I’d originally invited the author, Genna Rowbotham, onto my blog to chat about the inspiration behind her new book, Neptune’s Secret Code, but her circumstances changed. In the meantime, I thought I’d share a quick review since I’m currently on holiday sailing and a nautical themed book seems appropriate!

From the start of the adventure, I loved The Magician’s Nephew (CS Lewis, Narnia prequel) reference with the rock pool being the portal. I often talk about the use of portals during school visits and discuss the change from the very complex rings/ pools in The Magician’s Nephew to the simpler (and way more famous) wardrobe.

Anyway, once through into Neptune’s world, there is a LOT going on: mermaids, monsters, secret codes, and the book fairly races through the events so if your young reader is action-focused this will absolutely tick the box.

As an author, I find myself wondering how I would use book during school visits, and for me, I’d probably pick one of the many themes and explore that. There is obviously a strong underling theme of overcoming fears, in this case of the sea following a scary incident which is revealed as the book progresses. This is such a useful discussion topic for any child, whether it is the sea, the dark, spiders, or in my case being locked in a cupboard (thanks to the daughter of one of my mum’s friends who shall remain nameless!).

Blurb

An Undersea Adventure filled with Magic, Friendship, and Bravery!

When Hannah is sucked into a vicious whirlpool in her effort to rescue kitten Leo, she finds herself entering Neptune’s Undersea Kingdom where she reawakens terrifying sea monsters from the depths of the sea. 

The trouble is… Hannah is unable to return home until she’s overcome her fear of the water, defeated the sea monsters, and solved the code that she broke upon entering Neptune’s Kingdom.

With the help of her new friend, Marcie the Mermaid, will Hannah succeed?

COMPETITION TIME: Giveaway to Win One signed copy of Neptune’s Secret Code  and One signed copy of Lottie the Ladybird’s Adventure  (Open to UK Only)

Enter here, good luck! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494592/

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

About the author

Genna Rowbotham started her career as a secretary and has since founded GR Typing Services, an online secretarial business. Inspired by her children, in 2017, she wrote her first story and is now the author of ten books as well as a short story published in the magazine, Brilliant Brainz. Genna has a passion for writing stories that entertain, educate and inspire young ones so they can escape the seriousness of life and enter a world of magic.

She lives with her husband and lively, imaginative daughters in Derbyshire in a house full of books, magazines and all sorts of artwork from her children (empty cereal boxes are often taken from the recycle bin to reinvent something wonderful like a spy camera or a telescope). When Genna’s not writing, she loves reading, star gazing, movie nights, and exploring the great outdoors with her family. You can find