Marion Quinton-Brake

E-mail: brakemarion@hotmail.com

Marion was born in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, to a large family, being the middle child of 12. She continues to live there with her husband, Brian. They have two boys, Tim and Simon.

Marion worked over 20 years at James Paton Memorial Hospital, the last 14 years as library technician. She resigned in May 2007 to pursue her writing and other interests such as taking care of her horses, pets, and gardening. She has a diploma in library studies, gardening/landscaping, and animal sciences. Marion also feels strongly about environmental issues. She lives a very active lifestyle and is very creative. Dabbling in a little homebased business with compost and garden tea, horse rides, etc., her husband constantly tells her that she is a "make-work" project–make work for him, that is!

As a teenager Marion knew that one day she would want to write. It would be one way of expressing her creative side. She believes that things happen in your life when they are supposed to and when her father died unexpectedly, writing really helped her through that difficult time. She enjoys writing very much and plans on continuing even though she admits self-publishing to be very hard work.

Publications

A Horse Named Lady is a children's picture book about a horse that is very unhappy living with her new owner, Mr Snipe. Mr Snipe is a grouchy old man who treats Lady poorly and makes her work very hard. She never has any time to relax and graze with the other horses. But this all changed the day she met Simon, a boy who loved horses and always wanted a horse of his own.

In the newly released sequel, Lady's Big Surprise, it has been more than a year since Simon's parents surprised him for his birthday with his first horse, "Lady". Lady has been very happy and healthy and hardly ever thinks about her previous owner, Mr Snipe, who treated her poorly. She loves helping Simon with his chores and hanging out with his friends. One morning, however, Simon wakes up to a big surprise which could change everything.

Uncle Joe and Sally–It's OK to be Different is a delightful fictional rabbit story that deals with verbal bullying in a light hearted way. It also shows the possible consequences of lying and losing your temper. Story lessons are included as well as activity suggestions. This book includes a "lucky" wooden rabbit ear, Good Deed Diary and Pledge which will surely help motivate children to living more caring and helpful lives. Upon completion of their Good Deed Diary, they can email for their own E-Congratulations Certificate to frame.

This story takes place in a pet shop in the small town of Trinity in Newfoundland and Labrador. Tim, who has recently moved to Trinity with his family, has taken quite a liking to two rabbits that look a little different. When he hears some of the visiting children ridiculing the rabbits he becomes angry. Mr. Anstey, the pet shop owner, who also overhears the comments, decides to take action.

Forthcoming publications

Lady & Magnum–Oh What Trouble!!: Most days were quite normal in Paunch. Nothing much out of the ordinary usually happened. Sundays were typically a quiet day, a day of rest. Simon and his friend Jeremy were planning to go fishing. That was before horses Lady and Magnum were seen galloping up the road. Simon could not believe the news when Jeremy's brother, Zachary, ran to tell him. He had just put them out to graze about ten minutes previous while he cleaned the barn and was sure he hooked the latch. As crowds started to gather, a sense of panic and perhaps excitement could be felt. Simon needed to get them back safely and without anyone getting hurt. Fishing would have to wait!