Alinda of the Loch - Review by College Students Number 1

We are all children at heart and we all crave a good fairy tale now and then just to simply let us escape from this hard cold reality into a world of fairies and wonders.
This is exactly what the authors of “Alinda of the Loch” did, they kidnapped us to Scotland where we were allowed to be part of a fairy tale that went beyond ‘and they lived happily ever after.’ Their story is based on the Brothers Grimm collected story about the sleeping beauty only with a modern time twist. As a child I always fantasized that I had the ability to switch back Channel Fairy Tale to see what happened to the heroes or heroines of the story just as in a soap opera on television. Oonagh Jane Pope and Julie Ann Brown made this wish become reality. If you remember the story about the sleeping beauty you remember that she (Aurora) was awakened by a prince and the story ended when they got married. This book goes beyond that. It tells us about the evil fairy who took revenge by casting another and even worse spell onto their youngest daughter named Alinda. She was sentenced to sleep for 500 years. But at least her parents were able to make sure she would be as well-prepared as possible for that day to come and even gave her a little dragon who became her guardian during all those years – this dragon was none other than the infamous Loch Ness Monster or as the media lovingly called her, ‘Nessie’.
But this wasn’t the only fortunate circumstance that appeared to help Alinda. When she woke up she had an instant friend and admirer – Grant, the son of a rock star whose family had a holiday castle very close by. Even though the evil fairy discontinued her existence when she caste the spell on Alinda , evil still lurked around the corner – this time in the form of the jealous heartbroken girl Millie who is secretly in love with Grant and is filled with hatred for Alinda who appeared out of nowhere and stole Grants heart.
But this is about all I want to tell you about the exciting story of a fairytale princess and her adventures in modern times. I’m not usually someone who has a very long attention span, but I sat down and read this book from beginning to end in about 2 hours. I was very happy it was easy to read and to understand because in this day and age it’s hard to find the time for a book. But don’t be fooled, even though the book is relatively short, it doesn’t skimp on the quality of the story and while you’re reading it you can literally smell the grass of the Scottish highlands!
Make sure to get yourself a copy and follow Alinda on her journey through rock and roll stardom, love, jealousy, independence and trying to get by in a the world of the future. Don’t forget to order a few copies, so you can share them with your loved ones and your grandchildren. It makes a really nice and thoughtful gift and since it comes with a beautiful glitter cover you can save yourself the gift-wrapping as well!

Silvia G

Press Release - Alinda of the Loch - The Story of Sleeping Beauty's Daughter

For Immediate Release – Tuesday, August 12th, 2009
Alinda of the Loch – The Story of Sleeping Beauty’s Daughter

Sleeping Beauty, the beloved fairy tale, is reawakened in this modern twist. Follow Alinda and the legendary Loch Ness monster in their journey through time to a decision that will tear at your heart.

Alinda of the Loch is a short-novel that tells the tale of Sleeping Beauty’s daughter. This is the first book by co-authors Oonagh Pope and Julie Brown, who happen to live across the globe from one another! Pope (Scotland) and Brown (US), are teachers who collaborated to create this modern fairytale.

This fairytale princess is asleep for hundreds of years to awaken in our time and discover what it takes to be a modern day “princess.” A new sleeping beauty and her companion, the Lock Ness Monster, adapt to our world in this story for all ages.
Pope and Brown traveled around the world to create a new kind of fairy tale for all to enjoy. Pope is a primary school teacher in England while Brown is a college professor in Santa Barbara, California. Their combined experience created a book that interweaves a traditional fairytale and contemporary influence. Parents, children, and even college students will find enjoyment in this tale of love, family, and self-empowerment.

About Across the Pond Publishing:
Across the Pond Publishing is proud to announce a new fairy tale that will become a classic for many generations to come. The book is called Alinda of the Loch – The Story of Sleeping Beauty’s Daughter. It is now available on Amazon.com both as a print or audio book.

Contact:
Julie Warth, Director of Public Relations
Across the Pond Publishing
805 988-3722

Alinda's Story

What makes a fairy-tale a fairy-tale? Is it the familiar conflict where the pure of heart must struggle against an evil and manipulative foe? With this powerful little book, Alinda shows children of all ages how vital it is to recognize and access their own talents and abilities to overcome inevitable battles with darkness. The dual gifts of courage and fortitude within Alinda allow her to fight bravely for love and family (especially when all hope seems to be lost). Will Alinda tame her power as a young woman who has obtained both the status and rewards of being both a mythical and modern day "princess?" It is time to read her tale for the answers.

