Meet Alexandra Stone, a 14 year old teen who suddenly is transported to this whole new world, chased by skeletal creatures, the Braks, finds out she's the princess to this world...but why didn't her parents tell her? Join Alexandra and her friends through one adventure after another while they search for their way back home. Buy your copy! Amazon Amazon.co.uk Froogle Barnes & Noble.com The Rock of Realm Excerpt ~Chapter Five~ LAROK REVEALS THE TRUTH Alex stood, flabbergasted and confused, staring blankly at Larok. “There must be some mistake. I am no Princess,” Alex mumbled, feeling as if someone just knocked the wind out of her. “I can vouch for that,” Sarah added. “I’ve known her all my life.” “Have you?” Larok questioned with cynicism as he grinned, revealing perfectly aligned teeth. “Would everyone like something to eat?” “Hold on, freak, you can’t spring something like this and then expect us to…to eat? On second thought, I am a little hungry.” Pops began to rub his stomach as it gurgled. He scurried towards the table. “Why would you think Alex is a Princess?” Butch insisted, nearing Larok threateningly. “And I do want an answer!” He continued his stride; closer and closer he approached Larok. His smooth brown fur had prickled upwards, his tail flagged up and down with such fury that it was obvious he was not pleased with their host. Larok stood his ground, his eyes never wavering from the challenging stare-down. The falls echoed musically in the room breaking the steady rhythmic panting coming from Pops and Jinx. Finally, Larok raised his hands in defeat. “All right, my dear defender, I will explain, my word as a loyal subject to my Queen. But first, a feast, and all will be explained.” He gestured them towards the table. From underneath it, he plucked up an extra stool for Sarah, several plates, platters and goblets and placed them on the table. Pops strolled underneath the table, inspected it, came out, and then went under the table once more. “There’s nothing here! Where you getting all this stuff from?” Pops asked, scratching his head with his little paw as he emerged from underneath the table. “Curiosity killed the cat, remember?” Butch joked as he plopped his weary body heavily beside Alex’s stool. Alex spotted the concentrated gaping stare Butch was giving Larok. This made her uneasy. She had never seen Butch react to anyone the way he did to Larok. Larok’s eyes were kind yet there was a faraway coldness to them that puzzled Alex. “You are a feisty one, aren’t you, just like Jinx. I have my means for survival, little one.” Larok reached over, picked up Jinx and placed him on the floor. He placed a bowl for each animal filled with corn, roast beef and sunflower seeds, something for each of their liking. The girls were treated to a succulent entrée of what appeared to be spinach pastries, roast leg of lamb, mashed potatoes and peas. Their goblets, along with the animals’, brimmed to the hilt with water, always filling magically on their own. Pops shovelled the food in his mouth, little bits escaping by the side of his lips. Butch sniffed his plate before eating. True to his word, when the meal was over, dishes cleared and placed under this enchanted table, Larok began to answer their questions.

Alex Shapiro - Freelance Writer, Reviewer

The Rock of Realm
By Lea Schizas
Reviewed by Alex Shapiro - Freelance Writer, Reviewer

Now that was an experience! I've never thought a YA novel would really draw me into the story and keep me interested from the first word to the last... but that was until I started to read "The Rock of Realm" and found impossible to put it down. I read it with an adult eye, so to speak and, I have to confess, I finished it in one setting, while forgetting everything else I had to do for the rest of the afternoon. Beside the fact that it was a reading therapy for me, it was an enjoyable, engaging read.

Why? Well... for many reasons.

"The Rock of Realm" had a fairy-tale effect on me, while allowing me a chance to escape the stressful day and find refuge in a world of fantasy, with ordinary and extraordinary characters caught in extraordinary circumstances. It made me think of campfires.

The pace is steady, the plot is engaging and, as readers, we find it easy to identify with its characters. Once we enter the fantasy world of the real-and not so real-characters, we step into the world of fairy tales, which suddenly comes to life in front of our eyes. As a result, we are not passive readers anymore.

How does the author accomplish this difficult task? By taking the art of storytelling to higher levels. For Lea Schizas, storytelling is a gift, and she masters it so well, taking her readers along on an adventurous trip to an imaginary place, while she unveils to us the powers of "The Rock of Realm."

As readers, we become part of the story and identify with its characters. We cheer for them and encourage them to bypass the obstacles placed in their way, and earn to see them arrive safely home.

The author holds the merits for yet another element of surprise, which is difficult to accomplish-for example the smooth transition between human talk and animal talk. I bet you that, after reading "The Rock of Realm," you won't look at your dog or squirrel-or any other pet you may have-the same again. After reading "The Rock of Realm" you'll learn to be more loving, more understanding to your pets and also your family and friends.

"The Rock of Realm" is a book to read alone or to together with your family or friends. Read it and you'll see!

Reviewer's Bio: Alex Shapiro (pen name) is a freelance writer and author.

Reviewed by Allyn Evans, Author of Grab The Queen Power: Live Your Best Life!
Following the basic introductions in Chapter One, Author Lea Schizas takes the Reader on a fantastic journey filled with villains, creepy creatures and enchantment. What starts off as a tale about a typical fourteen-year-old girl turns into a magical
journey.

“The Rock of Realm”, a fantasy book for the young adult reader, hooked this forty-something Mom from beginning to end. Rather quickly into the story, fourteen-year-old Alex and her friends Sarah, Butch, Pops and Jinx find themselves in a new and strange world. As the story unfolds, Alex’s illusions about her mother’s mundane life unravels and the excitement
begins.

Forced to rely on intuition, Alex leads her friends as they fight the dangerous life forms that rule Dread’s Forest. Lured to this scary place by her long lost Uncle Dread, Alex and companions face spine-tingling challenges while attempting to bravely face the unknown.

Finally understanding that perceptions can be different from reality, Alex makes wise yet risky choices to solve the riddle, a riddle that involves her Mom and Uncle.

Young adult readers will find this exciting journey entertaining as well as meaningful. Besides demonstrating that courage is a beneficial attribute, the Author weaves a story that shows the importance of loving and accepting your friends unconditionally—weaknesses, strengths and all. Most importantly, the reader will learn that following your inner knowing or guidance is the strongest weapon of all. Highly recommended for forty-something-year-old moms and young adult readers.