Monsters, thieves, birds who shoot deadly feathers like arrows at their victims... These are the some of the hazards seven little children must face if they want to become the great Greek gods they were before their father Zeus turned them into human children. Apollo, Aphrodite, Hermes, Ares, Hephaestus, Athena and Artemis will do whatever is necessary to return to Olympus as great gods again. Coffee Time Reviews: Little Greek Gods is a poignant story that is not only incredibly well written, but makes the reader actually feel the emotions the children endure while on their adventure...I believe Fran Shaff composes a truly extraordinary story that captures the heart and captivates the soul. This story is a pure delight in every way. Excerpt: Setup: The children are arguing while they're packing up their campsite. The sounds of his brothers and sisters whining and arguing loomed so loudly over the campsite, that Apollo could hear nothing else. "Looks like we've come across some very valuable merchandise," a gruff voice bellowed over the bustle of activity. The unexpected roar of the rough voice so startled the little gods that they immediately stopped what they were doing and spun toward the intruders. "Merchandise?" Apollo said, repeating the key word the larger of the two strangers had used. He scowled at them and lifted his hands. "We haven't any merchandise. We're poor wayfarers, mere children. We have nothing of value, I assure you." The big man tugged at his scraggly gray and brown beard. He grinned at his shorter partner, his green eyes sparkling mischievously. "Did you hear that Flavio? They're poor wayfarers. They claim they don't have anything worth stealing." Flavio laughed, exposing a partial set of yellow teeth. "They ought to bring a good price on the block, don't you think, Platomio?" The large thief nodded. "A few of them might, but this girl's a little scrawny," Platomio said, taking hold of Artemis' arm. "She may not be worth more than the price of a hearty breakfast." He twisted her arm behind her until she cried out. "You should have eaten better, girl. I don't know if it'd even be worth the trouble to haul you to auction in your skinny condition." Apollo pounced on the nasty, big man who was tormenting little Artemis. "Leave her alone!" Flavio easily yanked Apollo away from his partner. Within seconds Apollo found himself bound at the wrists. "You won't get away with this!" he said, his words being his only means of retaliation. Platomio stepped toe to toe with him. He gazed down at the boy and grinned, exposing gaps where teeth used to be. "Oh?" he said. "Who, pray tell, is going to stop us?" Apollo looked down at the ground below him, and, for the first time in his life, he realized he was completely helpless. "Tie up the whole lot of them," Platomio told Flavio, "and see to it they're linked together. They'll be easier to manage if they're connected to one another." Within moments Flavio had completed his task. The children were tied together, completely helpless and at the mercy of ruthless bandits who apparently intended to sell them into slavery.
Just about all of us want to get away from the demands of everyday life from time to time. Unfortunately, most of us don't have the luxury of being able to take off to some new, exciting place whenever we feel the urge--unless we like to read. A book can take us anywhere we'd like to go. For readers who enjoy living vicariously in pastimes or in modern times Fran Shaff provides a great escape in the more than twenty novels she's published over the years. Fran's fictional books have won awards from readers, reviewers and fellow authors, and her non-fiction has been acknowledged in this way too. Love is the main focus of all of Fran's books, whether they're contemporary or historical, serious or humorous, written for adults or teens. Love between men and women and among friends and families is featured in her books because there is nothing most of us want more than to love and be loved. Happy endings abound, but the journey to reaching that joyful final moment is always a rocky struggle, just the way we want our fiction (even though we could do without the drama in our real lives). Look for new, full-length historical romance novels from Fran Shaff in the ten-book "Tender Mysteries Series," available now and debuting throughout 2013 and 2014. The first novel in the series "Resurrected" is available as a free download at most Internet bookstores. The series is available in single e-book and two-pack paperback formats. Reviewers say: "Ms. Shaff is a gifted writer that always delivers in her stories." (The Romance Studio) "I have discovered a great new author in Fran Shaff. She writes with depth and understanding and digs deep into the emotional lives of her characters bringing the reader with her all the way." (A Romance Review) "Fran Shaff is a wonderful writer whose prose speak with passion from her heart." (Fallen Angel Reviews) "Ms. Shaff writes about characters that warm your heart and give you a good chuckle as well." (Coffee Time Romance)
