Debut Author Gives Young Girls a Protagonist They Can Relate To

Online, November 5, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Many shows and books still offer young girls weak female protagonists that need to be rescued. But in the newly launched YA fantasy novel "The Conduit" young girls get a butt-kicking heroine they can relate to.

All 18-year-old Celeste Garrett wants is to head off to college and make those fun, yet ill-advised, choices college kids are known for. And maybe to spend some time with the hot cameraman she just met. Instead, because of a pact her ancestors made in the 17th century with a mythical creature, she has to save the world.
While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon. She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop.

Life isn't always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn't have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others' nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever-their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.

The girl-next-door character of Celeste is one young girls will be able to relate to and see that in the face of adversity they too can rise to the challenge. It is the author's goal to show all girls that they can be the hero of their own story.

"The Conduit" is the debut novel for author Stacey Rourke. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of The Gryphon series, as well as other literary projects. Visit her at www.staceyrourke.com or www.diaryofasemi-crazyauthor.blogspot.com/