In The Media:

Fantasy Book Review: The Bruinduer Narrative Trilogy - A New Fantasy-Adventure Book for Young Readers

"The Mahogany Door,” book one of J. Mark Boliek’s The Bruinduer Narrative series, is told by an unnamed grandfather who captivates a group of children with his fascinating story, first out on a beach then huddled around the fireplace of a beautiful mansion by the shore as a fierce thunderstorm rages outside.

Click HERE to view the entire article.

###

In The Media:

YA Fantasy Guide, Small Press section:
"The Mahogany Door by J. Mark Boliek"

Click HERE to view the entire article

###

Press Release:

The Mahogany Door: A New Fantasy-Adventure Book for Young Readers
Split Rail Books releases the first book in The Bruinduer Narrative Trilogy


May 23, 2011 (Durham, NC) -- After the last Harry Potter film is released this summer, what will young fans of fantasy-adventure fiction have to look forward to? Split Rail Books in Durham, NC, suggests its new title, “The Mahogany Door,” the first novel in a new fiction-fantasy-adventure series written by J. Mark Boliek of Durham especially for young readers.

And it comes with an original-music soundtrack CD.

“The Mahogany Door,” book one of Boliek’s The Bruinduer Narrative series, is told by an unnamed grandfather who captivates a group of children with his fascinating story, first out on a beach then huddled around the fireplace of a beautiful mansion by the shore as a fierce thunderstorm rages outside.

The story centers around three friends, separated years ago by a traumatic event, who are compelled to reunite so that they may once again pass through “The Mahogany Door” and into the fantasy Vryheids world of Bruinduer. They must fulfill a destiny they left undone nine years before to keep Bruinduer from collapsing. One of the friends lost his parents and his memory in a horrible accident and has no idea what to expect. One knows too well and has tried to forget. The third friend’s insistence that they must return to Bruinduer is mysterious and suspicious.

The friends’ journey back to the world behind “The Mahogany Door” leads to the book’s “teaching moments,” which resonate with the author’s own life – about things in life not always being what they seem, about the value of friendship and the importance of completing tasks, and about the secret to tapping into the power of a their only “guide” along the journey, a monstrous being they call “Billy.” And the end is designed to leave young readers anxious for book two.

Author J. Mark Boliek is a former football player and military man, a computer programmer and musician, and the son veteran broadcast journalist Dave Boliek of WTVD-TV. He began working on The Bruinduer Narrative nine years ago. His initial 157-page draft turned into three distinct stories in which the first tale, “The Mahogany Door,” evolved into a 353-page children’s fantasy novel. He is currently working on the other two books in what he expects to be a trilogy.

“The Mahogany Door” features cover art an interior illustrations by California artist Lauren Gallegos. It is published in paperback with a typeface and size optimized for young readers ages 10 and up. The songs on the accompanying CD, written primarily by the author, reflect certain themes in the book, from “All Alone” to “Here Is My Anger, Here Is My Pride.”

For more information about “The Mahogany Door” by J. Mark Boliek, published by Split Rail Books, go to www.jmarkboliek.com. Each track from the accompanying CD can be heard at www.jmarkboliek.com/the-music and the book with CD can be ordered directly at www.jmarkboliek.com/cart.

Facts about The Mahogany Door:

Author: J. Mark Boliek. Publisher: Split Rail Books. Publication Date: May 2011. Genres: Fantasy-Fiction, Adventure-Fiction. Illustrator: Lauren Gallegos. Age Group: 10 and up. ISBN: 978-0-9832900-0-1. Paperback: 353pp. Retail Price: $24.95. Currently available: www.jmarkboliek.com.

The Most Unfortunate word, Goodbye.

One of the themes of The Mahogany Door is the unfortunate evil of having to say Goodbye.

Whether it is saying goodbye to our loved ones embarking on a long trip, just leaving for the day, or in the most undesired time when they may depart your life forever, it is my belief that there is always a bit of our heart that is erased every time we must utter that most horrific word, "Goodbye".

There was a moment in my life when I had to say that word that changed me eternally, and that one second in time haunts me to this day, and I am sure that there are many times in your life when you had to say goodbye to the most loved in your life. Trust me, I know that it hurts.

The clip of the song on the fan page wall, called "Goodbyes", that you hear has an interesting story. At my most desperate time, I had a very hard time dealing with my loneliness as I had to say goodbye to a girl that means the world to me.

As I searched for a way to express what I felt, I came across my sister's notebook of poetry. I don't recommend scrounging around your sibling's room, but I turned to a poem called 'goodbyes', and as I read it, and tears flowed, I knew how to express my anger and sadness.

I took the words and put them to music.

After writing The Mahogany Door -- the first book in a trilogy of young reader fiction-fantasy-adventure books, it was then I realized that the theme of saying goodbye is littered among its pages. And even as tough as it may be to tell the ones you love goodbye, there will always be a memory to go back to. And even though that fleeting thought seems sad, just remember that when you first felt those memories you shared with that special someone, it was a very happy and special time.

The song is not complete, but somehow I just want to share the clip.

The young lady you hear singing is Katie Basden, a very talented and special young lady. Remember her name, because I can almost guarantee you'll hear her voice over the radio.

I still need to add some more background vocals, but in this clip, Jill, my wife, does an excellent job. Now all i need is for Anne to come over and finish the job.

I hope you enjoy the music clip, and as we continue on this journey of completing the fantasy book series, I hope we can get to know each other a little better, even if at some point we must say goodbye.

Find the facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/J-Mark-Boliek/148758373139