The Escape of Princess Madeline
by Kirstin Pulioff
ebook, 66 pages
Published November 5th 2012 by Malachite Quills Publishing
Premise:
The Kingdom of Soron is known for many things, its rolling landscape, haunting history, fiery sunsets, and its beautiful princess. Princess Madeline woke on her sixteenth birthday to realize that her future had been planned out, a life full of privilege, royalty, and boredom... a life with a husband and knight champion that she did not choose. Using her charm, strength and stubbornness, she defies the King at every turn, determined to keep her freedom on her terms.
Freedom quickly turns to disaster as she finds herself seized by a group of wandering bandits. With the kingdom in turmoil over her capture- her Knight Champion eager to prove himself, a group of dedicated suitors determined to win her hand, and a group of exiled wizards join forces in the hunt to rescue her. Follow Princess Madeline in this adventure to find freedom and love.
My Review:
What a fun story! Ever wonder what it would be like to have a dream room in a castle filled with pink-pink-pink?! Lol. And dances and princes and beautiful dresses... and brave knights and stern fathers who have more heart than they want to admit. This story is full of all the delightful dreams that would make a beautiful wallpaper.
Even the danger didn't feel dangerous to me. Rather it was exciting and different. Madeline might have been uncomfortable, maybe hungry, but she was discovering life in the woods full of bandits. Danger involves some uncomfy moments. Maybe a rolling-down-the-hill-helplessly moment, too. For good measure.
The romance is cute. Reminded me of a Disney movie with all the heart-swelling moments anyone could wish for. The mysterious monks... and the mysterious dreams... remain mysterious to me. The father is wonderful despite his gruff beginning. Madeline learns and grows a lot.
This is a very fun story for young girls who think they are ready for a little more adventure, but still sleep with their special pillows. (I have a special pillow, so I can say that.) I think this would be a fun story to read aloud, mother and daughter, too. Pretty much anyone who likes Disney movies and maybe even watches 'em over and over 'cause there's just not enough of 'em... anyone like that should definitely pick up this book!!
Interview:
1. How did the book begin for me? What was the idea that sparked it all?
“The Escape of Princess Madeline” began as an escape for me. I actually wrote this book several years ago, while working at an office. That position didn’t fulfill my creative need to express, so on my lunch breaks, I began writing. One day, over my tomato and cucumber salad, as I was doodling in my notebook, a light bulb went off in my head. Suddenly, this story began unfolding in my mind … every day during lunch, I picked up where I had left off, and a month and a half later, the first draft was finished.
I have always gravitated towards the fantasy genre. Growing up, as an elementary youth, I wanted to be whisked away to a far off land with princesses and castles and knights, but what I found was that most fantasy novels were a struggle to read due to them being above my reading level. So when I began writing and as ideas began to flow through my mind, I really wanted to capture something that both a younger reader, a teen, and even an adult would enjoy. A story with aspects of magic, fantasy, and romance, with a positive tone and a quick pace.
2. Do you have a favorite scene? Or character?
How to pick just one… ha J. One of my favorites would be the Royal Ball. This is the first moment where Princess Madeline defies her father, and makes a stand towards her independence. I love the duplicity of the scene- the battle of wills between Princess Madeline and King Theodore, the conflicting emotions as suitors are presented, all this tension portrayed in such a beautiful setting.
Princess Madeline was fun to create. It was very important to me to make sure she was relatable and real. Yes, she is a princess, but above all, she is a sixteen year old girl. A girl growing up on the verge of her own life and her own choices. It was important to balance the hard and soft qualities of her – her rashness with intelligence, her stubbornness with strength, and her defiance with vulnerability.
3. Share something personal…
Besides loving fantasy, I have to say, I love Disney movies. They are full of enchantment, magic and positive messages. As a stay at home mom, every day I am challenged with teaching my children and reinforcing positive life lessons. It was after watching “Tangled” for about the 20th time, that I had my own epiphany. Somewhere along the line, growing up, I forgot about following my dreams and just focused on the responsibilities of being an adult. So now, when I watch a Disney movie, I make sure that I remember those lessons are also for me. We make a point to teach our kids they can do anything, accomplish anything, try anything, but it is also important to make sure we have not forgotten that lesson as well.
Besides that, I also have to mention this incredible thing about where I live. Living in Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest, I am blessed with beautiful forests, and natural wonders, but one of my favorites is Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. I am a huge “Goonie’s” fan, and I absolutely love going to the beach and playing right beside the big Goonie’s rock. I still look at it and wait for One-eyed Willy and the pirate ship to sail away. J Some childhood memories never fade.
How fun!! I love the Oregon beaches. They seem so ready for magic and fairytales. It's so great how open you are to fantasy and "what if". Thank you for the interview!! And for writing such a whimsical story!!
About the Author:
Kirstin Pulioff is a storyteller at heart. Born and raised in Southern California, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Forest Management. Happily married and a mother of two, she lives in North Plains, Oregon, and enjoys being a stay at home mom. When she’s not writing, she is busy with her kids, church and the family business.
Get Your Copy:
About the Author:
Kirstin Pulioff is a storyteller at heart. Born and raised in Southern California, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Forest Management. Happily married and a mother of two, she lives in North Plains, Oregon, and enjoys being a stay at home mom. When she’s not writing, she is busy with her kids, church and the family business.
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I rec'd this book to review via this awesome Northwest Neighbors community... celebrating authors from the Northwest and authors visiting the Northwest.
Check out this same post over there!! :-D Hey, two times is twice as nice as one!!!
Check out this same post over there!! :-D Hey, two times is twice as nice as one!!!
I am relatively new to the concept of connecting with bloggers and authors that live near me. Lol. I'm not sure I even want to know how many authors have come my way and I didn't know it. Yikes!! Maybe I'll miss less of 'em with community help, hey?
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