INDIEBRAG MEDALLION HONOREE

The Mystic Princesses explore New Orleans, visit Jackson Square, discover begnets at Cafe Du Monde, and make masks at Mardi Gras World. Learn why Harmonie draws the Children of Ares' tattoo on her mask. Learn self-defense with the Mystic Princesses as they practice tactics to help them fend off the Children of Ares. And find out why don't they trust their new teacher, the Goddess Athena.

When an oil rig runs aground in the Gulf of Alaska spilling oil, just what can the girls do? They organize a magic show to raise funds, travel to Alaska where they rescue the oil-soaked birds, see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) dance across the sky, igloos, polar bears and sled dogs! Finally, how will the Mystic Princesses find and rescue Eros when the Children of Ares capture him?

Book excerpt:

The next day, Athena said their lesson would be about self-defense in a crowd of humans. The girls had been instructed to avoid using their powers around humans as the girls might frighten humans with their magic. "Since you cannot use your powers when humans are near, the Children of Ares might take advantage of you. They already tried to grab Harmonie at the subway station in New York, so they could try to grab her near humans again." The Mystic Princesses looked wide-eyed at each other. They didn't know how to protect Harmonie without using their powers.

"Coral, what did you learn about safety from your last teacher?"

"She told us to be aware of our surroundings, practice our skills and tell our parents where we're going," Coral said.

"She also told us not to keep secrets that could cause people to be harmed."

"I would add that you should change your routes from day to day when you walk to school or the mall," Athena said. "If you do that, the Children of Ares will find it hard to predict where you'll be at a certain time. And, remember, if someone approaches, it is better to get away before he or she gets close enough to grab you."

"What should we do if someone tries to kidnap us?" Harmonie asked.

"The first thing is to remain calm," Athena said. "Look carefully at your attacker so you can describe him or her to the police and your parents. Try to remember details such as clothing, hair color and what type of car that person was driving. And, if you can, get the car's tag number."

"There's so much to remember," Janna said.

"That's why it's important to stay calm. Now, I'll teach you some ways to try to escape from someone if you are grabbed. A lot depends upon how you are being held. I'm going to bear-hug Harmonie from the back and show you how to break free."

Athena lifted Harmonie off the ground and squeezed her tightly. "Bend your head forward and then backward, hard and fast, so you can head-butt me in the face. If your attacker lets you go, run quickly and shout loudly."

Harmonie's heart was pounding, because Athena was holding her so tightly. But she quickly snapped her head backward. If Athena hadn't jerked her own head to the side, Harmonie would have hit her in the face.

"Very good!" Athena said. "Now, kick your feet up hard toward your rear end and try to hurt me. While you do that, shout 'kidnapper' as loud as you can, and poke the person in the eye, if you can."

"That's a lot to remember," Coral said.

"True," said Athena. "So it might help to remember SKARED, a word I made up which stands for

Shout,

Kick,

Aware,

Run,

Eyes,

Description."

"I think you are right," said Harmonie. "What shall we do now?"

"Let's try again to turn me into an owl."

This time, Catie was successful, but Athena flew directly at Harmonie!

About the Author: P.J. LaRue is married and has two rescue cats. Her favorite vacations are hiking to waterfalls. She loves to travel and plans to take the Mystic Princesses to different locales in future books. LaRue wants to pass the love of travel to young girls, along with the knowledge that they can solve their own problems.