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Welcome Author D.L. Finn

6/6/2021

47 Comments

 
It is my pleasure to welcome writer D.L Finn to my site today. She's just published another children's book and it promises to warm everyone's heart. I've read the first story and loved it, even though I'm a grandma, a couple years older than the targeted readership. 😊

​Let's see what Denise has to say . . . 

​Thank you, Gwen, for having me here today to share the release of my final children's book, Tree Fairies and Their Short Stories.

One night, over 25 years ago, I listened to an acoustic song my husband had just written. In that magical moment, I was inspired to write a poem about fairies. I could envision the fairies flittering through the trees and then decided the fairies would want to protect those trees. That's where this story originated. Here is the poem that is included in Tree Fairies:
THE LITTLE FAIRIES
​

The little fairies danced around the trees
To a playful tune
Coming from the very soul of the forest.
A magical song that has always been
But lost to you and me.
As we moved away from nature
In our houses of concrete and steel
It deafened us
To magic within the forest
That only the little fairies hear.
They wait
For us to join them again.
Picture
Purchase Links:    AMAZON   SMASHWORDS 
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:

TREE FAIRIES CHAPTER 1 ~ 1969, somewhere in a redwood forest
 
     The sun was setting behind the mammoth trees as we returned to our secluded campsite. My mom rushed into the tent to add inspirational words to the book she was writing. They had come to her on our hike among the redwoods. Dad and my nine-year-old sister, Colette—who weren't as moved—collected wood for our campfire. They insisted it was a three-person job.

     They walked ahead of me, Dad engaged in another batch of endless questions from Colette. I wanted to be listening to the brand-new portable radio I'd gotten for my twelfth birthday, but there were no radio stations to pull in—not even AM. I wouldn't mind hearing the always-playing "I Heard It through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye, but my new favorite song was "Get Back" by the Beatles. Music filled my unsure spaces. Today, surrounded by trees that had lived more than one hundred lifetimes in contrast to mere humans, I needed some soothing tunes. I felt like I was a tiny grape in the vastness of a vineyard.

     Picking up a branch here and there, I followed my dad and Colette. Two fluffy-tailed western gray squirrels were chasing each other across the same massive tree my family had attempted to join hands around earlier. I stopped and added two more branches to my load. A hand suddenly waved in front of my face. Dad. I held back my sigh when I saw his frown.

     "Daniel Burns. Would you please join us on this hike?"

     I kicked a small, gray pebble off the trail. It rolled under a fern before I met Dad's firm stare. "I am with you."

     Dad folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Your body is here, but your mind isn't, Danny. Like I just said, we're headed to camp now because we have enough wood. Then we will all get the fire going and cook dinner." He turned his attention to Colette with a wink. "After that, we can roast marshmallows and tell stories. Maybe Mom will have a new story to share tonight."

     Colette returned the wink. "Can we make s'mores?"

     Her big blue eyes were enormous with excitement. Strawberry-blond pigtails bounced up and down in constant motion, and her smile's brightness matched her loud orange-and-pink-striped shirt. The combination of my sister's movement and colors made me dizzy. She would be a perfect cartoon character, like a colorful Tweety Bird in the Bugs Bunny cartoons.

     "I packed the chocolate bars, marshmallows, and graham crackers myself." Dad grinned. "Let’s go.”

     “Groovy!”

Picture
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: Twitter   Facebook   Instagram   Pinterest   Blog 


47 Comments
Harmony Kent link
6/7/2021 03:02:43

Lovely poem and excerpt, Denise. Wishing you much success with this latest release :)

Gwen, thanks for hosting Denise today. You seem the perfect age for enjoying books like this. I swear, the older I get, the younger I get! :)

Reply
Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 04:24:20

LOL, Harmony. I think you're right. 😊 What fun it is to accompany Denise on her tour! Thank you for adding delight. 💗

Reply
D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 10:02:56

Thank you, Harmony :) So glad you liked it! There is something to recapturing our youth as we get older.

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Joan Hall link
6/7/2021 04:51:37

Love the poem, Denise. And you got my attention with The Beatles. :) Best of luck with this one and a big thanks to Gwen for hosting today.

Reply
Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 05:07:03

Thank you, Joan. It's a pleasure hosting Denise today. 😊

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D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 10:04:17

Thank you, Joan :) I couldn't mention 1969 without a nod to the Beatles.

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Staci Troilo link
6/7/2021 07:03:36

Love the poem. And the excerpt. Wishing you all the best with your release, Denise.

Thanks for hosting, Gwen.

Reply
Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 07:25:55

I love the poem as well, Staci. Thank you for visiting. 😊

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D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 10:06:02

Thank you, Staci, it makes me happy you enjoyed them :)

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Marcia Meara link
6/7/2021 07:11:01

Loved this whole post! What a charming book, Denise, and so nice to read more about it here on Gwen's site. I think this one belongs on my little granddaughter's shelves, even if she's still a bit too young to read it. (That'll soon change!) Gonna head to Amazon to do something about that right now!

