Love curling up with a good book?
Who doesn’t?! But what makes a good book, good?
I would say characters that are authentic and multi-layered.
A book that enables you to delve head-first into themes that are complex, hold real meaning, and leave you itching to share your discoveries with friends and family.
A book that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Do you agree? Then you’re in the right place.
Welcome to the world of ExLibris. A Trilogy of fantasy, fables, fairy-tales, and adventures you’ve never experienced before.
Love curling up with a good book?
Who doesn’t?! But what makes a good book, good? Characters that are authentic and multi-layered. Themes that are complex and hold real meaning. A book that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Agree? Then you’re in the right place. Welcome to the world of ExLibris. A Trilogy of fantasy, fables, fairy-tales, and adventures.
Follow the Exlibris Journey
If you want to know more about me and my work you can follow me on social media too!
Once Upon A Mouse
It starts with a mouse.
A highly logical mouse, living in an illogical world: The Fairy Tale World – where nothing is quite as it seems.
Escape into the debut novel of the ‘Ex Libris’ trilogy, ‘Once Upon A Mouse’. Stories of adventure, fantasy, and peril – journeys that may feel familiar but have a surprise twist around every turn! Perfect for readers who enjoy escaping into a world of imagination…
Synopsis:
“It was enough to make the cow go mad” – An odd thought indeed and one with bad ramifications for life on a farm, but Danni thought it still.
Danni, a logical farm mouse, has grown up in the Fairy Tale World where imagination runs rampant and free but logical thinking is quite unheard of. Everyone Danni meets behaves in ways she doesn’t quite understand. When Danni runs away from her farm, she meets Doyle, a young lad from 1941 Solihull, Warwickshire, who has accidentally stumbled into the Fairy Tale World. The pair team up to try to return to the Real World and come face-to-face with evil forces that are trying to destroy the Fairy Tale World and all imagination.
Belle has abandoned the Beast, Cinderella has gotten a job, Hansel & Gretel have become Juvenile Delinquents, and Simple Simon is not what he seems. It’s a proper mess, the kind of mess that only the honesty and simplicity of a mouse and a young lad can put to rights. But can they rescue all the Fairy Tales before the door between worlds closes forever?
Once Upon A Mouse
It starts with a mouse.
A highly logical mouse, living in an illogical world: The Fairy Tale World – where nothing is quite as it seems.
Escape into the debut novel of the ‘Ex Libris’ trilogy, ‘Once Upon A Mouse’. Stories of adventure, fantasy, and peril – journeys that may feel familiar but have a surprise twist around every turn! Perfect for readers who enjoy escaping into a world of imagination…
Synopsis:
“It was enough to make the cow go mad” – An odd thought indeed and one with bad ramifications for life on a farm, but Danni thought it still.
Danni, a logical farm mouse, has grown up in the Fairy Tale World where imagination runs rampant and free but logical thinking is quite unheard of. Everyone Danni meets behaves in ways she doesn’t quite understand. When Danni runs away from her farm, she meets Doyle, a young lad from 1941 Solihull, Warwickshire, who has accidentally stumbled into the Fairy Tale World. The pair team up to try to return to the Real World and come face-to-face with evil forces that are trying to destroy the Fairy Tale World and all imagination.
Belle has abandoned the Beast, Cinderella has gotten a job, Hansel & Gretel have become Juvenile Delinquents, and Simple Simon is not what he seems. It’s a proper mess, the kind of mess that only the honesty and simplicity of a mouse and a young lad can put to rights. But can they rescue all the Fairy Tales before the door between worlds closes forever?
Reviews
I love my readers and value their opinion above anyone else’s – after all they’re the ones who have taken the time to buy and read the book at their leisure. Here’s some of their reviews of ‘Once Upon A Mouse’
Now, excuse me while I drop a few names.
Here are some reviews from fellow authors:
“A charming, spirited romp through fables and fairytales with the bravest, most tenacious little mouse since Despereaux!”
– Shari Shattuck, Author, ‘Invisible Ellen’ Series
“Imaginative, good humoured, with a fine sense of adventure and heart, J. A. Zarifian is a wonderful storyteller and in her debut novel, One Upon A Mouse, you’ll find rich and wonderful characters who invite us into the world of fairytales through a unique and wholly original perspective. Through the eyes of Danni the Mouse, the book exhumes those not-so-childish-stories many buried away so very long ago, and shamefully should not have. Fairytales are not only for children, but adults need them too.”
– Luke Deckard, Creative Writing PhD Candidate & Crime Writers Association Events Coordinator
“Once upon a Mouse is a marvellous and truly magical Fairy Tale of adventure and friendships. A great spin on a classic nursery rhyme. I want to read more please!”
