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The Key: A Taylor and Alan Adventure
Faction meets Fiction in this thrilling new tale. Meet Taylor and Alan a sister/brother duo, as they embark on their latest mission. It all starts at Big John's Mall, where they cheerfully wait to see the newest sequel that everyone is talking about. But outside forces will take Taylor and Alan to a different land where their special talents are needed. Can Taylor and Alan help the good people of the Land of Baltimore? The catacombs hold secrets that Taylor and Alan need to discover. Can they find the Chest of Treasures and outsmart Jalabar? Will they find their way back home? This story weaves rich history into this thrilling tale while instilling the concept of being mindful and respect of the environment.
- GenresFantasy
150 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 2014
About the author
Jackie Mae
9 books39 followersB.S. from University of Maryland, University College (UMUC)
This award winning author writes in several genres from mystery, adventure, thriller, suspense, women's fiction, contemporary romance, paranormal, new adult, sci-fi, to juvenile fiction for the middle grade and a sprinkling of novellas too. “Most days you will find me writing unaware of my surroundings. Other days you will find me with my husband, children, and/or grandchildren.”
A new series of novellas titled:
If... Blurred Vision
If... Second Chance
If... Dangerous Waters
If... Lost or Found
"The joy of all the 'If' stories lies in their surprise twists. Mae is a master storyteller and an uncommon ruler of the novelette form." D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review
In the “If…” series, what-ifs will be taken to a whole new level. What if you knew your future? What if you could change your destiny? Faced with choices, what would you do?
Jackie Mae's new children’s chapter book series, A Taylor & Alan Adventure, is written with her young granddaughter, Alison Taylor. In the Taylor & Alan Adventures, where faction meets fiction, you will meet Taylor & Alan a sister/brother duo, who are called on to help the good wizards of the land. Artfully weaving rich history into the story, it instills the concept of being mindful and respectful of the environment while appropriately thrilling the young audience. A portion of the proceeds go to the Caitlin Dunbar Nature Center to help support Girl Scouts.
She also writes adult fiction; her series called, THE DARKEST SERIES, which chronicles women who struggle with their new found psychic abilities while trying to stop an invasion.
"May good health and happiness always surround you."
This award winning author writes in several genres from mystery, adventure, thriller, suspense, women's fiction, contemporary romance, paranormal, new adult, sci-fi, to juvenile fiction for the middle grade and a sprinkling of novellas too. “Most days you will find me writing unaware of my surroundings. Other days you will find me with my husband, children, and/or grandchildren.”
A new series of novellas titled:
If... Blurred Vision
If... Second Chance
If... Dangerous Waters
If... Lost or Found
"The joy of all the 'If' stories lies in their surprise twists. Mae is a master storyteller and an uncommon ruler of the novelette form." D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review
In the “If…” series, what-ifs will be taken to a whole new level. What if you knew your future? What if you could change your destiny? Faced with choices, what would you do?
Jackie Mae's new children’s chapter book series, A Taylor & Alan Adventure, is written with her young granddaughter, Alison Taylor. In the Taylor & Alan Adventures, where faction meets fiction, you will meet Taylor & Alan a sister/brother duo, who are called on to help the good wizards of the land. Artfully weaving rich history into the story, it instills the concept of being mindful and respectful of the environment while appropriately thrilling the young audience. A portion of the proceeds go to the Caitlin Dunbar Nature Center to help support Girl Scouts.
She also writes adult fiction; her series called, THE DARKEST SERIES, which chronicles women who struggle with their new found psychic abilities while trying to stop an invasion.
"May good health and happiness always surround you."
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 6, 2015
The Key: A Taylor and Alan Adventure presents Volume 2 in an adventure series (Volume 1 not seen by this reviewer), and focuses on a brother/sister team who are eagerly awaiting the release of a summer movie at the mall which brags it holds the 'theater to end all theaters'.
Movie fantasies quickly end, however, when the two stumble into the wrong movie theater - and into another world.
Now, perhaps the author didn't intend this - but moments of comic relief lightly pepper the story; because the first reaction to their slip into another universe is indignation that, once more, they have left their world - and their intended pleasures in it; "Oh no, here we go again,” I shouted to the universe. “Not today, today I want to see my terrific movie, eat my delicious popcorn, and drink my icecold soda!”
