Ozette's Heartstone

By Judy Pierce, David M. F. Powers, Natalia Nesterova and Silvia Hoefnagels

After being crowned the queen of Farlandia, the white squirrel Ozette finds herself in the midst of a struggle to save the endangered and enchanted forest where she now lives. Can Ozette round up the help she needs to preserve the rhythms of nature that make Farlandia so special? In order to accomplish this gigantic feat, the white squirrel must enter the world of deep, forest magic in an attempt to save her chosen family. But is she ready to learn the truth about the land she loves? She enlists the help of ethereal fairies, elusive elves, and her newest friend Gizmo as they find themselves in a desperate race against Boardmore, Smiley, and time. Under the guidance of Princess Abrianna and the direction of Queen Beatrix, Ozette learns more about her new home than she could have imagined. The secrets that nature holds can only be unlocked when you embark on yet another magical journey with Ozette and her enchanting friends. Are you ready to learn the truth about Farlandia?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pants On Fire Press
• Release date: Oct 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781625175717

Judy Pierce

Originally from the state of Washington, Judy lives in the mountains of western North Carolina with her husband and three rescued Bichon Frises. She has worked in environmental education, feature writing, advertising and university teaching. Judy’s writing is influenced by her love of nature and work with Bichon Frise rescue and orphaned squirrel rehabilitation. When she’s not writing, she loves to feed the white and gray squirrels, chipmunks and birds that visit her yard, raise and use herbs, bicycle, hike, and camp. She is the author of Tales from Farlandia: Ozette’s Destiny and Ozette's Heartstone.

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Text copyright © 2015 by Judy Pierce

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form by any means without written permission from the publisher, Pants On Fire Press. For information contact Pants On Fire Press.

All names, places, incidents, and characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Illustrations and art copyright © 2015 by Pants On Fire Press

Cover art by Natalia Nesterova 

Interior art by Silvia Hoefnagels 

Book design by David M. F. Powers

The publisher is not responsible for recipes or websites (or their content).

First edition: 2015

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file.

Visit us at www.PantsOnFirePress.com

eBook ISBN: 9781625175717

This book is dedicated to The Divine Miss Piddlewinks, the squirrel who started me on this journey, to Ozette, the white squirrel who inspired me to write books about squirrels, and to all the compassionate people who work tirelessly to protect animals, both wild and domestic.

At the end of Ozette’s Destiny read-ers everywhere were left wondering what was next for Ozette, the very special white squirrel and her friends in that magical place, Farlandia. Fortunately for us, it was just the first book in the Tales from Farlandia books by the very talented Judy Pierce.

Obviously enjoyed by children of all ages, readers of Ozette’s Hearthstone won’t be disappointed. In this volume, the very precious Farlandia is threatened by a pair of baddies who want to clear-cut Farlandia, grow crops and build a hunting lodge! The very idea! Obviously it’s important for Ozette to round up her friends and save their beloved land. They hatch a plot to stop the villains. Will they save Farlandia? You’ll have to read the book to find out. 

Like the first book in the series, Ozette’s Heartstone includes all the recipes for the treats that Ozette and her friends eat. All of the recipes are tested by the author and are fun for kids to make with a grown-up, perhaps sharing the treats as they read. 

Expect sprites, nature magic and watch for the adorable 3 chipmunks and Gizmo to make their debut.

Don’t miss a word of this wonderful adventure.

Darlene Arden

Certified Animal Behavior Consultant 

Author of Small Dogs, Big Hearts,

Rover, Get Off Her Leg!, The Complete Cat's Meow and the coffee table book, Beautiful Cats.

Prologue

Queen Ozette sat quietly under the branches of the tree she’d planted from the golden acorn her grandmother had given her. She watched as a shaft of moonlight outlined its branches. The white squirrel marveled at how the tree seemed to glow with an inner, shimmering light. She was so engrossed in thoughts of her grandmother and her life in Farlandia that she failed to notice a lone human on a nearby knoll, sitting astride a horse, his arms folded on his chest, scowling.

