Diana DelRusso
Dusty and Breanne find themselves alone when their Grandmother is rushed to the hospital. They decide to avoid staying with strangers by sneaking off on a quest to find their missing parents. On their journey they meet a magical friend who helps them save their parents from an evil man inside a dangerous castle.
Diana DelRusso was born Diana Linn Presto November 29, 1958 in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. She grew up in the Beaver County area about 30 minutes outside of Pittsburgh in a steel mill community along the Ohio River.
Diana graduated from Center High School in 1977 and from there studied creative writing and writing for children at the local Community College in Monaca, Pennsylvania.
Being extremely proud of her Italian heritage Diana goes by her Mother's maiden name of DelRusso. Her Mother was born in the central hills of Italy and moved to America in the early 1950's.
DelRusso and her husband Rick have made Redlands, California their home for the past eleven years. They live in a restored Victorian Farmhouse with their two small dogs. They have five children and six grandchildren.
DelRusso began writing in the eighth grade and has always enjoyed writing poetry, short stories, articles and Children's books.
The Magical Journey is her first book in a series of stories about her beloved character Max.
After watching the mud squish under her shoes for awhile, Breanne looked up and shouted, "Dusty! Look at all the beautiful flowers. There are thousands of them. Mom and Grandma would love it here." Realizing that she may never see either of them again, she fell to the ground and began to cry.
Dusty knelt beside her. He gently brushed her long, golden hair away from her face and whispered, "Don't cry Sis. We'll find Mom and Dad soon."
Breanne reached up and hugged her big brother. Together they sat among the soft colored flowers, trying to catch their breath. The sun was going down and Dusty was beginning to worry. Clutching the mysterious stone in his hand, he wondered, "What if we can't find Mom and Dad? How will I take care of Breanne alone?" At that moment, he looked down at her. She was fast asleep. Feeling tired himself, he leaned against a tree and closed his eyes.
Dusty felt the early morning sun warm his face as he opened his eyes. He was surprised to find that he and Breanne had slept there on the edge of the meadow all night long.
Feeling rested, they quickly ate the fruit and crackers that Breanne had packed, and raced across the meadow. There, they faced the tallest, most crooked trees either of them had ever seen. Coming to an instant halt, Breanne cried, "Dusty wait!"
"It's ok they're only trees." insisted Dusty. "They don't look like the pretty trees at the play ground," argued Breanne. "Catch up, Breanne. We have to keep moving," he ordered. "Isn't there another way to get to the castle? Can't we go around these crooked ww--oods?" she begged.
"No! This is the fastest way. Now stop whining and let's go." he shouted back to her, as he stomped off onto the dark, twisted path. Still afraid of entering the woods, Breanne closed her eyes and dashed after her brother.
A moment later, Dusty thought he heard something. It sounded like Breane's muffled scream. Dusty turned back and searched the path for his sister. He didn't see her anywhere.
