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Nora Peters and the Secret of the Mystic Pearl: Book 1 of 3
A darkly inventive present-day retelling of the Frog Prince Tale, where the fate of two worlds hinges on a grief-stricken girl who inherits stolen magic.
Behind the unseen curtain separating humans from nature, Nora Peters encounters wonder…and danger.At her father’s funeral, a stolen talisman thrusts Nora into a battle with the secret realm of frogs. Ranya, the Frog Queen, believes Nora is destined to destroy her domain, while Nora is simply seeking answers to her father’s murder and her mother’s disappearance.
As tensions rise, a quest takes Nora beyond the Veil of Mist into Ranya’s territory, where magic animates everything. Ultimately, Nora must confront a truth that could alter the balance of life in both realms.
Will she sacrifice herself to save these worlds or risk unraveling the delicate threads holding them together?
Nora Peters and The Secret of the Mystic Pearl is a mesmerizing tale revealing a unique magical realm and a girl intent on forging her own destiny.
PLEASE THIS BOOK WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AS "ONCE IN A PINK THE FROG TALE TRILOGY - Book 1"
Behind the unseen curtain separating humans from nature, Nora Peters encounters wonder…and danger.At her father’s funeral, a stolen talisman thrusts Nora into a battle with the secret realm of frogs. Ranya, the Frog Queen, believes Nora is destined to destroy her domain, while Nora is simply seeking answers to her father’s murder and her mother’s disappearance.
As tensions rise, a quest takes Nora beyond the Veil of Mist into Ranya’s territory, where magic animates everything. Ultimately, Nora must confront a truth that could alter the balance of life in both realms.
Will she sacrifice herself to save these worlds or risk unraveling the delicate threads holding them together?
Nora Peters and The Secret of the Mystic Pearl is a mesmerizing tale revealing a unique magical realm and a girl intent on forging her own destiny.
PLEASE THIS BOOK WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AS "ONCE IN A PINK THE FROG TALE TRILOGY - Book 1"
486 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2024
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Luanne C. Brown
3 books38 followersLuanne C. Brown fell in love with nature as a kid, camping with her family around the Midwest. When her family emigrated to Canada to start a commune, her loved for the forest deepened, because that's where she'd escape to avoid doing chores.
As a college student, she did a stint for the Research Board of Canada in the mountain lakes in the Okanagan area of British Columbia. There, the frogs serenaded her to sleep every night and told her their deep dark secrets. One of these secrets gave birth to a retelling of the frog prince tale. (Unfortunately, the real frog prince was visiting Europe that summer, so they never got to meet.)
In the subsequent decades, Luanne has worn many hats, most of them with fountain pens sticking out of the brim. Lots of people might call her bossy, but she says she likes to save people time by suggesting more efficient and fun ways of doing things. When she's not volunteering her time for various causes or daydreaming about her next story, she works as a freelance senior copywriter for high tech companies in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere.
Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two children and six grandchildren.
As a college student, she did a stint for the Research Board of Canada in the mountain lakes in the Okanagan area of British Columbia. There, the frogs serenaded her to sleep every night and told her their deep dark secrets. One of these secrets gave birth to a retelling of the frog prince tale. (Unfortunately, the real frog prince was visiting Europe that summer, so they never got to meet.)
In the subsequent decades, Luanne has worn many hats, most of them with fountain pens sticking out of the brim. Lots of people might call her bossy, but she says she likes to save people time by suggesting more efficient and fun ways of doing things. When she's not volunteering her time for various causes or daydreaming about her next story, she works as a freelance senior copywriter for high tech companies in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere.
Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two children and six grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 11, 2024
"I believe in purple frogs."
Nora Peters and the Secret of the Mystic Pearl is an amazing fantasy. Nora has been raised to love and respect nature. She and her friends are "Mother Nature's Commandos".
