Tally and the Angel Canada Book 2 Book Tour
Cover Blurb
If Tally and her angel Jophiel can’t break the curse hanging over a North Yukon village since the Klondyke Gold Rush, Tally will never see her dad again. In a race against time, over frozen lakes and snowy mountains, Tally faces greater challenges than she ever imagined. Wolves, gold-obsessed hunters, and mythical beings from the stars threaten everything that matters to her. At least Tally has an angel on her side - but Jophiel seems to know these mythical beings already, and he is afraid too...
Other Titles By the Author
Eleanor Dixon
Author Bio
I spent my school life in a girls’ boarding-school specialising in classical ballet and on leaving I danced professionally, touring Europe, for 4 years. After that, I ran my own ballet school in Athens, Greece and simultaneously volunteered as a veterinary nurse, as my love of animals is the driving force in my life. I returned to England with my horse and my cat, and now live on a smallholding in Shropshire with my husband, various farm animals and a constant stream of pets.
I started writing while in Greece, and on my return to England, I wrote two children’s books. But my new life, caring for Highland Cattle, sheep, hens, and pets, coupled with extensive global travel, meant that writing for publication took a back seat. I continued my love of writing with a daily journal and amusing travel blogs of each trip.
I am now writing full time and TALLY AND THE ANGEL, book one India, is the first of the series of the same name. Book Two takes place in Canada, in North Yukon, and the third in Japan. I intend them to have adventures in Greece, Egypt, Peru, Africa – anywhere I have been, really. THE GRACEFUL GHOST is the first in the series, The Amberwood Hall Ballet School. It draws on my own experiences in ballet-boarding-school and my early teenage life, including divorced parents and a father who ‘took the dog’. It is a story that has lived with me for many years, and after countless drafts, I finally released her into the wild! In the second book, BALLET SCHOOL BOYS, boys join the school, and the dynamics change for everyone. The third, Ballet School Rumours was released in 2022 and there is also a novella, explaining the ghosts, Grace and Rodney’s history.
The Ghosts of Amberwood is currently only available as an ebook.
When I am not writing, I can be found coaching at Riding for the Disabled where I volunteer, or mentoring at our local secondary school.
The Book Tour
Day 1 - Favourite Quotes
Day 2 - Character Summaries
Tally: I admire her innocence, eagerness, and youthful expectations. It reminded me of my childhood. She was afraid at first, terrified of the unknown, but she soon changed her mind by the prospect of learning and experiencing something new. “Husky trekking!” (Andrew Bell)
Tally: My favorite character is Tally. When she’s finding a way to escape Shay, she’s actually trying to save her father. She’s showing her loyalty to her own family, here. It’s much the same when she’s trying to save Jak and get him medical attention. Amid all the danger they face from Shay and Bill trying to kill them, she has the guts to keep on taking chances to get Jak back to the village to get him the help he needs. So, she also shows the loyalty she has for her new Inuit friend. Actually, throughout this story Tally shows again and again her determination and loyalty for anyone she feels close to. I also felt close to the angel, Jophiel. Without his words of comfort and advice, I feel that Tally wouldn’t have been able to face all the danger that she did. (Deb Hockenberry)
Jak (Ujurak): Jak (Ujurak), although not the title character (and invisible for most of the story), is extremely important to the narrative. The author succeeds in creating a character we really care about in Jak. He is brave and caring about the main character, Tally. His desperate plight of being cursed along with his fellow villagers is deeply moving. The reader becomes desperate for him to be restored to a normal life. Tally cannot see Jak so both she and the readers must create a picture of him without the aid of a physical description. This is a very successful device employed by the author. Jak and Tally develop a special bond as the story progresses which is believable and adds depth and interest to both characters. (Stella Baker)
The Antagonist: I found it difficult to choose a favourite character, as there are a few stand-outs, but I think that my favourite is the main antagonist of the story. It’s difficult to say too much (even to name who the antagonist is) without giving away spoilers, but they do a tremendous job of establishing the mystery of the story. (Tim Marshall)
Tally: Tally is an amazing young girl, first to lose her mother (in the previous book) and to be strong enough to carry on with adventures throughout the world with her Dad. She is easily excited by the promise of an adventure in the snow of the Yukon, her wonderment of the husky dog team they meet and rely upon is understood by everyone who loves the idea of such transport! This book is showing what happens to them in Canada - things that her Dad is sure were just his dreams/imagination, but are very vividly shared through Tally’s emotions and descriptive passages. A character who is strongly believable and who captures our imaginations, we can’t wait to have that happy ending Tally works so hard to achieve! (Yvonne Weston)
Jophiel: In the second book of, Tally and the Angel series, it is really evident that the author has spent time developing Jophiel’s character further, making him much more credible, and easier for the reader to form an emotional connection to. Although he is an angelic being, I really enjoyed seeing this transformation, and the range of human emotions displayed during his interactions with Tally. His personality starts to shine through in Book 2, and is one that makes him extremely likeable, as he continues to be a strong, and comforting presence to his young charge. (Kirsty McKay)
Jophiel: Jophiel, the angel, has to be my favourite character in this book. I think this is because Jophiel looks out for Tally as much as he can, when they are in Canada, when he is feeling uneasy and Jophiel doesn’t know why. Another reason why Jophiel is the most memorable character of this book, is because he faced his fears at the end of it and helped Tally in the conclusion of the book. Jophiel has developed at the conclusion of this book because I think that he may have become braver by facing his fear. (Hattie Akalin)
Day 3 - Favourite Excerpts
When Tally’s Dad tells her that her mum would be proud of her. After the tragedy of losing her beloved mum, this meant so much to her. It struck a personal chord for me. “She slipped her hand into her dad’s and squeezed hard.” (Andrew Bell)
