"Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters"

Margaret Dilloway has been a writer ever since she learned how to write. In high school she was a California Arts Scholar in creative writing and she won a National Council of Teachers of English writing award. She practiced writing in a variety of forms, such as being a theater critic and a contributing editor for two weekly newspapers, doing technical writing, and writing plays, before publishing three critically acclaimed books for adults: How to Be an American Housewife, The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns, and Sisters of Heart and Snow. Her research for Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters included a trip to Japan and a samurai sword-fighting class. Dilloway lives in southern California with her husband, three children, and a goldendoodle named Gatsby.

Dilloway applied the Page 69 Test to Momotaro: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters and reported the following:

From page 69:

His tan face is covered in red blotches, the way it gets when Peyton's trying hard not to cry, like the time his cheekbone was cracked by a stray fastball. I'm glad, because if Peyton starts crying, I will too, and I can't do that. I might not be able to stop.

"I promise. It's all right." Obachan's tone will not be argued with. She's so sure of herself that Peyton visibly relaxes.

This is where the action is actually really taking off, but you don't know what's about to happen. Xander's grandmother is giving them some important talismans for their adventure, and both Peyton and Xander are very scared at this point.

Learn more about the book and author at Margaret Dilloway's website and blog.

Coffee with a Canine: Margaret Dilloway and Gatsby.

--Marshal Zeringue