Little Greek Gods

Monsters, thieves, birds who shoot deadly feathers like arrows at their victims… These are the some of the hazards seven little children must face if they want to become the great Greek gods they were before their father Zeus turned them into human children. Apollo, Aphrodite, Hermes, Ares, Hephaestus, Athena and Artemis will do whatever is necessary to return to Olympus as great gods again.

Coffee Time Reviews: Little Greek Gods is a poignant story that is not only incredibly well written, but makes the reader actually feel the emotions the children endure while on their adventure…I believe Fran Shaff composes a truly extraordinary story that captures the heart and captivates the soul. This story is a pure delight in every way.

Excerpt:

Setup: The children are arguing while they’re packing up their campsite.

The sounds of his brothers and sisters whining and arguing loomed so loudly over the campsite, that Apollo could hear nothing else.

“Looks like we’ve come across some very valuable merchandise,” a gruff voice bellowed over the bustle of activity.

The unexpected roar of the rough voice so startled the little gods that they immediately stopped what they were doing and spun toward the intruders.

“Merchandise?” Apollo said, repeating the key word the larger of the two strangers had used. He scowled at them and lifted his hands. “We haven’t any merchandise. We’re poor wayfarers, mere children. We have nothing of value, I assure you.”

The big man tugged at his scraggly gray and brown beard. He grinned at his shorter partner, his green eyes sparkling mischievously. “Did you hear that Flavio? They’re poor wayfarers. They claim they don’t have anything worth stealing.”

Flavio laughed, exposing a partial set of yellow teeth. “They ought to bring a good price on the block, don’t you think, Platomio?”

The large thief nodded. “A few of them might, but this girl’s a little scrawny,” Platomio said, taking hold of Artemis’ arm. “She may not be worth more than the price of a hearty breakfast.” He twisted her arm behind her until she cried out. “You should have eaten better, girl. I don’t know if it’d even be worth the trouble to haul you to auction in your skinny condition.”

Apollo pounced on the nasty, big man who was tormenting little Artemis. “Leave her alone!”

Flavio easily yanked Apollo away from his partner.

Within seconds Apollo found himself bound at the wrists. “You won’t get away with this!” he said, his words being his only means of retaliation.

Platomio stepped toe to toe with him. He gazed down at the boy and grinned, exposing gaps where teeth used to be. “Oh?” he said. “Who, pray tell, is going to stop us?”

Apollo looked down at the ground below him, and, for the first time in his life, he realized he was completely helpless.

“Tie up the whole lot of them,” Platomio told Flavio, “and see to it they’re linked together. They’ll be easier to manage if they’re connected to one another.”

Within moments Flavio had completed his task. The children were tied together, completely helpless and at the mercy of ruthless bandits who apparently intended to sell them into slavery.