– Christopher Skaife, Author – The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London
“What happens when a polymath, consummately literate theatre director/actor/ storyteller decides to try her hand at writing a novel. This is the result. This erudite yet plain speaking, witty yet warm story, infused throughout with the echoes of the greatest fables of all time, manages to both entertain on a simple fairy tale level of its own while simultaneously inviting you to relive, or discover, the many fairy tales referred to within.
Simply said, it’s a gateway drug to the world of fairytales.
And without the pretention of trying to be anything “meta”, this story plays beautifully on its own. It’s the classic quest to find where one belongs, with friends and foes round every corner. It’s a great read for yourself, to read aloud to kids, or to keep from them until they beg you to let them read it. The full-color illustrations by Daniel Cabuco add to the fun.
– Bonnie MacBird, Author -The Sherlock Holmes Adventure Series for Harper Collins
The story continues with two more novels.
The best part of that journey is sharing it with my readers. Connecting with you, hearing your thoughts and feedback, really brings the Ex-Libris world to life for me.
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and twitter to keep up-to-date with my creative process. I’ll be sharing insights into my writing and reaching out to you all for thoughts on, reactions to, and experiences of the books.
Plus, my followers will have exclusive access to new books, art works, and all things Ex-Libris before anyone else!
Come and join me.
It promises to be quite the adventure…
About the Artwork
One of the joys of creating worlds is collaborating with other artists. Artists who can share your creative vision and bring it to life.
Daniel Cabuco is a 26 year veteran artist and art director of the video game industry working at Sony Playstation’s Visual Arts Services Group.
He was born in the Philippines and grew up in Fresno, CA, attending Sacred Heart middle school and Clovis West High. After taking art classes at Fresno City College, he was accepted into the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, with a focus on Illustration.
Having worked as an Art Director on every iteration of Playstation, Daniel has used his 2D and 3D graphic knowledge to blend traditional knowledge with technological innovation. He has worked as an Art Director or Art Lead on such titles as Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 and 2, Legacy of Kain: Defiance, Lost Planet 3, Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
One of his most notable achievements is having designed the titular character for Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.
In his off time, Daniel enjoys martial arts, tuning his twin turbo Supra, going to the beach with his Corgi, Neji, painting, drawing, watching Anime, and playing the latest video games. He currently resides in San Diego.
His published works include; ‘The Art of Tomb Raider’ and ‘Once Upon A Mouse’ You can find more about Daniel’s work here: http://www.dcabdesign.com/ and follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/dancab23/ and here https://www.artstation.com/dcabdesign
About the Artwork
One of the joys of creating worlds is collaborating with other artists. Artists who can share your creative vision and bring it to life.
Daniel Cabuco is a 26 year veteran artist and art director of the video game industry working at Sony Playstation’s Visual Arts Services Group.
He was born in the Philippines and grew up in Fresno, CA, attending Sacred Heart middle school and Clovis West High. After taking art classes at Fresno City College, he was accepted into the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, with a focus on Illustration.
Having worked as an Art Director on every iteration of Playstation, Daniel has used his 2D and 3D graphic knowledge to blend traditional knowledge with technological innovation. He has worked as an Art Director or Art Lead on such titles as Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 and 2, Legacy of Kain: Defiance, Lost Planet 3, Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
One of his most notable achievements is having designed the titular character for Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.
In his off time, Daniel enjoys martial arts, tuning his twin turbo Supra, going to the beach with his Corgi, Neji, painting, drawing, watching Anime, and playing the latest video games. He currently resides in San Diego.
His published works include; ‘The Art of Tomb Raider’ and ‘Once Upon A Mouse’ You can find more about Daniel’s work here: http://www.dcabdesign.com/ and follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/dancab23/ and here https://www.artstation.com/dcabdesign
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Follow J. A. Zarifian
If you want to know more about me and my work you can follow me on social media too!
J.A. Zarifian
Author. Theatrical Director. Creator of Worlds.
J.A. Zarifian is a UK based author and theatrical director, living in Warwickshire. Her debut novel 'Once Upon A Mouse' is the first in the Ex-Libris Trilogy. A high-concept fantasy trilogy of books, based on fairy-tales and suitable to readers of all ages that love escaping into a good book.
J.A. Zarifian
J.A. Zarifian
Author. Theatrical Director.
Creator of Worlds.
J.A. Zarifian is a UK based author and theatrical director, living in Warwickshire. Her debut novel 'Once Upon A Mouse' is the first in the Ex-Libris Trilogy. A high-concept fantasy trilogy of books, based on fairy-tales and suitable to readers of all ages that love escaping into a good book.