The Troll's Belt

Young deceit sprouts timeless trouble.

Motherless Brys Arnsson digs himself into trouble. Bad trouble. Tricked by a troll in J.M. Ney-Grimm's richly imagined North-lands, Brys must dig himself and his best friend back out of danger. But that requires courage . . . and self-honesty. Traits Brys lacks at depth.

A twist on a classic, The Troll's Belt builds from humor-threaded conflict to white-knuckle suspense.

PRAISE FOR THE TROLL'S BELT

"I loved this story! It is lively, perky and interesting. While the author notes it is "a re-casting of Hansel & Gretel with a Norse twist," I found the storyline to be much more creative and original. I am looking forward to reading more from J.M. Ney-Grimm!" —W. Walsh

"The writing style is fantastic. It's somehow youthful (as it's through the eyes of a twelve year old) and mature at the same time. Normally, it would be a challenge to discuss...responsibility, loyalty and forgiveness with such a young "voice," but Ney-Grimm does so easily. The result is a thought provoking tale...Heartily recommended, and it's made me look forward to reading more of her work!" —James J. Parsons

EXCERPT FROM THE TROLL'S BELT

Brys slammed the door behind him and stomped across his room in fury.

It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair.

Did Jol have to sweep the floors each afternoon when school let out?

No.

Did Jol have to wash the curing cheese wheels in his motter's dairy?

No.

Did Jol have to help put up vats of kraut when too many cabbages were ready in the garden?

Of course not.

It wasn't fair, it wasn't fair, it wasn't fair!

He banged open the shutters of his bed nook, threw himself down on the mattress, and punched his pillows a few times.

And now he wouldn't get to go to the solstice bonfire either, shun it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J.M. Ney-Grimm lives with her husband and children in Virginia, just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She's learning about permaculture gardening and debunking popular myths about food. The rest of the time she reads Robin McKinley, Diana Wynne Jones, and Lois McMaster Bujold, plays boardgames like Settlers of Catan, rears her twins, and writes stories set in her troll-infested North-lands. Look for her novels and novellas at your favorite bookstore—online or on Main Street.