Black and white photos also pepper the story, but its strength lies in dialogue and plot that provide advanced elementary to middle school readers with a solid adventure in the 'Land of Baltimore'.
No reader can easily resist a treasure hunt. Few can turn away from the prospect of siblings who challenge catacombs, tombs, unicorns, and mystery, either!
The dialogue is convincing, the story realistic and engrossing, and The Key provides a well-done adventure that needs no prior introduction to its predecessor to prove engrossing.
Combine siblings with another world and an adventure filled with the trappings of magic and problem-solving and you have a compelling story with enough twists and turns to keep it memorable and engrossing, even for selected adult readers!
Movie fantasies quickly end, however, when the two stumble into the wrong movie theater - and into another world.
Now, perhaps the author didn't intend this - but moments of comic relief lightly pepper the story; because the first reaction to their slip into another universe is indignation that, once more, they have left their world - and their intended pleasures in it; "Oh no, here we go again,” I shouted to the universe. “Not today, today I want to see my terrific movie, eat my delicious popcorn, and drink my icecold soda!”
Black and white photos also pepper the story, but its strength lies in dialogue and plot that provide advanced elementary to middle school readers with a solid adventure in the 'Land of Baltimore'.
No reader can easily resist a treasure hunt. Few can turn away from the prospect of siblings who challenge catacombs, tombs, unicorns, and mystery, either!
The dialogue is convincing, the story realistic and engrossing, and The Key provides a well-done adventure that needs no prior introduction to its predecessor to prove engrossing.
Combine siblings with another world and an adventure filled with the trappings of magic and problem-solving and you have a compelling story with enough twists and turns to keep it memorable and engrossing, even for selected adult readers!
January 6, 2016
Here is the opening paragraph: One day past the summer fields, over the hills, beyond the highway and overhang, below the skyscraper, and through the mall was the theater to end all theaters.
Taylor and Alan had waited so long for the opening. Today was the day-they had it all planned out. They would do their chores first thing after they had breakfast while rushing their parents along. Hopefully they would be at the mall by noontime. That would leave them plenty of time to do a little shopping and eat at that awesome restaurant, Joe’s Pick, which served pizza with the yummy, thick, cheese-stuffed crust. It was sooo gooey it practically melted in your mouth. From there is was all mapped out-they would head over to the brand new theater, called Big John’s Mall 9.
The opening pulled me right in to the story, What it did not do was let me know that there was going to be time travel introduced, or mythical characters like wizard. The story also takes the reader on a historical tour of an eighteenth century western town. It is a story with a little bit of everything in it.
I like the characters, a brother, Alan, and his sister, Taylor. Their dialogue was realistic and believable for their age. They solved their mystery. The description was good and made me feel like I could see the place. I enjoyed reading it, and I think the age it was intended for will enjoy it also.
I give the story a 4.5 because I was jarred by the lack of warning on the time travel, historical setting, and the magic elements. I was misled by the opening. Probably just me.
Taylor and Alan had waited so long for the opening. Today was the day-they had it all planned out. They would do their chores first thing after they had breakfast while rushing their parents along. Hopefully they would be at the mall by noontime. That would leave them plenty of time to do a little shopping and eat at that awesome restaurant, Joe’s Pick, which served pizza with the yummy, thick, cheese-stuffed crust. It was sooo gooey it practically melted in your mouth. From there is was all mapped out-they would head over to the brand new theater, called Big John’s Mall 9.
The opening pulled me right in to the story, What it did not do was let me know that there was going to be time travel introduced, or mythical characters like wizard. The story also takes the reader on a historical tour of an eighteenth century western town. It is a story with a little bit of everything in it.
I like the characters, a brother, Alan, and his sister, Taylor. Their dialogue was realistic and believable for their age. They solved their mystery. The description was good and made me feel like I could see the place. I enjoyed reading it, and I think the age it was intended for will enjoy it also.
I give the story a 4.5 because I was jarred by the lack of warning on the time travel, historical setting, and the magic elements. I was misled by the opening. Probably just me.
