In this dual timeline novel, The Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, is both muse and mirror in a story where courage, forgiveness, and imagination become the true forms of magic—a journey of discovery that proves it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon, the disgruntled town recluse, is eighty-eight and has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.
Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink.
During 1980, the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon.
As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.
In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?
Excerpt from A Hundred Magical Reasons © Copyright 2026 Laura DeNooyer
One
PART ONE: LEAVING HOME
Once upon a time, there lived a girl who didn’t know she was a princess, or that three dragons pursued her …
May 28, 1980
Two weeks after college graduation with no diploma to show for it, Carrie Kruisselbrink stormed from her house like a prairie gale. Mom handed her an overnight bag, but Carrie left with an overstuffed suitcase. She wasn’t going back.
The storm started brewing in childhood, but this morning the temperature spiked as she emptied the dishwasher, her mother barking orders. As if Carrie hadn’t been responsible while away four years at college.
Mom chose that moment to pounce. She thrust a paper under Carrie’s chin. Skimming the list of elementary teacher positions, Carrie resisted the urge to rip it up and cast it to the wind. She had her own career goals.
She trudged upstairs to her bedroom and found respite among her overflowing bookshelves. But not for long. The room shrank, the headboard rattled as Mother barged in. Gusting at ninety miles per hour, she tidied Carrie’s desk. “Most teachers have contracts already.” In the updraft, Mother rearranged pens. “When will you mail more résumés?”
Never. Carrie winced, thoughts spiraling. “Later.” Though she’d walked at graduation, she had no diploma, no teaching certificate, and no intention of retaking Philosophy of Education. She fanned her face and opened the window. Three thousand square feet in this house, yet claustrophobia suffocated like pre-storm humidity.
Her mother slammed the window shut. “Your sister had three teaching offers by graduation. What’s your plan?”
Swinging open the closet door, Carrie inhaled. Plan B, in effect: Take charge of my life. Now. “I’m going to Oma and Opa’s.” Two hours northwest on Lake Michigan should be far enough away. She’d planned to visit her grandparents anyhow. Why not the whole summer?
“Fine.” Mother left and returned with an overnight bag. “Don’t forget résumés, envelopes, and postage.”
Carrie plopped her suitcase on the bed. She tossed in sundresses and sandals. Home decorator magazines. Colored pencils, sketch pads. Books from Children’s Lit class: Mary Poppins, A Wrinkle in Time, Chronicles of Narnia.
“Why the kids’ books?”
“I like them.” Angry retorts galloped through her like gathering winds, but she bit her lip. As usual. She tucked The Princess and Curdie in sideways. Too bad her entire classics book collection wouldn’t fit.
“What about your date with Brian on Saturday?”
“I’ll call him.” According to her parents, dating Brian was her crowning achievement. They’d dated six years, now anticipating a summer packed with fancy restaurants and Brian’s baseball games. Like Cinderella, she might finally get to the “palace ball.” A wedding and a move to Wolcott.
My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.
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