FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nov. 20, 2008 Allison Keeney

Public relations manager for Sharon M. Brandsma

akeeney@uoregon.edu

Oregon Author Tells her Tale of Empowerment Through her new Teen Fantasy Novel

EUGENE, Ore.--“No cricket chirps, no frog song, no calls of night birds…just a few, quiet, gauzy fingers of mist clutched at the silver moon. In the hushed forest, his Master Merlin lay paralyzed and dying…and the beautiful fairy Oriya spirited away by some unspeakable evil. The Gloaming had begun.”

Eugene author Sharon M. Brandsma recently released “Glory Rose and the Gloaming,” an inspiring and magic-filled teens-to-tweens fantasy novel.

“Glory Rose and the Gloaming” is book one of a trilogy. The first novel features a heroine named Glory Rose who sets out on a bold and dangerous mission to save the Magic Realm from an evil sorcerer. Along the way, Glory Rose encounters an assortment of magical creatures, including witches, fairies, giants, trolls, leprechauns, dragons, and an alchemist.

“My book is an empowering story for children and adults. It’s about never doubting your own ability to achieve ‘magic’ in your own life,” said Brandsma.

The series came to Brandsma after she had an idea to write a book with a realistic young heroine, as opposed to the common “perfect” hero. She says that “Heroes have been overdone.” She wanted to write a book about a character who was not perfect at all, who was in fact, flawed, yet still achieved what she set out to do.

Brandsma has had several short stories published, and she won a short story writing contest sponsored by Family Circle Magazine. She is also an award-winning artist and did the cover and inside illustrations in this book.

The book was published by MoonFlower Press from Eugene, Ore., in conjunction with Studio Absolute, from Sisters, Ore. Brandsma received no funds for advertising or publicity, so she has gone door-to-door to local bookstores, schools and libraries to promote the book. “Glory Rose and the Gloaming” can be found in a few small, local bookstores, schools, and libraries in Eugene, Springfield, Cottage Grove, Florence, Bend, Corvallis and Reedsport. The fantasy tale is also available on Amazon.com and Target.com.

The book has been well received by many readers of all ages. “It humbles me so much that people truly love the story,” said Brandsma, who is receiving rave reviews and fan mail from readers. In the near future, she hopes that more bookstores and libraries in the Mid-valley area will stock her book.

Brandsma has been invited to the Authors & Artists Fair put on by the Lane Library League on Dec. 6, 2008. You can visit her Web site at www.gloryrosefriends.com to learn more.

For further information please contact Allison Keeney at akeeney@uoregon.edu. You may also contact Sharon M. Brandsma att s.m.brandsma@comcast.net.

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