by Becky Biggs
“Princess Emerald, Princess Emerald!” The baker’s son broke her reverie with his frantic cries as he darted over the lawn to where Emerald was practicing her archery. Throckton, too, had grown up since his days of tormenting the refugee children from Eseland. He was especially more respectful of Emerald and her friends since learning about them defeating the evil king and slaying a dragon.
“Come quick,” he huffed and puffed as he reached the princess, bending over to catch his breath. “There’s trouble brewing to the south. Your father and mother sent for you to come as fast as possible. They need your help.”
Emerald looked at her friends and grinned.
So much for sticking around Medina for a while.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It may seem odd to thank myself, but I would be wrong in not acknowledging the awkward twelve-year-old girl who wrote and illustrated the original Emerald story for an art class project. I am grateful that my seventh-grade self so loved fairytales and writing that she created the inspiration for my first published book. Like Emerald, she marched to the beat of her own drum.
I would also like to acknowledge my husband, Matt, for his unending support and belief in me. His feedback over multiple drafts of the book was as thoughtful and valuable as if he was a professional editor. Thank you, Matt, for investing so much time and energy in helping me make my writing dreams come true.
My gratitude also extends to my mom for her support and early edits, as well as to my editor for helping guide the completion of my first book. A special thanks to my designer who brought my characters to life through her great illustrations—they were a massive improvement over my seventh-grade scribbles.
Finally, thank you to all you readers for joining me on this magical adventure. I hope you enjoy Emerald and her world as much as I do.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Becky Biggs is a loyal subject to the pen and an adventurous princess at heart. She has been imagining new worlds and fun characters since she could first write. Her Emerald series was inspired by a story she wrote and illustrated for a seventh-grade art class. That book lay buried in a trunk for twenty-some years before it magically captured her imagination again. She recently unleashed the enchanted characters and worlds of Eseland and Medina with the first book in her series, Emerald and the Elf King.
When she’s not writing, Becky enjoys setting off on international adventures. Her worlds are inspired by her travels around the globe, particularly through the time she spent living in France and Germany. She is married to her own Prince Charming and is the mother of two royally darling children.
If you want to continue to follow Emerald’s adventures, visit www.beckybiggs.com and sign up for the mailing list.
