Hi. I'm Karina, writing to you from Australia.
The world endured a year from hell. And it's not over yet.
After a horrendous fire scare, here I am, still writing away.
I write time-travel novels, among other things. My advice to any time traveller, do NOT set the machine to 2020!!!!
Please check out check out my books. They're designed to be entertaining, enlightening, and encouraging. Plenty of hope, warmth, pathos, and humor. And, something for everybody! If you need escapist, intelligent fiction, I have priced these at 99 cents for a short time. And, if you need some creativity in your life, instructional art books will be just the thing.
I wish everyone a much-improved new year!
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Scroll down to see five of Karina’s books…
Title Galla of Chelandra, Real Magic - Courage, Cunning, and Craft, Book 1
Author Karina McRoberts
Genre Epic Fantasy
Publisher Rocanadon Press
Book Blurb
Spare Your World From Cruel Demise. Build Your Magic. This, devise! Apprentice animal healer Galla Jenari sets out to explore her world, delighting in its marvels; a peaceful journey with surprises at every turn. But joy morphs to nightmare; now, hers is an excursion into a world of mounting horror. Plague, racism, hatred, famine, impending war, and horrendous environmental disaster all threaten Chelandra. Galla's empathy threatens her sanity. Collapsing under the strain, a mysterious stranger helps her to discover and use the magic she holds within. Increasingly sickened by cruelty and stupidity, Galla's more than determined to make a difference. Her astounding ingenuity protects a prince from destruction at the hands of his own people. Once ridiculed by another prince, the dashing, headstrong Prince Shiran of Gaklar, Galla's wisdom and courage become indispensable in his fight against a fierce enemy. But the dangers continue to build. Will Galla falter and be crushed by all she opposes, or will she triumph to thwart the onslaught?
Excerpt:
“Because I know what we should do to them.”
“And what is that?”
“We should scare them, Uncle. We should scare them to death.”
“What?” Shiran cringed, obviously tired and frustrated.
“Whatever do you mean Galla? Make sense, will you?”
“Ah, I see Galla!” Gilesh chirped up. "Yes, I get you! We can soar over them like a big scary monster in the sky! Oh Galla, that’s fabulous! And it’ll be fun too, won’t it? It’s brilliant!”
Annoyed at the chatter of what he perceived as a couple of silly girls, one of Shiran’s recruits answered “‘struth! And what’s so brilliant about it, you two? Yeah, it’s just brilliant alright. We can fly over them and go ‘Ooooh and ahhhh, and if you don’t surrender and release your hostages at once, at once do you hear, we are going to destroy you all!’ Only thing is, girls, none of us can speak Qulasi!” He actually stuck his tongue out at them!
Obronder put in, “There would be no point in giving them an ultimatum, in any case; I’m sure they would just threaten to kill the hostages.”
“Well, yes, I know that, Uncle, but if we scare them enough, they will want to leave. And they will leave.”
“Yes!”
“Alright then, but who’s to say they’re going to get scared? And who’s to say they’ll leave?”
“Look, you lot! Would you stay in a haunted castle?”
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Author Biography
Escape to the heights of your heart and the depths of your soul.
Karina McRoberts is an Australian author, illustrator, musician, and theatre producer.
Previously working as a conservation scientist, she was struck down by a mosquito-borne virus. No longer able to work, Karina now spends her time writing fiction to inspire, encourage, enlighten and entertain; especially those readers active in social justice, humanitarian work, and protection of the Earth. Her fiction is filled with characters and stories designed to give you a lift.
Karina also writes self-instruction books on illustration and creative writing. There is something for everybody, children included. Her project this year is assistance to older writers wishing to publish a novel or novella entitled, 'A Novel at Ninety.'
"2020 was the year of the rat. Aptly named! Did you know that 2021 is the year of medical workers? They sure do need all the support we can give them! In these dark days of overt racism, violence, betrayal, and plague, I hope readers find solace in my creations. Hope is light to the heart! As my character JT Gordon says in my time-travel adventure/romance novel, The Palace of the Stars, 'Don't measure your time in minutes, treasure your time in moments.' Indeed. Grab the quality."
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Website for the fabulous show based on the book!
Title The Palace of the Stars: A Thrilling Adventure in Love, Magic, and Mystery
Author Karina McRoberts
Genre Time Travel Romance/Adventure, Historical Fiction
Publisher Rocanadon Books
Book Blurb
Lost in time, he finds his feet but loses his heart…
Badly beaten Australian rookie cop Mike Harker emerges from a coma with no history, no job, and no self-respect. While convalescing with a kooky bibliophile, a time portal opens in her bookstore and Mike is hurled into the past.
Faced with another beating, he is rescued from a mob and befriended by the charming impresario of The Palace of the Stars, a magnificent music hall.
There Mike falls for the beautiful and beguiling stage magician, Mae Belle, who begs him to solve a series of gruesome murders of itinerant miners and their families. Mike learns that Mae's magic is more than an act, and, stung by jealousy, he must team with her onstage, and possibly offstage partner, the creepy Chan Li, to discover and trap the killer.
With his own life in danger, Mike seizes his one chance at redemption and winning the woman he loves, but the justice of the day disgusts him. He must make a horrible choice.
Excerpt:
Gordon led Mike to what he called the parlour room; well-decorated with period furniture, polished wooden floors, slatted blinds, and small palms in huge brass containers. Two large maps in the antique style were framed and mounted near the piano that stood in the corner. French doors opened out onto a shady veranda.
A handsome man of about thirty, later introduced as Chan Li, and two giggling part-Chinese kids were playing some kind of game. With Mae Belle. As Gordon and Mike entered, the game ceased.
Gordon, after being his ever-charming self, made some apology and departed before Mike could entreat him to stay.
“Are you feeling better, Mr. Harker?”
Her voice flowed over him like heavy silk; low, soft, sensual. Very fine. Gone was the rustic act. Or was this an act? Mike wondered who she really might be, not following at first; he was very nervous. And then he realised.
“Oh. Yes. Yes, sorry.”
“I’m so glad. People don’t usually faint during my act, you know.”
The way she said it - she seemed to be fishing. This only added to his discomfort.
“I…I just got a bit dizzy. You know. The heat.”
She regarded him coolly with a turn of her head not unlike Gordon’s; her enigmatic smile completely disarming him.
“And…and the clothes. Too many clothes.” He slid his finger, attempting to loosen his collar.
Oh crap! Why’d I say that?
He began to worry the same thing would happen again. Don’t faint for Christ’s sake!
In his discomfort he removed his jacket. Don’t these people ever relax? I mean, look at that get-up she’s got on. And I’m stuck in this frypan suit!
“Would you care to remove your jacket, Mr. Harker?” Her grin somehow both friendly and sarcastic at the same time.
Shit! Damn, this is not going well. But what can I say to her?
“Sor…” He didn’t finish it.
Suddenly he wished he’d never come. The situation was totally awkward.
Chan Li was staring at him coolly, sans enigmatic smile.
“Hi. I’m Mike.” He put out his hand to shake.
Chan seemed perplexed and did not take it, instead bowing; very curtly. He then left the room.
The kids said something to Mae in Mandarin.
She replied in the language, hugged them, and the two children scurried out the door.
Oh hell, what have I done now? And why didn’t Gordon bloody tell me!
“Mr. Gordon informed me you wished to see me,” Mae enquired.
That’s an understatement! But now, what’s the point anyway? Especially if they’re married! They’d have to be. We’d have to fight a duel or something!
“Mr. Harker?”
“Oh. Yeah. Sorry.”
“You keep saying that. Don’t apologise. Please, sit down and tell me what’s on your mind.”
Just then, the older child returned, waiting silently with a tray.
“Here,” Mae offered, smiling at the boy. “Xie, darling.
“I’m sorry I don’t have whiskey. I hope this will do.”
Mike couldn’t speak.
The boy put the tray down and Mae poured tea.
Another affectionate exchange, and the lad disappeared once more.
The tea was steaming hot.
How can they drink this stuff on such a hot day?
“Well, Mr. Harker. What did you wish to see me about?”
“I, uh. Magic. Yes, your magic act. Um, I’d like to know about it, please.”
“I see. Well, I am sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Harker…”
“Mike. Call me Mike.”
“Oh?” She seemed somewhat taken aback by his informality.
“It’s alright. Really.”
She was the silent one now. Her look became quite serious. Or was she angry; angry he was asking about her magic?
She sipped her tea, in the dainty British way, staring over her cup at him.
“As I was saying, I don’t give anything away concerning my act.”
She noted his pained expression.
“Nothing personal of course. You understand.”
The only thing he understood was that she was heart-achingly alluring, and was married with two children, and that he was falling for her more by the second.
And that this is what he’d wanted, what he’d asked for; to be able to sit and talk with her, alone; but that he could not find a single thing to say! He felt trapped; longing to stay but desperate to extricate himself from his acute embarrassment.
“Sure. Fair enough. I can understand that,” he at last replied.
“Can you?”