March 10, 2015
Reviewed for Readers Favorite.
Siblings, Taylor and Alan are your typical kids for the most part. They do the same things as most kids their age except for one thing, they have been swept away on strange adventures. Today their only focus is to attend the opening of the new movie theater and see their favorite movie sequel, but that is to be delayed when they are swept away to an adventure in the past. The Key: A Taylor and Alan Adventure (Volume 2) is that adventure in the Land of Baltimore in the time of the Women's Suffrage Movement. Taylor and Alan are tasked with finding and protecting a key for a terrible wizard. Jackie Mae and Alison Taylor combine to write a tale of adventure and history that delights the reader.
The Key in set during the time of the Women's Suffrage Movement, and so there are historical facts about that movement and people involved in it that are included in the story, as well as historical facts about the Land of Baltimore and the residents of the area and time period, such as baseball player Wee Willie, and author Edgar Allan Poe. Jackie Mae and Alison Taylor do a wonderful job of combining a compelling story with historical facts making the book something enjoyable and educational for children of all ages. The reading level may be listed as 4th thru 6th grade, but it you have an advanced reader, you will probably want to introduce the book a loot sooner.
Siblings, Taylor and Alan are your typical kids for the most part. They do the same things as most kids their age except for one thing, they have been swept away on strange adventures. Today their only focus is to attend the opening of the new movie theater and see their favorite movie sequel, but that is to be delayed when they are swept away to an adventure in the past. The Key: A Taylor and Alan Adventure (Volume 2) is that adventure in the Land of Baltimore in the time of the Women's Suffrage Movement. Taylor and Alan are tasked with finding and protecting a key for a terrible wizard. Jackie Mae and Alison Taylor combine to write a tale of adventure and history that delights the reader.
The Key in set during the time of the Women's Suffrage Movement, and so there are historical facts about that movement and people involved in it that are included in the story, as well as historical facts about the Land of Baltimore and the residents of the area and time period, such as baseball player Wee Willie, and author Edgar Allan Poe. Jackie Mae and Alison Taylor do a wonderful job of combining a compelling story with historical facts making the book something enjoyable and educational for children of all ages. The reading level may be listed as 4th thru 6th grade, but it you have an advanced reader, you will probably want to introduce the book a loot sooner.
January 19, 2015
Start the New Year with a recently released chapter book for children (8-12 y), THE KEY. It is written by Jackie Mae and her granddaughter, Alison Taylor. The authors do a fine job of quickly capturing and then holding the reader’s attention! Gently woven into an intriguing story are interesting historical facts, as well as a particularly pertinent lesson for our time—respect for the environment. Importantly, it does so without preaching; perhaps hitting the right tone because a child is the co-author. It sounds like there is soon to be a third book in the series! Do not delay in reading of the adventures of Alan and Taylor in The Key and the first in the series, Twilight of Doom.
March 28, 2015
"The Key: A Taylor and Alan Adventure" by Jackie Mae & Alison Taylor is a great read that kids and young teens will love. The story of Taylor and Alan, a sister/brother duo, who are on the hunt for a special key. Set in the time of the Women's Suffrage Movement, this is a very creative and imaginative story. The authors does a nice job mixing age appropriate language with more challenging vocabulary to give readers a challenge without overwhelming them. The dialogue itself was easy to follow which leaves me to conclude that this was written by very competent authors. I’d be interested in reading a part 3 to this series and would definitely recommend it to my friends.
January 5, 2015
Simply Loved it! Read the first in the series and so had to read the second and the story got even better! I really love how the authors use a mix of local (Maryland and in this case Baltimore)history and nature. Definitely age appropriate but older readers will enjoy as well. Taylor and Alan are becoming quite the adventurers and look forward to more of the series!
December 29, 2016
A look at the world's history and nature. Jackie Mae spins a tale of the human impact on nature and history. This book is a great tale of Taylor and Alan on yet another thrilling, action-packed adventure. Be on the lookout for the next tale because this is a must read for anyone who wants a taste of fiction.
Want to Read
April 7, 2015***Received this Autograph copy as a Goodreads giveaway. Will post review once completed.***
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews