Books with author Elle Stephens

From Writers of the Future Winner Elise Stephens comes an epic adventure of magic, risk, and coming of age.2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Finalist Twelve-year-old Liam Finley doesn't expect anything good when he is forced to change his Dublin home for his stepfather's large country house on the edge of the wild woods. But after the first night there, Liam’s dreary boredom shatters as fairy tales spring to life in his new home. Has he truly discovered a dragon egg?The house's old blind gardener Michael Moran claims to know Liam's secret destiny, which lies in an enchanted Otherworld. He says Liam is the next Guardian of the Gold Breathers, a champion of dragons whose quest will take every bit of his courage if he is going to survive battle with ancient, powerful enemies.Time is not on Liam's side. Can he complete his three dangerous tasks to prove himself as Guardian before the paths close between his world and the Guardian's land? Liam wants to believe Michael’s mysterious tales, but should he instead seek shelter in the practical kindness of Hannah, the housekeeper who calls Michael's stories "rubbish"? Liam's heart tells him to trust the things of magic, but it's the humans he can't be sure about.A brilliant addition to a young reader’s bookshelf. Recommend for ages 10 and up.Themes in this story include losing a parent, family relationships, dealing with guilt, overcoming challenges, facing your fears, and standing up for what is right, even when it costs you something.WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS EXCITING, MAGICAL ADVENTURE:“The rich characters are so real that the fantastical elements feel as if they can be nothing other than truth. I found myself looking forward to reading this story and thought of it long after I had finished.”-Hilary Hayes, Amazon Reviewer“This is fantasy at its finest! The book is a combination of the YA novel Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher and the Narnia series. Great read that is perfect for the whole family. I highly recommend it!”-Nathan, Amazon Reviewer“…A fun, easy, quick read that is family friendly, suitable for young readers, but also sparks the imagination in adults. The characters were so real and likable, it left me with a feeling of ‘what's next?’”-Michelle Heue, Amazon Reviewer“I'd be intensely interested in reading a sequel; this could bloom into a wonderful series of books akin to Pern.”–Rob Slaven, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer“The world-building was vivid, and it wasn’t hard to imagine myself at a country estate, in a forest, in a maze, or in a tunnel with a smelly troll. Stephens describes her world masterfully, and I thoroughly enjoyed being swept up in it…I highly recommend this winner from Elise Stephens for pre-teens who love adventure stories based in folklore, fairytales, and mythology.”-Lydia Thomas, Amazon Reviewer“Most commendable is Stephens’ ability to effortlessly weave values and ethics into the story, giving it depth…worthy of re-reading, reflection and discussion…Self-respect, courage, respect for women and the importance of family and friendship are all of value to our hero…an intriguing and enriching middle-grade read.”-Georgia Girly, Amazon Reviewer

Julian, a wheelchair-bound dreamer, and Anika, a quick-tempered rebel, are two children who do not belong. Their dreams in part come true when they are dragged into another world to help save humanity from the irrepressible 'blight', an environmental nightmare of its own making, using their imaginations to harness the power of metamorphosis. To succeed on their quest – retrieving a battery from the East to protect the blight survivors – they must resolve their differences and learn to work together. Their efforts, however, do not quite bear the fruits they were expecting.

From Writers of the Future Winner Elise Stephens comes an epic adventure of magic, risk, and coming of age.2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Finalist Twelve-year-old Liam Finley doesn't expect anything good when he is forced to change his Dublin home for his stepfather's large country house on the edge of the wild woods. But after the first night there, Liam’s dreary boredom shatters as fairy tales spring to life in his new home. Has he truly discovered a dragon egg?The house's old blind gardener Michael Moran claims to know Liam's secret destiny, which lies in an enchanted Otherworld. He says Liam is the next Guardian of the Gold Breathers, a champion of dragons whose quest will take every bit of his courage if he is going to survive battle with ancient, powerful enemies.Time is not on Liam's side. Can he complete his three dangerous tasks to prove himself as Guardian before the paths close between his world and the Guardian's land? Liam wants to believe Michael’s mysterious tales, but should he instead seek shelter in the practical kindness of Hannah, the housekeeper who calls Michael's stories "rubbish"? Liam's heart tells him to trust the things of magic, but it's the humans he can't be sure about.A brilliant addition to a young reader’s bookshelf. Recommend for ages 10 and up.Themes in this story include losing a parent, family relationships, dealing with guilt, overcoming challenges, facing your fears, and standing up for what is right, even when it costs you something.WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS EXCITING, MAGICAL ADVENTURE:“The rich characters are so real that the fantastical elements feel as if they can be nothing other than truth. I found myself looking forward to reading this story and thought of it long after I had finished.”-Hilary Hayes, Amazon Reviewer“This is fantasy at its finest! The book is a combination of the YA novel Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher and the Narnia series. Great read that is perfect for the whole family. I highly recommend it!”-Nathan, Amazon Reviewer“…A fun, easy, quick read that is family friendly, suitable for young readers, but also sparks the imagination in adults. The characters were so real and likable, it left me with a feeling of ‘what's next?’”-Michelle Heue, Amazon Reviewer“I'd be intensely interested in reading a sequel; this could bloom into a wonderful series of books akin to Pern.”–Rob Slaven, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer“The world-building was vivid, and it wasn’t hard to imagine myself at a country estate, in a forest, in a maze, or in a tunnel with a smelly troll. Stephens describes her world masterfully, and I thoroughly enjoyed being swept up in it…I highly recommend this winner from Elise Stephens for pre-teens who love adventure stories based in folklore, fairytales, and mythology.”-Lydia Thomas, Amazon Reviewer“Most commendable is Stephens’ ability to effortlessly weave values and ethics into the story, giving it depth…worthy of re-reading, reflection and discussion…Self-respect, courage, respect for women and the importance of family and friendship are all of value to our hero…an intriguing and enriching middle-grade read.”-Georgia Girly, Amazon Reviewer