The highly charged scene in chapter sixteen when Jak gets attacked by wolves is particularly memorable. It is dramatic and fast paced with the building jeopardy ramped up to a high level. The relationship between Tally and her angel, Jophiel, is strong in this passage. They must work together to save Jak. All three characters at this point are shown to be both strong, brave but also vulnerable. ‘A dark pool of red coloured the snow around the wolf. Tally forgot her terror and screamed for the only weapon she had. “Jophiel!” She surged forward, and by her side Jophiel burst into a beacon of light like white fire. The wolves fell back in terror, snarling and snapping at each other. The angel spread his wings and grew until the whole glade was full of his glory.’ (Stella Baker)
"We are the Essence of Gold, me and my twin. Call us spirits if you like. When time began, we had the freedom of the universe. We played in the stars, teasing and tricking the other elements, spirits, and, most of all, the angels. How we loved to make them chase us! We created chaos. Stars crashed into each other; galaxies formed where none should be. We fabricated cosmic disturbances that the angels have been trying to unravel for millennia
since." (Tim Marshall)
‘Tally stared around in awe. A layer of snow covered every building, road and footpath so that everywhere was white. And the almost empty streets were as white as motorways. The few people who were out wore dark, thick clothes that contrasted so starkly with the vibrancy and colours of India that Tally felt she’d stepped into a black and white movie. The sky was heavy with snow clouds, and the streetlights shimmered in the gloom, even though it was early afternoon.’ (Hattie Akalin)
Day 4 - Video Interview
Day 5 - Reviews
Overall Star Rating 4.5 stars :A mysterious, supernatural, children’s book, about a girl about to embark on an adventure far greater than she had first expected. To grow up extremely quickly. Not only is she about to leave a land she loves, her ways, a life in a warm climate, to head into a cold and icy existence, a stranger in a strange land, she is thrust upon a mission to save those people from the cursed village, and most importantly her father. (Andrew Bell)
Overall Star Rating 4.5 stars :Tally and the Angel: Canada is a great book. The pace is just right with the detailed description and action perfectly written to make it a page turner. The author makes good use of atmosphere and brings the setting to life by use of many references to the extreme environment and with great use of all the senses so that the story comes alive. The characters are well drawn. We feel their pain, anguish and desperation so that we are rooting for them and hoping for their difficulties to be resolved. The illustrations at the start of each chapter are an excellent addition and beautifully rendered in a subtle way. There are some particularly memorable scenes of high drama which are really exciting. The jeopardy increases to create tension, and this successfully makes us worry for the characters we have got to know so well. In my opinion, the book will be better appreciated if the first book in the series has been read. If a brief section explaining the origin of the Tally’s angel had been included, this book could be a stand-alone. (Stella Baker)
Overall Star Rating 4.5 stars: I’ll admit that, at first introduction to the title and general concept of the book, and having not read the first in the series, I was expecting it to be a cozy read geared toward very young children. The very first sentence of the prologue quickly spelled this preconception. This is an exciting adventure story that, for me, seems perfectly geared toward an 8-12 year old audience and is entertaining as an adult reader. There is real danger, wonder and mystery both earthly and cosmic, and a sense of transportation to the Canadian wilderness waiting. I especially enjoyed the introductions to each chapter and the way that they slowly weave into the narrative. The voice of Canadian characters felt for the most part spot on (only once or twice getting a little British to me as a Canadian reader). The balance between real-life and fantasy is nailed for me. (Tim Marshall)
Overall Star Rating 4.5 stars : I was very surprised that this is a children’s book. I’d have classed it as Young Adult at the very least. A thoroughly engaging tale from start to finish, it is part of a series that would captivate readers old and young! Amazingly recorded as mostly of Tally’s thoughts, her adventure is one that the reader can fully get involved with - we can feel the icy cold, hear the sounds of the dogs barking, sense the strange vibe of the unusual village that is both a curse and a blessing! Through the highs and lows, we desperately want to have Tally and her Dad safe. (Yvonne Weston)
Overall Star Rating 4.5 stars: I have to say that between the two books in the Tally and the Angel series, the second book is my absolute favourite. I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved the entire concept of the story. Whilst book one served as a great introduction to the two main protagonists, Tally, and Jophiel, book 2, Canada, moved the series up a level for me. I was completely invested in both characters and their outcomes, especially Jophiel. The story is engaging, with a good balance of drama, danger, mystery & intrigue to capture the imaginations, and interest of young readers. The plot progresses at a great pace, so much so, that I could not put the book down, and had to finish it in one sitting. The secondary characters, human, angelic, and animal, were instantly likeable, well developed, and I enjoyed them all. I would recommend this read for both children and adults. (Kirsty McKay)
Overall Star Rating 4.5 stars: The story opens in India, with Tally playing with her friends there. Tally’s dad then tells her that the hospital is improving and they don’t need her dad at the hospital anymore. So, they continue with their travels and move to Canada. When they are there, they meet new people and Tally makes a new friend. Jophiel, is still with Tally and his character evolves because he faces his fear and it makes him a braver angel. I thought that this book was good. (Hattie Alkalin)
Overall Star Rating 4.5 stars: Tally and the Angel: Book Two Canada is an adventure story like none I’ve ever read before. When Tally’s father is severely injured in an accident, he’s looked after by the people the local village. The 13-year-old girl ventures out into the North Yukon to save her father and her new friends. In the process, she is faced with the dangers of wolves, dangerous gold hungry hunters who will stop at nothing, and extraterrestrial beings. This is a great book that ages nine to thirteen will just love. It’s also a great story for young girls to show them that they can do it! The story did have some spelling, punctuation, and a few formatting errors, but not enough to distract from the story. (Deb Hockenberry)
Book Tour Reviewers
