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What Readers Are Saying About Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency

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What Readers Are Saying:
“Fun story and wonderful illustrations! Surprisingly, as I thought of this as a child’s story, I really enjoyed the book. I knew I was young at heart. :) I have always wondered where my lost change went, as well as my lost socks from each weeks laundry. Mr. O’Brien has found out, and shares the answer with us. This book would certainly be enjoyed by children because of all the fascinating characters, their accents, the suspense and the story line. The illustrations are really enjoyable and very well done. This is a short story, which are the types of stories I like the most. Maybe 40 pages. Enjoy the adventure!” 
“Was I dreaming? I would have LOVED this book as a child. I was pleasantly surprised by how well written it is, as well as how intriguing the story turned out to be. It is a very cleverly done story about an old man, a leprechaun and a little beast that organizes lost socks into an army. The illustrations are really cool…black and white sketches. The same artwork as the cover — but they look far cooler in plain black and white. I am giving this to my nine year old niece to read and report back. But I know that I would have loved it at her age…maybe younger.”
“After some very successful turns in other genres Dan O’Brien joins artist Steve Ferchaud in bringing us a story that is fun for children with imaginations and a love for frolicking in make believe, but it is equally entertaining for the reading adult! Old Robert Pendleton wakens form a long sleep to search for the television remote only to discover a wee lad – Colin McMasters the Leprechaun, who just happens to be the director of the LCCA (Loose Change Collection Agency) and is visiting Robert because of the threat of the Scourge – a gremlin who terrorizes by threatening to steal the famous leprechaun post of gold: Colin is asking for Robert’s help. In near disbelief and as a service to Colin, Robert goes on a journey to the laundromat where he enters the netherworld of the Scourge and his army of Lost Socks, engages, destroys him, and rescues a rare obsidian charm – only to awaken to the fact that his adventure with Colin had been a dream. O’Brien has the Irish brogue down well and writes his story as a fine cross between fantasy and the human condition – with a few puns thrown about for good luck. Steve Ferchaud provides excellent drawings throughout. This is a terrific little read!”
“What do you dislike most, the lost coins in the couch cushions , or the lost socks? The socks bother me the most, it is always the socks with the different stripe or pattern that gets lost, not the simple white or black socks. This is so annoying. Where do the socks go and who takes all the lost coins? Dan O’Brien, the author of this story gives us some clues about the socks and the coins. This is a wonderfully written, sometimes laugh out loud book that everyone will enjoy. Children will like the lilting brogue of the characters, and the forgetfulness of the human character, Robert Pendleton. As Robert awakens one day from his sleep, by the way, he sleeps 12-14 hours a day, he finds he has lost his TV remote control again. As he looks for it, he hits a lamp that falls and breaks into pieces. Robert bends over, finds the remote on the floor, and sees something that instantly awakens him from his daze. As you start reading this story, you will become more and more involved, and as the story unfolds , strange and interesting ‘things’ are beginning to occur. The characters are ones you have heard about, but probably have never heard from. The language spoken will be easy to understand. The storyline is fascinating, and does answer some questions we have always had about socks and lost coins. The writing is perfect for adults and children over ten. Parents and teachers will enjoy reading this book. The illustrations by Steve Ferchaud are wonderfully done. In pen and ink they depict Robert Pendleton, the characters he meets, and the adventures Pendelton undertakes. I enjoyed this story a great deal. I did feel more information about the characters and the adventure would have given me a fuller storyline, but it is fun to use your own imagination. In fact I enjoyed this book so much, I sent one to my grandson for Valentine’s Day.”
“A sock army, shiver! Dan O’Brien’s newest book is a quick entertaining read, ideal for sharing story time with loved ones. It has magic, fantastical creatures, and a battle between good and evil; all important components of a good tale. Accompanying the story is the engaging artwork of Steve Ferchaud. It takes a true artist to draw a scary army of socks. The story is fiction, but it does answer two questions; why isn’t there more change under my couch cushions and where do missing socks go?”
“A fine children’s book that is really for kids of all ages!!! Dan O’Brien’s book entitled “Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency” held my attention every step of the way! This is excellent short story writing; Dan has a knack for writing well and capturing the reader’s interest immediately. I couldn’t stop until the end of the story and it has a most satisfying resolution at that! In addition, the excellent illustrations by Steve Ferchaud are very well done and enhance the book quite a bit. When the action starts, we quickly meet elderly Robert Pendleton who loves to sleep—as much as 12 to 14 hours a day! He awakes and find out to his chagrin that he has misplaced his TV remote—and has to find it after he breaks a lamp with pieces of it everywhere on the floor by his couch. Much to his (and this reader’s surprise), Robert spies a Leprechaun named Colin McMasters just behind the TV remote under the sofa—and it isn’t long before Robert starts to talk with some amusement with the Leprechaun who doesn’t share Robert’s sense of humor about the whole affair. Robert learns that Colin is the director of the L.C.C.A.—the Loose Change Collection Agency, a group of Leprechauns who gather up all the loose coins found near or underneath cushions in sofas and couches! Moreover, there’s a reason why Colin is there in Robert’s home—he explains to the old man that an evil gremlin named “The Scourge” and an army of lost and missing socks have been fighting the Leprechauns to take their money and steal “their pots-o-gold!” It becomes up to Robert to save the Leprechauns from their terrible plight. Robert actually tries his best to help the Leprechauns by first entering a laundromat and climbing into the biggest washer in the back of the laundromat to approach the evil gremlin with his army of lost socks! Of course there’s more to the tale than just this but I won’t write much more so I don’t spoil it all for you! Suffice it to say you’ll be on the edge of your seat as you read page after page of this short story to discover how the whole story ends. The author may refer to this as a children’s book but I highly recommend “Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency” for people of just about all ages. Very young children may benefit from having an adult read the story to them—but they, too, will profit from this book because their vocabularies will be enhanced and their imaginations will be greatly expanded. They will also have an opportunity to bond with grownups as they read this book together. Great job, Dan O’Brien and Steve Ferchaud!”
