About a week ago, my literary manager, Italia Gandolfo, told me she had a surprise for me, but I’d have to wait until the end of the week. I happen to love surprises and enjoy the anticipation. I have a friend who said something like that would drive her crazy, she has to know right away, but for me thinking about something good to come is enough … as long as the wait isn’t too long. This surprise was worth the wait.

And the surprise was this FABULOUS cover for the chapter book series I’ve been working on with creator Luke Matthews and co-author Olivia Claire. The illustrations were done by Marie Beschorner who absolutely knocks me out with her fantastic talent.

A while back, I had worked on the draft for the second book in the Timmy and the Golden Lion Tamarin chapter book series called A CinderElla Tail. While it still needs a little polishing, we are happy with the way the story developed. The scene Marie captured for the cover is when Allison meets Ella, her guardian angel animal for the first time. I couldn’t be happier with it. And yes, I have been sitting and staring at it with shiny eyes.

And here is the back. 😀 While we don’t yet have the wording finalized, I wanted to share because it is so pretty. What is A CinderElla Tail about? Here is the premise:

Timmy’s best friend Allison needs a miracle. After her mom dies in a terrible accident that she blames herself for, Allison’s dad remarries and now she must live with a mean stepmother named Victoria and two equally mean and spoiled step-sisters, Savannah and Bethany. Feeling left out and alone, Allison confides her unhappiness in her friend Timmy. Soon, an answered prayer brings a miracle into Allison’s life in the form of a tiny and delightful Madame Berthe’s Mouse Lemur that appears in the house one night. Allison names the Mouse Lemur, which only she can see, Ella, after her favorite Disney story, “Cinderella,” and soon Ella is helping Allison cope with living in a house that feels cold and unwelcoming. Before long, Ella even helps the girl find a way to confront her new step-family and learn that sometimes fear is all that stands in the way of an open heart.

And now, I’m going to sit here and stare at the beautiful cover a little longer.

To keep up with what is going on with the Timmy and the Golden Lion Tamarin series, visit: www.timmyandrin.com