The book begins as she gets ready for her father's funeral. Before it can get underway, Carl Kincaid presents them with papers claiming her father was giving their home and farm to Kincaid. Shortly after Nora's grandmother has an episode and ends up in the hospital.
A magical pearl is hidden among her grandmother's things. Nora not only has to find out who killed her father and prove Kincaid's papers are wrong, but she has to figure out the mystery of the Pearl. She doesn't have any idea that everything is about to get super weird.
Unbeknownst to Nora (and all humans), there is a magical realm of frogs. They need Nora's magical pearl to perform a ceremony that will help the earth come back from all the damage done by the largetoes (humans).
As a reader, you need to be open to fantastic possibilities. If you can't imagine a frog realm that is parallel (and sometimes crosses over with) ours, this is not for you.
If you can believe in the possibilities, you won't regret reading this book.
The world building is amazing. Brown creates a frog realm with a sumptuous Palay and an evil Maw. Frog warriors wear armor and ride on bats. Other frogs surf the air on leaves.
Character building is well done, too. Every character is multidimensional. The reader gets a strong feeling for a past that has made individuals make their current choices.
The theme of needing to do something to help the earth is strong but not preachy.
Although not exactly a cliffhanger, Nora Peters and the Secret of the Mystic Pearl does end with much more story to tell. I will be reading the second book.
I recommend this for anyone who cares about the environment, anyone who likes frogs, and anyone who likes to imagine magic in this world just beyond what we can see.
My content warnings include use of guns, murder, death of a parent, death of animals, and fire.
I received the ARC of this book.
Nora Peters and the Secret of the Mystic Pearl is an amazing fantasy. Nora has been raised to love and respect nature. She and her friends are "Mother Nature's Commandos".
The book begins as she gets ready for her father's funeral. Before it can get underway, Carl Kincaid presents them with papers claiming her father was giving their home and farm to Kincaid. Shortly after Nora's grandmother has an episode and ends up in the hospital.
A magical pearl is hidden among her grandmother's things. Nora not only has to find out who killed her father and prove Kincaid's papers are wrong, but she has to figure out the mystery of the Pearl. She doesn't have any idea that everything is about to get super weird.
Unbeknownst to Nora (and all humans), there is a magical realm of frogs. They need Nora's magical pearl to perform a ceremony that will help the earth come back from all the damage done by the largetoes (humans).
As a reader, you need to be open to fantastic possibilities. If you can't imagine a frog realm that is parallel (and sometimes crosses over with) ours, this is not for you.
If you can believe in the possibilities, you won't regret reading this book.
The world building is amazing. Brown creates a frog realm with a sumptuous Palay and an evil Maw. Frog warriors wear armor and ride on bats. Other frogs surf the air on leaves.
Character building is well done, too. Every character is multidimensional. The reader gets a strong feeling for a past that has made individuals make their current choices.
The theme of needing to do something to help the earth is strong but not preachy.
Although not exactly a cliffhanger, Nora Peters and the Secret of the Mystic Pearl does end with much more story to tell. I will be reading the second book.
I recommend this for anyone who cares about the environment, anyone who likes frogs, and anyone who likes to imagine magic in this world just beyond what we can see.
My content warnings include use of guns, murder, death of a parent, death of animals, and fire.
I received the ARC of this book.
December 10, 2024
Nora Peters and the Secret of the Mystic Pearl is a young adult fantasy. The story follows Nora Peters, a teenager grappling with the recent death of her father and the suspicious circumstances surrounding it. At her father's funeral, Nora discovers a cryptic note and a piece of fabric that hint at a connection to a mysterious pearl. Further investigation reveals that her mother's coffin is empty, containing only rocks and a book with an embroidered cover depicting a girl and a frog standing atop a mountain. These discoveries plunge Nora into a world of magic and intrigue, populated by talking frogs, vengeful spirits, and a power struggle for control of a mystical pearl.
