Oak Branch Woods™ -- A series of novels by Kimberly Shriner

Press Releases
Read the official press releases for the Oak Branch Woods™ novels

2005 My Little Pony Fair

MY MARISSA: HOME AGAIN IN OAK BRANCH WOODS™

Fighting for the Forest
Novel tells story of preservation through the eyes of the animals who call wilderness home

APRIL 2003 - Oak Branch Woods™ is a reflection of many forested areas, which are systematically shrunk by land development. The threat of the woods being eliminated means constant fear for its wildlife inhabitants and a passionate cause for those intent on saving it. In My Marissa: Home Again in Oak Branch Woods™ (now available at AuthorHouse, formerly 1stBooks Library), author Kimberly Shriner illustrates the struggle for forest protection through both humans and the creatures who have dealt with the fear their entire lives - the animals.

Marissa™ and Bobbin™, rabbits native to Oak Branch Woods™, plan to raise a family, but the looming threat of development and more lenient hunting restrictions, initiated by game department manager Jack Roderick™, put them in constant turmoil. Marissa, whose experiences have prompted a deep resentment for humans, finds herself at the mercy of Laura Holling™, an ecologist fighting to save the woods on the strength of a newly discovered plant species. Laura rescues Marissa when the rabbit is caught in the path of a bulldozer, and the animal becomes an icon of why the forest needs to be saved. Marissa, dealing with her own desire to protect her unborn young, and Laura, battling the threat of destruction and the convictions and romantic advances of Jack, create a story that appeals to animals lovers and anyone with an interest in the effects of the destruction of forest lands.

An animal story about the struggle of compassion and ignorance, My Marissa™ presents an environmental threat that is far different from the traditional animal versus man theme. In this moving story, good and evil is highlighted in both humans and animals, whose fate is shaped by the future of the forests.

My Marissa™ is Kimberly Shriner's first book. She is currently editing a sequel to this novel.

JAYA AND MINA: NEW GROUND IN OAK BRANCH WOODS™

Novel Addresses Nature Preserve Overpopulation Issues from Animals' Perspective

FEBRUARY 2004 - Jaya and Mina: New Ground in Oak Branch Woods™ (now available through AuthorHouse) is Kimberly Shriner's sequel to My Marissa: Home Again™ (also available through AuthorHouse). Oak Branch Woods, once ravaged by deforestation and subsequent hunting, has been turned into a nature preserve. The animal inhabitants are now able to raise their children without fear but face new challenges.

Marissa™ and Bobbin™, the rabbit couple that took in Jaya™ and Juna™, squirrel twins from My Marissa, are at odds about whether to reveal the Woods' history to their own young children. Jaya and Juna have also chosen opposite paths in reaction to the Woods' history. Juna is raising a family, and Jaya is taking full advantage of adolescence, keeping the responsibilities of adulthood at bay. Oak Branch Woods'™ human caretakers, Laura Holling™ and Jack Roderick™, who have grown closer working to create the preserve, find themselves again polarized by their differing views of controlled hunting when faced with increasing animal numbers.

Food is becoming scarce as populations grow, forcing hungry creatures out to venture beyond the sanctuary's borders. In his first venture into the surrounding human neighborhoods, Jaya meets Mina™, a lonely widowed squirrel who is raising her son, Cian™, alone as a result of her life among humans. He also learns that squirrels are unwelcome pests relegated to stealing from bird feeders to survive. Unwilling to accept such degradation, Jaya returns to the preserve. However, he finds that the sunflower seeds he has brought to his sister's babies are the only nourishment they are receiving. Juna, weak and unable to nurse, begs Jaya to help her. Determined to provide for his sister, he returns to the neighborhood in search of more food. With Mina at his side, Jaya finds food and eventually becomes a father figure to Cian, and together, they learn to cope with the realities of a squirrel's place in a human-dominated society.

Meanwhile, Laura and Jack struggle to maintain their personal relationship through difficult decisions regarding the preserves' future. Jack is called back to his original role of hunter and game official, causing Laura to revert to her environmentalist and animal activist instincts as she is forced to maintain the preserve without his help.

Kimberly Shriner embraces writing as her means of creativity and self-expression. She is currently working on the third book in the series.

Two New Jersey Authors Named as Special Guests for International My Little Pony Convention

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Hillary DePiano
hillarydepiano@hotmail.com
http://www.HillaryDePiano.com

Kimberly Shriner
kimsites@verizon.net
http://www.kimsites.net/dreamvalley

My Little Pony Fair: Collector's Convention and Expo
mlpfair@mlpfair.com
http://www.mlpfair.com

Two New Jersey Authors Named as Special Guests for International My Little Pony Convention
Parsippany's Hillary DePiano and Hackettstown's Kimberly Shriner top the list of guest speakers for the second annual My Little Pony collector's convention

Parsippany, NJ (PRWEB) June 28, 2005- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. On July 8th and 9th, 2005, My Little Pony collectors from around the world will converge on in the Coffman Memorial Union Great Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event is the 2nd annual My Little Pony Collector's Convention and Expo (MLP Fair, http://www.mlpfair.com), an event which last year brought hundreds of collectors who proudly toted their collections via plane, train or car to show, buy, sell and swap ponies while getting to know other collectors who share their passion for one of the most popular toys of the 1980s.

