The Secret Of Markree Castle

The babysitter flaked and four young boys have pretty much free reign of a castle. "Wait, what?" they ask. Yes, they heard it right. While one of their dad is getting married, the boys are free to explore the castle. "They're old enough to be responsible, aren't they?" one dad asked the other. Ah, we soon shall see what the boys discover as they explore the castle, make new friends and learn of the secret of the Markree Castle. But what is the secret of the castle? What lurks behind all of those doors down in the cellar? Who's that scary old guy Killian? Is Alastar to be trusted? You see, dear reader, I don't know yet. These four boys are the creative behind the story. In many ways, I'm just the messenger. The story and magic and secrets of the castle are up to them. It's a collaborative effort and we talk, we imagine, we have Skype calls with poor WiFi connections while two boys are getting ready for bed in San Francisco, California and the other two are having breakfast in a restaurant in their hometown of Beijing, China. How is this going to work? How are two dads and four boys going to write a book together? Who knows! Has it been done before? Who knows! Who cares! What's happening is that we're all working on a project together. The kids are digging deeper into their creative minds and their dads are learning sides of their kids that they didn't even know existed. What would your child answer to the question, "If you could have any magical power, what would it be?" Do you know what your child would answer? Of course not. But you might have an idea. Do you know what's fun? Ask your child and guess (quietly) what they might say. Then listen to what they say and see how it differs from what you thought they would say. The answer might surprise you. That's how we're writing this book. It's a collaboration of these four boys and two dads (from different families). Three of us live in San Francisco and three of us live in Beijing. We're using shared online documents and Skype calls to communicate the story, the characters, and what's going to happen next. This first book (available April 1, 2015 in honor of Li & Lu's first adventure, The Secret of Kite Hill) has turned into more of a story that we had imagined and it's going to make this book only the first part of a series with the four boys at the castle. Oh, dear reader, I wish I could tell you what's going to happen in books two and three, but I don't know myself. We'll have to see what the boys come up with. But for now, enjoy The Secret of the Markree Castle and please leave us a note in the comments as to what you'd like to see in the upcoming books. Thanks for visiting. We hope you enjoy The Secret of Markree Castle.

The babysitter flaked and four young boys have pretty much free reign of a castle. "Wait, what?" they ask. Yes, they heard it right. While one of their dad is getting married, the boys are free to explore the castle. "They're old enough to be responsible, aren't they?" one dad asked the other. Ah, we soon shall see what the boys discover as they explore the castle, make new friends and learn of the secret of the Markree Castle. But what is the secret of the castle? What lurks behind all of those doors down in the cellar? Who's that scary old guy Killian? Is Alastar to be trusted? You see, dear reader, I don't know yet. These four boys are the creative behind the story. In many ways, I'm just the messenger. The story and magic and secrets of the castle are up to them. It's a collaborative effort and we talk, we imagine, we have Skype calls with poor WiFi connections while two boys are getting ready for bed in San Francisco, California and the other two are having breakfast in a restaurant in their hometown of Beijing, China. How is this going to work? How are two dads and four boys going to write a book together? Who knows! Has it been done before? Who knows! Who cares!What's happening is that we're all working on a project together. The kids are digging deeper into their creative minds and their dads are learning sides of their kids that they didn't even know existed. What would your child answer to the question, "If you could have any magical power, what would it be?" Do you know what your child would answer? Of course not. But you might have an idea. Do you know what's fun? Ask your child and guess (quietly) what they might say. Then listen to what they say and see how it differs from what you thought they would say. The answer might surprise you. That's how we're writing this book. It's a collaboration of these four boys and two dads (from different families). Three of us live in San Francisco and three of us live in Beijing. We're using shared online documents and Skype calls to communicate the story, the characters, and what's going to happen next. This first book (available April 1, 2015 in honor of Li & Lu's first adventure, The Secret of Kite Hill) has turned into more of a story that we had imagined and it's going to make this book only the first part of a series with the four boys at the castle. Oh, dear reader, I wish I could tell you what's going to happen in books two and three, but I don't know myself. We'll have to see what the boys come up with. But for now, enjoy The Secret of the Markree Castle and please leave us a note in the comments as to what you'd like to see in the upcoming books. Thanks for visiting. We hope you enjoy The Secret of Markree Castle.

