Children and Young Adult Author | Official Website
Author: Ellwyn
I live with my loving husband, two children and dog in Philadelphia, PA. I discovered my passion for writing in second grade when I had to write a book report for school. I was so excited to write the report, until my mother told me that I had to write about someone else's book and not my own story. I became indignant and decided that once I finished the book report I would most certainly write my own original story. I have been writing ever since!
My self-published book Chris Kringle's Cops was a Finalist in The Reader's Favorite Book Contest for 2016. I am so happy to share this story with you.
My picture book Kamyla Chung and the Creepy Crawlies was given a 5 Star rating by Reader's Favorite Book Reviews in 2017.
In a sleepy little town, an ordinary-looking cat hides an extraordinary secret that will transform his owners’ lives forever.
When the Thompson family inherits a dilapidated old house, their overprotected son Timmy forms a strong bond with Whiskers—a chronically lazy tabby who’s not what he seems.
As Timmy explores the house’s mysteries, a chilling discovery puts his courage to the test. With the help of Whiskers and some newfound friends, he must face supernatural forces beyond his imagination and rescue a soul in peril.
The Cat Who Chased Ghosts is a spine-tingling tale about bravery, loyalty, and the magical power of friendship (human and feline) that will thrill readers of all ages, reminding us that sometimes the most extraordinary heroes come in the most unlikely packages.
Excerpt
“Yes, Whiskers was called out on important business,” she carried on casually, as if commenting on the weather.
Timmy frowned, confused. He checked Mrs. Krantz for signs that she might be joking.
“Called out? By whom? On what business?”
“He wouldn’t tell me, now, would he?”
Timmy was at a loss for words. Jasper had been right: the woman was cuckoo.
“You seem perplexed, my dear,” she said with a hint of condescension (or so he thought). “Do you think only humans have business to attend to? Have you never heard of Puss in Boots, or the Three Little Pigs, or the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland?”
“Those are just stories. They aren’t real,” Timmy snapped, now convinced that the old lady was mocking him. The Three Little Pigs, for Pete’s sake! Did she take him for a toddler?
“Narrow-minded, are we?” Her lips smiled, but her eyes didn’t. “Let’s see . . . yes, here it is.”
She handed him a book.
Its cover featured a whimsical drawing of a cat in a wizard’s hat, and it was both big and heavy. Quite a few pages were on the verge of falling out like it had been opened and closed too many times. Timmy could barely make out the title in the dim light.
“From Bastet the Goddess to Puss in Boots: A History of Magical Felines,” he recited.
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER
The author will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
Nic Minnella has worked in journalism for twenty-plus years. She’s also a part-time translator and a full-time cat enthusiast. When she’s not occupied with any of the above activities, she’s often traveling to faraway places or daydreaming about them.
“The Cat Who Chased Ghosts” is her first published work of fiction, a middle grade supernatural mystery tale where a boy and his cat must confront ghosts and spirits to save their loved ones from the clutches of darkness.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7PS7Y4W FREE TO READ ON KINDLE UNLIMITED
Welcome to Medge Pond, a town where mischievous children go missing beyond the forest border. Something evil lurks within the forest, and those who enter are never seen again.
There are two rules you must follow: Do NOT enter the forest and never touch the berries. Ever.
If you break them, beware—not even your screams will save you.
**On Sale for Only .99cents until the end of October!**
Excerpt
I went to my room to wash up for supper and glared at myself in the mirror. She could have been more friendly. I would be lucky if Rob shows up tomorrow as planned. But whatever if he is a baby and chickens out, I guess it is up to me.
With that, I changed my top and headed down for supper. My eagerness for tomorrow was growing by the second, and I was super excited. Who cares about the noise? It was probably only a squirrel or something?
My thoughts drifted through my plans for tomorrow as the night carried on, and soon bedtime came. I slept like a baby even though something deep inside said something horrible was going to happen tomorrow. So many horrible things had already happened in my life, why not one more?
Giveaway
$20 Amazon
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
The inspiration behind this story was our love for camp fire type horror books like Goosebumps growing up. Ben and I wanted to focus on a fantasy creature story for an anthology we were joining. The main topic was to have some type of mythical creatures.
We couldn’t shake the fact that we wanted to write something with horror in it. The idea was to create a forbidden area in a small town that held a deadly secret that the towns folks tried to not think about. But Gracie’s Aunt was the exception. The horror of the forest was always on her mind since she lives on the borderline. Just in the backyard, she can step from safety into a deadly zone that could be the end of her.
The problem comes to fruition when Aunt Margaret takes in Gracie. She is in her teens and likes to get a sense of adventure throughout her day. Gracie has trauma of her own with her mom dying so she is trying to get her mind on other things.
Kids are always wanting to go into the woods and see what magic it can hold. I was one of those kids when I was young. My dad would take me to the forest to walk around and see what animals we could find. We would do this for hours. This feeling of wonder and adventure was one of my reasons for choosing this background for the story.
I also had an enormous love for faeries growing up. My goal was to twist the stories of faeries that were evil or sprites that would live in the forest to taunt children. Also, I have pulled some inspiration from movies I have seen in the past. One, for example, was: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. That was one of the horror movies that scared me with faeries.
A lot of elements inspired the story, but it all came together when Ben and I put our heads together. You should give it a read to see the ins and out of our writing on this project.
About the Authors
Ben and Katie tied the knot in September 2024 but not before putting pen to paper. Together they crafted their first horror story together titled: “Darkest Delights,” back in 2022.
They loved stories like Goosebumps growing up and decided to create their own campfire story that would leave a little fright for the younger readers to enjoy.
They plan to work on more in the future. Make sure to subscribe to K.M. Jenkins’ newsletter to get updates on books when they hit the stores: https://www.subscribepage.com/author_km_jenkins
The Rise up trilogy is a coming-of-age story about Hashim, Alex and Maryam, three best friends on the threshold of adulthood.
Before they can find their place in this world, they must come to terms with their past and learn to confide in each other as they are confronted by intolerance, ignorance, and corporate greed that threaten to rob them of their future.
Inspirational, harrowing, intense and deeply moving, this trilogy presents a ray of hope amidst terrible hardship, misfortune and loss.
Book One: Catch You If You Fall
High school best friends Hashim, Alex, and Maryam must confront real-life issues that loom for Gen-Z today, including the climate crisis, corrupt politics, and racial and gender equity.
When Hashim turns eighteen, he receives a grant from his Mosque that will send him to an Ivy League in New York.
His devout Muslim family couldn’t be more proud. And to support their young son on his journey, they arrange a wife for him. There’s only one problem: Hashim is gay.
Hashim’s best friend Alex is struggling with a difficult home life, a non-present father, and financial issues that prove particularly painful when all his friends are planning to go off to college and leave him behind.
Standing confidently alongside these two boys is Maryam, a headstrong Muslim girl who bucks her traditional roots by becoming a vegan activist.
It doesn’t take long until certain evil forces start to draw these three even closer, as their futures and the wellbeing of their community and the world is threatened. They are called to act.
Book Two: Merry Farm
In the second installment of the Rise Up Trilogy, best friends Hashi, Alex, and Maryam stumble upon a huge government coverup.
When more people get sicker and sicker, and nothing about the outbreak makes news, it becomes clear the corruption goes up high.
As the three attempt to expose and stop a tragedy that could kill thousands, they end up framed as the bioterrorists responsible for this exact crime, and a team of hitmen is dispatched to hunt them down.
As they grapple with their own growing pains, Hashi, Alex, and Maryam hurry to outrun the disaster, prove that they are innocent, and do what they feel is right.
Book Three: Collusion
Now a well-known activist, Maryam, along with her two best friends Hashim and Alex, is chosen by the President of the United States to draw up a proposal to help fight climate change, mere weeks before superstorm Roxanne makes landfall in the Northeast.
After the President’s Future Rescue Advisory Board hears their climate proposal to set heavy taxes on meat, dairy and carbon emissions, and someone leaks it to the press, chaos spreads across party lines.
A few months since they stopped a deadly virus in its tracks, the three uncover a conspiracy on the highest level of the legislative branch.
While the deadly hurricane wreaks havoc along the eastern seaboard, destroying the U.S. Naval Command in Norfolk, Virginia, and hitting New York City with devastating force, Maryam, Hashim, and Alex grapple with forces beyond their control in the government.
How will their stories unravel? What do their futures hold as they mature into adults in a world that may not accept them? Find out in this last book in the Rise Up Trilogy.
Excerpt:
From CATCH YOU IF YOU FALL
“And it’s going to happen tomorrow,” Hashim said as he crouched on the couch.
Alex drew his brows closer, but soon his forehead smoothed. “Seriously?” he said and studied Hashim’s face. “Wow. We need to get you out of this mess.”
Sharing his predicament with his best friend had calmed Hashim’s nerves. Not that he had told the whole story, like the fact that he was gay. However, that was a piece of information he had only shared with God, though unwillingly, because from Him, you can’t hide a thing.
Alex’s eyes grew wide. “But you’re just turning eighteen, for God’s sake. Isn’t it a little early to get engaged?”
Hashim pressed his lips together and winced. You tell me.
“His mom knows that once Hashim has committed to an engagement, he won’t break it,” Maryam said. She had been following the conversation from the other side of the room, giving the guys some space after she saw how upset Hashim was when he came in. “Without a solid religious reason to back out, that could shame the whole family,” she added. “People won’t greet you anymore or return your calls. You become a nobody.”
GIVEAWAY
The author will award the winner’s choice of an audiobook set via Spotify or a digital book set of THE RISE UP TRILOGY.
Henrik Wilenius is the author of the Rise Up Trilogy, a young adult coming-of-age story about Hashim, Alex and Maryam confronting real-life issues like climate change, corrupt politics, animal cruelty and racial and gender equity.
The Rise Up Trilogy is now available also as an audiobook and a weekly serialized audiobook podcast on all the major platforms.
Previously, Henrik as published two books (an autobiographical coming of age book and a YA novel) by a major publisher (WSOY) in Finland before switching to English and self-publishing.
The Rise Up Trilogy was inspired by his fifteen-year stint as a volunteer in a Red Cross Youth Shelter and by his vegan activism.
I never thought I was going to be an author, although my two older brothers, my sister, my father, my grandfather and my great uncle were writers.
In my early twenties, I founded an art servicing company, selling contemporary art, and after an initial success, I ventured out to real estate development and market researched.
But something was not right. By living the high life, I was neglecting my spiritual needs. I decided to radically downsize and went back to university to study philosophy, because I was obsessed with the question of why it is so hard for us to expand our understanding.
And when I found the culprit, I became a writer. It was supposed to be an essay on Rhetoric by Aristotle, but only after half an hour of writing, I knew it was going to be a full-length manuscript. End of Restlessness, a philosophical study into my own coming-of-age, was published in 2001.
Is writing your full-time profession?
I write full-time, although I’m still involved in some business ventures, but the latter doesn’t take much of my time. For me, writing is a very intensive process, first energizing, and then after an hour, I’m exhausted and famished.
The key question here is how you can do it without becoming an alcoholic, recluse or just generally cynical and bitter person in life. Unlike in the times past, nowadays successful writers share one predisposition and that’s discipline. You need routines to keep yourself in line.
Even when traveling, I still follow my daily schedule and try to write at least in the morning. I start every day with an hour of Ashtanga yoga and follow it up with clear set of routines until after second spurt of writing, I finish with half an hour cardio or intensive kettle bell training.
Rest of the day I spend taking care of practical stuff, doing research, and running errands. During the week I’m a hermit but on weekend afternoons and evenings, I become a social animal, still writing in the morning though. For me, physical exercise is very important for releasing all the inner tension that writing brings on.Without it, I would be stuck in my fantasy world and unable to cope with reality.
How many published books have you written?
I have two books published in Finland in Finnish by a major publisher before I switched to English and self-publishing the Rise Up Trilogy.
Which genres do you write?
My first book was a narrative non-fiction but now I’m happy to write young adult.
What are you working on now?
I have three manuscripts in my virtual drawer, but I might still continue writing about Hashim, Alex, and Maryam. I haven’t decided yet what will be my next project.
What is a favorite quote from one of your own books?
“While the words ricocheted in the grand dome, Hashim kept his head low and said a silent prayer asking for mercy like had done thousands of times since realizing he was gay.” A quote from Catch You if You Fall, book one of the Rise Up Trilogy.
What is your favorite book review from a reader?
It’s from a 18-year-old American beta-reader:
Overall, I loved how the three books each explored different themes and issues and the strong bond of friendship throughout.
I found that I also learned a lot about Muslim culture and faith while reading and I really enjoyed how this aspect was tied into the characters’ identities.
The characters were beautifully crafted and each had a unique identity. I loved the way they complemented each other and balanced the story.
Additionally, I found that each book focused on one of the three main characters, and I really liked this idea. After reading all three, I truly felt like I knew each of them personally.
The first book was probably my favorite of the three only because I could connect to it the most. It really reminded me of the movie “Kill Your Darlings”.
There wasn’t a dull moment and I was eager to read more the entire time. I felt the action was really dispersed well and blended beautifully with the more gentle moments.
The second book really showed the development of the three friends the most I think. I loved to learn more about Alex and also see Hashim become more “himself”.
My favorite character was Alex from the start and I really liked that his story was more concentrated on. I liked that the friends took on more non-personal challenges as they navigated New York.
It felt just as exciting and powerful to read and I was left with a sense of empowerment after finishing this story. At times, I felt there was too much concentration on romance but that could be just a personal preference, as I see how that intertwined with the characters actions and development.
The third book was also a very exciting read. I feel it really completed the trilogy and I felt I knew the characters inside and out by the end.
The plot twist was incredible and I really liked how this story played out. It was a very satisfying end and I found that it perfectly closed out this coming-of-age adventure.
I also want to note that a trigger warning is necessary for all three books due to the mentions of suicide, abuse, assault, etc. For some readers this information can be sensitive and hurtful.
However, I really loved that these very difficult topics were included and addressed in a way that was not overdone and also developed the main plot.
I have never seen topics such as climate change, LGBTQ+ issues, and animal cruelty presented in a book like this trilogy was able to accomplish. It is very common for author’s to glaze over these topics or concentrate on them too much.
I truly appreciated that the characters’ beliefs were presented in the same way that I think about these topics. These books captured both the challenges often encountered and the spirit of activism and for change that I could definitely relate to and I think many readers will as well.
Though each book seemingly focused on completely different issues and was placed in a different setting, the characters and their relationships definitely grounded and unified the books.
I think this series is perfect for YA readers and would likely most be enjoyed by high school age readers. I think this trilogy could definitely be related to and loved by many readers and has great potential to inspire.
Thank you, Henrik, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck with the Rise Up Trilogy.
Rio and Gina Ricci will have legitimate careers—unlike the rest of the family. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll were not part of the plan, but definitely part of their destiny.
After all, it’s the 70s. With the help of her cousin Rio, Gina secretly pursues her dream to be a singer—against her parents’ wishes.
Enter Trevor McNaughton, a beautiful, troubled musician. Gina brings Trevor back to her family’s gated estate, where her father tracks every move using security cameras placed throughout the grounds.
Before their steamy night is over, cold, career driven Gina is in love … and insanely jealous.
Trevor falls under Gina’s spell and the couple brace themselves for the challenges of life and love on the road.
But Trevor ignores Gina’s intuition about the risks to their blissful union and the success they are building together.
Gina’s not sure she wants to know exactly how the family plans to help the couple and eliminate threats.
About the Author
Beth Pellino-Dudzic was born in the Bronx and grew up in Westchester County, New York. She earned a BA in Business Administration and worked at IBM. She has three adult daughters and a new Granddaughter.
She currently lives in Alabama with her husband and their miniature dachshund, Truffle. Although The Perfection Saga is fictional, many of the stories hark back to Beth’s time in the Rock ‘n’ Roll world.
Beth’s favorite pastime is football, everything football. She also is an excellent cook and baker.
The Rose Thief, Roshaven Book 1 Someone is stealing the Emperor’s roses and if they take the magical red rose then love will be lost, to everyone, forever.
It’s up to Ned Spinks, Chief Thief Catcher, and his band of motely catchers to apprehend the thief and save the day.But the thief isn’t exactly who they seem to be. Neither is the Emperor.
Ned and his team will have to go on a quest; defeating vampire mermaids, illusionists, estranged family members and an evil sorcerer in order to win the day. What could possibly go wrong?
The Silk Thief, Roshaven Book 2 Fourteen, heir to the Empire of Roshaven, must find a new name before Theo, Lord of neighbouring Fidelia, brings his schemes to fruition.
Not only has he stolen Roshaven’s trade, but he plans to make Fourteen his own and take her empire in the bargain.
Her protector, Ned Spinks, is plagued with supernatural nightmares whilst his assistant, Jenni the sprite, has lost her magic.
Can they figure out how to thwart Theo’s dastardly plan before it’s too late for his city and her empire?
The Bone Thief, Roshaven Book 3 The Spice Ghosts have descended on Roshaven accusing Jenni of stealing their sacred bones and are threatening to destroy the city if they are not returned but Jenni the sprite has no idea what they’re talking about.
With the help of her boss, Chief Thief-Catcher Ned Spinks, Jenni promises to find and return them however the skeletal trail leads them into the dark and dangerous waters of the dread Sea Witch.
Ned is out of his depth and frantically treading water while Jenni must fight to avoid becoming catch of the day.
Spirience: Experiencing Peace and Prosperity through Spirituality and Science is a unique and comprehensive look at the importance of spirituality and science to guide our day-to-day living at a personal level, and to achieve peace and prosperity at a global.
The term ‘spirience’ is a blend of two words: spirituality and science. It captures the essence of spirituality in its prefix “spiri-,” and the domain of science in its suffix “-ence”.
The importance of such a work lies in the challenges faced by the world today, conflicts between nations and ideologies at the global level and the explosion of mental health issues at a personal level.
The book will first set the scene to understand the challenges faced by humanity today and the tools that we have to overcome them.
An in-depth look at the treasure trove of texts from India’s Vedic past, highlighting the spiritual as well as scientific aspects, will be complemented by a study of the evolution of mankind over the past millennia, changes in the way of life and the current levels of extreme discontinuity brought on by an onrush of technological innovations.
Recommendations for going forward will be presented for the readers to ponder and hopefully incorporate in their personal, professional and social lives.
The book will be of great value to anyone interested in or active in personal well-being and global peace and prosperity.
Excerpt:
Spirience: A Fusion of Experiences
By knowing a single lump of earth, you know all objects made of earth. All changes are mere those of words . . .
Chāndogya Upaniṣad 6.1.4
Spirience is an experience. It’s my experience, your experience, everyone’s experience. It is an experience that celebrates the solidarity between spirituality and science.
Spirituality and science are like flowers and their fragrance; they share an inseparable bond. When it comes to prosperity and achieving inner peace, integrating these two fields proves immensely beneficial.
Any discovery or reflection that strays from life proves fruitless. The union of spirituality and science forms a magnificent connection to life’s more profound experiences.
While our bodies are crafted from “star stuff,” our souls seek peace and prosperity. We’ve all observed how deeply woven they are into the fabric of our existence, even if only in simple ways.
Today, we live in an era where understanding the interwoven relationship between spirituality and science has become essential. Our connections have extended beyond our families to include those of the larger world.
We are even exploring life on other planets, signifying our desire to expand our relationships even further. Our existence now extends from our homes to the cosmos.
Today’s human beings see themselves as part of the universe. The ancient Indian scriptures often mention pinḍeṣu brahmāṇḍeṣu—likening the individual self to the cosmos. The microcosm of humankind is reflected in the macrocosm of the universe and vice versa.
The term “spirience” is a blend of two words: spirituality and science. It captures the essence of spirituality in its prefix “spiri-,” and the domain of science in its suffix “-ence.”
This innovative term goes beyond its grammatical structure to emphasize the sentiments integrated within. It represents a harmonious fusion of life’s two great streams encapsulated in a single word that symbolizes the profound interconnection between these two realms.
