Welcome, dear readers, to my first Deep Dive feature! Kicking off the New Year with a bang (or should I say an Arrow of Light?), I have a magical and thrilling adventure that’s sure to capture your imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat.

Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light by Jaimie Engle

Have you ever wished for an extraordinary adventure? Clifton Chase definitely didn’t—but adventure found him anyway. In a world where magic chooses its own heroes, Clifton is whisked away by the enigmatic Arrow of Light. Suddenly, he finds himself in a realm filled with dwarves, magical creatures, and a quest that could change the course of history.

There were 686 other middle schoolers who might have been chosen. But for some reason, the Arrow of Light picked Clifton. The journey begins with Clifton returning an ancient arrow to two princes, but soon he learns that his mission is far from over. The princes are imprisoned in Drofflic Tower by their tyrannical uncle, and Clifton must rally a motley crew of mythical beings to save them.

As he delves deeper into this magical world, Clifton unravels the mystery of why he was chosen. But magic isn’t foolproof, and history has its own agenda.

Why you should read it:

• Winner of the 2015 BRAG Medallion
• Top 10 Pick Kid Lit Reviews 2014
• Featured in the Florida Department of Education Summer Reading List 2017
• Endorsed by the Governor of Orlando’s Book Club 2017

Rave Reviews: > “Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light belongs on your bookshelf, young or old, right along with Tolkien and Grimm.” –5-Star Amazon Review

> “You will find everything you ever wanted in a Fantasy book with dragons, swords, Kings, Queens, dwarves, and more. I totally recommend this book for reading time with your children, but be warned, they will never want you to stop!” –5-Star Amazon Review

So, dear adventurers, grab your copies of Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light and embark on a journey filled with bravery, magic, and the timeless battle between good and evil. Happy reading!

📚 Excerpts & Purchase Link

PREVIEW Chapter One below and click the link to PURCHASE from Amazon!

✨ Behind-the-Scenes Insights

Welcome to Behind-the-Scenes Insights, where I share the magic and madness that goes into crafting the stories you love.

Writing Process for Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light

• Accessibility for Children:
  • I wanted this book to be accessible and enjoyable for young readers, just like my favorite books growing up.
• Inspired by Harry Potter Series:
  • Inspired by the Harry Potter series, I wanted each chapter to start with a captivating line drawing. This was a nod to how I loved examining the illustrations in each chapter of Harry Potter as a kid.
• Empowering Short Chapters:
  • As a child, I felt empowered when I could read a whole chapter in one day. To give young readers that same sense of accomplishment, I kept my chapters between 2-5 pages on average.
• Local Artist Collaboration:
  • I hired a local artist who crafted over 50 beautiful drawings for the book. Each illustration enhances the reader’s experience and brings the story to life.
• Interactive Experience:
  • For added fun, you can download the coloring pages or purchase the coloring book on Amazon. This interactive element allows readers to engage with the story in a creative and hands-on way.

🎨 Graphics and Visuals

✍️ Author’s Commentary

I’ve always wanted to be a screenwriter. I was accepted into UCF’s film program in 2000 and I was actually student #31 of 30 in the program, until #31 dropped out. That was out of hundreds of applicants. But then, I dropped out after getting pregnant with my first son. I loved being a mom, but I missed writing and after the birth of my second son, I felt a piece of me was missing.

I talked to my husband’s bestie about it (whose name is Cliff) and he told me to just start writing something. I told him it would be awful and he agreed, but encouraged me to write anyway. So I started writing really bad short stories that slowly got better, until one day at archery club, I had an idea so big I had to write it. We were driving in, and there were long hedge-lined partitions with targets at the end. I imagined a dwarf hopping from hedge to hedge following us because we had a magic arrow he wanted.

That was when I had the idea for “Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light.” I wanted to see the movie, but being the early 2000s, there was no way to get a movie to Hollywood from Melbourne, Florida. So I wrote my first novel, and it hit a ton of speedbumps, to the point where I almost gave up. But, like the story’s theme, I was part of something greater than myself… and I found I had woven a message of bullying and the power of words throughout this book. It opened the doors for me to speak to kids about bullying, empathy, and kindness. What an amazing spin and honor to carry this burden when I thought I was just writing a fantasy adventure for kids.

📚 Reader Reviews and Testimonials

In this section, I’ll highlight some of the wonderful reviews and testimonials from readers, as well as mention the awards and honors that Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light has received.

Reader Reviews: > “Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light belongs on your bookshelf, young or old, right along with Tolkien and Grimm.” – 5-Star Amazon Review

> “You will find everything you ever wanted in a Fantasy book with dragons, swords, Kings, Queens, dwarves, and more. I totally recommend this book for reading time with your children, but be warned, they will never want you to stop!” – 5-Star Amazon Review

Awards and Honors:

• Winner of the 2015 BRAG Medallion
• Top 10 Pick Kid Lit Reviews 2014
• Just Read! Florida, Florida Department of Education Summer Reading List 2017
• Endorsed by the Governor of Orlando’s Book Club 2017

📥 Downloadable Content

Enhance your reading experience with exclusive downloadable content like wallpapers, bookmarks, and printable character profiles.

Want more? Check out the Clifton Chase Coloring Book on Amazon.

📚 Deep Dive into Clifton Chase

Thank you for joining me on this magical journey through Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light! Your enthusiasm and participation mean the world to me. If you have any questions, thoughts, or just want to share your experience, feel free to reach out. I’d love to hear from you!

*Don’t forget to grab your AUTOGRAPHED copy of Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light!