Echo McCool - "An Engaging Fantasy Novel" - Billy Askew Review

This book starts with an enticing opening sentence: "She heard the twang of a bowstring beyond the glade." The story that follows is both original and charming. Echo McCool is a karate-kicking half-dryad girl from medieval times. After narrowly escaping death by hiding inside a hollow tree she awakes in the present day and befriends 12-year-old Jason Fleeting. With Echo's help, Jason goes off in search of his missing sister.

Both Echo and Jason are endearing characters who show tremendous resourcefulness and courage. This is an empowering message to young readers and the book is a pleasure to read. Recommended for readers aged 8-13.

Dryads in Fiction

From Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryad
Dryads are mentioned in Milton’s Paradise Lost, in Coleridge, and in Thackeray’s work The Virginians.^[12] Keats addresses the nightingale as ‘light-winged Dryad of the trees’, in his Ode to a Nightingale. In the poetry of Donald Davidson they illustrate the themes of tradition and the importance of the past to the present.^[13] The poet Sylvia Plath uses them to symbolize nature in her poetry in “On the Difficulty of Conjuring up a Dryad”, and “On the Plethora of Dryads”.^[14]
In the ballet Don Quixote Dryads appear in a vision with Dulcinea before Don Quixote, they also appear in the classical ballet Sylvia
Dryads are also featured extensively throughout The Chronicles of Narnia by British author C.S. Lewis and are shown to fight along side Aslan, son of the Emperor-Over-The-Sea, and the Pevensie Children.
The same characters recur in David Eddings’ The Belgariad, where Dryads live in seclusion on the Wood of the Dryads within the Tolnedran Empire and among the most prominent in the storyline is Ce’Nedra.
In the animated show Monster School, the character Rose Greendae is a dryad who can turn into a tree at will.
In the series Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan, there is a dryad named Juniper who is the girlfriend of Grover Underwood.
____________
Other dryads in fiction:
Sue Maynard – Ebon Black and the Seven Dryads
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ebon-Black-Seven-Dryads-ebook/dp/B005HSPMUS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319464657&sr=8-1
Frank Stockton – The Lost Dryad
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Dryad-Stockton-Frank-Richard/dp/1110970137/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1319464733&sr=8-7
The Dryad Project – James Moy
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dryad-Project-James-D-Moy/dp/1843866900/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319464820&sr=1-1
The Dryad by Justin Huntly McCarthy
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dryad-Novel-Justin-Huntly-McCarthy/dp/1103049151/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319464820&sr=1-3
The Oracle of the Missing Dryad – Kristin Groulx
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oracle-Missing-Dryad-Kristin-Groulx/dp/0981131522/ref=sr_1_56?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319465055&sr=1-56
Mr Griffin and the Dryad – Frank Stockton
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-Minor-Canon-Pipes-Dryad/dp/1425468659/ref=sr_1_100?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319465215&sr=1-100

Echo McCool - "An Icon for Mixed-Race Kids" - Samuel "Giant" Review

Due to her appearance and heritage, Echo McCool is proving to be very popular with mixed race kids in both the USA and Europe. I teach middle-school and have many of the kids talking about this one. I think it's nice to see a book with a character that offers diversity which I believe to be quite rare. I'm glad the kids have an icon to look at with inspiration. Since discussing this book in reading class, I've had a handfull of students tell me that they hope to become authors. It definitely puts a smile on my face to know that books out there like this one can still inspire children to fulfill a dream.

Echo McCool - "The Thirty-Nine Steps for Kids" - Matt Scanlan Review

This is a wonderful story. My 8 year old loved it but would suit 8-11+ years. The story of Echo and Jason is filled with the kind of drama and emotions normally found in a crime thriller. In fact in places it reminded me of "The Thirty-Nine Steps." The author Roger K Driscoll is a great story-teller so if for some reason you've yet to try this book, buy it and read it because you'll definitely enjoy it!

Echo McCool - "A top lister for 2011!" - Sherise Rolan Review

I'm so happy I found a great book to read before the end of the year! I was getting really upset having read one not so good book after another and was losing hope that I'd find anything interesting *I'm a picky reader*. I couldn't stop reading this book and finished it in 1 day! The lore in it is just amazing!! I loved the dryad background of Echo and the story that just went into so much depth.

