Meet Teen Author Marta Stahlfeld at the Lakewood Barnes & Noble on Saturday, August 11, 2012

Aug. 3, 2012 - PRLog -- Washington-native Marta Stahlfeld, author of "Darkwoods" and "Pasadagavra," will be signing books at the Lakewood Barnes & Noble on Saturday,August 11, 2012, beginning at 2:00 p.m.   "Darkwoods" and "Pasadagavra" are the first two books in Stahlfeld's epic fantasy series for middle-school and young adult readers.

The Lakewood Barnes & Noble is located at the Lakewood Mall, 5711 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.  Directions can be found at:  http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3181442.

Stahlfeld, who is 18 years old, began writing "Darkwoods" when she was twelve; it was published in April 2011.  The newly released "Pasadagavra" is the second book in the series.  Stahlfeld plans a total of four books in the series, written primarily for middle-school readers.

Like the popular "Redwall" and "Warrior" series, all the characters in The Darkwoods Series are animals.  

"Darkwoods" begins with the death of the foxes' ruling oracle, Scythe, freeing the foxes to leave their home in Darkwoods determined to conquer the world.  Standing in their way is Princess Zuryzel of the Wraith Mice, with the ability to fade undetected into the shadows, and her allies among the Squirrel Tribes, Ranger Mice, and River Otters.  

In "Pasadagavra" the reader finds the war in full progress, and soon the great Stone Tribe city of Pasadagavra is under attack.  Zuryzel must leave behind the painful memory of a lost battle to save her own fortress, and instead seek out new allies for the struggling defenders of Pasadagavra.  As the story unfolds, Zuryzel encounters friendship, betrayal and a secret she would much rather stay hidden, while those inside Pasadagavra learn the depths of their own strength and bravery.  

As with any good epic tale, "Darkwoods" and "Pasadagavra" include battles, romance, and treachery, as well as the individual heroism necessary to defeat evil.    

"I have always loved fantastic stories," says Stahlfeld.  "Reading for me is a way to travel to different worlds and different times, and to have adventures I could never have on my own.  Once I start a good book, it's hard to put it down and I can't wait for the next in the series to come out.  If my stories can hook another kid on reading like I got hooked, that would be great!"

Stahlfeld crafts her tales without resort to graphic details or langauge inappropriate for her intended audience.  "The books I enjoyed the most when I was in middle-school and now do not include a lot of gory details of battles, and they do not have a lot of swearing or bad language.  Those things aren't necessary to tell a great story."

She is a voracious reader and has long been fascinated with WWII history.  In fact, the Ranger Mice characters of the "Darkwoods" series were inspired by the U.S. Army Rangers who scaled Pointe du Hoc on D-Day, which Stahlfeld visited on the 4th of July.  It was shortly after that when she began writing "Darkwoods."  

Irish dance and Irish history are two other interests Stahlfeld enjoys and tries to incorporate into her stories.

Stahlfeld graduated from high school last June, and this fall will begin studying English Literature at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee.  She plans to be a novelist for her career, but is also interested in teaching.  "Sharing with teens and middle-grade kids, whether through a good book or in a classroom, is something I look forward to doing."  

"I want to really encourage kids to read.  Reading opens up the world, and lets you use your imagination.  If you don't like fantasy novels like mine, that's fine, there are lots of other books for teens.  Just pick one up and start reading!"

Stahlfeld can be contacted at DarkwoodsBooks at AOL.com or on Facebook at the DarkwoodsBooks fan page (http://www.facebook.com/DarkwoodsBooks).  You can also follow her on her on Twitter (@DarkwoodsBooks).