The story of Alinda of the Loch (youngest daughter of Queen Aurora of Inverness-shire also known as the "real" Sleeping Beauty) will entertain, inspire and free you to travel with wise abandon to the land of your imagination. You will easily remember that magical feeling of once again enjoying and experiencing a fairy tale!

First Book Review!

From J.E.E - Laguna Beach, CA



This book REALLY is fantastic. It is creative and entertaining. It is well edited to give it a good flow and the graphics are perfect.

"Alinda of the Loch" would make a wonderful movie. It is for all ages and a real heartwarming story. The visuals are clearly painted - each person is vivid in my mind. My favorite is Pisces.


The suspense is thrilling- starting from, "Had Shadow's gift failed?" to "Will she go back?" Romantics will love the triangle between Alinda, Andrew, and Grant and also the problem of Millie. Anglophiles will love the British speak, spelling, and style of writing.

The story also satisfies those who enjoy modern twists to fairy tales. When Grant is introduced, that page immediately includes modern references of airplanes and email. The story line of Alinda becoming famous designing jewelry for the rock star, Pisces, shows the comparison between a princess 500 years ago and a modern day princess. Alinda will have the choice between both. The many modern/ancient comparisons are thought-provoking.

The back story of Nessie reminds me of the back story of Wicked- it's amusing to think about all those years of people watching for Nessie and now we know where she came from.

The ending is clever and perfect. :)

Characters in our story...Get to know them...

Characters of Alinda of the Loch





Alinda - The youngest daughter of Queen Aurora and King Colin of Inverness-Shire.





Nessie - The legendary Loch Ness Monster and protector of the most precious jewel of the glen.





Queen Aurora - The real ‘Sleeping Beauty’ who was awakened by her beloved King Colin in her castle by the Loch. Mother of twin girls named Shona and Olivia and Alinda.





King Colin - Brave King of Aberdeen-shire, Husband of Sleeping Beauty and Father of Shona, Olivia and Alinda.





Shona - First born twin daughter of King Colin and Queen Aurora. Twin sister of Olivia and ten year older sister of Alinda.





Olivia - Second born twin daughter of King Colin and Queen Aurora. Twin sister of Shona and ten year older sister of Alinda.





Prince Andrew - Son of famous Highland King, best friend of Lady Isla, and sweetheart of Princess Alinda.





Lady Isla - Lady-in-waiting of Princess Alinda and best friend


Prince Andrew.





Grant - Son of a British rock star from London and brother of Kirsty.





Kirsty - Daughter of a British rock star from London and sister of Grant.





Robert - Famous British rock star.





Rebecca - Wife of Robert and Mother of Grant and Kirsty.





Millicent - Daughter of band member in Robert’s rock band and childhood friend of Kirsty and Grant.





Faith Fairy - Fairy who inspires those who often are sad or fearful.





Joy Fairy - Fairy who brings happiness and optimism to others.





Hope Fairy - Fairy who when others are beyond the ability to see darkness brings true light.





Shadow Fairy - Fairy who is always full of sadness and low self-esteem and seeks to destroy rather than build up others.





Pisces - Young pop star who influences others were her music and sense of style.

Sunday, June 7th

Today, an opportunity to share the beauty of Alinda's story unfolded as I walked down State Street in my beloved Santa Barbara, California. After seeing three former students and listening how each of their current personal and professional lives are developing, I followed my daughter and her new husband into a bookstore. After browsing those hallow selves, I decided to ask one of the young associates working in a section of the store that sold fantasy books, if he thought they might be interested in the book my fellow teacher (who lives across the pond) and I had written. He was fascinated by the story and said he thought it deserved to be "pitched" to his manager.

After meeting with his manager, the following offer was given. As long as the book could be evaluated and judged as a "good read" and would not be under either a "vanity press or “print on demand," (which it is not as we also have begun our own publishing entity) they would offer us the chance to both sell it and promote it. If Oonagh and I wished, we could also do a reading and signing promotion.

It will be approximately three weeks until the audio book and printed book will be available for sale, gifts, or promotion (it take quite a while to build a life, a family, an education, and a book) in their "perfected" form. The new publishing website "Across the Pond" is being designed as we speak...When we dream...we think...When we put the magic ingredient in our work which is "love," our product will be beyond the ordinary...and beyond our own imagination or expectations.

Listen to a Taster of the Tale on Youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTrr64owwE