| Logan was important…once! He helped slay a Dragon. Now all his days are chores, chores and more chores. Will nothing relieve the drudgery? But when he happens upon a hidden grove of strawberries with mysterious powers, his whole perspective changes and he wonders if he’s found the mysterious fruit of self-control? Will Logan and his new pet raccoon Rascal solve the mystery before Logan’s Pa turns the rodent into a new hat? Genre: Christian Fantasy Release Date: May 8, 2025 Click here to get your copy! |  |
Interview with Allen
#1. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
This book was originally planned for release in 2024, but life got really really complicated. So in the end it took about 6 months longer to ship than anticipated. The main story was very well lined out in 2023, but then 2024 just saw a lot of distractions.
This book was originally planned for release in 2024, but life got really really complicated. So in the end it took about 6 months longer to ship than anticipated. The main story was very well lined out in 2023, but then 2024 just saw a lot of distractions.
#2. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
I’m hoping that parents, friends and teachers that don’t have ADHD take away a fresh perspective on children that do. I’m hoping they get a better picture of what it’s like to live between extremes of serious focus and complete impulsivity with little control over either.
I’m hoping that parents, friends and teachers that don’t have ADHD take away a fresh perspective on children that do. I’m hoping they get a better picture of what it’s like to live between extremes of serious focus and complete impulsivity with little control over either.
#3. How did you name your characters?
Logan is named after the real life Logan that helped me write this book. Logan is a family friend and we spent a lot of time together in scouts and robotics club. He also is a side character in the Towers of Light Series books 5 and 6.
Logan is named after the real life Logan that helped me write this book. Logan is a family friend and we spent a lot of time together in scouts and robotics club. He also is a side character in the Towers of Light Series books 5 and 6.
#4. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
The main piece of advice I would give related to the book is if you are a ministry leader and have children with ADHD you need to take time to understand what that is like, and then build your programs to help them better cope with the situation. Add in lots of activities that get them moving or alternately require a lot of attention, and are really engaging.
The main piece of advice I would give related to the book is if you are a ministry leader and have children with ADHD you need to take time to understand what that is like, and then build your programs to help them better cope with the situation. Add in lots of activities that get them moving or alternately require a lot of attention, and are really engaging.
#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
The underlying theme of this book is the fruits of the spirit specifically Love. While Logan is desperately in search of self-control, it is Love that wins the day in this story. So I hope readers will take away that often what we are asking for God may not give us because he knows what we really need and often he gives us that in an abundance we can’t really fathom.
The underlying theme of this book is the fruits of the spirit specifically Love. While Logan is desperately in search of self-control, it is Love that wins the day in this story. So I hope readers will take away that often what we are asking for God may not give us because he knows what we really need and often he gives us that in an abundance we can’t really fathom.
More from Allen
As a writer, I tend to lean toward what I know for inspiration. Actual life events or people I know shape what I write about. As a ministry volunteer in church for over 15 years, I regularly saw the challenges children with ADHD or other spectrum disorders had with the church. Volunteers are ill-equipped to understand their unique needs, and many of the young boys I worked with ended up having terrible experiences at church because they just couldn’t fit in.
So when I set out to write an early chapter book for boys I wanted to find a way to shine the light of God’s truth right where they lived. Having been diagnosed with A.D.D., I understand these challenges and the general mentality. On the one hand, this can have detrimental effects when being forced to sit in a chair with nothing to do but listen; on the other hand, it can supercharge tasks that require intense focus.
I also had inspiration from the existing Towers of Light series I wrote for a middle grade audience and pre-existing characters that children love. So I worked with the real-life Logan to craft this story that exemplifies the spiritual gift of love as the antidote to the poison of the hateful strawberries. Plus, the antics of Rascal the Raccoon add just the right touch of comedy and action to keep young children turning the pages.
So when I set out to write an early chapter book for boys I wanted to find a way to shine the light of God’s truth right where they lived. Having been diagnosed with A.D.D., I understand these challenges and the general mentality. On the one hand, this can have detrimental effects when being forced to sit in a chair with nothing to do but listen; on the other hand, it can supercharge tasks that require intense focus.
I also had inspiration from the existing Towers of Light series I wrote for a middle grade audience and pre-existing characters that children love. So I worked with the real-life Logan to craft this story that exemplifies the spiritual gift of love as the antidote to the poison of the hateful strawberries. Plus, the antics of Rascal the Raccoon add just the right touch of comedy and action to keep young children turning the pages.
 Allen Brokken | Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age appropriate way. He’s dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off to college he’s telling stories and sharing clean humor on social media and through his blog. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate his tour, Allen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 25
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 25
Texas Book-aholic, June 26
Simple Harvest Reads, June 27 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 28
Fiction Book Lover, June 29 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30
For Him and My Family, July 1
Vicky Sluiter, July 2 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, July 2
Blogging With Carol, July 3
Guild Master, July 4
For the Love of Literature, July 5 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, July 6
Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 7 (Author Interview)
Stories By Gina, July 8 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 25
Texas Book-aholic, June 26
Simple Harvest Reads, June 27 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 28
Fiction Book Lover, June 29 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30
For Him and My Family, July 1
Vicky Sluiter, July 2 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, July 2
Blogging With Carol, July 3
Guild Master, July 4
For the Love of Literature, July 5 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, July 6
Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 7 (Author Interview)
Stories By Gina, July 8 (Author Interview)