The book is rich in environmental themes, reflecting Nora's passion for conservation and her commitment to her father's legacy. Nora is the leader of Mother Nature's Commandos, a group of young activists dedicated to environmental protection. Their efforts to combat pollution and raise awareness about climate change are integral to the plot, highlighting the urgency of environmental action. The novel's setting, the Pacific Northwest, is vividly described, emphasizing the beauty and fragility of the natural world.
The story also explores themes of family, friendship, and grief. Nora's relationship with her friends provides a strong support system as she navigates the challenges she faces. Her loyalty to her friends and her determination to protect them from harm are admirable qualities.
The narrative is fast-paced and engaging, with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. The author skillfully blends elements of realism and fantasy, creating a believable world where magic coexists with everyday life. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their unique motivations and flaws. The dialogue is natural and often humorous, adding depth to the characters and their interactions.
While the book concludes with a satisfying resolution, it also sets the stage for a sequel, leaving the reader eager to discover what new adventures await Nora and her friends. Overall the book is a captivating read that will appeal to a large audience.
The book's environmental message is timely and relevant, encouraging readers to consider their impact on the planet. The fantasy elements are imaginative and well-integrated into the story, providing a welcome escape from reality. With its engaging plot, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes, this book is a highly recommended read.
ARC for unbiased review
The book is rich in environmental themes, reflecting Nora's passion for conservation and her commitment to her father's legacy. Nora is the leader of Mother Nature's Commandos, a group of young activists dedicated to environmental protection. Their efforts to combat pollution and raise awareness about climate change are integral to the plot, highlighting the urgency of environmental action. The novel's setting, the Pacific Northwest, is vividly described, emphasizing the beauty and fragility of the natural world.
The story also explores themes of family, friendship, and grief. Nora's relationship with her friends provides a strong support system as she navigates the challenges she faces. Her loyalty to her friends and her determination to protect them from harm are admirable qualities.
The narrative is fast-paced and engaging, with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. The author skillfully blends elements of realism and fantasy, creating a believable world where magic coexists with everyday life. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their unique motivations and flaws. The dialogue is natural and often humorous, adding depth to the characters and their interactions.
While the book concludes with a satisfying resolution, it also sets the stage for a sequel, leaving the reader eager to discover what new adventures await Nora and her friends. Overall the book is a captivating read that will appeal to a large audience.
The book's environmental message is timely and relevant, encouraging readers to consider their impact on the planet. The fantasy elements are imaginative and well-integrated into the story, providing a welcome escape from reality. With its engaging plot, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes, this book is a highly recommended read.
ARC for unbiased review
July 3, 2024
I received an ARC copy and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
I am always down for a fairy tale retelling and I love it when authors try to do something different and unique. I really think that the author was attempting that here and the heart in this story was unmistakeable. But I think it does fall short in a lot of areas.
Our MC Nora is interesting but I’ll be frank, I have no idea how old this girl is. In some scenes, she seems like a grown woman, in others a high school student, in others as young as junior high. Her characterization felt very inconsistent in terms of maturity.
The author does weave a very developed fantasy world within our world element here. It’s well-built, with obvious effort put into the history and power structure, as well as the magic system. But I simply didn’t find this other world very interesting. That, I think, is entirely a taste issue.
That said though, I love how the author did atmosphere. They communicate so much without really using dialogue but only using description and people’s reactions to the environment. Adored this and it is absolutely the author’s strength.
The story picks up and gets intriguing in the last half. If the passion, stakes, and character interactions in the second half could also be applied to the first half, this would be brilliant!
I do think there is promise with this author. I think I simply started with a book that wasn’t to my tastes. I would absolutely try another story by them.
I am always down for a fairy tale retelling and I love it when authors try to do something different and unique. I really think that the author was attempting that here and the heart in this story was unmistakeable. But I think it does fall short in a lot of areas.