There are too many specifics in this book to name only a few that I loved. I think that Echo and Jason make the best 'unlikely' team that just works so well together. They balanced out each other to make a perfect pair. ^_^ I liked how while reading I felt scared for Echo and Jason, and other times I was cheering them on as they would battle it out. It was a great story and I would pre-order a sequel in a heartbeat!!!!

Echo McCool - "Really really good" - Jacob Sutherlin Review

I'm very impressed with this one! As an older dad of 2 I can honestly say that I really enjoyed this book. I think that readers of all ages will fall for Echo. Don't let the genre being in middle grade steer you wrong if you're an adult. It's a really good story!

The writing is FAR from "childish" and is composed in a way that adults and "tweens" can both enjoy. If you're an adventure or fantasy fan, it's definitely work checking out.

Echo McCool - "My New Hero" - LoveReading Review

I love Echo! She is probably one of the coolest female leads I've ever read about. I think girls and women around the world are going to fall for her. Shes rough and tough and doesn't let anyone mess with her, yet she is a great friend and loyal to those she cares for...a real hero! I loved her abilities and that she isn't fully a human at all. The storyline was epic and I enjoyed how she was introduced right in the beginning so that you really get to know her throughout the book. I'm a permanent fan of Echo McCool!!! More please :)

Echo McCool - "Very Impressed" - Rashell Paravak Review

I'm a 34 year old mother of 2 and loved this book. I don't think it's only for children and young teens. It definitely has an appeal and literary "goodness" that adults can fall for as well. I'm proud to admit that I'm a fan of Echo McCool. For me personally, my favorite genres are MG and YA. I think that no matter what age you are you can relate at some point in your life to the emotion in these genres.
I like Echo McCool, my oldest son loves it, it's an amazing story that is worth the time to read!

Echo McCool - "An Adolecent and Young Teen Masterpiece" - Glen Cantrell Review

The writing is smart and swift. An Adolecent and Young Teen Masterpiece as I headed above. As a fifty-year-old adult, I enjoyed this tremendously. It's because of the Author, Roger K. Driscoll's technique of holding the reader's attention and he does so with conviction. This story is a definite page turner of fantasy. Buy this today if not for your son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter.

Echo McCool - "A Quality Book" - Northgate Review

Echo McCool Outlaw Through Time is one of those cross-over books:the storytelling seems to be aimed at children, and the two maincharacters are twelve years old, but the story can be enjoyed by adults too. I think the optimum age would be slightly older
children, say 11 or 12. Echo McCool is a slightly Lara Croft-ish
character because she can do Ninja type fighting, and so on.
The story is mainly about Echo who, at the age of 12, escapes her
foe in medieval time and sleeps inside a hollow tree for hundreds
of years. She awakes in modern times and meets Jason Fleeting and has loads of adventures with him.
I think that the end was a little too abrupt: most people would want to keep reading! However, this didn't spoil the book for me at all. Overall, this book is quality and you should go out and buy it!

Echo McCool - "Excellent Adventure" - Rich Evo Review

I don't usually write reviews but the setting for Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time is inspired by the area where I live so I decided to go ahead and give it a read. The author starts out in Medieval times when the half-dryad girl Echo McCool escapes death from a poison arrow and hides inside a magical hollow oak tree. Then there is a clever time twist when Echo awakes in the present day and teams up with Jason Fleeting, a boy with plenty of problems that Echo helps him to solve. The story builds up to a spectacular and heart-stopping climax. I don't want to give away the ending but this book will have you glued to the pages and will keep you thinking about it long after you've finished.

Echo McCool - "Enchanting" - Sammi Williams Review

I picked up this book after seeing some recommendations that fans of Stig of the Dump would enjoy it. So, being the Stig fanatic that I am, I decided to give it a try. Echo McCool (a twelve-year-old half dryad girl from the 13th Century) gets chased through a forest and shot by a poisoned arrow. But she has a magical card to play, she hides inside a hollow tree that, in time, will cure her of the poison. But the spell lasts a lot longer than she thought and she finds herself in the 21st century, when she is awakened by a boy called Jason Fleeting. Then the story becomes an enchanting tale of a unique friendship. Although Echo and Jason have had very different lives they learn a lot from each other. They have many adventures, some funny and some exciting. I would recommend this book to readers of all ages.