“Delightful! With a title almost as long as the book itself, “Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency” is a charming tale of an old man and a Leprechaun who is discovered under the couch when the old gentleman goes looking for the television remote after a very long nap. Intended for “children” of any age, the book was written by Dan O’Brien and is wonderfully illustrated by Steve Ferchaud in full color on the front and back covers, and with beautiful and fanciful black and white line drawings within the book. The story itself is fun, a little silly, and very well-written and could probably be read to a child at a rather leisurely pace (while stopping to enjoy the illustrations) in less than an hour. Explaining two of life’s perplexing mysteries (where loose change and random socks go when they disappear) makes this book an entertaining read for adults as well as kids. O’Brien finds a very nice balance by making the language and story easy enough for a child to understand, but not so simplistic or “childish” that an adult would lose interest. I enjoyed it enough to read it twice! “Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency” is available in paperback or as an e-book and reminds us all that “you’re never too old to have one more adventure.” Very enjoyable!”
“Just the thing for a bedtime read with the kids! Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency by Dan O’Brien I found to be a fun little tale. I enjoyed the artwork as much as the storyline. Someone had to write about what happens to the lost socks. Even though the story is short the characters are quite well developed. You really get the sense that the characters have lives beyond what we get to see of them. In fact this would make a cute cartoon. My only negative with this is that I’d like to know a bit more about The Scourge, but this is me. I’ve always been fascinated by what makes a bad guy character do what he does, but sometimes there is no reason other than “he’s the bad guy.” As it is written for children it makes sense to focus more on other things, such as those socks. I really had a good chuckle at what was the portal into the realm of The Scourge. This is definitely one to read with the kids or grandkids, and I believe I will be taking it to my Saturday night reading circle to introduce some friends to this author’s works.”
“Author Dan O’Brien entertains readers of all ages with new children’s book. Leave it to author Dan O’Brien to craft a story that is sure to please readers and lovers of stories of all ages. Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency takes us into a world not too different from our own where one man’s lost change and socks is literally another’s treasure. We meet Robert, a man that wonders if his days of adventure might be behind him, that is until he meets Colin the Leprecaun and is drafted into a mission that could save a world and rid a great of people of an enemy. Is Robert up to the task, or will thinking too much cause him to miss out on an opportunity to do good? Definitely a story that will keep you engaged and entertained, CONSPIRATORS OF THE LOST SOCK ARMY AND THE LOOSE CHANGE COLLECTION AGENCY proves that you’re never too old to have a meaningful adventure.”
“CONSPIRATORS OF THE LOST SOCK ARMY AND THE LOOSE CHANGE COLLECTION AGENCY is a delightful story for children of all ages! I loved the illustrations as they really brought the story to life. It was neat to see an ordinary human (and an elderly one at that!) answer the call of the leprechauns to assist in defeating The Scourge and his Lost Sock Army. The story brought a smile to my face and warm fuzzies in my heart. CONSPIRATORS OF THE LOST SOCK ARMY AND THE LOOSE CHANGE COLLECTION AGENCY truly does show that you are never too “something” for a wondrous adventure!”
“A man, a remote control, and an adventure you may have dreamed about. An adventure for kids and adults alike. This is the story of how one man might have made a difference. I like the way this book is written. It is a very fun book to read, with great images. I pictured myself reading this one to my grandkids as I read it, and all of us would be laughing out loud. Dan O’Brien did a wonderful thing writing this short book. It will is a fun book to read, and might become a child’s favorite. The characters are foolish enough, yet lifelike enough to allow the imagination to roam. I can easily recommend this book to anyone that enjoys fairy tales and adventures. If you have kids or grandkids, this is a great book to read to them. If the kids are old enough, this is still a great adventure for them to read. If you simply enjoy a good laugh, grab this book. However, this is not a joke book, it is simply a fun adventure to read about. I look forward to reading more books by this author.”
“Do you ever swear you had more loose change in your pocket or on the nightstand? Have you ever wondered where socks go when they disappear in the dryer? Do those thoughts ever trouble you? I dare you to read this book and not have the voices in your head speak with an Irish brogue. A book short enough to read to or with children, yet long enough to thoroughly entertain adults. The illustrations, even in e format, are wonderful! Have you given more thoughts to those lost socks – are some more misbehaving or angry than others? Are they the sort to fall in with a bad crowd? I guarantee you will be wondering these things and more after you have read and enjoyed this book. It is a story you will read over and over and share with friends.”
“Fun children’s story about where all your socks disappear to as well as where all your loose change goes. Our older friend Robert can’t find his remote one day (sounds like most of us older people) and goes looking everywhere. When he finds it he gets the surprise of his life. It is in the possession of a leprechaun! The Leprechaun wants to enlist Robert to help with a problem that they are facing in their world. