Wednesday's Special is...Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle!

CYNTHIA'S ATTIC: THE MAGICIAN'S CASTLE (Book Four!) by Mary Cunningham

Imagine the fun of meeting your twelve-year-old grandmother! Cynthia's Attic Series offers young readers an adventurous glimpse into the lives of Cynthia and Augusta Lee "Gus" as they travel through time from a magic trunk in Cynthia's Attic.

(From Gus’s perspective)

Maybe I should introduce myself. My real name's Augusta Lee, but if you're not looking for a kick in the shins, just call me Gus. I’m twelve years old (almost thirteen!) and the *star* of the series, “Cynthia’s Attic.” My best friend, Cynthia and I have traveled through time in three books so far, and have been real busy flying off to some scary castles in Europe for book four, Cynthia's Attic: The Magician’s Castle. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m going to give you a sneak peek! I’ve just returned from a finding Cynthia’s great-granddaddy, Beau Connor in Louisiana, and did I get a surprise! Someone, other than Cynthia, returned home with me.

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Excerpt from CYNTHIA'S ATTIC: THE MAGICIAN'S CASTLE

Cynthia had an attic. Not just an ordinary attic. Cynthia's attic was magic.

Cynthia and I came into the world just three months apart. We grew up on the same quiet, sycamore-lined street, our friendship as close as our houses. Fifty years earlier, our grandmothers were best friends. However, we didn't realize the extent of their friendship until after our experience in Cynthia's attic. This is the story of one of our great adventures...the way I remember it.


1864: The young woman paced. Be patient, Kathryn. He will get the letter and he will find you. It must happen quickly. Forces beyond her control were working to keep her there…keep her from her one, true love. Sebastien. Please, hurry!

Footsteps approached. She grabbed the book and flew up the basement steps of the castle.

1964:

Chapter One:

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah. She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah…

"An-neeee!" I reached Cynthia's bedroom moments after the Beatles record began blaring.

"This is just like the gramophone I saw at the circus, Gus, only you don't have to crank it! What's it called?" Her face was lit up like a Christmas tree.

Gramophone? She sounds like my grandmother. "It's called a record player, Annie, but, you're making too much noise! We can't let anyone know you're here. Not yet." I shut off the record. Too late.

"Who are you?" Suzette, arms folded, foot tapping stood in the doorway.

"She's with me, Suzette." This was bad. The last person I wanted to see was Cynthia's cranky older sister. "Her family is just visiting and, uh…Cynthia and I said she could hang around with us since she doesn't know…anyone…" My voice cracked.

Fortunately, Suzette didn't care enough to stick around and ask more questions. "Whoever you are…no more noise! I'm trying to practice." She stormed out of the room. "Pests."

I slumped onto the bed, head in hands. This is just a preview. How was I going to explain-away Annie's appearance? Or…disappearance. Now, where did she go?

"Wow, Gus! Look at all these clothes!" Annie flew from the closet, arms loaded dresses.

Oh, no. Cynthia will have a fit when…if she gets back from 1914. "Please put those back, Annie. Cynthia never lets anyone touch her clothes." I had to get through to her. "One day I got soaked in a rainstorm. Would she let me borrow a shirt and a pair of shorts? Nooo. I had to sit by the heat vent until I dried!"

Annie looked unimpressed with my lecture, but I continued, anyway.

"Cynthia could show up any minute and I, for one, don't want to hear her scream at the sight of wrinkles in her "precious wardrobe." I knew that my friend’s imminent return was wishful thinking because Annie had to get back to Beau's 1914 farm, before Cynthia could hope to travel home.

I unfolded the note that had appeared in the trunk moments after my return to the attic from my last trip through time.

Gus.
Gabriella is sending the medallion so Annie can use it to travel back. Keep her hidden until it gets there. I'll see you soon, if I don't get food poisoning from Grandma Sam's dumplings. Ha!
Your friend, Cynthia.


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Please answer the following question for a chance to win a free copy of the second book in the Cynthia’s Attic series: THE MAGIC MEDALLION. Or, pop in and chat with Mary!!
Where and when could Gus and Cynthia pop in to create the most chaos?



Author, Mary Cunningham, makes her home in the beautiful mountains of West Georgia with her husband. They are parents of three creative children, and a delightfully witty sixteen-year-old granddaughter.

She got the idea for her children’s mystery series, Cynthia's Attic, through a recurring dream. After realizing the dream was set in the attic of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began. She has completed three books in the series and is working on a fourth, Cynthia’s Attic: The Magician’s Castle, due for release Dec. 2009.

Co-writer of a women's humorous lifestyle book titled, Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF), she’s a member of SCBWI (Southern Breeze Chapter), The Georgia Reading Association, and the Carrollton Creative Writers Club.

In between editing and getting her twelve-year-old characters, Cynthia and Gus in and out of trouble, the author enjoys golf, swimming and exploring the mountains.