4 boys, 3 days, 1 castle. You do the math. It adds up to adventure, trouble and ... fries. In "The Secret of Markree Castle," 4 young boys find themselves in a 1 castle for 3 days and the nanny who was supposed to watch over them ... flaked. "That's OK," their parents said, "They're old enough now and responsible, right?" You can practically hear the boys' voices, "Sure, dad, we're responsible ... !" Then queue the evil background laugh and kids boiling pots of parents deep in the dungeon and ... I have to stop. It doesn't get that bad, I swear. But you see, dear reader, this book was written together with these 4 real life boys. We had Skype calls together (2 of the boys live in Beijing, China), we shared emails and asked lots of questions (for example, "If you could have any magical power, what would it be?"). I think it's fair to say that I learned more about my boys and their 2 friends writing this book together with them than I did hanging out with them all together. The Secret was the first book in the Markree Castle series and got the boys through the first night. This is the second book in the series and in "The Key to Markree Castle," the boys are in deeper than they thought possible, with the future of the castle in their hands. Here is a list of bullet points of takeaways from the book. -- 9-year old references no adult could possibly understand (or want to). -- Soccer, fries, and a castle. What else could a few boys dream of? -- Useless phrases in Dutch and Mandarin you can use at school to impress your friends! -- Written with the help of real 9- and 11-year olds. -- Parenting strategies so questionable your kids will be begging you to adopt them (the strategies, not the kids). -- Rarely before witnessed insight into the minds of young boys on their own with no parents. -- Study guides included on medieval castle architecture. (OK, not really.) -- Fun for the whole family! (Depending on your family, of course.) -- Bonus: learn the names of Donald Duck’s nephews in Dutch and Mandarin!

4 boys, 3 days, 1 castle. What could possibly go wrong? This is the final book in the 3-book Markree Castle series (and the 4th book in the Li & Lu series). You think that's confusing, wait until you learn how to say Donald Duck's nephews in Chinese. That kind of extremely useful knowledge (and more) awaits you throughout the pages of the Markree Castle series. So jump on in and enjoy!

Do you know every nook and cranny of your neighborhood? How about UNDER your neighborhood? Do you let your kids walk home from school? It's just a few blocks, right? What lurks in the shadows? In the bushes? Or scarier yet, under the bushes? Or is it all just happy-go-lucky Huckleberry Finn and exploring and adventuring in your own neighborhood? When do you know the difference? Maybe your kids know. Maybe they don't. How will you learn? It began as a simple walk home, the same one we did every day after school. But our dog's ball went into something of a hole, or was it a cave? Maybe a tunnel. But are there tunnels in the city? The ball was pretty close to the entrance, but just far enough to be a little spooky. Should we just forget it? WARNING TO PARENTS: there are some questionable parenting decisions in this book. It is not intended as a parenting handbook. There's a fine line between making the right decision and making the fun decision. When to choose which? How much do you involve your children in daily decisions? What if they involve danger? But what if your kids think it might be fun? You get the idea. Maybe I need a disclaimer ... ;-) You know in scary movies when you yell, "Don't go in there!" We went in. Yeah, I know. Ask your 8-year old why.

What if you could stop paddling so hard upstream, turn your boat around, and smile and wave? What if you could lighten the load in your life--and your mind and your heart--with tiny daily actions that we all can easily do? What if everything you needed to get to such a place already existed within each and every one of us? All we needed was a roadmap, a guidebook, a blueprint to take us from others laughing at us to laughing with us? From being against a cause to creating our own? From surviving to thriving? In best-selling author Bradley Charbonneau’s latest book PLAY, you’ll uncover your own natural playful state is our default state, it's where we're supposed to be living, it's where we shine. It's where we belong. I almost don't dare use this word but it's the best word I can find at the moment. Who knows, maybe you'll read the book, arrive at your own level of PLAY, and share with me a word that you feel best describes the mindset we have now achieved. But that word, that feeling, that way of being, is, I know, I know, it's a biggie, but here it is: enlightenment. Now before you put on a robe and move to a mountaintop in Nepal, hear me out. My first book with my boys (The Secret of Kite Hill) turned a regular, daily, boring walk home from school into a magical, unforgettable, and playful story that became the launch pad for not only my writing career, but the relationship I had with my kids--and myself. PLAY is a place yet it's not on a map PLAY is something we all have access to yet few can find it PLAY is a higher place This book contains more than words on pages. The bonus materials give you immediate access to videos, blog posts, interviews and podcasts that enhance, explain and entice you to become the architect of your destiny and live a lighter, freer, more playful life. In this book, you’ll discover: How (and why) some people seem to float through life on a yacht sipping cocktails while others are paddling upstream in a leaky canoe The power of mindset and how it's the basis for all action When to laugh at (and with) yourself before others do to remove all negative power before it materializes Why you can't sit the entire game on the bench, you're going to have to get up, give up, and get in the game How the tiniest daily events can make your exuberantly happy Get PLAY today to get off the bench, out of your mind, and into the game. This is book 10 in the Repossible Series. Repossible: An introductory guide to the question, “Who will you be next?” Every Single Day: a clear roadmap towards lasting transformation in you Ask: if life is a multiple choice quiz, this is the answer Dare: challenge yourself to truly answer the questions and rocket forward Create: you’re ready to get real about achieving your dream, here’s what to do Decide: there’s a fork in the road, you’ll now know what to do Meditate: this is the source of our creativity, power, and direction Spark: there’s only one thing better than creating: helping someone else create Surrender: you’ve done your part, it’s time to be invited to the big stage Play: we’re through the woods, it’s time to exhale, smile, and play the game Celebrate: compare your own today to your own yesterday and revel in the progress Evaluate: measure how far you've come, forecast how far you'll go Elevate: now that we're at the top of the mountain, it's time to scale up Share: tell your story, spread your success, and empower others to begin