“Yes. But look, I was just curious, that’s all. Magic interests me.”
“Does it?”
What’s this, twenty questions? But she seems interested; a little anyway. Keep going!
“Well, I used to mess abou…, um, to dabble, as a boy. I mean. It was fun. Nothing serious.” Good lie, seeing as I can’t remember. Maybe I did.
“Yes, well mine, ours, is quite serious, I can assure you.”
Oh no, have I ticked her off again? Shit!
“Yuan liang, lao shi.” Chan re-entered the room, wearing a huge smile. His eyes sparkled.
“Mesmer, darling.” Her face lit up.
“Oh excuse me, Mr. Harker. Mike. Won’t you?”
“Kan zheige, wo de peng yu.” Chan presented her with a piece of paper; Mike couldn’t see what was on it.
“Dui, Mesmer! Hen hao!” Her smile for him was radiant.
“Mr. Harker, do pardon me, won’t you? There’s something I must…attend to.”
“OK.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Oh. Um.” He stammered. “Um, Goodbye, Ma…Miss Belle. Thanks for the tea.”
He hadn’t drunk any.
Mike left the room.
That went about as well as a lame cat in a dog show.
Shit! Well, I’d better get her off my mind and that’s all there is to it. Bloody married with kids! First, I’ll throttle Gordon! That’ll keep me occupied.
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Title Dargo, Eco-Hero! A Feel-Good Novella
Author Karina McRoberts
Genre Comedy Fantasy
Publisher Rocanadon Press
Book Blurb
HILARIOUS, HEART-WARMING, DIFFERENT and DELIGHTFUL! A lonely young man suffers a massive defeat. When all is lost, he meets a fiery fortune-teller who pleads with him to save her. Can he re-invent himself as a hero? A light-hearted but poignant little story, Dargo is humorous and heart-warming; a fairy-tale for adults. You can also read this to your children who care about Earth. And, if they don't, Dargo will help them to do so! An enjoyable timely tale that will appeal to the magic in all of us. Illustrations.
Excerpt:
"Yeah. F'in' weird, man."
"Oh Dargo, you're such a not. Um, do you think maybe you should work out? Or something?"
Dargo Fernandez loses. Everything.
Money, keys, girlfriends, sporting contests, advancement opportunities, entire jobs, self-respect… Heart.
Dargo's going nowhere, and when he arrives, he finds he's somewhere else entirely. With nothing left to lose, he tries his hand at lifting spirits.
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Title Uŕsamer: An Eco Short Story for Children
Author Karina McRoberts
Genre Comedy Fantasy
Publisher Rocanadon Press
Book Blurb
Who is this intriguing little girl? And her amazing puppy? Where has she come from? What is her story?
She has something important to say, but no one is listening!
A sweet poignant tale about climate change, ideal for reading to younger children (8-12). Illustrations.
Excerpt:
The girl appeared. She just appeared! Certainly she wasn’t there one moment ago!
To the lady who was homeless.
But, this was the lady's bench. Her tiny little piece of the park. So, homeless she was not. Not quite.
But she was hot and wished the breeze would pick up. Instead of a breeze, a small child had blown in. A strange looking little girl, even by New York standards.
And dressed for winter! How could she stand it? But the child did not seem to mind.
The lady sat up on her bench. It was getting harder to do without help. But she managed, and felt a small tickle of pride at that. Small things matter a lot when you have no home. Counting your meager blessings becomes an art form.
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Title Welcome To My Sketchbook!: A Beginner's Guide to Drawing and Painting an Illustrated Travel Diary
Author Karina McRoberts
Genre Non-Fiction - Art Instruction
Publisher Rocanadon Press
Book Blurb
UNLOCK THE DOOR TO YOUR EXCITING NEW HOBBY WITH THIS FUN AND FRIENDLY GUIDE!
* Learn how to create a beautifully illustrated record of your travels!
Excerpt:
I have used my sketchbook to create this little guide. You may find it somewhat "homespun" - that's because it is! These are sketchbook examples. Real stuff! You can click on the photos to enlarge them - most will reveal my jottings. Then click X at the top right of the screen to return to normal reading.
You will find many basic techniques that will enable you to create a wonderful record of your travels, be they around your own garden, around the country, or around the world!
Having taught art for several years to both children and adults in a variety of settings, I’ve written this guide for you to follow the lessons as they are presented. You need no previous knowledge; and please, do not worry at all! You are meant to enjoy this! Enjoy! Enjoy! Have fun!
Just follow the guide at the pace you desire, and you’ll be very pleased with the result! J
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