Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

A new book that reveals the guarded secrets of a young keykeeper.

“There are things 

that make no sense,

that seem unreal,

that can’t be grasped 

or understood

or explained,

that maybe don’t even exist…

And still, somehow, those wonderful things touch and change our lives.

Isn’t it strange?”  

Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

~ The Story of Dreamland ~

by 

Richelle E. Goodrich

     Meet a curious, young man whose calling it is to guard the gates of his homeland. As keykeeper of Dreamland, Gavin comes across many outsiders referred to by his people as dreamers. Through a variety of bizarre and creative antics, Gavin steers these roaming trespassers away from the borders of his magical world—a world where ogres bowl for their dinner and pirates sail the clouds to plunder diamonds from the night's sky and bubbleberries make a person burp out loud. It is a place where anything imaginable is commonplace. All the while, the young keykeeper finds himself increasingly intrigued by stories of the outside world. Snooping about, he is captivated by a dreamer who peaks his interest in the ordinary.     

in PAPERBACK or E-BOOK

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Enjoy a few excerpts from the book...

“Reality depends a great deal upon one believing what he sees—or seeing what he believes. Either way.” 

“It is a keykeeper’s right to bestow a copy of his key on anyone he wishes. But this practice―a phenomenal rite―is hardly ever performed. To receive a copy of the key means to have its imprint seared into your hand. Holding that branded replica over the front lock miraculously parts the gates to Dreamland. It works just as effectively as inserting the genuine key. Staggering to think about, isn’t it? You might consider clenching your fists when you dream.” 

“A warm feeling fell over the boy. A mix of security and comfort, as if a blanket were wrapping its soft layers around his heart and nuzzling him snuggly. Gavin loved his mother, and he would be forever grateful to his father for protecting her. The whole mystery behind it made him itch with curiosity, however.” 

“And so the game went on in this manner, a throng of children playing keep-away from a bowling ball tossed back and forth between two plump ogres. The air filled with shrieks and cheers and shouts of laughter as daring players thrilled at the sport. That is, all but the few poor souls knocked flat and captured. No laughter rose from behind bars because those in the birdcage knew what was in store. They would soon be lunch for a couple of hungry ogres. 

Now you might be thinking—didn’t Gavin call it fun when he was swallowed by a wolf earlier? And didn’t he tell that raven-haired girl it doesn’t hurt to be swallowed whole by a bear? All true, all true. But here’s a secret you might not know. 

Ogres chew their food.

Luckily, it’s only the first bite that stings.” 

                        ~ Richelle E. Goodrich

Copyright 2015 Richelle E. Goodrich


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Sneak Peak—Meet the Keykeeper

My manuscript is complete, the cover designed, and eleven black-and-white illustrations finally finished!  Now it's your turn to enjoy the release my latest storybook, Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper. 

in PAPERBACK or E-BOOK

KINDLE    NOOK    

KOBO   iTUNES

Meet a curious, young man whose calling it is to guard the gates of his homeland. As keykeeper of Dreamland, Gavin comes across many outsiders referred to by his people as dreamers. Through a variety of bizarre and creative antics, Gavin steers these roaming trespassers away from the borders of his magical world—a world where ogres bowl for their dinner and pirates sail the clouds to plunder diamonds from the night's sky and bubbleberries make a person burp out loud. It is a place where anything imaginable is commonplace. All the while, the young keykeeper finds himself increasingly intrigued by stories of the outside world. Snooping about, he is captivated by a dreamer who peaks his interest in the ordinary. 

Intrigued by this not-so-ordinary story?  How about a sneak-peak at the opening chapter?  Alright, go ahead—it's a rare treat to meet Gavin!   

CHAPTER ONE

In a Storybook

“How crazy it would be 

if the moon did spin 

and the earth stood still 

and the sun went dim!

How absolutely ludicrous 

if snakes could walk 

and kids could fly 

and mimes did talk!

How silly it would be 

if the nights were tan 

and the mornings green 

and the sun cyan!

How totally ridiculous 

if horses chirped 

and spiders sang 

and ladies burped!

How shocking it would be 

if the dragons ruled 

and the knights were dopes 

but the fish were schooled!

How utterly preposterous 

if rain were dry 

and snowflakes warm 

and real men cried!

I love to just imagine

all the lows as heights,

and the salty, sweet,

and our lefts as rights.

Perhaps it is incredible

and off the hook,

but it all makes sense

in a storybook!”

― Richelle E. Goodrich  

Copyright 2015

Sneak Peak at Illustrations

It's always exciting the closer I get to the end of creating a new book.  The truth is, my latest manuscript has been stored on my hard drive for a few months now.  You might wonder what I've been waiting for, letting it sit to gather virtual cobwebs.  Well, I had an itch to include illustrations with this adventure; I imagined introducing every chapter with an intriguing picture.  And I've been working diligently at the task, sketching out scenes in black-and-white for 'Secrets of a Noble Key Keeper'.  Only three illustrations remain to be finished, and I'm hoping the final one will be done in a few short weeks.  After that, I will happily turn the book over for publication.    Yeah!