Our MC Nora is interesting but I’ll be frank, I have no idea how old this girl is. In some scenes, she seems like a grown woman, in others a high school student, in others as young as junior high. Her characterization felt very inconsistent in terms of maturity.
The author does weave a very developed fantasy world within our world element here. It’s well-built, with obvious effort put into the history and power structure, as well as the magic system. But I simply didn’t find this other world very interesting. That, I think, is entirely a taste issue.
That said though, I love how the author did atmosphere. They communicate so much without really using dialogue but only using description and people’s reactions to the environment. Adored this and it is absolutely the author’s strength.
The story picks up and gets intriguing in the last half. If the passion, stakes, and character interactions in the second half could also be applied to the first half, this would be brilliant!
I do think there is promise with this author. I think I simply started with a book that wasn’t to my tastes. I would absolutely try another story by them.
November 6, 2024
Wow. The world in this story is so much more complex then you would think for a book with a tag line of "a modern day frog prince retelling". There is an intricate weaving of modern day climate issues with a beautiful nature based magic system that is held together by the hopes and dreams of frogs.
Throughout this book we get the perspectives of several different characters (of both species) and because of this we gain greater understanding of why and how we have been brought to this point. I look forward to seeing how these characters develop in future books and hope that we can see through the eyes of some of the characters that have been important this story but we didn't have a chance to visit.
The only thing stopping me from rating this higher is a couple of the plot lines felt a little rushed in the closing of them before this book ended. Although I am definitely prepared to come back and review this after I have read the subsequent stories as this may just be a pausing point for those plots and they may not be as resolved as I feel they are now.
I read an arc of this book through Hidden Gems but will definitely be looking out for the sequel expected in 2025
Throughout this book we get the perspectives of several different characters (of both species) and because of this we gain greater understanding of why and how we have been brought to this point. I look forward to seeing how these characters develop in future books and hope that we can see through the eyes of some of the characters that have been important this story but we didn't have a chance to visit.
The only thing stopping me from rating this higher is a couple of the plot lines felt a little rushed in the closing of them before this book ended. Although I am definitely prepared to come back and review this after I have read the subsequent stories as this may just be a pausing point for those plots and they may not be as resolved as I feel they are now.
I read an arc of this book through Hidden Gems but will definitely be looking out for the sequel expected in 2025
November 6, 2024
A compelling mystery from start to finish and a magical eco-fiction!
I found the descriptions of the world from the frogs' perspective beautiful and rich, with an intricate vocabulary to convey concepts and experiences not shared by humans (or rather, "largetoes", as frogs call us). And I enjoyed the interweaving of the mysteries surrounding Nora's family and those within FrogNation.
Nora is compassionate and courageous, but far from having all the answers, she can only be guided by her desire to protect what she loves and by her trust in others who share her values to solve the mysteries she faces. I found her a likeable main character and I am definitely compelled to find out what happens next in this trilogy!
I found the descriptions of the world from the frogs' perspective beautiful and rich, with an intricate vocabulary to convey concepts and experiences not shared by humans (or rather, "largetoes", as frogs call us). And I enjoyed the interweaving of the mysteries surrounding Nora's family and those within FrogNation.
Nora is compassionate and courageous, but far from having all the answers, she can only be guided by her desire to protect what she loves and by her trust in others who share her values to solve the mysteries she faces. I found her a likeable main character and I am definitely compelled to find out what happens next in this trilogy!
November 1, 2024
Her mother is missing and her father has just died. She is just looking for answers and she will be pulled into another realm where they think she was to ruin their realm. All she wants is answers but they may not want her there. See just how she gets some answers and where will it take her
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and get ready to be pulled into an new reality
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and get ready to be pulled into an new reality
November 27, 2025
Nora Peters and the Secret of the Mystic Pearl” is a delightful adventure for readers of all ages. Luanne C. Brown creates a vivid, enchanting world filled with memorable characters and heartfelt moments. A charming story that leaves us wanting more.
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