Fort Bragg Soldier Stationed in Iraq Writes YA Fantasy Amidst the Reality of War

Everland, Volume I: Opal’s Book of Winter, Fiction-Fantasy, written by Ricardo J. Amado with cover illustration by London Ladd, the first book of the Everland Trilogy, is being released on October 15, 2009.
By: Sweetie's Books
 
Oct. 15, 2009 - PRLog -- Mobile, AL. – U.S. Army Soldier Ricardo J. “Riki” Amado is currently serving his second tour in Iraq.  During his tours, Amado has spent his free time writing of castles, dragons, knights, and elves in his young-adult epic fantasy trilogy called Everland.  The first book, Everland, Volume I:  Opal’s Book of Winter, will be released on October 15th, according to publisher, Dyahnne Alston of Sweetie’s Books.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to have Riki as part of Sweetie’s Books family of authors,” Alston stated.  “When I read his work, I was mesmerized by his ability to draw readers into his world.  He is a truly gifted writer, and his work embraces our policy of multiculturalism.”

Born in Cuernavaca, Mexico, Amado was raised in Los Angeles, California.  He joined the Army in July 2001, just prior to the 9/11 attack.

“Some people like to spend what little free time playing sports or video games or watching TV.  For me, it was writing,” Amado stated in an interview with author Donna McDine. “Now granted, I may have had a bit more freedom than most combat arms soldiers, and that fact was never far from my mind. Whenever I had time to write, in the back of my mind the thought was always running, ‘Hmmm, while I'm here daydreaming about talking bears and Christmas elves, someone is probably out there getting shot at and/or getting blown up.’"

Everland, Volume I:  Opal’s Book of Winter is the story of four teenage girls who have the misfortune of living in a miserable foster home run by the despicable Mrs. Jergens.  Through a magical series of events, the girls are whisked away to a world where everything is possible and the dreams they carry in their hearts begin to manifest themselves.  They face dangers and adventures but through it all they learn to trust  and appreciate each other.

Sweetie’s Books is a independent publishing company located in Silver Spring, MD and Mobile, AL.  They specialize in children’s books that inspire, educate, and entertain, and feature multicultural storylines.

For more information or to request a free review copy, members of the press may contact the publisher at Dyahnne@sweetiesbooks.com. Everland, Volume I: Opal’s Book of Winter is available for sale online at http://sweetiesbooks.com, www.Amazon.com, BN.com, and through additional wholesale and retail channels.

About the Author:  Ricardo J. Amado was born in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  He was raised and educated in Los Angeles, California, where his family still resides.  He joined the Army in July 2001.  He is married and has four children.

About the Illustrator:  London Ladd resides in Syracuse, New York, with his wife, Teresa, and his daughter, Lavanda.  His illustration credits include a critically acclaimed children’s book called March On!  The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World.   His next project, Oprah:  The Little Speaker, will be released in March 2010.

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Sweetie's Books is an independent minority-woman owned publishing company that specializes in children's books written by minority authors featuring children of color in educational, inspirational, and entertaining situations.
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