My Journey with Spirience
My journey with the title Spirience is deeply intertwined with a few experiences I’ve had. The concept and title of this book took shape last year when I was in America.
I had the fortunate opportunity to witness the creation of the Swaminarayan Akshardham complex in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Akshardham is a beacon of spirituality and culture.
While observing its construction, I was captivated by the seamless blend of spirituality and science that expressed itself.
It was as though they were intertwined in dance to co-create a rejuvenating spring of inspiration for all of society.
It repeatedly felt as though science had lifted spirituality on its shoulders or spirituality had extended a welcoming invitation to science.
Giveaway
The authors will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
An esteemed Swami of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and Head of the BAPS Research Institute in New Delhi, Bhadreshdas Swami’s scholarly work Svāminārāyaṇabhāṣya is a profound Sanskrit commentary on the Prasthānatrayī. With a Ph.D. in Sanskrit and multiple honorary degrees, his contributions to the field are widely recognized.
V. I. Lakshmanan, O.C., Ph.D.
Co-founder of Process Research ORTECH and a leader in sustainable technology, Lakshmanan holds numerous patents and has published over 150 scientific works. His accolades include being named an Officer of the Order of Canada and receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from the Government of India.
S. Kalyanasundaram
With 25 years of experience in advanced technologies for telecommunication networks and serving as the former Executive Director of the Canada India Foundation, Kalyanasundaram enriches the book’s exploration of the synergy between ancient knowledge and modern science.
Spirience is available through major retailers. Discover how this book’s unique integration of spirituality and science can guide you toward a more peaceful and prosperous life.
Gina Will Do Anything to Protect Her Husband and Her Band
Perfection is one of the hottest bands on the rock n’ roll scene and they are being wooed into the seductive pitfalls that come with fame. How will they continue to rise when temptation is all around them?
Lead singer, Gina, is seen as The Sexy Siren of Rock for her onstage heat and glamour, but her true love is offstage—as wife to guitarist Trevor, and mother to their miracle baby, Roxanne.
Keeping a family together while touring with the band is hard enough, but Gina is faced with an even more sinister challenge. Trevor’s old friend, Brian Mayfield is hell bent on separating the couple—using drugs, alcohol, and women as his weapons.
But why is he so driven to destroy them? How far will tough-as-nails Gina go to protect the ones she loves?
Excerpt:
IT WAS BACK TO REAL WORK on the album. Gina sat with the guys for a couple of days trying to sort out the music and lyrics and was making headway. Perfection thought they had a solid four songs, but that wouldn’t be enough.
However, it was time to go to New York. The McNaughtons wanted the entire band of Perfection to attend their wedding. Even Brian Mayfield was invited. He would lay very low for this event.
However, Brian Mayfield would prove to be problematic down the road. Skip Glazer and his wife June were part of the band family. Skip was always working on the band’s business, even when it was an off day.
Tommy and Anne Whelan were invited to the wedding. Tommy worked for Brown Fence Records; he was the producer for Perfection. And had asked specifically to work with the band.
Tommy was a well sought after producer in the music world. He wanted to take Perfection to the highest level. He had a close attachment with them. Gina and Trevor hired a private jet so their guests didn’t have to pay airfare. Everyone wanted to attend this wedding since no one was there for the first one in Vegas.
Gina was keeping a huge secret. It might slow down the rehearsals, maybe the recording, certainly now wasn’t the time to share it, though. She wondered when and how she would tell Trevor.
Giveaway
The author will award paperback copies of both books in the series: Playing Hard and Playing High (US only) to a randomly drawn winner.
Beth Pellino-Dudzic was born in the Bronx and grew up in Westchester County, New York. She earned a BA in Business Administration and worked at IBM. She has three adult daughters and a new Granddaughter.
She currently lives in Alabama with her husband and their miniature dachshund, Truffle. Although The Perfection Saga is fictional, many of the stories hark back to Beth’s time in the Rock ‘n’ Roll world.
Beth’s favorite pastime is football, everything football. She also is an excellent cook and baker.
