Copyright © 2004, Joanna Hollier
Published by Whiskey Creek Press LLC

Reviews For ROARY O'ROURKE Book 1: QUEST FOR THE SECRET OF BRAMBLE CASTLE by Joanna Hollier

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Roary O’Rourke stretched and yawned, and opened his eyes to bright sunlight filtering through the trees. Shaggy Sam braced his paws on the edge of the bed and licked Roary’s face with his sloppy, wet tongue. “Wuff,” barked Shaggy Sam, right into Roary’s ear. It was a beautiful day in Elfdom’s happiest city, Undertrees.

Uh-Oh, Roary came awake with a start. His mind caught up with his body. How could Undertrees be called the happiest city when it was so sad. He remembered Mayor Broadbeam had called a special Town Meeting for this morning to see what could be done about their sad problem.

Roary had finished dressing when he heard Mamajosey call, “Roary, time for breakfast.”

Roary pulled on his forest green shoes, with the pointed toes and tassels on top. He raced Shaggy Sam downstairs and gave Mamajosey a quick kiss on the cheek. “M-m-m-m, oatmeal porridge. Smells good.” Roary sat in his special chair and sniffed the creamy oatmeal, butter floating on top, with a sprinkle of cinnamon. He grabbed his spoon.

“Roary,” Mamajosey said, shaking her finger. “You may say grace. Then we’ll eat.”

Roary and Mamajosey bowed their heads. “Great God of the Forest,” began Roary, “keep us safe and keep Princess Lacey Lovelyful safe, wherever she is. Help us to find her and bring her back to Undertrees. Let this food be good for our bodies and make us strong. Amen.”

“Papa O’Rourke left early this morning to prepare the meeting place for the Town Meeting. He’s really worried, as we all are,” Mamajosey wiped a tear from her eye with the corner of her apron. “Hurry and drink your milk and honey so we can be early and get a good seat.”

Roary finished every spoonful of his oatmeal and drank every drop of his milk and honey. He kissed Mamajosey again on the cheek and ran upstairs to comb his hair and clean his teeth for the meeting. He grabbed his forest green hat with the feather tucked into the hatband. Roary dashed back down the stairs and called to Mamajosey, “Come on, Mamajosey, I’m ready to go.”

Mamajosey, dressed in her best dress of lace-trimmed lavender with white roses, covered her shoulders with a shawl against the crisp morning air. She tied her starched bonnet under her plump chin.

Roary rushed ahead while Mamajosey puffed her way down the street. They reached the meeting place and selected a good seat so they could see and hear Mayor Broadbeam from where he stood on the stage.

People had already gathered for the Town Meeting. They buzzed and talked to one another about the disappearance of Princess Lacey. What to do, oh, what to do.

Finally, everyone hushed their talking and listened to Mayor Broadbeam.

“Harum-pt,” began Mayor Broadbeam. “I guess we all know why we’re here. King Leaningtree asked me to see what we could do about this kidnapping of our Princess Lacey Lovelyful. The King is sure it was Baron Barnabuss Bramble of Bramble Castle who stole her away. He wants Princess Lacey to be his wife.”

“Oh-h-h no-o-o,” the crowd gasped, “No-o-o-o. Rescue her, rescue her,” the crowd chanted.

Mayor Broadbeam raised his chubby hands to the people for silence. “We can’t let this happen. We must appoint a brave, young man to rescue her. He must be brave, smart, and wise, for he will face many dangers between here and Bramble Castle. Is there such a brave, young man here who can do this quest?”

The crowd started another chant, “Roary O’Rourke, Roary O’Rourke, Roary O’Rourke.”

Roary’s heart flew up into his mouth. Not me, he thought, not me. I’m barely eighteen forest years old. I can’t do this. But, he reasoned with himself, I love Princess Lacey, I’d do anything to save her from the evil Baron Bramble, anything.

The people near Roary pushed him up front to the stairs. He climbed the stairs one at a time, stopping on each stair to look back at the people. He could see Mamajosey wringing her hands and wiping her eyes.

Mayor Broadbeam took his hand and pulled him to the front of the stage. “What say you, boy? Are you willing to take on this quest? Are you willing to save our fair Princess?”

“All I can say is, I’ll try, Mayor. I’ll do my best. With the help of the Forest God, and the prayers of our people, I’ll try.”

A cheer went up from the people. “Hooray, hooray, Roary O’Rourke, brave lad, brave lad.”

Mayor Broadbeam raised his hand for silence. “Roary O’Rourke, by the power invested in me, I pledge the support of all our people to prepare you and help you in this quest to rescue our Princess Lacey Lovelyful from the clutches of the evil Baron Barnabuss Bramble. Reverend Billphil lead us in a prayer to the Forest God.”

As Reverend Billphil prayed, the crowd grew still and silent. The Reverend’s words rang out over the silence. Roary hardly heard the words, his heart was beating so fast. He knew the Forest God would protect him on his journey into the unknown. He knew he must find and rescue his precious Princess Lacey. He was prepared to face danger for her. Now, he must prepare himself. He would take his faithful dog, Shaggy Sam with him and ride his strong steed, Moonbeam. He hated to leave Mamajosey, but he must go.

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