Chapter One

An Unwelcome Guest

Two Months Later

Spring slid into summer as easily as a bullfrog slides off a lily pad and slips into a pond. It had been five full moons since the gentle-natured white squirrel had been crowned Queen of Farlandia, that magical land through the thin veil from Earth World, the world humans inhabit and think they understand.

So far, Ozette’s duties had been light. Oh, there had been a few squabbles. Her elf friend Oliver had been a little annoyed at some crows who had eaten most of his sweet pea crop. Now, Oliver didn’t mind being generous, but he had counted on that crop to provide him with enough sweet peas to share with friends. Although he would never admit it, sweet peas were also an ingredient in one of his shape-changing potions.

Last week, the quick-thinking Ozette had met with the crows and Oliver, passing her talking stick to each speaker, so the crows wouldn’t monopolize the conversation as crows liked to do. After the crows promised to be more thoughtful, the subject was dropped—at least for this growing season.

Last month, Milligan Mouse had gotten into a heated discussion with some dragons over a patch of truffles. You can guess who won that one, although Ozette tactfully convinced the dragons to share with the little mice.

Ozette’s biggest challenge had been settling a dispute between a family of groundhogs and a family of red foxes. The foxes wanted to take over the groundhogs’ den because it was bigger than theirs. The white squirrel had to use all of her negotiating skills to convince the foxes to move into a den a little closer to the river. Gracey and Gabby, two roly-poly groundhogs, had been so grateful for being able to keep their burrow that they often left baskets of vegetables under Ozette’s nesting tree.

Ozette had a way of resolving conflicts while still being kind and loving, and the forest creatures often said how lucky they were that the white squirrel had come to Farlandia and agreed to be their queen.

Summer was long and lazy. Ozette had spent most afternoons swimming in creeks and ponds with her many friends and dining on the plentiful fruits and vegetables she gathered in the forest or from friends’ gardens. The humble squirrel was a much-sought-after guest at afternoon teas hosted by the animals or Princess Abrianna, Ozette’s human friend.

As dawn approached, Ozette perched on a branch in her ancient maple tree, gazing in wonder. Fingers of maroon, magenta and fuchsia slid across the horizon to be joined by peach, salmon and pearly pinks to paint the sky like a glorious mural. The sunrise wrapped Ozette in a cloak of color, warming her to her core. She sighed contentedly. Another dawn in Farlandia.

Although Ozette had enjoyed the peace and quiet of the last few days, she was looking forward to some adventuring with her friends.

She stretched and yawned, preened her fluffy white tail and licked her paws to clean them. Then she polished her beloved tiara with dried moss until it gleamed. Ozette scampered down her tree, sniffing the summer-scented breeze. She headed for a patch of jumbledberries she’d been checking daily for ripeness. Being a squirrel, she ate often, savoring every bite and giving thanks for the bounty of the soil. Today the berry clusters hung like jewels on slender branches. She plucked several of the newly ripe berries and closed her eyes in bliss as their juicy tart-yet-sweet flavor struck her tongue.

Ozette was normally a generous squirrel, but the lure of the berries proved too much. She knew she should take some to Oliver, so he could bake batches of jumbledberry scones, but before she knew it, she’d devoured every ripe berry. She shrugged her shoulders, knowing more would be ripe in a few days. Feeling only a little guilty for not alerting her friends to the ripe berries, she headed back to her nest.

Ozette stretched out on a high branch and surveyed the forest. Birds sang their most melodious songs. Small animals scampered through the fern and moss-laden forest floor. The delicious smells of sun-warmed earth scented the warm air and, once again, Ozette was thankful that she lived in this ancient forest.

She scratched her left ear then amused herself with one of her favorite pastimes–making up names for wildflowers as they burst into bloom.

Hmm, she murmured. Those are ruby popettes, and those yellow ones… I’ll call them sunettes. The flowers seemed to nod in approval. She eyed some purple buds and decided she would wait to see what came to her when their faces were fully visible.

