Josie James and The Teardrops of Summer
Josie
James is an ordinary 13 year old until something extraordinary
happens during her summer holidays.Whilst staying at her Great
Grandmother’s cottage in the country she finds herself swept into
the cursed world of Suncroft where it is perpetual winter.Her new
friends believe she could be the Chosen One who it is foretold will
lift the curse, but there are more pressing matters.The Teardrops of
Summer – magical crystals that render the owner immortal – have
been stolen. Along with her telepathic husky-dog Protector Asher and
her new friends, Josie must race to find the Teardrops and prevent
catastrophe for their world.
Josie
James and The Velvet Knife
“For
you to find the Velvet Knife, you must solve the riddles thrice.” A
mysterious hooded figure, known only as the Velvet Knife has appeared
in the cursed village of Suncroft. No one knows who he is or what he
wants but when he starts leaving riddles around the village, it is
time for Josie to return to Suncroft for a second time.
With
Asher, her faithful husky Protector by her side, Filan, a half elf,
and her great grandad, will they be able to solve the clues in time
and discover his identity? The Velvet Knife is not the only one
causing problems for Josie. Her rival for the position of the ‘Chosen
One’ continues to grow stronger, and now he has a Protector of his
own.
What does all this mean for Josie? Is she destined to lift
the wintery curse of Suncroft or will another take her place as the
‘Chosen One’?
Josie
has somehow ended up being invited to dinner with The Dream Maker and
gets snowed in and has to stay over the night. This is where Josie
discovers that she is a witch.
“You’re
a witch!” Josie took a step back as The Dream Maker floated a
little higher above the floor, her cloak billowing behind her in the
wind and snow.
“How
very observant of you Josie.” She floated even further up and
Josie could now see that she was standing on a broomstick with the
bushiest sticks and longest handle Josie had ever seen.
“And
you’ve got a broomstick.” Josie pointed.
“Again,
very observant.” The Dream Maker stepped onto the floor and
with a swish of her hand the broomstick flew to sit upright and proud
on one side of the wall.
“And
a cloak.” Josie pointed at the obvious, The Dream Maker and
everyone else in Suncroft wore cloaks. “And a hat.”
“Are
we going to stand here all day and remark on my attire?” The
Dream Maker dispensed of her cloak and hat on hooks beside the
broomstick.
“But
you’re a witch!” Josie repeated again.
“Yes,
yes we’ve established that I’m a witch.” Josie went to
speak again but The Dream Maker interrupted. “And I have a
broomstick and a cloak and a hat, all very clichéd I know but the
hat and cloak are more to keep out the cold. It’s especially
freezing when you’re flying through the sky on a broomstick you
know.” Josie started looking around the room. “What
are you doing?”
“Where’s
your cat?” Josie felt sure that there must be a black cat
roaming around the place.
“Cat?”
The Dream Maker looked bemused.
“Surely
you have a cat.” Josie asked, continuing to search the floor
and even the ceiling.
“Why
would I have a cat?” The Dream Maker followed her gaze.
“And if I did why on earth would it be on the ceiling?”
“Because
you’re a witch!” Josie said matter of factly, she didn’t
feel so afraid of The Dream Maker anymore. “All witches have
cats.”
“Do
they indeed?” She clicked her fingers and instantly her black
hawk flew into the room and perched itself gently on her hand.
“Well this witch doesn’t.” Josie gulped at the sight of
its piercing red eyes.
Lily
Mae Walters chose her pen name in honour of her beloved grandparents
who also stare in the Josie James series.
She
is married with two teenage children, and two huskies that are
the inspiration behind Murphy and Asher in the books.
Lily
Mae lives in Nuneaton, England and finds herself using local places
and even her old school in her stories.
Family
and friends mean the world to Lily Mae and many will find themselves
popping up throughout the series.
Lily Mae also writes for
adults under the name of Florence Keeling.
