, will be brought here.”
“Where is here?” Kristina asked.
“The place you are in, child, is called Bernovem,” Rumalock answered. He took another long drag of his pipe and blew out a large number of perfectly round smoke rings. Then he got out of his
chair, walked to the fireplace, and took a dusty book off the mantel.
“What is that?” Kristina asked.
“This, my dear, is the Book of Prophecy, and it is the only one in the whole land of Bernovem.” He opened it and ran his finger along the page. “Ah ha! Here it is, just as predicted: Kristina
Kingsly,” he said.
“Do you mean I’m in that book?” Kristina asked, getting up off the couch to take a look inside it.
Rumalock pointed his finger on the page. “Is your name Kristina Kingsly?” he asked, while glancing up at her through his round glasses.
“Yes,” she answered, looking puzzled. “But how come I’ve never heard of Bernovem?”
“Bernovem is a land very far from your land, or any other, as a matter of fact. It’s in a totally different galaxy than where you are from. You see, child, you have been brought here by the Magic Warble to deliver it to its resting place.”
Kristina’s face went pale.
“Is something the matter?” Rumalock asked her.
“I’m just worried that I won’t know where to bring it,” Kristina said.
“I thought you might feel that way. I must tell you that I can’t promise you that your journey will be a smooth one, but if you trust that the Magic Warble will lead you to where it needs to go,
you should be fine. And besides, you might even get some help along the way.”
Kristina looked back into the book. “Why are so many of the pages blank?” she asked.
“Oh that’s because the prophecies in this book will only appear on the pages a few minutes before they actually come to pass. Look here—it says, ‘Kristina’s scrape on her arm was healed.’”
“How could that be? The scrape is right here on my arm. It couldn’t possibly heal within a few minutes,” she said, showing him the scrape she had gotten from falling on the icy sidewalk the morning before.
“Ah! But are you sure? Give me your arm.” Rumalock said.
Kristina stretched her arm out, and Rumalock poured a few drops of his tea onto her scrape.
“Ouch! What are you doing? That’s very hot!” she said, shaking her arm to relieve the pain.
“Take a look at your scrape now,” Rumalock said excitedly.
“It’s gone!”
“That’s right! The tea is also magic.”
“This is all so cool,” Kristina said excitedly.
“Yes, yes, I suppose you could say that,” Rumalock said as he placed the Book of Prophecy back on the mantel. “Now, child, you look hungry. How about a nice warm meal?”
“I’d like that very much,” Kristina said.
Kristina ate a delicious meal of cheese, brown bread, boiled potatoes, and the best chocolate cake she had ever tasted. Afterward, while sitting by the crackling fire, she still could hardly believe
where she was or how she had gotten there, but she was much too sleepy to figure it out. She took the Magic Warble out of her pocket to take another look at it, and when she stared down at it; her sleepy eyes suddenly grew two sizes bigger.
“The Magic Warble! Its color has changed. It used to be tarnished silver, but now it is light purple,” she said.
“Yes, of course, Kristina, it is all part of its journey,” Rumalock said. He sat across from her in his armchair, smoking his pipe.
“All part of the journey?” Kristina repeated, yawning. Her eyes grew so heavy that she couldn’t keep them open any longer. Once she fell asleep, Rumalock got up, and placed a warm woolen blanket over her. Then he blew out his lantern and left the room.

Here’s what reviewers have to say!

“Victoria Simcox’s children’s book, “The Magic Warble,” echoes the long tradition of fantasy literature. I thought immediately of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia books. I liked the short, easy to read, chapters. Each chapter makes you want to read the next. And the book is exactly what kids with a sense of wonder and imagination — most kids! — look for: other worlds, creatures, a battle for good and evil, the ordinary contrasted with the extraordinary. I especially liked the main character, Kristina. She’s a real girl with no candy coating. I am sure kids will identify with her. Also she has a certain toughness in spite of the bad things that happen to her whether in this world or the land of Bernovem.
Victoria Simcox’s writing is tight and not overly complicated. She is a very visual writer too! My reading gave me the experience of actually watching a movie. It’s like she “story boarded” the book. And this adds to the tightness. This also means that action sequences are believable and not stilted. I heartily recommend, “The Magic Warble.” I’m going to read it again, out loud, to my wife — we do strange things like that!”