Ozette yawned and climbed into her nest for a much-needed nap. Lying on her back, she pulled her bushy tail between her legs and was soon asleep. She was awakened by the sound of hooves pounding the ground. Groggily, she wondered if Maxwell, her winged unicorn friend, had landed for a visit. Perhaps he had brought Duchess Zorina, the Bichon Frise Ozette had rescued when DZ, as her friends called her, was lost in the forest. Ozette smiled sleepily. Her return of the little dog to Farland’s Queen Beatrix had set off a chain of events that led to the white squirrel being crowned Queen of Farlandia, the farthest territory in Farland.

She stuck her head out of her nest, ready to give a welcoming call, when she heard voices. Human voices. She slipped cautiously out of her nesting hole and sat on a thick branch, grateful that the canopy of leaves would shield her from view.

Two men on horseback were standing near her tree. Despite the heat, they wore heavy breeches, long-sleeved shirts and riding boots. The man in the lead was astride a chestnut mare. He ran his hands through blond, curly hair and pointed in Ozette’s direction. Ozette gulped and made herself as small as she could, terrified he might see her. She didn’t understand this unbearable fear she felt but trusted her instincts. And her instincts said these men were up to no good.

We’ll clear this entire area, and here’s where we’ll build the hunting lodge. That huge maple over yonder, the blond man said, pointing at Ozette’s nesting tree, will be used for flooring. No chewin’ or spittin’ on that beauty, he said, nudging the other man with a ham-sized fist. Ozette thought she might faint and fall from the tree.

Ya know, Boardmore, said the second man, scratching at his scruffy brown beard. Our cousin has deeded this land to itself. Can you believe it owns itself? I heard that some white squirrel was crowned queen with the agreement that the land not be touched. I don’t know if I’d want to mess with Queen Beatrix, he said.

Relax, Smiley, Boardmore growled. The queen is nutty. Deeding that land to itself is proof of that. As her oldest cousin, that land should rightfully have been mine. Now that the queen has let us come to Farland, I figure we can do pretty much what we please.

Smiley was silent for a moment, then said, If you remember, brother, the queen was against allowing us in Farland. If a couple of her advisors hadn’t intervened...

You worry too much, Smiley, his brother said gruffly.

And her closest relative is actually her sister, Princess Abrianna– Smiley began.

Smiley, just be quiet, Boardmore said in a menacing voice.

Smiley? Ozette whispered. What a strange name for someone with such a sour face.

Boardmore walked his horse close to Ozette’s tree. I figure if we clear this entire area down to that creek over yonder, we’ll have plenty of room for the hunting lodge and water for our crops. Should be great hunting here. Wouldn’t mind bagging me that white squirrel.

Hearing that, Ozette’s knees began shaking so hard she was sure

Reviews for Ozette's Heartstone

[antmusic · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

My son had a harder time getting into this book of the series. Maybe he's becoming a more reluctant reader, or he's just getting too old for the series. I don't think he finished it and he just sort of told me, "Meh. Not bad. Not good." So, 3 stars from a 10 year old.

[julielcasey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The second book in the Ozette series is every bit as wonderful as the first, Ozette's Destiny. The author's delightful storytelling along with lovable characters make this a book that both kids and adults will love. This is a perfect book to read to your children and grandchildren. People who like animal stories like Charlotte's Web and Babe will love it!

[ann.horne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is book two of Ozette's time in Farlandia. I have thoroughly enjoyed the book and could not put it down. I recommend making some of the delicious recipes for foods eaten by the inhabitants of Farlandia given at the back of the book. Good triumphs in the end but it is nerve wracking! Ozette has some fun adventures in the book too. Buy this book you will not regret it. I was lucky to win this to read early from "Library Thing"

[ron_gilbert_18 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

My children read books in this genre by the wheelbarrow-full. So I requested a review copy to check out an author other than Brian Jacques who writes such stories, and was awarded a review copy.I didn't particularly enjoy the book. Unfortunately I was skewed from the get-go by the author's overt, carte blanche condemnation of humanity as the greatest evil to ever befall the Animal Kingdom.Suffice to say that any parent with a Christian worldview-and there are many- will not be too well-served in their goal of raising God-honoring adults by giving them a large diet of Judy Pierce.