Books published by publisher Front Runner Publications

A teenage twosome, escorted by an eccentric man, makes a fantastical journey to a parallel dimension during their school holidays. Tyler, 11, is none too happy to be spending the end of his summer vacation at his 12-year-old cousin Sara's house, a farm in the middle of nowhere. When their parents are called away on an emergency, they resign themselves to being looked after by a neighbor woman. Instead, a very dirty and strange man claiming to be a wizard named Dragonslime appears at their door. He mistakenly manages to transport the entire house, and his beat up old car, into the Vortex. This fantastical place, an area bridging several dimensions where chalk and plastic are highly prized, is full of unexpected surprises: henchmen, police, tricky puzzles and an occasional dinosaur. And there's also the evil wizard/inventor/scientist/dictator Noxin to contend with. Armed only with their wits, some magic and Dragonslime's rusty Ford Pinto, the trio sets off to find their way home. With a varied supporting cast and an intelligent, fun story line, this title will appeal across the ages, from older elementary schoolchildren to parents who enjoy reading to their kids. Adventures in the Vortex has a solid and satisfying ending which will leave readers hoping for more without the frustration of cliffhangers. An exciting and entertaining journey.--Kirkus Reviews

Adventures in the Vortex is the first book in a new fantasy/adventure series for young readers (although adults will love it, too). Written by authors Lane and Louis Lambert, Adventures in the Vortex shines a beacon of silliness into a sometimes dark and gloomy genre. Lord of the Rings, Eragon and even the Chronicles of Narnia teem with battles and slaughter. There's certainly not much to laugh at in His Dark Materials, The Dark is Rising or Wizard of Earthsea. And Harry Potter fans wait anxiously for the final book in the series, wondering which beloved character will meet his or her end. No need to despair. Adventures in the Vortex is here. Transported to the strange yet familiar landscape of the Vortex by the entirely self-centered wizard Dragonslime, 11-year old Tyler and his 12-year old cousin Sara have to find their way back home to Kansas. Yes, as in most fantasy novels, our heroes are pursued by all manner of evil and dangerous things, and they must call on their inner resources and learn they are stronger than they think they are. But Adventures in the Vortex owes more to Monty Python and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy than to more serious sources, though it does have a little fun at their expense, with sly allusions to dozens of books and movies, ranging from Jurassic Park to Sherlock Holmes. There's even a scene in a pub featuring a gold ring and some small fellows with furry feet. We'll always love Harry, Aragorn and Aslan, but there's no harm in having a good laugh once in a while.