This year, the MLP Fair has grown and added several high profile guest speakers to the list of events for the weekend and the top two guests are both local New Jersey authors. Parsippany, NJ's Hillary DePiano will be speaking and signing copies of her book, The My Little Pony Collector's Inventory: a complete checklist of all US ponies, playsets and accessories from 1981 to 1992 (ISBN: 1411621654) while Hackettstown's Kimberly Shriner will be there to speak about her website Dream Valley - A Collector's Guide to My Little Pony (http://www.kimsites.net/dreamvalley).

"I don't think I have ever met another Pony collector in person," said DePiano, for whom this year's trip will be her first My Little Pony convention. "I have had Kimberly Shriner's website bookmarked for years and in all the times I spoke to her via email, I never realized we were both Jersey girls! She is a bit of a celebrity in Pony collecting circles so I had known her by name only for a while and we connected this year while trying to organize transport to the MLP Fair and found that we had even more in common since we are both writers. I think this is what this whole thing is really about: making friends in the community of other collectors who can actually relate to your My Little Pony obsession!"

Kimberly Shriner, who is also the author of My Marissa (ISBN: 1403373787) and Jaya and Mina (ISBN: 1418405167), the first two books in the Oak Branch Woods series, has already met hundreds of other Pony collectors through her website, which has become known as the ultimate guide to collecting ponies online.

"I began working on the Dream Valley site with the intention of sharing my knowledge with others who loved My Little Pony just the same as I," says Shriner, for whom this will also be her first convention, "When Dream Valley debuted in January 1997, hundreds of MLP fans and collectors flocked to it, many of whom said that they had also thought they were the only one who still loved ponies! After having run the site for seven years now, I still hear from people who've just logged on as well as people who tell me they've been visiting for years!"

If you would like to meet DePiano or Shriner at the MLP Fair or just come to see what all the fuss is about, there is still room available. Travel information, including local hotels and direction to the fair, can be found on the MLP Fair's official website, http://www.mlpfair.com, where you can also purchase admission to the convention and reserve a booth to show or sell your items.

My Little Pony is the exclusive trademark of Hasbro, Inc.

About Hillary DePiano
Hillary DePiano currently resides in Parsippany, NJ and is the author of the The Love of Three Oranges, a play which has been performed in theatres around the world, The My Little Pony Collector's Inventory, The Author, The eBay Seller's Ledger and the upcoming She-Ra Collector's Inventory. In addition to writing, Ms DePiano is also the founder of the company Priced Nostalgia which sells vintage toys from the 60's to 90's and is a PowerSeller on eBay.

About Kimberly Shriner
Kimberly Shriner currently resides in Hackettstown, NJ and is the author of Dream Valley - A Collector's Guide to My Little Pony (http://www.kimsites.net/dreamvalley), the ultimate guide to collecting My Little Pony on the Internet. She is also the author of the Oak Branch Woods series of books for young adults including My Marissa and Jaya and Mina.

About MLP Fair (http://www.mlpfair.com) My Little Pony Fair is the world's first international collectors convention. Each year, hundreds of My Little Pony collectors come from all across the globe to meet others who share their interest over the course of several fun-filled days. This annual gathering is the world's largest celebration of everything MLP and brings collectors, friends, and fanatics from all over the world together for a weekend of pony fun!

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Ordering Information

"My Marissa: Home Again in Oak Branch Woods"™ and "Jaya and Mina: New Ground in Oak Branch Woods"™ are available from Author House . For story summaries, author info, excerpts, and how to order, please click the book covers to visit the pages below...OR order by phone from AuthorHouse TOLL FREE @ 888-519-5121. Why buy direct from AuthorHouse?

formerly 1stBooks Library

More info on
My Marissa: Home Again in Oak Branch Woods™
@ AuthorHouse

More info on
Jaya and Mina: New Ground in Oak Branch Woods™
@ AuthorHouse

Disclaimer: The Oak Branch Woods™ novels are works of fiction. Places, events, and situations in these stories are purely fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Opinions expressed in these stories vary and are also fictional; they do not necessarily represent the opinions of the author. The Oak Branch Woods™ series is published purely for the entertainment and enjoyment of readers. Due to the fictional nature of these books, actions taken within the contents of the novels should not be attempted and are not intended to be used for educational purposes. The Oak Branch Woods™ website is not responsible for the content of linked sites or webring sites. See Also: Author's Notes

kimsites.net
Dream Valley | Oak Branch Woods | We All Live in a Pokémon World | Kimberly's Attic