Echo McCool Review - "My 11-year-old niece absolutely loved it!"

I purchased this book for my 11 year old niece, and she absolutely loved it! It was one of her books that she wouldn't stop talking about. The other day I was sorting through my kindle library and started reading this book on a whim and I actually ended up reading the entire thing myself.

It's a great read for kids, with lots of action and very descriptive writing. And if you happen to be an adult who appreciates a well-written story, then I'd recommend it to you also. 5 stars!

Echo McCool - "Wonderful Story" - Ima Kindler Review

To me "Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time" by Roger K. Driscoll, while listed as a YA, has equal appeal to both the YA and adult reader.

Echo McCool is a half-blooded dryad. At the beginning of the book, she is shot by a poisoned arrow and, to escape the villian and survive, she jumps into an old, large, hollow oak. Too tall for her to get out, she enters the big sleep--better labeled the long sleep.

Enter 12-year-old Jason Fleeting who is dying in a hospital. He meets Echo's mother, a guardian of the gateway. She tells him she can heal Jason if he will rescue Echo from her tree before some loggers saw her in half. Jason works his own bargain, he wants to find his sister--who was kidnapped by their mother's killer.

Bargain stuck, Jason runs away from a children's home. Together, he and Echo set out to solve the murder of Jason's mother, rescue his kidnapped sister Lauren, and restore an inheritance to a new friend.

This is a fast read and I look forward to Echo's, Jason's, and Lauren's next adventure.

Echo McCool - "A Novel to Rival the Rest" - Doug, Brooklyn Review

I think that the world will be hearing a lot more of Echo McCool. I thought her character was so well created and the blend of being a wielder of magic, with the self-abilities of a fighter was excellent. The fact that she is not just another human, but of dryad blood adds the icing on the cake for me. So many authors re-use fantasy characters that have been written a thousand times before (not that this is always a bad thing), but I loved the fact that this was something new and created fresh in the authors imaginative mind. I like the pace, which keeps moving forward, never hitting dull "dead zones" where you end up skimming through half of the book.

Soooooo, in a nutshell this book rocks!! = )

Echo McCool - Andy McMiles Review

I bought Echo McCool Outlaw Through Time for my eleven-year-old daughter. We read it together and we both loved it. This is a fun book for any age and it can appeal to both boys and girls. That is pretty powerful in my opinion. It is a real growth experience for the young reader and it helps with growing up, and learning about the great adventure that is life. Thank you so much to the author Roger Driscoll for the hard work and beautiful imagination.

Echo McCool - "Blown Away" - Neko Neko Review

There are bad books, there are mediocre books, and there are GREAT books. I came across this book after a friend briefly mentioned having read and enjoyed it. I figured for the price, I couldn't really lose, even if it wasn't all that good. It was excellent! 2 thumbs up without a doubt.


The story is riveting and I love the mystery involved with the main characters family (they set out to solve the murder of his mother). The plot is packed with so much suspense, magic, battles, and courage. Jason and Echo are two characters you can't help but grow attached to. The way this story is written, you can really "feel" the world. From the sounds to the full visual, it's a complete package. It felt sort of like watching a movie play out in my head (not all writers have this talent and most fail to deliver!)


I enjoyed the unique aspects such as Echo being of a dryad bloodline. You will not be able to read this story and say "this author stole this idea, I've read tons of books just like this many times". It's a step in a new and splendid direction for middle grade/young adult books.

If you like Lemony Snicket you'll LOVE Echo McCool - Lady Gwen Review

Echo just rocks! I read it over the summer and could not put it down! Prior to reading this novel, I was a HUGE Lemony Snicket fan (I own every single book of his in my collection). Now I have a new favorite. I think that this author writes in a very similar way by means of having the ability to create a story in our world that is filled with amazing characters and scenarios. It gives you that tease that "what if this could happen". The story flows so well that I got lost in time on many occasions and realized I was up way later than I should have been. I would absolutely lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeee to see this book made into a movie! Echo would kick so much butt!!

