Monday, August 24, 2015

Monday's Riddle: A Clear Divide...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? We'll leave a light on. ; ) ~ F

I am the shade on a circle that's spinning. Two of us race, but neither is winning. Round you go, though I'm very still; you like to pretend that I rush at your will. But I'm the measure of what's not light, and it's hard to see while I'm in sight. Some feel afraid, and they huddle for morn. Others revel under stars being born. A side of a side, a yin of a yang; the space in which you see the bang. Hence the divide, for it lights the stage. The action below depends on your age. A lizard king sang of this play, telling them all _____ divides day.

What word am I looking for? (fill in the blank)

I gave you a clue!

NASA image

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Friday, August 21, 2015

Welcome to the Begonia House...



We've kept you in suspense this week, and today we're spilling our secret. The Morrow family is taking over the infamous Begonia House December 1st, but here's a glimpse into the mystery...

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow
Illustrated by Roman Muradov
Chapter ?
 Lost and Found 

Fairday wasn’t sleeping well her first night at the Begonia House. Tossing and turning, she listened to the sounds of her new surroundings. The old house clanged and groaned as the wind wrestled the willow tree outside her bedroom window. Lightning cracked as the willow branches banged into one another, casting monstrous shadows along the walls. A crash of thunder jolted her upright and a flash of light lit up the room. In that instant, Fairday caught sight of a figure standing at the end of her bed. Everything went dark as she pulled the blankets up to her chin in terror.

Reaching for the flashlight that was strategically positioned beneath her pillow, she shined it all around her room. No one was there. Had she been imagining things? Fairday could’ve sworn she saw someone but supposed it might’ve been a trick of the mind. Maybe she had Muriel from Fablehaven on the brain, which she’d been reading before bed. A chill ran down her spine when Fairday noticed her door was open. She was sure her dad had closed it after saying goodnight. Fairday used all her courage to sneak over and shut the door. Leaping back into bed, she invoked the power of the flashlight, but the room proved to be devoid of intruders, except, of course, for herself.

                                               ★★★

The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, the three young sleuths enter into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Can they piece together the puzzle before it's too late? Or will whatever's causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first? 


Stay tuned to find out the winner of the mystery book bundle for the truth vs. lie author challenge!  

The last puzzle piece fits into place soon... ;) 

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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Mystery's Knocking at Your Door!




This week we're building suspense! Friday we'll be sharing a chapter excerpt that will keep you on the edge of your seat, so be sure to check back.  

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow is available for pre-order. Be the first to help Fairday and her friends solve the mystery of the Begonia House. 


“Remember, young lady, you have to think beyond what you know to be real. You have to see with your mind as well as your eyes.” The old man pulled his glasses down to the end of his nose and looked at her. “Be careful, Miss Morrow. Please be very careful.”


Eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow is less than thrilled that her family is moving thousands of miles from civilization to the quiet country town of Ashpot, Connecticut, where she’s absolutely certain she’ll die of boredom. 

As if leaving New York City and her best friend, Lizzy, the only other member of the elite Detective Mystery Squad (DMS), weren’t bad enough, Fairday is stuck living in the infamous Begonia House, a creepy old Victorian with dark passageways, a gigantic dead willow tree, and a mysterious past. 

Before she can even unpack, strange music coming from behind a padlocked door leads Fairday up a spiral staircase and into a secret room, where an ancient mirror, a brass key, and a strange picture of a red-haired lady are the first in a series of clues that takes the members of the Detective Mystery Squad on an amazing adventure.




Here's a tease for the Friday excerpt...

Fairday wasn’t sleeping well her first night at the Begonia House. Tossing and turning, she listened to the sounds of her new surroundings. The old house clanged and groaned...


Stephanie Robinson & Jessica Haight

How well do you know the authors?

Can you guess which two statements are the truth, and which is a lie?

Those who guess correctly will be entered to win a surprise book bundle. We're withholding the prize titles, because... suspense! That's why. ;)   

Jessica Haight is a true New Englander, with a deep desire to be near the ocean and a love of the four seasons. She enjoys drawing while standing up and cultivating magic in her garden. She easily floats away in the pages of a good story and is still waiting for her owl from Hogwarts. Jessica lives in Connecticut with her charming fiancé, James; dog, Jack; cat, Bill; and a very entitled bunny named Alice.  

1. I don't have a TV, but I do like to watch a little entertainment each night on Netflix. The feature playing is usually Xena or MASH, sometimes I sprinkle in The Twilight Zone, or Bewitched. 

2. I have an interesting relationship with numbers, and I like to relax by putting together math puzzles and solving word problems. Fractions are my favorite to play with.

3. The only pencil I like to draw with is a Ticonderoga #2, it's all about the eraser. When I was a kid, I had an art teacher that told me a real artist never erases. My rebellious nature presented itself in the fact that 50% of my art is creating interesting negative space with the eraser. 




Stephanie Robinson lives with her husband in a quiet town, though not as quaint as Ashpot. After teaching fifth grade for almost fifteen years, she is now enjoying her role as a school media specialist. One of the many benefits of her job is that she learns something new every day. When Stephanie isn't working, she spends her time creating stories, getting lost in books, and traveling to new places. 

1. As a child, I was such an avid reader that I would get a temporary library card every summer when I went to visit my grandparents in Minnesota. I would read the books I brought and then walk to the library to get another stack of books to make it though the next week.

2. I love the peace of the morning and I get up early every day to write. A week doesn't go by that I don't watch the sunrise as I write at my computer.

3. In third grade I learned how to wiggle my ears by accident. Now I can wiggle my ears at will.

Tell us which statements you think are true or not true about Jess and Stephanie.


TO BE REVEALED...

 
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