                

in PAPERBACK or E-BOOK

KINDLE    NOOK    KOBO   
iTUNES

Here’s a short summary of the story…

 Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper is about a curious, young man whose calling it is to guard the gates of his homeland. As keykeeper of Dreamland, Gavin meets many outsiders referred to by his people as dreamers. Through a variety of bizarre and creative antics, Gavin steers these roaming trespassers away from the borders of his magical world—a world where ogres bowl for their dinner and pirates sail the clouds to plunder diamonds from the night's sky and bubbleberries make a person burp out loud. It is a place where anything imaginable is commonplace. All the while, the young keykeeper finds himself increasingly intrigued by stories of the outside world. Snooping about, he is captivated by a dreamer who peaks his interest in the ordinary. 

This book is supplemental to Dandelions: The Disappearance ofAnnabelle Fancher.

I’m finding it sooooo hard to wait and wait and wait to share my accomplishment.  Like a kid, I want to hold up my work in front of willing eyes and eagerly chirp, “Look at what I did!” 

So, why wait?  

How about a sneak peak at a few of the drawings I intend to include in the tale of our young keykeeper from Dreamland.  I'll tempt you with just a handful.  Maybe let me know which one you like best.  Enjoy.

Look at what I did!!!

The Red Dagger

Ogre Bowl

Chess in the Void

Prince Lyarg

My Quote in an Oxford Textbook

May I share something truly neat that happened to me?

Okay......so, I recently received this Oxford textbook in the mail.  

It's a course companion for a philosophy class.  No, I'm not taking a class at Oxford (I wish) and neither are my sons (not yet anyway.)  I was actually aware the book would eventually be shipped to me—a free copy provided by the wonderful people who put it together—and I was oh so excited to receive it! 

The very first thing I did, of course, was open up the pages to chapter seven, entitled, 'Identity.'  Now why in the world would I rush to do that?  

Because my quote is printed 

on the first page introducing the chapter!

How cool is that?

Yes, I'm feeling pretty happy.  It’s kind of a neat thing to see my words printed in an Oxford textbook along with my website typed in a footnote (www.harrowbeth.com.)  And concluding the chapter, my name among references cited!    

Silly me to be so excited, but I am.  

Thanks for taking a moment to smile with me.

The Devil's Rose

You would never take a rose from a beast. If his callous hand were to hold out a scarlet flower, his grip unaffected by pricking thorns, you would shrink from the gift and refuse it. I know that is what you would do.

But the cunning beast will have his beauty.

He hunts not in hopeless pursuit, for fear would have you sprint all the day long. Thus, he turns toward the shadows and clutches the rosebud, crunching and twisting until every delicate petal is detached. One falls not far from your feet, and you notice the red spot in the snow. 

The color sparkles in the sunlight, catching your curious eye. No beast stands in sight; there is nothing to fear, so you dare retrieve the lone petal. The touch of temptation is velvet against your thumb. It carries a scent you bring to your nose, and both eyes close to float on a cloud of perfume.

As your lashes lift, another scarlet drop stains the snow at a near distance. A glance around perceives no danger, and so your footprints scar the snowflakes to retrieve another rosy leaflet as soft and sweet as the first. Your eye shine with flecks of golden greed at the discovery of more discarded petals, and you blame the wind for scattering them mere footprints apart. All you want is a few, so you step and snatch, step and snatch, step and snatch.

Soon, there is enough velvet to rub against your cheek like a silken kerchief. Your collection of one-plus-one-more reeks of floral essence.

Distracted, you jump at the sight of the beast in your path. He stands before his lair, grinning without love. His callous hands grip at thorns on a single naked stem, and you look down at your own hands that now cup his rose. But how can it be? You would never take a rose from a beast. You would shrink from the gift and refuse it. 

He knows that is what you would do.

― Richelle E. Goodrich

Copyright 2015 Richelle E. Goodrich 

Writer's Magic

Writers possess magic.  It's in their words.  

They compose phrases as powerful as incantations, creating illusions in the minds of readers. These spells make eyes envision things that aren't real; they make hearts feel things that aren't actual. A writer's work is to pen enchantments meant to entrance and hypnotize the mind, causing neglect of all other duties and responsibilities in order for the reader to remain a puppet controlled by the writer's wand. And if some foul friend does manage to break the spell, he is despised for it. His heroics are too late in coming. The words―the fairytales―have seeped beyond the body and into the soul, taking possession. Our poor reader is infected, compromised, never to be cured. The notion of magic found in simple words such as, 'Once upon a time...' has always fascinated me. It is no wonder I am compelled to write.

Copyright 2015 Richelle E. Goodrich