From Writers of the Future winner author Elise StephensTeens looking for suspense, adventure, and magic do not want to miss this book! The psychic gift of prophecy has torn apart Calvin Forsyth’s family before. For many generations, the ability to see the future has come tied to a life-altering curse and the chilling attention of a secret society intent on drawing the Forsyths under its power.Fate seems determined that 15-year-old Calvin will not escape this same destiny. Though use of a magic door in a New Jersey forest, he awakens his own sight and plunges into a swirling world of portents and shadow where friend and foe are hard to discern and his own talent threatens to consume his mind. Should he accept the help of the beautiful girl who appears on his doorstep, claiming she has the same gift of sight, or should he undergo training from a wise sage who regards the door and its psychic gifts as dangerous mind-poisons?Calvin must brave extraordinary trials in order to wield his sight, defend his endangered family, and prepare not just to face the ominous secret society that beckons him, but to battle the man who’s brought Calvin’s life the greatest grief and pain—his father.WHAT READERS AND REVIEWERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS THRILLING READ:“I finished the book without stopping. I just COULDN'T put it down. Recommended to anyone wanting a fun story with addicting characters, and an ending that blows all your guesses to shame.” –B.J. Gaskill“I connected with the protagonists immediately… It thrilled me with the supernatural but not scary, it caused intrigue with constant mystery…I highly recommend this novel.” –Sarah C.“A quick moving plot…Calvin is a great character in a book filled with many wonderful characters.” -Anne, Amazon Vine Voice“…Reminded me of Dan Brown's books with excitement and adventure…Like a good film I was sorry when the book ended. –Isobel C.

Twelve-year-old Liam Finley doesn't expect anything good when he is forced to move from Dublin to his stepfather's large country house on the edge of the wild woods. But after the first night there, Liam abandons his fears of dreary boredom when he discovers that fairy tales haunt his new home. Has he truly discovered a dragon egg? The house's old blind gardener Michael Moran claims to know Liam's secret destiny, which lies in an enchanted Otherworld. He says Liam is the next Guardian of the Gold Breathers, a champion of dragons. Time is not on Liam's side. Can he complete his three tasks to prove himself as Guardian before the paths close between his world and the Guardian's land? Liam wants to believe the mysterious tales of Michael, but should he instead seek shelter in the practical kindness of Hannah, the housekeeper who calls Michael's stories "rubbish"? Liam's heart tells him to trust the things of magic, but it's the humans he can't be sure about. Themes in this story include losing a parent, family relationships, dealing with guilt, overcoming challenges, facing your fears, and standing up for what is right, even when it costs you something.

Calvin isn’t a teenager, not really; instead, he’s spent his life trying to protect his mother and sister from his alcoholic father. Calvin keeps a knife close and sleeps with one eye open, even years after his father has left the family. A summer vacation spent at their late grandfather’s estate promises him and his sister the chance to leave their problems behind. Instead of blissful freedom, they find the old house harbors secrets at every turn, like a mysterious stone door in the forest with rumored powers to give its entrants the gift of future-seeing. When Calvin faces the return of his seemingly-reformed father, he throws himself through the door to receive the gift of foresight. But the door offers more doubt than certainty, and the future he sees is riddled with disturbing confusion. With a revenge-obsessed lawyer hunting him down and a secret society out to control him, Calvin must figure out how to stop what he’s started before he loses what he holds most dear. As he battles the legacies of his past and the shadows of his future, Calvin must accept help from unlikely sources, give trust he never thought possible, and learn that the greatest challenges lie not in the things to come, but in the present moment.

Jack’s story is told many times in many families across the U.S. Jack is a goodkid with dreams and family. He is better off than most yet looks for something inwell known and traveled places. Why does he look where others warn of disaster?What is it that pulls Jack and so many others to try the forbidden apple of drugs?No sane person wakes up healthy and well with an attraction to addiction. But likeso many times before the laughing, smiling, waving of unconditional acceptancefull of happy times and back-slapping friends calls Jack to travel along. Wheredoes he go? How long does he stay? What does it cost him? Do others follow withthe same sense of control? Jack’s journey reveals the very sober reality that noone makes choices that only effect themselves. Others pay enormous cost whonever experience the euphoria. They are the other side of the story. They followoutside the cloud of addiction in the grinding agony of cold, sharp, unforgivingreality. They pick up the pieces and clean the mess left behind in every dip in theroad. No one thinks of them. But they stay and take the punishment that poursout into their lives because of the only thing that really matters in a family andin the world. The idea that someone would take the pain and yearn for the returnof those lost on that road even at the expense of sacrificing themselves to savethem. Jack found two people who were willing to pay the ultimate price for hisredemption. One was his mother and the other was Jesus. Jack found them both.Jack’s life changed because of the love that makes all things new. Join him andhis mother in Jack’s story.