– James Wiersum
Pastor, First Christian Reformed Church
Everett, Washington


“The Magic Warble was a really sweet coming-of-age book for both boys and girls alike. The meaning of friendship and learning to trust one’s self are all wrapped up in this story of a plucky young heroine. It was fun to read for both myself and my 9 year old son. ”
–Lorraine Read Owner of
Upper Case Books
Snohomish WA


“…every kid needs a ‘magic warble’ as every kid needs to feel important, capable and loved. I highly recommend this book.”
–Marion Demoss
Merchandise Supervisor
Borders Books, Everett, WA


“…amazing…captivating from the first page and will keep you reading for as long as it takes to finish it. The Magic Warble is a very original story and definitely worth ordering…illustrations are beautiful and makes the story come to life. A must read!”
–Melissa Scoleman, 15, Tucson, AZ

“Excellent book…favorite part was the great ending. The book is filled with very good descriptive details, humor, messages of perseverance, faith and friendship. I greatly recommend it!”
–Mariah Avellandea, 13, Lakewood, WA

“My favorite part was when Kristina rolls the warble to Ramon and the wolf attacks him and Kristina gets it back. My favorite character was Raymond. I loved it!”
–Nathaniel Roth, 11, Marysville, WA

“This is a very good book. The characters have really cool personalities. I like all the conflicts between Kristina and Werrien. The author is really descriptive in her writing. The Magic Warble is truly an original story.”
–Chris Swanson, 14, Lake Stevens, WA

“The Magic Warble is a great book. It is a classic fantasy tale about a girl who is destined to save a world she has only known for a short time. You can’t stop reading it wondering if she will save it in time. The unique characters she meets on the way that help her with her quest add so much interesting aspect to the story.”
–Levi Smith, 20, Marysville, WA

“Dear Mrs. Simcox, thank you so much for signing my book. I really loved it. I get teased at school and feel like an outcast as well, so I know how Kristina feels. The book was really great! I felt like I was in the story watching the kids do everything. I got in trouble because I wouldn’t put the book down to eat dinner, but my mom is happy that I like to read…one day I want to be a writer like you.”
–Mariah McDowell, 12, Seattle, WA

“The Magic Warble is a captivating tale of a young girl any adult or young person can relate to. The novel pulls you in to where you just have to read more! This book carried me away to another time and another place filled with excitement and fantasy. It’s an adventure that no one will regret reading!
–Jenger Avellaneda, Stanwood, WA




Peeking Between the Pages www.peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com
A Sea of Books www.aseaofbooks.blogspot.com
The Neverending Shelf www.neverendingshelf.blogspot.com
Falling Off the Shelf www.fallingofftheshelf.blogspot.com
The Princess and the Monkey http://kennedyandzach.blogspot.com/
Cafe of Dreams www.cafeofdreams.blogspot.com
A Book Blogger’s Diary www.abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com
Revenge of the Book Nerd www.booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com/
Examiner www.examiner.com
Psychotic State www.psychoticstate.blogspot.com
One Person’s Journey Through a World of Books www.bookjourney.wordpress.com
Beth’s Book Review Blog www.bethsbookreviewblog.blogspot.com
Readaholic www.bridget3420.blogspot.com
I Read www.sumanan.wordpress.com
Beyond the Books www.beyondthebooks.wordpress.com
Marta’s Meanderings www.martasmeanderings.blogspot.com
The Writer’s Life www.thewriterslife.blogspot.com
Kylie’s Journal www.kylees-journal.blogspot.com
Divine Caroline www.divinecaroline.com
A Book and a Chat www.blogtalkradio.com/across-the-pond
Beyond the Books www.beyondthebooks.wordpress.com
As the Pages Turn www.asthepagesturn.wordpress.com
My Reading Room www.myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com
Shawn’s Sharings www.shwanssharings.blogspot.com
Jen’s Book Talk www.jensbooktalk.blogspot.com
Revenge of the Book Nerd www.booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com
Book Junkie www.bookjunkie.blogspot.com
Pick of the Literate www.bookrevues.blogspot.com
Layers of Thought www.layersofthought.net
Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! www.writesthoughts.blogspot.com
Gothic Asylum Reviews www.gothicasylum.blogspot.com

Victoria Simcox’s THE MAGIC WARBLE VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR ‘09 will officially begin on Nov. 2 and end on Dec. 16. You can visit Victoria’s blog stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com during the months of November and December to find out more about this great book and talented author!

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Every year we lose more people to AIDS. It hasn't disappeared and it's not going away anytime soon. I urge you to seek out and support your local AIDS Organizations. Encourage everyone you know to practice safe sex and to get tested once a year. Even if you don't think you are at risk, get tested. I didn't think I was at risk either, and I almost died before I was diagnosed.
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