Echo McCool - the Next Rising YA Novel - S Keller Review

It's about time something comes out that rivals some of the top YA novels on the market. Echo McCool is a magical, epic coming of age journey. I was gripped from beginning to end and fully immersed in the world. The book is very well written and swept me away into an adventure I only wish I could be a part of.


Echo sets apart from most characters by having a perfect blend of magical qualities with a very tough, fighter persona. I've never come across any character quite like her in a single fantasy I've ever read. Very well played.


Echo McCool will take you on a wild ride of emotions and leave you craving more (There will be more....right? I hope so!!!!)

Echo McCool - "Truly Loved this Book! Classic Adventure - J Malliet Review

I bought this book on a recommendation and my son and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I'll recommend it to you. A great book knows no age barrier. It reminds me of the Lemony Snicket books. The author combines crisp narrative with sharp, witty dialogue and not a word is wasted. The characters stay true throughout in this classic adventure story. This is a perfect example of well-written, well-edited fiction for 'tweens. There's nothing too graphic here so no worries for parents. The mystical parts aren't too complicated and the author weaves them effortlessly into the story without pulling you out of the narrative.

Well done. We are looking forward to more adventures from Echo and Jason!

Echo McCool - "This Book Blew Me Away" - Bomar Habasu Review

With so many poorly written works coming out on the market, it's almost discouraging to go hunting for a gem. Luckily for fans of fantasy, Echo McCool is here!! My friend read this first and wouldn't stop urging me to give it a try. Finally I did after procrastinating for months and absolutely loved it!

The story is filled with adventure, suspense, mystery, and sooo much more. I think the author has an incredible way of allowing readers to see, smell, and feel what is happening in the story. From the moment Jason crossed paths with Echo, I knew I was going to be in for a wild ride.

This book did not disappoint and I think readers of all ages are going to enjoy it. Can't wait to read more!!

Echo McCool - "Huge Fan of this Book" - Sarah Boyd Review

Prior to reading this I was hooked on works by author Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl). Echo McCool has a very similar sense of writing and sweeps readers away into a world of magic and mayhem. Echo is probably one of the coolest female leads in any book I've ever read (and that says a LOT considering I read a ton of books).
I think that any YA readers of the fantasy genre will fall just as hard as I did for this book. I would LOVE for this author to do a book signing in my area so I could pick at his brain a bit about the book. The concept is just so uniquely original that it stands out a mile from others. Absolutely incredible. I think it would be great if Echo McCool becomes the next big series.

Colin Firth to Star in Catweazle Movie

KING’S SPEECH star Colin Firth has landed another top role – in a remake of cult 1970s series Catweazle.

The Oscar-winning actor is to take the lead in a new version of the 11th-century wizard who finds himself in the present day while fleeing from the Normans after accidentally starting the Battle of Hastings.

The new film will be the focus of a new reality television show to chose an unknown teenager to play Catweazle’s friend Carrot in the $10m movie.

Executives are currently in negotiations with ITV over making the programme, with Bafta-winning director John Henderson lined up to make the following film.

He said: “Catweazle the Movie, gives us the chance to bring a character adored by millions to the big screen in an exciting rollercoaster of a tale that’s as timeless as the wizard himself, yet as modern as the time in which our hapless hairy adventurer Colin now finds himself.”

Kindle Book Review: Echo McCool: 98 Five-star Ratings Gets our Vote!