Congratulations on a new release, Denise, and best of luck! Hope you sell wheelbarrows full!! 🤗

Reply
Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 07:27:19

Charming is right, Marcia. I'm thinking of grandkids as well. Thank you for all your support. 😊

Reply
D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 10:12:39

Thank you, Marcia:) Yay! I hope your grandaughter enjoys it soon! I'm giving it to my oldest grandaughter for her birthday next weekend! I made sure she's the first one to get a copy in our immediate family.
Fingers crossed for the wheelbarrows full xo

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John Howell link
6/7/2021 08:22:01

Super poem, Denise. best wishes on this children's book. Thank you, Gwen for hosting Denise today.

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Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 11:06:24

I thought the poem lovely as well, John. Thanks for visiting and supporting Denise's exciting tour. 😊

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D.L. Finn
6/12/2021 00:12:23

Thank you, John:) I'm so happy you enjoyed it.

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Jan Sikes
6/7/2021 09:09:01

Thank you so much for hosting Denise today, Gwen! I cannot wait for a free minute to dive into this new book. I know it will be a delight!

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D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 10:15:27

Thank you, Jan:) I hope you enjoy a visit with the fairies!

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Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 11:07:12

Thank you, Jan, for your wonderful support of Denise's book tour. I'm so happy for her! 💗

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Pete Springer link
6/7/2021 09:41:45

Great setting! 1969 was a memorable time. I like the references to Marvin Gaye and the Beatles. I also remember that age as a twelve-year-old when I was losing my tolerance for family camping trips.

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D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 10:18:44

Thank you, Pete:) 1969 was very memorable and the music from it is still amazing to this day.
Yes, we all hit that age where family vacations weren't the same but a part of us still enjoyed them.

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Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 11:08:07

Thank you, Pete, for visiting and adding to the conversation. I'm so happy for Denise! 😊

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D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 10:00:56

Thank you for having me here today, Gwen, and all the beautiful graphics you added! I'm so happy your inner child is enjoying the story! Xo

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Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 11:08:42

All smiles from me, Denise. Love the book -- and you! 😊

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D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 14:16:29

Thanks, Gwen. I feel the same way about you xo

Mae Clair link
6/7/2021 10:26:29

"Houses of concrete and steel"....what a contrast to the beauty and simplicity of nature. Loved the poem, Denise, and the excerpt made me smile. Wishing you and the tree fairies all the best.

Thanks for hosting today, Gwen!

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Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 11:09:31

Thank you for visiting, Mae. It's always a pleasure to host a friend and such a wonderful writer as Denise. 😊

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D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 11:11:25

Thank you, Mae! That line reminded me of the city, and the city fairies were born from that idea. Glad it made you smile!

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Vashti Quiroz-Vega link
6/7/2021 12:49:01

I'm a fan of children's stories, and this book promises to be a fun read. I love the cover! Congratulations to Denise on her new release! Thanks for hosting, Gwen. :D xo

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D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 14:26:53

It's wonderful stepping into the children's world again by reading their books, isn't it? Thanks, Vashti! xo

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Vashti Quiroz-Vega link
6/25/2021 08:53:44

Absolutely!

Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 14:28:33

I love the cover as well, Vashti. Thank you so much for visiting, 💗

Reply
Vashti Quiroz-Vega link
6/25/2021 08:54:45

It's always a pleasure, Gwen. <3

Miriam Hurdle link
6/7/2021 13:48:14

I love the magical poem of tree fairies, Denise. Yes, I could hear the song! Thanks for hosting, Gwen!

Reply
D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 14:17:18

Thank you, Miriam:) It doesn't surprise that you could hear it too! xo

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Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 14:30:10

Thank you so much for visiting, Miriam. I could hear the song as well. 😊

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Teagan R. Geneviene link
6/7/2021 13:54:02

A delightful book. How fun to learn its origin. Gwen, thanks for hosting Denise. Hugs on the wing.

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D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 14:17:57

Thanks, Teagan. I always have found it interesting to see where inspiration comes from!

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Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 14:31:09

Hugs back, Teagan. Thanks so much for visiting! 💗

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eden baylee link
6/7/2021 14:53:34

Hi Gwen and Denise,

Well done and congrats to Denise! You know I really enjoy your poetry, and it's great you're getting the attention you deserve!
eden

Reply
D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 15:17:32

Thank you, Eden! I appreciate you saying that and you! xo

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Gwen M Plano
6/7/2021 15:53:00

Thank you so much, Eden. I love Denise's poetry as well. 💗

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CS Boyack
6/7/2021 17:08:20

Another wonderful post. Hope you're drawing a lot of attention.

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D.L. Finn
6/7/2021 18:08:41

Thank you, Craig. Fingers crossed!

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Roberta Eaton Cheadle
6/7/2021 22:48:16

This is a lovely poem and extract, Denise. I noticed you said this is your final children's book. Are you not planning on writing any others for children?

Reply
D.L. Finn
6/8/2021 09:50:30

Thank you, Robbie.
Yes, this is my last children's book I have planned. I want to focus on adult and YA stories, but I never completely rule anything out in the future.

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mark bierman link
6/12/2021 05:47:35

I love your writing, Denise. I'll check this one out. All the best! Thanks for sharing, Gwen. :)

Reply
D.L. Finn
6/14/2021 12:10:58

Yay! Thank you, Mark :)

Reply



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