Author Janet Beasley (high fantasy, Steampunk, science fiction, fairy tales, & adventure, non-fiction)
Pen name: J.D. Karns (other fiction including historical, everyday life, & cozy mystery)
5 star amazon review for Maycly the Trilogy from top amazon reviewer, Betty Dravis...
"...if this magical book were a movie--which it should be--I picture it on a colossal scale like 'Lord of the Rings.' If it were a painting, it would be like Paul Cezanne's "The Card Players" which sold for $259 million dollars, the most expensive painting ever sold to date. Hollywood, are you listening?"
Customer Review (amazon top reviewer)
5.0 out of 5 starsWould Make a Blockbuster Movie! Like "Lord of the Rings!" Hollywood, are you listening?
​
I was hooked on this epic YA trilogy after reading the first book in the series, "Hidden Earth, Part 1: Maycly." It was in e-book format and I must say I love the cover. I fell for the lovely, impish lady with the butterfly eye tattoo and had to know more about her. Thanks to artist Dar Bagby for the eye-catching cover and the inspired illustrations throughout the book.
The author also put books two and three in e-format, but before I got around to purchasing them, she had come out with the print version, containing all three books and some delightful treats throughout, including: maps, more illustrations, recipes, family trees and descriptions important to understanding all about these awesome characters Janet Beasley has created. Needless to say, I had to have the complete book...all 700+ pages. When I wrote to the author about an autographed copy of the full-trilogy book--which I have placed in the special "collectibles" area of my growing library--I can't believe the endearing note she wrote for me. All I can say is: Wow! Thanks, Janet Beasley.
Book One begins with the main character, Iona, who has been happily married to Cole for the last five years. When Iona develops chronic health issues, she depends on her husband and her parents, Ann and Leonard, for help. Suddenly they disappear and the poor woman is forced to take care of herself. She soon uses up all her resources and is about to become homeless. She loses faith in their God, Sorcerer of Unequivocal Leadership (SUL). He's a grand wizard and creator of Earth and Maycly, but when he allows these things to happen to her, she turns from him, resolving to find her family by herself.
A mini-miracle happens when she is about to be evicted: a puppy called Wiskee is left on her doorstep. She doesn't recognize it as a miracle, but she and Wiskee take to each other and she decides to keep him. Together they brave the elements where they are forced to sleep wherever they can...until a stranger offers them an apartment.
At this time, the author flashes back a hundred years and the readers learn all about Maycly, its history and Iona's destiny.
There is a fierce battle going on between good and evil, with Iona right in the middle of the action. She had always longed for an adventure, but not of these epic proportions. All she wants to do is recapture her health, find her family and go back to their more simple life.
But that doesn't happen quickly. As the author so cleverly designs, Iona's struggles last through all three books of this "Hidden Earth" trilogy. Many questions are answered in each book, but the most important questions are: Where is her family? When will she find them? When does she discover her destiny? Will she be strong enough to fight the coming battles to claim her destiny?
But the most important question is: Which will win in the end--Good or Evil?
Author Janet Beasley answers all the questions raised in this trilogy with her masterful use of words and fantastic insight into her characters. There are numerous characters, which would make it hard to follow, but Beasley's family trees and helpful, full-color illustrations by artist Dar Bagby are touches of genius that help make the read smooth and easy.
I especially enjoyed getting to know these unique characters, fascinating creatures and the remarkable landscape of Maycly...a world as unique as our own Earth. In my opinion, when a writer brings her characters to such vivid life that we care what happens to them...well, that's when she wins her readers over. I adored Iona so much that I wanted to hug her and root her on; I would love to rub Wiskee behind the ears and cuddle up with him. In fact, I felt like I was inside this landscape with them... It was a superb reading pleasure to watch Iona develop through the years...under the brilliant pen of Janet Beasley. What a remarkable character! What an amazing writer!
Kudos to Beasley for pulling off this lengthy saga in grand style, for giving us so many surprise twists and turns, for giving us life lessons on morality without being preachy, and for a very satisfactory ending. All of that without any profanity, explicit sex or vulgarity of any kind, making this a book suitable for kids of all ages.
If this magical book were a movie--which it should be--I picture it on a colossal scale like "Lord of the Rings." If it were a painting, it would be like Paul Cezanne's "The Card Players" which sold for $259 million dollars, the most expensive painting ever sold to date.
Hollywood, are you listening?
BOOK REVIEW
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
​
Hidden Earth Series Volume 1: Maycly the Trilogy Part 1 by Janet Beasley is about Iona who finds herself thrown into circumstances much against her will. While you are getting acquainted with her, the story takes a turn back in time. The reader is taken to Maycly where everyone is waiting hopefully for the queen's arrival. Part I of the story actually leads you to Part 2 of the book.
I found the book scintillating. Adventure, magic, whimsy, dreams, fantasy, imagination -- it's all there. Children of the current generation are totally into adventure and fantasy series with the overwhelming popularity of Harry Potter and the like. These are stories that can actually awaken the creativity inside you and dare you to dream and fantasize.
The book is the right combination of fantasy and adventure. Iona is well depicted: her innocence, her adventures, her faith, and tragedies. The language is elegant and excellent. Illustrations always give a new meaning to the characters and these illustrations also give you an idea of how each character looks as well as lending color to the story.
The open ending of the book suggests that there will be another part to it. The battle between good and evil is the highlight of the story. Will Iona's journey be even more adventurous in the next part?
