Donna Galanti - Where heart and hope meet adventure!

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Celebrating the 3rd book in the Unicorn Island series, Beyond the Portal!

By Donna Galanti

It was so fun to do a book event to celebrate the third and final book in the Unicorn Island series, Beyond the Portal, at my favorite bookstore, The Doylestown Bookshop on June 10th! You can order a signed copy from them here! We even had a special visitor as you can see!

We had a fun time with a scavenger hunt, unicorn light giveaway, goodies, a reading–and young readers (and older, too!) got their photo with my extra special friend, Tiffany the Unicorn!



Also, it was a wonderful surprise to finally meet my editor, Andrea with Epic for Kids, in person! She helped me make Beyond the Portal shine . Thank you all who came out and purchased books as well.

I was also super grateful to spend a week in Cape Cod this spring re-plotting one of my middle grade books into a new spookier version. Because spooky is fun! Cape Cod also has an eerie, haunted kind of feel to it with its wintry landscape still in April. Here is a favorite spot with a desolate sweeping vista by the sea. I even saw a coyote swimming toward me in a marsh channel. He got close then lumbered out, shook off his fur, and dashed away.

May was an up and down month. I was happy to celebrate our son, Joshua, moving home after nearly two years of living in Hawaii and spend time with him this summer before he travels around Europe but also distressed as my 88-year-old dad suffered more multiple strokes in North Carolina. Hospice let me know his passing was imminent and so I flew down, only to see him miraculously recover! Josh came home and had to check up on his Grampy so we then drove down to visit. While my dad’s a bit weaker and confused, he still insists Josh cuts that hair .


And now on to book recommendations! I was sad to finish this book, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Published in 1936 it is still so timely today–and one of the first self-help books. While, some parts have been updated for today’s generation, I loved the cultural snapshots in time from stories used to demonstrate principles (especially from people I greatly admire–like Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln). Dale has a breezy and friendly voice that is compelling. Definitely a book to re-read. Highly recommend! Star recommends, too.

I celebrated my birthday this month and found this birthday blast from my past. A photo from my 10th birthday! Maybe you can see why I’ve always ventured to the thrilling side of adventure in my story telling. Heh heh heh. I do love tormenting my characters. Whether writing thrillers for grownups or kids. Guess I started young!

I love living in the countryside and I’ll leave you with some idyllic, peaceful morning photos among the woods and fields today. No one out but the butterflies, birds, and a lone horse and buggy.


Happy reading—and happy summertime!

P.S. You can order Beyond the Portal HERE from your favorite bookseller–and all the Unicorn Island books.

P.S.S. Here is an excerpt from Beyond the Portal:

Sam let go of the handle with an exasperated sigh and sat back on her
heels. “We’re doing something wrong. What are we missing?”
Tuck scanned the poem again, then tapped the paper. “We forgot about the magical talisman.”
“But doesn’t Barloc count?” Sam asked. “He’s magical.”
“He is, but that’s not the same,” Tuck said. “A talisman is an object you wear that provides protection. I think it’s supposed to tie us to this world.”
Sam raked a hand through her tangled curls. “Well, where are we supposed to find something like that?”
“I have no idea,” Tuck said. “Maybe there’s something in the cave that we could use?”
“We don’t have time to look for some mystery magical object,” Sam said. “This is ridiculous. We should have been more—”
Samantha.
She’d almost forgotten that Barloc was there. His purple eyes sliced through the darkness of the cave.
Your necklace, Samantha. Where is it?
Sam’s hand went to her throat, where the unicorn tail necklace usually hung, but there was nothing there.
“Oh—I do have it!” she cried, remembering. She pulled her backpack off her shoulders and rummaged in a side pocket before holding the necklace up triumphantly.
“Will this work?” she asked, turning to Barloc.
The unicorn nodded.
Sam looped the chain around her neck and tucked it beneath her shirt. It might have been her imagination, but she was sure her skin felt warmer the instant the unicorn tail touched it. She knelt on the
ground and reached for the handle. She took a steadying breath and turned the handle three times.
The cave was suddenly filled with a swirling wind. Sam’s hair blew against her face, tendrils whipping across her cheeks. She looked at Tuck, who met her gaze and pointed to the cave wall.
A small ring of white light was expanding in a blaze that was every color of the rainbow. It grew until it was large enough for all three of them to walk through, side by side, and then it seemed to swell and shrink, almost as if it were breathing.
Sam didn’t know whether she felt amazed or terrified.
They’d done it—but now they had to go through to whatever was beyond.
Sam looked at Tuck. He stared, mesmerized, at the swirling vortex in
front of them. He raised one hand toward the vibrant colors, as if he wanted to touch them.
It’s time.
Sam grabbed Tuck’s outstretched hand. He gripped her fingers tightly, and, together with Barloc, they stepped into the light.

Beyond the Portal Out Today, Book Events PLUS Enter 12-Book Giveaway!

By Donna Galanti

Yippee! April 4th is finally here. The day Beyond the Portal is out in the world!

I’m sad and happy all at once. Sad that this is the final and third book in my Unicorn Island series but happy that all secrets come to light in the story–and all mysteries solved! You can order Beyond the Portal HERE from your favorite bookseller.

If you’re close to Southeastern Pennsylvania, I’m super excited to be having a special book event at my favorite local bookseller. Join me Saturday, June 10th, 2023, at 1pm at The Doylestown Bookshop to celebrate the release of Beyond the Portal! I’ll have all 3 Unicorn Island books there to purchase and get signed, as well as my other books. Plus, there will be a scavenger hunt, unicorn light giveaway, goodies, a reading–AND your kiddos can get their photo with my extra special friend, Tiffany the Unicorn! Set the date now for a fun afternoon.

Check out this Kirkus Review of Beyond the Portal:

Here is an excerpt from Beyond the Portal:

Sam shielded her eyes against the glaring light. When it disappeared, they stood in another cave. The same blue lightning bugs scuttled around them, illuminating the walls. Sam shivered. It felt more like November in Brooklyn than August in South Carolina.

Sam glanced at Tuck and Barloc and exhaled in relief. “We made it,” she said.

Barloc whinnied softly and pressed his nose against Sam’s shoulder.

“Now we just need to find a way out of here,” Tuck said, his eyes darting around the stone walls. “There!” He pointed to a sliver of hazy light in the distance and motioned for them to follow.

When they stepped out of the cave, they found themselves deep in an unfamiliar forest. There were no live oaks with mossy beards, longleaf pines, or seagulls here.

Instead, tall evergreens loomed beside gray beech trees. Crows cawed overhead, and a lone hawk shrieked across the sky. Jagged, snow-covered mountain peaks loomed in the distance, just as Barloc had described.

A bright moon shone overhead, casting the world in light and shadow. All around them, things moved. It seemed as if the forest were alive, its spindly wooden fingers reaching for them.

Sam moved closer to Tuck. His face was tense as he scanned their new surroundings.


I love reading reviews from book bloggers! Did you know that the best way to help an author is to leave an honest review for books you read? I’d love for you to leave one for Beyond the Portal. 😊

Here’s an early review from Log Cabin Library: “I enjoyed how Galanti explored the grays of the world and that sometimes not everything is as it first seems … This last book showed a lot of character growth and emphasized standing up for your principles … It has strong kid appeal.”

My publisher, Andrews McMeel, also sent me bookmarks and bookplate labels. If you order the book, I’d love to send you a bookmark and personalized bookplate label for you or your favorite unicorn lover. Just email me at donna(at)donnagalanti.com.

My publisher is also so amazing as they are giving away a set of TWELVE of their middle grade books in print to 5 lucky readers! That’s right–12! One book just happens to be Beyond the Portal. Ends April 8th and U.S. only. Check it out and enter here.


Lastly, it’s so amazing to get these lovely surprises in my email from teachers and their students! It warms my heart to know young readers are touched by my stories.  Mrs. Christie said her students love Unicorn Island so much that they decided to write me an opinion letter about it. Here it is in their words.

Happy reading—and happy spring!

P.S. Be sure to take your own magic with you wherever you go

Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath the Sand is out in hardcover today + an excerpt!

By Donna Galanti

I’m so excited that today is the day the illustrated hardcover of the second book in the Unicorn Island series, Secret Beneath the Sand, is released! You can order it here at your favorite bookseller. If you do, I’d love to send you a bookmark and autographed book plate label for you—or another special reader. Just email me your address and who you’d like the book personalized for at donna@donnagalanti.com.

It’s been a wonderful journey writing the Unicorn Island series and it all started with my publisher who said, “I’d like for you to write a book about a girl who has to take care of a unicorn.” And of course, I said YES to that because … unicorns! They are magical, wondrous, and mysterious. 🦄

In Volume 2 of the series, Sam and Tuck are on their way to becoming unicorn protectors when they discover new secrets about the island that threaten unicorns’ existence! 