I’ve been watching Roger K. Driscoll’s, Echo McCool at Goodreads for a very specific reason. The cover caught my attention when I found it on Goodreads.com’s Best Books of 2011. Since then I kept my eye on it, because it rose so quickly up the charts. He is now #8 in Goodreads Best books of 2011 and has all 5-star ratings and there are 98 of them. Did you hear that? Roger has ninety-eight (98)  5-star ratings and not one single 4, 3, 2 or 1. Other readers questioned this, but then after reading it they admitted that it certainly was a great book.
Those ratings grabbed my interest and so I am posting Echo McCool: Outlaw Through Time as The Kindle Book Review’s second book that we recommend. This book was written for the 12-15 year old in mind and is a time traveling, adventure story that not only seems to grip the imaginations of young teens, it has also “WOW’ed” adult readers as well. What’s best…and honestly, quite amazing is that this book, with higher ratings than most bestsellers is only 99¢…for now. Better hurry and get yours before the price goes up.
Echo’s Amazon rating is low because this book has obviously been overlooked or under marketed, but with ratings like that, Roger deserves some recognition. You can give him the recognition he deserves by purchasing and reviewing Echo McCool in the Kindle store.
After you’ve read Echo McCool, be sure to report back here and tell us if it lived up to the hype. And Roger, who btw, is on facebook and Goodreads, you are welcome to guest blog here anytime and tell us how you captivated 104 readers (Amazon included). Best of Luck Roger.
Now go get out Echo McCool by Roger K. Driscoll!
You can check out the Goodreads ratings and reviews HERE


http://thekindlebookreview.blogspot.com/2011/06/echo-mccool-has-cool-98-5-star-ratings.html
http://rogerkdriscoll.com/

An Excellent Novel From Roger K Driscoll

These days the fantasy novels are incredibly widely known you know yet it is difficult to get a quality fantasy book in this industry. We have a tip that you should read. We have read the book for you and have something to inform you with regards to the novel and the writer. A very good novel from the excellent novelist. The name of the book that everybody really should read is Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time. 1st we need to tell you something about the story of the book.
Who is Echo McCool? Echo McCool is a powerful,shrewd and mysterious girl who has lived a long time ago. She has awesome abilities. She even knows Kung-Fu.She’s a heroine.One day some thing bad developed and she escaped from death. Yet to get this done hard escape excitement, she selected to hide in a magical oaktree. She slept there in that mysterious tree for very long yrs. But in our time a boy named Jason Fleeting awakened the mysterious girl. Jason Fleeting is twelve yrs old.He lives in a children’s home. His mother was killed and his sister was kidnapped. He likes to solve this situation. After he had found and awakened the heroine they fight to solve the murder and find his sister.The heroine aids the boy in this very long and enthusiastic excitement chain. In each part you read you will get more curious for the following chapter.
When we completed the novel we pointed out that the writer achieved a fantastic result. The events are extremely absorbing and the ingenuity of the author is basically successful. Even before you got over the excitement of an event , some other event takes place. And all of these events develops extremely fast. You will lose yourself in the excitement and pace of this book . You know it is really complicated and risky to create a mysterious figure and write a fantasy novel as of late. He dared to do this and we are so grateful for his choice.
But who’s this skilled guy Roger K Driscoll? At first he truly believes the reader to be the most important part of any story. Mainly because writing takes the best place of his life.He is English and lives in East yorkshire. He’s from the generation of 1970′s. He was working in a well-known law organization but a day he left the firm. Then he discovered the literature talent in his heart. He started this novel. And got the best result. We hope that he will keep writing and present us excellent books such as Echo McCool Outlaw Through Time. If you have read the authors like GP Taylor, Nancy Springer or Brandon Mull, you will be the very same success and taste in this book . If you make a little research on the web you’ll find excellent results. There are a lot of glad readers of the source and they notify how good the story is.
A great experience is waiting for you. Read and feel the same emotions with us.

Nancy Springer and Brandon Mull Inspire Top Ten Children’s Story

Most recently Nancy Springer the author of the Rowan Hood series and Brandon Mull the creator of the Fablehaven influence top 10 children’s books.We came across another book which is affected from Nancy Springer & Brandon Mull.

The arena of art acquired a completely new gifted author and a delightful fantastic story. We wished to read it before you and we’ve many things to tell you about this creator and this book . The name of the story is Echo McCool Outlaw Through Time and it is a fantastic novel.The story is about a heroine that has got wonderful mysterious skills. As this heroine is running away from death she hides into a mysterious oak tree. She sleeps right here many many years. Then a day a boy called Jason Fleeting finds and awakens her. The boy lives in a children's home and he is twelve years old.The boy’s mother was murdered and his sister Lauren was kidnapped by bad individuals. They turn into friends and the heroine assists Jason solving this mystery case and finding his sister and the murders of his mother.