What if you had a key to your greatest ideas? A special access pass to the dreams-come-true from your own future? It's not a pill--but the word is almost spelled like medication. No one else is involved although it sounds like mediation. If you take it daily--like your medication--and you make a deal with the angel on your shoulder--through mediation--we can arrive into the powerful world of meditation. In best-selling author Bradley Charbonneau’s latest book Meditate, you’ll discover secret passageways into your subconscious. Transform your past into a learning experience, take control of your present day, and create the future you've been rooting for. This book contains way more than words on pages. The bonus materials give you immediate access to videos, blog posts, and podcasts that enhance, explain and entice you to become the architect of your destiny. You'll gain access to exclusive bonus content including guided meditations through downloadable audio: Guided meditation to clarity: from a muddy and crowded brain to shimmering and shiny "big ideas" Guided meditation to creativity: let those tiny, boring ideas fall by the wayside and let the creativity in Guided meditation to ... what else would you like to have a guided meditation about? You can request meditations directly from the author. In the book you'll get access to all of that and more. Why meditation is the rocket fuel to efficiency Gain hours back from your busy day Dig into your past and ... let go of what you don't want to hold onto Get MEDITATE today to begin taking daily steps towards big changes in your future! This is book 7 in the “Repossible” Series. Repossible: An introductory guide to the question, “Who will you be next?” Every Single Day: a clear roadmap towards lasting transformation in you Ask: if life is a multiple choice quiz, this is the answer Dare: challenge yourself to truly answer the questions and rocket forward Create: you’re ready to get real about achieving your dream, here’s what to do Decide: there’s a fork in the road, you’ll now know what do to Meditate: this is the source of our creativity, power, and direction Spark: Help others help you help others Surrender: you’ve done your part, it’s time to be invited to the big stage Play: we’re through the woods, it’s time to exhale, smile, and play the game Celebrate: compare your own today to your own yesterday and revel in the progress Evaluate: measure how far you've come, forecast how far you'll go Elevate: now that we're at the top of the mountain, it's time to scale up

Book 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 8, 9, 10, and 11 from the Repossible Series: Ask, Dare, Create, Decide, Meditate, Spark, Surrender, Play, Celebrate Dreams been dashed by life’s bumps and bruises? Discover uplifting insights that could turn things around today. Do you wake up in despair? Does each day lack joy? Stuck in a rut or a job you have grown to loathe? Author and personal development leader Bradley Charbonneau came to hate his comfortable life until one precise moment rebooted his entire approach to living. Now he’s here to share how you can reclaim that spark no matter where you are in your journey and live the brilliantly shining vision you deserve. Repossible: Who will you be next? is a short, sharp wake-up call to the idea of instant change. Through personal anecdotes, interviews with other success-seekers, and vivid examples, Charbonneau’s conversational tone with honest and humor-infused encouragement will put you firmly back behind inspiration’s wheel. Aimed at anyone of any age plagued with thoughts that life is passing them by, you’ll soon feel pumped and invigorated enough to take your next exciting steps! In Repossible, you’ll discover: The keys to moving from disenchantment and hopelessness to energy-filled momentum Ways to tap into your best self and unlock your true potential How to high-five yourself with positive direction and life-affirming daily action What to do to guarantee intentional growth and achieve your goals A blueprinted roadmap to forge your path back to personal fulfillment, links to further resources, and much, much more! Repossible: Who will you be next? is the helping hand you need right now. If you like deep topics deftly handled, motivational kicks, and fist-pumping enthusiasm, then you’ll love Bradley Charbonneau’s straight-to-the-point pep talk. Buy Repossible to reimagine your life today!