,Jeanne Kipke is a retired elementary school teacher who is excited about following her passions for writing and art. Ms. Kipke’s books explore themes around choosing love over fear and embracing diversity.
Her Frey Series (Two, Cinder Girl) feature a very wise, non-gender specific faery named Frey.
Her Frey Series (Two, Cinder Girl) feature a very wise, non-gender specific faery named Frey.
Author Artist
Cinder Girl
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On the surface, Cinder Girl is a fairy tale inspired by the original Cinderella story. But it’s more than that. Cinder Girl is the spiritual journey of a young woman. Or to be more precise, it is the journey of three sisters.
After the untimely death of her mother, Jill’an’s father remarried. Jill’an welcomed her stepmother and stepsisters wholeheartedly, becoming especially close to the youngest, who’s playful personality matched Jill’an’s perfectly. Far too soon, Jill’an’s new family experiences a terrible loss. The Duke’s ship goes missing, and as the weeks pass into months, the Duchess’ true self comes through. Madam Duchess quickly reduces Jill’an from adored daughter to obedient servant. After all, as far as Madam was concerned, Jill’an lost her status the moment her father failed the family. What makes us who we are? The beliefs, practices, and teachings of those who raise us contribute to who and what we are. Raised within the norms of a strict religion where disobedience is met with the bite of a switch, the eldest daughter, Char, followed the harsh dictates of her upbringing. Lotte, the younger of the two,rebels - questioning the validity of a judgmental, jealous God and mocking the mother who bore and beat her. Lotte stays true to Jill’an, refusing to conform to Mother Duchess’ cruelty. In contrast, Char relishes her new role as mistress and is determined to keep Jill’an beneath her as she kowtows to her mother’s guidance. And although Jill’an’s world seemed broken, falling into despair was not an option. Feeling attached to home and hope, Jill’an is not ready to leave. However, Lotte cannot abide her mother’s scheme to marry her off to the Prince and proposes a plan to Jill’an to escape the abuses of Char and Madam Duchess. Reluctant at first, Jill’an agrees. Why does Jill’an stay? And how does her experience shape her into a stronger, more confident self? Cinder Girl explores these questions, delving into the importance of focus, forgiveness, lovingkindness and ultimately, knowing that all is unfolding perfectly. And of course, Jill’an has the help of one particularly wise, although sometimes frustrating, faery. Lotte and Jill’an become acquainted with a mysterious young man who speaks of a faery named Frey. Frey, a non-gender-specific magical being, carries great wisdom but shares it in ways that seem odd to the trio of new friends. Frey comes and goes as zeh pleases, but ultimately, since this is a faery tale, finagles a happy ending for all. |
Zali
Author's Statement: Zali is a book for mature teens who appreciate candid dialogue about teenage issues around sex, friendship and more. Zali asks questions that many of us asked at the same age. Zali’s experiences are inspired from the author’s own life with one huge difference - Zali’s questions are answered sincerely and openly in a way that gifts her with self-empowerment and wisdom.
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Zali recently moved from the only place she’s ever known to a town over 1,000 miles away, leaving friends and family who’ve made up her world since childhood. Welcomed by her Aunt Ani, Zali and her mother settle into their new home, separated from Zali’s father who’s drinking has become out of control.
Although Zali wants to join the popular kids at school, she feels like a pretender. Then with her very first period, she is mortified when her mother wants to have a ceremony in her honor. Doesn’t Joan realize how embarrassing it is for a 13-year old to advertise such things? Ani eases the situation by telling the story of her own experience and the sharing of secrets is just what was needed to start mending the distance between mother and daughter. Ani teaches Zali about the Law of Attraction, which her mother believes is nonsense. Was it a mistake bringing Zali under the influence of her unconventional sister? And yet, Zali is making new friends and seems happier than ever. Zali’s curiosity about boys and how things work bring about more challenges and discoveries. Fortunately she has good friends – and a loving, although eccentric aunt - who support her through it all. Zali is a story that candidly addresses questions common to teenage girls that have reached puberty and are wondering about the opposite sex and about sex in general. What is safe? And what in the world is going on with those boys anyway? |
Two
TWO cover illustration
Once upon a time, long, long ago, there lived a girl with two eyes. You might say, “Well, everybody has two eyes”. Not so! While Little Two Eyes had two eyes like most people, her sisters and mother did not and because of this, they treated her cruelly.
But this is a faery tale and of course, a faery saves the day - and surely there must be a handsome prince who becomes enthralled with the suffering protagonist and… well, you know how that usually ends.
But this isn’t the story of a prince rescuing a helpless damsel in distress. No, it is the story of Two, her siblings and their mother. Oh, and also a magicked goat, a kind baker, a fantastical faery and, yes, I confess, a prince.
TWO is a tale for the millennium, featuring an unusual faery named Frey who befriends a girl who has suffered from the cruelty of her mother and sisters. Two’s escape from bondage is a story of magic - but also of self-empowerment and love.
But this is a faery tale and of course, a faery saves the day - and surely there must be a handsome prince who becomes enthralled with the suffering protagonist and… well, you know how that usually ends.
But this isn’t the story of a prince rescuing a helpless damsel in distress. No, it is the story of Two, her siblings and their mother. Oh, and also a magicked goat, a kind baker, a fantastical faery and, yes, I confess, a prince.
TWO is a tale for the millennium, featuring an unusual faery named Frey who befriends a girl who has suffered from the cruelty of her mother and sisters. Two’s escape from bondage is a story of magic - but also of self-empowerment and love.