Author Guest Post with T.X. Troan: the Sophia Freeman Series

What begins as a special trip for eleven-year-old SOPHIA FREEMAN and her billionaire father, leaves her trapped on a mysterious island with a tree boy and other fantastical creatures.

Welcome to the February 14th stop on the blog tour for the Sophia Freeman series by T.X. Troan with Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, more guest posts, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means there is no additional cost to you if you shop using my links, but I will earn a small percentage in commission. A program-specific disclaimer is at the bottom of this post.

Author Guest Post

My Author Journey

Unlike most authors, I never thought of being one till in my early thirties. As an illustrator and graphic designer, being a storyteller definitely puts me on a whole new level of creativity and I do enjoy all the ups and downs of it.

The human versus nature theme has stuck with me for a very long time after watching an inspiring animation called Princess Mononoke, by Hayao Miyazaki. Now, it’s time to tell my own version of the story.

Book one of Sophia Freeman was originally a picture book, but it slowly turned into a novel as it progressed. Writing a novel was a huge learning curve for me. After five years of hard work and patience, Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain was finally published. From receiving the hardcopy for the first time to sharing the book in multiple countries, it was the most fulfilling thing for me.

It’s been almost ten years now on my writing journey and I’m on the last book of this series. I can’t wait to share the big ending with you guys! The series has won several awards in different categories. I am proud and very grateful to make it this far. 

About the Books

Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain
Sophia Freeman Book One
by T.X. Troan

Published 25 March 2019
Rise Publishers

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure
Page Count: 150
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

EARTH AWAKENED … SEED PLANTED … PATH REVEALED.

What begins as a special trip for eleven-year-old Sophia Freeman and her father leaves her trapped on a mysterious island with a tree boy and fantastical creatures. Later, she learns she is dying from an eternal curse and the only way to prolong her life is to drink the island’s sacred water. Can Sophia and her companions reach the fountain and defeat the guardian before time runs out?

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Indiebound | B&N | Walmart

Excerpt

“So, what’s on your agenda today, my dear?” Grandma asked.

“Dad and I are going to explore his new island after this,” she replied, sitting on the edge of her seat.

“Oh, yes, your father told me about that on the phone last night,” said Grandpa, then gave Sophia a serious look. “My girl, do you know why all the previous owners vanished?”

Sophia shook her head slightly, but kept watching him without blinking.

“Rumors say the place possesses some sort of magical energy. As dusk arrives, the island comes to life: boulders begin to quake, monstrous trees uproot themselves, and mysterious creatures crawl out of their homes. They will do

anything to protect their island … especially from humans.”

Sophia’s eyes widened and her hands began to sweat.

“Joe, that’s enough!” Dad ordered. “You’re scaring her.”

“That was very mean of you, Joe,” Grandma added.

Grandpa chuckled. “Well, it looks like I haven’t loss my touch. You’re still that innocent girl that I used to know.”

Sophia sighed with relief. He must have been teasing.

When she was a lot younger, Grandpa used to tell her ghost stories and it would frighten her every time. The all-time best story was about an invisible spirit that watches us from behind since the day we were born. It would one day transfer our soul to a magical place when

we are ready to go. He told the little girl it was time for him to go and would never return. She burst into tears and tried to convince him it wasn’t time yet. She stayed with him that whole night and never let him out of her sight.

Sophia Freeman and the Gate of Jade
Sophia Freeman Book Two
by T.X. Troan

Published 11 June 2021
Rise Publishers

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure
Page Count: 186
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

THEY MUST RISK IT ALL TO REGAIN THEIR FREEDOM … OR BE SEALED AWAY FOREVER.

Sophia Freeman and her best friend, Tim Charnal, must beat all contestants in a three-round Beyond Event organized by the mighty arbiters to free him from the penalty of murder and gain the islanders’ trust. Entering the hologram and surviving environments filled with everything from hammer-throwing cave giants to a slimy tentacled sea monster, they will need all their courage, wits, and skills. But how are they going to win when magic is forbidden?

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

Sophia Freeman and the Era of Darkness
Sophia Freeman Book Three
by T.X. Troan

Published 30 June 2022
Rise Publishers

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure
Page Count: 172
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

EVIL RISING … ISLANDERS MISSING … AND FRIENDS BETRAYING.

With the increase in deaths of Pandilone Islanders, the arbiters devise a strategy to free the god demon within five days to lift the Eternal Curse. All goes as planned until iron-masked creatures kidnap magic users, weakening the army. To gain reinforcements, Sophia Freeman, Tim Charnal, and rescued Allen Chan must gather all six items to cast the Dream Spell, connecting them with Sophia’s father and his air force. But how can the trio succeed in time while surrounded by enemies and traitors aiming to stop them at any cost?

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

Sophia Freeman and the Winter Behemoth
Sophia Freeman Book Four
by T.X. Troan

Published 1 December 2023
Rise Publishers

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure
Page Count: 174
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!

A STRATEGIC PLAN WAS IN PLACE … POWERFUL ALLIANCES WERE FORMED …
BUT NOTHING COULD STOP THE GREAT WAR.

After Tim Charnal was captured by Allen Chan and the ruthless iron-masked guards, Sophia Freeman has no choice but to follow their orders and meet them in the Forbidden Land to free their Master, Tombermon, an ancient tree giant. The release of great evil leads to broken promises, countless sacrifices, and an inevitable war. As the islanders face a losing battle, an unexpected machine army comes to their rescue. But is it enough to stop the enemy and their threatening new era of darkness once and for all?

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

About the Author

Thuan Doan is an award-winning author of the Sophia Freeman series. He conceived his first middle-grade fantasy novel, Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain, during a trip to Gabriola Island, British Columbia in the summer of 2013. Then he took his work and settled in a small town of Enderby, where it’s peaceful and quiet.

Thuan is writing under a pen name of T.X. Troan. “X” stands for Xu, his grandmother’s name who passed away. And “Troan” is a combination of his parents’ names.

“No matter how this turns out, I want my family to be a part of this wonderful journey.”

T.X. Troan married Sarah, his original fan and longtime love, in 2016. They live in Enderby with their pack dogs!

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads

Giveaway Alert!

T.X. Troan will award a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.