Welcome to the first book in my fantasy adventure series, Joshua and the Lightning Road, called “A heart-pounding thrill ride full of unexpected twists and turns from start to finish,” by The Midwest Book Review. Set in an imaginary dark world, it’s a magical, action-packed adventure. Follow me on BookBub to hear about new releases! Meet Joshua!
BOOK 1 in the LIGHTNING ROAD SERIES
Buy: ISBN: 978-1-7363162-0-7
“Vividly imagined characters in a gripping action fantasy that never lets you go until the very last page.” ~Jenny Nimmo, NY Times bestselling author of the Charlie Bone series
Twelve-year-old Joshua Cooper learns the hard way that lightning never strikes by chance when a bolt strikes his house and whisks away his best friend—possibly forever. Armed with only luck and his grandfather’s mysterious crystal, Joshua must save his friend by traveling the Lightning Road to a dark world that steals children for energy. New friends come to Joshua’s aid and while battling beasts and bandits and fending off the Child Collector, Joshua’s mission quickly becomes more than a search for his friend—it becomes the battle of his life.
Watch the exciting book trailer for Joshua and the Lightning Road!
First reviews are in!
“Joshua and the Lightning Road is a heart-pounding thrill ride full of unexpected twists and turns from start to finish.” – The Midwest Book Review
“Action-packed adventure…futuristic creatures and ancient myths…an exciting combination.” –Goodreads Reviewer
“Imaginative, vivid, and dazzling…Richly atmospheric…From the initial flash of lightning to the book’s electrifying end, Galanti’s eerie Lost Realm of Nostos is fresh, scary, and deep. A juggernaut of a thrill ride—perfect for the young adventurer in your life!” –Amazon Reviewer
“…so vivid. I could feel, smell and envision the setting… all the right characteristics of a great main character – brave, smart and kind.”–This Kid Reviews Books
“An action-packed adventure with every chapter! Galanti has quite skillfully written a plot that keeps you guessing. I do recommend it, especially for fans of the Percy Jackson series.” –Literary Hoots
“A thrilling, hard to put down fantasy adventure that will have wide appeal…bring on the sequel.”–Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
“A solid recommendation for the fantasy, adventure fan. Strong, relatable characters and imaginative world building make this debut children’s novel one you will hope will continue in a several book series.”–Boys to Books
“A story of friendship, love, sacrifice, hope and courage. A wonderful, magical, mystery adventure for kids of all ages.” –Fundimental Book Reviews
Joshua and the Lightning Road arrives! What my son thinks…
Q&A WITH DONNA GALANTI
How did you come up with the idea for Joshua and the Lightning Road?
Very fast! I had attended a writer’s meet up and learned about a class that started the next day to write a children’s book in nine months and said to myself “now wouldn’t that be a challenge?” Storms have always fascinated me and as a child I would sit on the screened-in porch to watch them. I remembered the movie War of the Worlds and how the aliens rode blasts of lightning and thought “wouldn’t it be cool to travel a lightning road to another place?” And Joshua and the Lightning Road was born.
Are characters in your book based on real people?
They are! Joshua calls his grandfather, Bo Chez, which stands for the Big Cheese–and what my godfather is called by his kids. Bo Chez is like my godfather, big and strong with a booming voice. I also envision Leandro, a mysterious cloaked dude, as my hero in Lord of the Rings, Aragorn. Long before the movie came out, I even dressed up like Aragorn for Halloween of what I thought he would look like. Long hooded cape, boots, long hair. No one knew who I was but me! And then there is Joshua, who is based on my own son, Joshua. You can meet Joshua from the book here in an exclusive interview!
Tell us about book 2 in the series!
In Joshua and the Arrow Realm, Joshua is called to free his friend, who’s been enslaved as a power pawn in a queen’s quest to rule all. But when Joshua becomes bait in her hunting game, loses his powerful lightning orb, and his friends turn on him, he wonders if he can survive on wits and instincts alone and not only save his friend—but himself.
Please enjoy the wonderful map of the world where Joshua gets stolen away to the Lost Realm, by illustrator, Al Sirois.