The creator of the story is Roger K. Driscoll. According to the information that we’ve, Roger K. Driscoll was working in a law firm. He then left his job and started writing. In fact he began to write before he left his job. He was hiding his uncompleted manuscripts beneath a bed. Yet after he left his job in the law firm he continued his life as an creator .He’s now very happy about the job he’s got. Writing novels takes an awesome place in his life.He’s an Englishman and lives in East Yorkshire in England. And the oak tree is an vital part of his childhood. He still lives near the oak tree that he used to play when he was a child.

1st of everything we found both the story and also the writer successful. The connection amongst the events was developed successfully.The ventures never stop in the book . In any section you’ll find yourself in a different adventure. The effectiveness of the source is worthy of respect. If you already know Rowan Hood series which was authored by Nancy Springer ,Fablehaven which was created by Brandon Mull and Shadowmancer that was written by G.P. Taylor, you’ll find some manner similarities in the novel of Roger K Driscoll. As the work of Roger K. Driscoll is greatly influenced by such three skilled and effective writers. The successful turn of phrase,fluency and the beauty of the representation are a few of the commonalities amongst all of these authors. We believe that Nancy Springer & Brandon Mull are the most effective creators to be inspired about the fantastic novels.Because such creators are some of the most talented and efficient authors between the fantastic book writers. Everyone can read this book. Adults,teens or youngsters.. Everybody from every single generation will have a different taste from the novel.

If you haven’t read the novel yet we strongly recommend you to read. We’re sure you will not be able to wait the following day to continue on reading.Between an excessive amount of fantastic books you must definitely read Echo McCool Outlaw Through Time. Once you finished you’ll tell the story of the book to you friends with an incredible enjoyment.

Mr Luck

A funny thing happened to my chum Harry when he took his motorcycle driving test for the first time. He'd gone through all the various sections of the test and was left with just the emergency stop to do.

Mr Luck, the examiner, asked him to drive round the block several times and said that he'd step out into the road at one point and Harry would have to stop sharply - the idea being that he'd need to keep the motorbike in a straight line and upright.

Well, off round the block went Harry. However, he was delayed for a while by a delivery lorry blocking the road. As he turned the final corner to drive down to where the driving examiner had been, he was surprised to see an ambulance and the examiner being carried away on a stretcher. Apparently the examiner had made an error. He'd stepped out in front of the wrong motorcycle and the rider, not expecting this, had knocked him down. 

http://echomccool.com/ 

Canine Capers

This happened to my friend Wills a couple of years ago. Wills was in his car and had just pulled up at a set of automatic railway level crossing gates that were in the down position. In front of him was a horse and cart and in front of that another car. As all three were waiting for the train to come a man walked past with his dog. The dog, for one reason or another, took a disliking to the horse and bit it on the leg. The horse reacted angrily and kicked out at the dog, but missed and kicked the dog's owner instead. He in turn was furious. So, tying his dog by the lead to the automatic gates, before the cart driver could prevent him he gave the horse a hefty kick in return.

This sparked a chain reaction. The horse reared up and kicked the boot of the car in front. In panic, it then backed the cart into the front end of Wills' car. While all this was going on the dog owner stood by and laughed at the mayhem he'd caused. This was unfortunate because, while he was laughing at everyone else's plight, the train passed, the automatic gates lifted and his dog was hanged. Toodlepip! 

http://rogerkdriscoll.com/

A jolly scary ghost story

This jolly scary incident happened to my sister three or four years ago. She was staying in a country hotel, a rather creepy old manor house out in the sticks. She didn't sleep well, and as the clock struck midnight she heard the sound of carriage wheels and horses' hooves outside. She looked out to see an old-fashioned hearse, but curiously there was no coffin inside. The ghostly coachman then looked up towards my sister's window and said: "There's room for one more." The phantom hearse then rode away, out of sight.
Next morning my sister had just about recovered, and she returned to the city. She went shopping in a large department store, and on the top floor she made her way to the lift to go down. It arrived crowded with people, but the attendant said to her: "There's room for one more." When she looked at him she could see he had the face of the coachman. "No thank you," she said, dashing away. "I'll walk down."
The lift doors swished shut, and the lift began to descend. Then there were screams, a distant crash, and silence. The lift had fallen to the basement, and everyone inside it had been killed.
http://rogerdriscoll.com/ 

Kids' book sells out

BEVERLEY: WHSmith in Toll Gavel has had to restock with new copies of Molescroft author Roger Driscoll's children's book Echo McCool Outlaw Through Time after selling out.

The story about a magical medieval girl is set in a mythical place called Oswaldley but based on locations in and around Beverley.

It was named in the top ten best reads of 2011 by the website www.goodreads.com.

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Kids-book-sells/story-12729951-detail/story.html 

Stephen Fry is currently reading...

Please click on the link, Goodreads.com member two-thirds of the way down the page...http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10623239-echo-mccool-outlaw-through-time

Catweazle Movie - Echo McCool sales set to soar

KING'S SPEECH star Colin Firth has landed another top role – in a remake of cult 1970s series Catweazle.

The Oscar-winning actor is to take the lead in a new version of the 11th-century wizard who finds himself in the present day while fleeing from the Normans after accidentally starting the Battle of Hastings.

The new film will be the focus of a new reality television show to chose an unknown teenager to play Catweazle’s friend Carrot in the $10m movie.

Executives are currently in negotiations with ITV over making the programme, with Bafta-winning director John Henderson lined up to make the following film.

He said: “Catweazle the Movie gives us the chance to bring a character adored by millions to the big screen in an exciting rollercoaster of a tale that’s as timeless as the wizard himself, yet as modern as the time our hapless hairy adventurer now finds himself.”

GP Taylor discovers fresh talent

A YORKSHIRE author has just seen his first published work named as one of this year’s top ten books.
Roger K Driscoll’s children’s book Echo McCool Outlaw Through Time was picked out for praised by independent literature comparison website www.goodreads.com
The children’s fantasy novel aimed at nine to 12-year olds is also now on sale at WHSmith bookstores throughout Yorkshire.
Mr Driscoll from Curlew Close, Beverley, said: “I’ve been scribbling for years but this is the first one that’s been published, it took a lot of practice.”
The author grew up in the Beverley area and was inspired to write because of his enjoyable childhood playing out from dawn till dusk.
His story about a magical medieval girl linking up with a 12-year-old runaway is set in a mythical place called Oswaldley.
“Oswaldley is really Beverley, Witch Wood is Burton Bushes and Hazelby is Driffield. I don’t have any children myself and it’s difficult to say why I chose to write children’s books, they chose me.
“I think it depends on what sort of time you had when you were that age. I had a great time.
“I lived not far from where I live now and we used to play out all the time. I don’t think that happens so much.
“Sometimes we went raking off for miles.”
Mr Driscoll is a former legal executive who was made redundant in 2008 and used his redundancy money as an “advance” so he could take time out to write.
He was able to secure a deal with Grosvenor House Publishing, one of the directors of which is the respected Scarborough author GP Taylor.
He said: “I wouldn’t say my career has ended but it’s on hold. It was difficult to do both at the same time because legal work is quite taxing. You end up shoe-horning in the writing.”
Whatever happens, anyone who enjoys Echo McCool Outlaw Through Time can be assured there is a sequel on the way.
http://echomccool.com/tag/g-p-taylor-roger-k-driscoll

Roger K Driscoll Hull Daily Mail 3 June 2011

Roger K Driscoll Beverley Guardian 13 May 2011

Roger K Driscoll Beverley Advertiser 2 June 2011

Author's book praised on literature website

BEVERLEY author Roger K Driscoll has seen his first published work named as one of this year's top ten books.

Echo McCool Outlaw Through Time was praised by independent literature comparison website www.goodreads.com

The children's fantasy novel aimed at 9 to 12-year-olds is now on sale at WHSmith book store in Toll Gavel, Beverley.

Mr Driscoll, of Curlew Close, Molescroft, said: "I've been scribbling for years, but this is the first one that's been published."

The author grew up in the Beverley area and was inspired to write because of his enjoyable childhood.

His story about a magical medieval girl linking up for adventures with a 12-year-old runaway is set in a mythical place called Oswaldley.

