Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

Zamora's Ultimate Challenge is my first children's fantasy chapter book recommended for ages 8-12 and is a lot of fun. The Clover brothers Mason and Carter are challenged by video game Evil Queen Zamora to find a way into the game and rescue their baby sister Isabella. Here is the back cover blurb: Mason and Carter Clover only agree on two things--their baby sister Isabella is a royal pain and their favorite video game, Zamora's Ultimate Challenge, is totally awesome. But fantasy turns to reality when Zamora's evil face appears across the brothers' television screen. Claiming to have kidnapped Isabella, the queen challenges the boys to a daring rescue before she takes over their sister's soul. Zamora's plan is to use the baby as a human vessel to travel to Earth and dominate the world. Once the brothers figure out how to get inside the video game, they are hurled into the magical land of Boysen where they meet their helpful guides: a sage, a quirky mermaid, and a Pegasus (who flies them to each thrilling level of the video game). Racing against time, the brothers search for their sister, encountering a myriad of dangerous enemies including stinging fairies, haunted Master Souls, and brutish, knife-wielding pirates. Can they beat each level of the game while being hunted by a fire-breathing dragon, stalked by a robotic shark, and terrorized by acid-poop-bombing pterodactyls? Driven by the powerful bonds that unite siblings, Mason and Carter are determined to face their fears and will stop at nothing to bring Isabella home...but first they must survive Zamora's Ultimate Challenge!

For those of you with children in your life, I hope you'll turn them on to this book. The story was originally written for my own children and I never expected it to be published. It found life of its own in an interesting way. When I became pregnant with my youngest child and found out I was having a little girl I could not research the killer type book that I usually write (even though I do amateur sleuth) I couldn't deal with murder on the page. Then I found out I had to be on bed rest and I thought I would go crazy. I had to write. I decided to write this book at that time for my kids. I am pleased to tell you that not only are kids enjoying this book, I have had e-mails from readers of all ages on into their seventies. One mother wrote me and told me that her daughter had chosen to give up her TV time to read the book! She couldn't put it down. As an author I can't think of a better compliment. I hope you will love the book as much as I loved writing it. This story was truly a labor of love for me.

Enjoy!

M.K. Scott