BOOK REVIEW
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Hidden Earth Series Volume 1 Maycly the Trilogy - Part 2
The Battle of Trust and Treachery, by Janet Beasley,
takes off from where the first part ends. The reader is again taken on an adventure trip where the characters go through heartaches, fantasy, whimsy, and everything that appeals to the reader.
I found the second part equally compelling as the first part. The author's imagination is still on a high in this part. There are many amazing creatures, use of elaborate language, and some nice illustrations which leave an impression about the characters in the story. The plot and the story are as good as the first part of the story.
All the creatures in the book are also very whimsical. Both the parts of the story will make a good movie too. What I like about this kind of adventure and fantasy fiction is that it gives room for the reader to think without any barriers. The epic battle is fought in a new way in this story.
Hidden Earth Series Volume 1 Maycly the Trilogy - Part 2 ~ The Battle of Trust and Treachery also speaks about the author's expertise. She is able to write a story with an adventure plot in three parts and still manages to leave the reader asking for more. The book caters to readers of all age groups because it encourages you to dream and let your imagination run wild.
BOOK REVIEW
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Hidden Earth Series Volume 1 Maycly the Trilogy - Part 3 The Queen by Janet Beasley is the last part of this adventure series. The book begins with Iona's childhood, then proceeds to the actual story. We see the introduction of a new creature in this book, and now the connection between Iona and Maycly is understood properly.
I liked this as much as the previous books. Unlike the other two, this one is less violent and ends on a positive note. The story is also full of fantasy, adventure, whimsy, and bits of terror and violence. The book has many more illustrations compared to the other two parts. The illustrations work in tandem with the characters and lend them more credibility. The illustrator has ably captured the mood of the story and the illustrations complement the book beautifully. The author evokes the creativity inside a child by daring him to dream differently.
Adventure stories have catapulted authors to fame after the success of the Harry Potter series. The questions that have been nagging readers have been dealt with in this book, putting to rest all the doubts. The book concludes by making the readers wish that there was more to come. Personally, I think the author can come up with more parts to this series.
BOOK REVIEW
Reviewed by Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite
​
A fantasy adventure with a Western twist, when I saw the premise of Planet Land: The Adventures of Cub and Nash, I just knew I had to read this book. In this, the second volume in the Hidden Earth Series by author Janet Beasley, we find ourselves following our heroes, the titular Cub and Nash, as they navigate a world in the Wild, Wild West, but not quite the same as we're used to. The real adventure begins when a large hole appears in the dirt wall of the room that a group of friends are hiding out in to avoid being kissed by a girl at the Copper Junction Function, revealing a secret land that's been long forgotten, and Cub and Nash go through it!
This was a delightful book for the young adult reader. Mixing the realms of fantasy and Western is no easy feat, and I have to give mad props to author Janet Beasley for being able to do this so effectively. She is also skilled at developing fun characters that are completely relatable in Cub and Nash, and her world creating skills, especially for a young adult novel, are second to none. I thoroughly enjoyed Planet Land: The Adventures of Cub and Nash, and recommend this book to any reader, young adult or not, who would enjoy a fun, faced-paced and adventurous read that creatively combines Western and fantasy successfully. I certainly hope that author Janet Beasley is working on the next installment of this series, because this book was simply great!
BOOK REVIEW
Reviewed by Janelle Fila for Readers' Favorite
​
I love historical novels. Anything with history makes a story that much more real. I feel like it could actually have happened, even though the story is fiction, because it is set in an era or around an event that did happen. That is exactly how 28 Months of Heaven and Hell by J.D. Karns feels. Based on journal entries from a World War II naval man, this book is steeped in so much history it feels real. I loved reading the letters that "Chester" sent his family back home and watching the emotions of his family members as they read his letters: dad and his two brothers proud, mom also proud but nervous, praying for his safe return. Knowing those letters were based on real letters sent home from a man who enlisted to serve and protect our country in our time of need makes the story that much more special.
I love World War II stories as well, so this book is just the perfect combination for me. The reader experiences everything from the great typhoon of 1944 to Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and from the atom bomb to the signing of the treaty that ended the Second World War. I think it is so educational and I love stories that really bring history to life because it can teach people so much. And I love how the story stays with the family and we only glimpse the war through the letters. I wasn't expecting that, so it was a really refreshing twist that kept the story interesting.
Customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
4 star4 star (0%)0%
3 star3 star (0%)0%
2 star2 star (0%)0%
1 star1 star (0%)0%
Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup: Excellent Recipes
​
More Than Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup is an excellent cookbook and well worth the money I spent. The recipies are very good and easy to make too. It's a great book for young people and adults, and would be a great gift too. I gave this book as a birthday present to my nephew and we have had a blast trying out these recipies. They really taste good too, and the recipies uses items everybody has in their house, no trips to the store for weird ingredients either. I rated this a five star, because the book is that good!
​
Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars Great recipes for people food and your pet!
Update- Made a BIG BIRTHDAY DOG BISCUIT for Sofi ...
​
Just made the Chicken-flavored and Beef-flavored Doggie Delights to give a homemade treat to my "grand-puppy" that will be visiting this weekend. They looked so good it's hard not to eat them yourself! I know the puppy will be excited to get these special treats.
Rave Reviews from Amazon and Reader's Favorite
Hidden Earth Series Volume 1 Books 1, 2, and 3 take the top 3 spots while the whole trilogy book takes 6th! Books 1 and 2 also land ahead of The Hunger Games!