Sam can’t believe how much her life and luck have changed since she came to Foggy Harbor: First, she discovered that unicorns are real, and now she’s on her way to becoming an actual unicorn protector! With her new friend, Tuck, by her side during Uncle Mitch’s lessons, Sam finally feels like she’s home.

But as the long-buried dangers of Unicorn Island begin to surface and a mysterious scourge spreads throughout the herd, Sam learns the truth behind Aunt Sylvie’s disappearance and her own connection to the island. With determination, courage, and fierce loyalty to one another—and to their code as unicorn protectors—the kids set out to protect the island’s secrecy and the unicorns’ very existence.

Wonderful news has been rolling in about the book and here are some advance reviews …

“A sweet but not overly sugary treat for unicorn devotees.” – Kirkus Reviews

“The story-line was thrilling … a fantastic page turning, edge of your seat tale.” – Goodreads reviewer

Here is a sneak peek at the amazing artwork by Bethany Stancliffe! 


Download these fun Secret Beneath the Sand activities! And of course you can watch the thrilling book trailer below. 

Check out an excerpt from Secret Beneath the Sand:

Sam frowned. A month ago, it had seemed that Mel, Foggy Harbor’s veterinarian and Tuck’s mom, had cured Barloc of a strange illness. But now that Sam thought about it, the young unicorn had seemed more tired this past week. He was running more slowly and sleeping a lot more.

She knelt in front of Barloc, looking into his violet eyes. I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I promise. She gripped the necklace that Verny had given to her. Made from a unicorn tail, it was a symbol of his trust.

Barloc closed his eyes. I’m just tired. I have been since I got back to the island.

Sam bent her head to his and laid a hand on his horn. It felt warm against her fingers. She frowned and held the back of her hand against his horn to make sure she wasn’t imagining things. It was definitely radiating heat.

“Uncle Mitch,” Sam said, her voice quavering, “I think something’s wrong with Barloc.”

Uncle Mitch quickly knelt down next to her. He checked the young unicorn’s eyes and breathing, then stroked his horn.

“His horn is warm,” Sam whispered. “What does it mean?”

Uncle Mitch shook his head and bit his lip as he continued his inspection. Barloc whinnied softly, looking into Sam’s eyes.

“I know you don’t want to think about this, but . . . it could be the sign of another disease,” Tuck said.

“No!” Sam shook her head and jumped up. As she did, the ground beneath her suddenly rocked. She fell to her knees as the earth buckled. Uncle Mitch grabbed both her and Tuck, pulling them in close as Verny screeched and took to the skies, circling overhead with frenzied dips.

The herd bolted across the meadow in confusion and fear as Barloc bowed his head, digging his hooves into the quaking earth.

Watch for the 3rd and final volume of Unicorn Island to release in hardcover winter 2023. 

Happy Reading!

XXOO–Donna

My Travel Year + Pre-Order Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath The Sand Now!

By Donna Galanti

I know it’s been a long time since I’ve sent out some news, but it’s been quite the year as you’ll soon read below!

But right now, I’m getting excited for Volume 2 of Unicorn Island, Secret Beneath the Sand, to release February 1st in hardcover! The illustrations are AMAZING in this book and I can’t wait for you to see them. AND you can pre-order Secret Beneath the Sand now. If you do, I can send you a bookmark and an autographed book plate label for you—or a special reader you know. 😊 Just email me your address and who you’d like the book personalized for at donna@donnagalanti.com. Check out the cover here!

In Volume 2 of the series, Sam and Tuck are on their way to becoming unicorn protectors when they discover new secrets about the island that threaten unicorns’ existence! 

Sam can’t believe how much her life and luck have changed since she came to Foggy Harbor: First, she discovered that unicorns are real, and now she’s on her way to becoming an actual unicorn protector! With her new friend, Tuck, by her side during Uncle Mitch’s lessons, Sam finally feels like she’s home.

But as the long-buried dangers of Unicorn Island begin to surface and a mysterious scourge spreads throughout the herd, Sam learns the truth behind Aunt Sylvie’s disappearance and her own connection to the island. With determination, courage, and fierce loyalty to one another—and to their code as unicorn protectors—the kids set out to protect the island’s secrecy and the unicorns’ very existence.

PRE-ORDER AT YOUR FAVORITE BOOKSELLER

I just sent the final draft for Unicorn Island Volume 3 to my editor. Watch for this coming out February 2023! For now, see a sneak peek into the beautiful artwork by Bethany Stancliffe she created for Secret Beneath the Sand.

Don’t have a copy of Unicorn Island 1 yet? You can order both here!

As I said, it’s been a crazy year. After packing up our house and moving to a new area and home … over the course of 13 weeks, I was then gone for 10 of those weeks because…

  • Spent a month in Hawaii moving my son to Oahu for a GAP year before college.
  • Traveled to North Carolina three times to visit my dad and get him registered for assisted living.
  • Traveled to Cape Cod twice for writing retreats.
  • Traveled to Northern NY for a writing retreat.
  • Visited Vermont for our 20th wedding anniversary.
  • Visited D.C. to see an old friend.
  • All while on book deadline for Unicorn Island 3 and dealing with a leg injury I needed physical therapy for! (I am on the mend although it’s been slow).

See some photos below!



I’m finally getting settled in my new home and having fun exploring the area. I’m living back in the country now and loving it. It’s so picturesque and peaceful and dark at night. I love the spread of farms and fields and woods. The Mennonite horse and buggies clip-clopping past our house. The covered bridges and little farm stands with local artisanal food.


And getting settled means getting back to writing! In particular, revisions of a fun adventure middle grade I hope to send my agent in the New Year. The story involves a legacy, a ticking clock, a ghost story, a quest to save an ancestral home, a hidden fortune, and family lost and found.

As for me, my head is already getting ready for Christmas as one month from today my son, Joshua, comes home for two whole weeks. I have peace of mind that he loves his job, his car, and his apartment. Plus, he’s working hard on his business he launched as a Junior in high school–Spiffy Laces. Watch for his new designs coming soon. He uniquely designs them himself! ORDER HERE.

I won’t have seen Joshua for 3 ½ months and that is waaaaayyyyy too long. ☹ Miss this kid–and how he makes me laugh.

I hope you all are having a wonderful fall! Happy reading and adventuring!
XXOO -Donna

Spring Events & Life Updates

By Donna Galanti

Spring is finally here in Pennsylvania. The world has gone green, and I can’t get enough of the woods every day. I breathe in the sun and color and sounds. I roam and wander then sit by the creek and ponder new life adventures coming my way.



And new adventures are coming! This is a summer of change.

Our son graduates high school, we are re-locating to a new home out in the country north of us, and then we move our son and his girlfriend to Hawaii for a Gap year and then college.

Yes, HAWAII. I was stationed in Pearl Harbor 30+ years ago as a U.S. Navy photographer with Fleet Intelligence Pacific and must say never thought I’d go back. So, a new life indeed from Pennsylvania to 5,000 miles away on an island in the Pacific. I like to think I’m up for the challenge, but it will be a tough one—especially when I hug my son one last time and board a plane for that long flight home. Here is his senior photo and some photos of me on Oahu at the same age as him! Chaka brah. 😊


I also went up to Cape Cod this month with my critique partner, Erica George, for a writing retreat. Check out her beautiful and heartfelt debut novel set on Cape Cod, Words Composed of Sea and Sky, out May 25th. Pre-order here!

Spring had definitely NOT sprung yet in Cape Cod, but it was still beautiful in its cold, gray landscape.



Recent Unicorn Island events and reviews:
Check out my virtual book tour on Teaching Books where I read an excerpt and talk about the writing of Unicorn Island and my childhood.

I had so much fun talking about the behind scenes ideas and creation of Unicorn Island on Reading With Your Kids podcast! We also discuss how authors can create stories for kids to connect to and how our experiences as writers can affect our stories.

On the Bookshop at the End of the Internet podcast I discuss the fun of writing children’s books and Unicorn Island.

Here’s a fun and thoughtful review on Unicorn Island at the Children’s Books Heal blog with Patricia Tilton! “A compelling contemporary fantasy that is full of wonder, mystery and tension. It will captivate readers’ imaginations and lure them into a magical world of mythical beasts.” Check out the full review.

AND AS A REMINDER, book 2 in the Unicorn Island series, Secret Beneath the Sand, releases in a 5-part serial on the Epic platform starting May 10th! Watch for the hardcover to release in 2022.

Happy spring!


 

 

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