But the author said: "It's based on Beverley and the East Riding. I've used different place names, but they're all linked to this area. "Oswaldley is really Beverley, Witch Wood is Burton Bushes and Hazelby is Driffield."

The book is published by Grosvenor House Publishing, one of the directors of which is respected Yorkshire author GP Taylor.

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Author-s-book-praised-literature-website/article-3623280-detail/article.html 

GOODREADS TOP TEN

Losing his job helped Roger realise dream

Published on Friday 13 May 2011 12:26

REDUNDANCY forced a Beverley man into realising a life-long dream of becoming an author.
Roger Driscoll’s first book, Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time, is now rated as one of the top 10 best reads of the year by the website www.goodreads.com.
The book is the tale of Echo McCool, a magical, medieval girl with attitude.
In her own time, Echo escapes death from a poisoned arrow and hides inside a hollow oak tree. She lies dormant for hundreds of years, until the present day when she is awakened by Jason Fleeting, a 12-year-old runaway from a children’s home. Together, they set out to solve the murder of Jason’s mother and to rescue his kidnapped sister.
Roger’s work is heavily influenced by 1970s TV writer Richard Carpenter, who created series including Catweazle and Dick Turpin.
After some success in England when he was first published in January, Roger’s Amazon rating in America started to go up.
More recently, the book was rated in the top 10 best books of 2011 by the users of American site goodreads.com.
“That was quite unexpected,” Roger said. “I thought it would start in my own back yard and spread out, but it’s done the opposite and really taken off in America.”
Roger said being made redundant from a large law firm in Hull was the push he needed to finish half-written manuscripts he was storing under his spare bed.
“Trying to write on a weekend and evening takes its toll. Being made redundant gave me the chance to write full-time, which is so much better for me,” he said.
Roger first became interested in writing after meeting a children’s author whilst on holiday as a child in the Yorkshire Dales.
“I thought ‘that’s the life for me’,” he said.
However, Roger turned to law, although he did complete some writing work during this time and sent it off to various publishers.
“It’s very difficult in this country to get taken on by the big guys, so many people aspire to do it,” he said.
Roger eventually had success with Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time, seeing the book picked up by Grosvenor House Publishing, a small company based in North Yorkshire.
He is now working on the sequel to Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time and also plans to write a short novel.

Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time - Review

Review of Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time by Roger K Driscoll

Echo McCool is a twelve-year-old half-dryad girl living the life of an outlaw in the vast Wicca Forest during England’s mythical past. One day she is pursued by a forester and shot with a poisoned arrow. Echo hides inside a hollow oak tree where she enters a deep sleep, the dryad magic preserving her soul for so long as the tree itself remains alive.

In the present day another twelve-year-old, Jason Fleeting, suffers a near-death experience during which he discovers that the tree concealing Echo is soon to be cut down. Jason recovers from his ordeal and, a few days later, visits what remains of Wicca Forest (now known as Witch Wood) at the fateful time. Jason rescues Echo, awakens her from her long sleep and then they both set out to solve the murder of Jason’s mother and to rescue his abducted sister Lauren.

This exciting children’s adventure is a fast-paced and interesting addition to the fantasy genre. Echo and Jason are brave, strong, likeable characters with whom the reader sympathises from start to finish. As well as being high in suspense and action, the story has its comical moments (such as when Echo and Jason visit a fast-food restaurant) and also it explores the developing friendship and understanding between the two protagonists. The principal antagonists (Scott, Kevin and Tiffany Cobalt) are suitably villainous; greedy, cold and calculating as well as being kung fu experts. However, Echo can match them with her own strength, agility and fighting skills. The sub-plots involving a lost inheritance and a rock group called Karmic Sometimes are seamlessly woven into the main story leading the reader on to a thrilling, suspense-filled and satisfying climax.

The novel lacks the high-fantasy elements associated with The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and other leaders of the genre. Trolls, wizards and magic wands are entirely absent from Echo McCool, Outlaw through Time although Echo herself does possess a magical ability to witness glimpses of the past. This said, the story should appeal to Robin Hood fans as well as readers of stories featuring similar “out of time” characters such as Stig of the Dump. 
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Kids-book-sells/story-12729951-detail/story.html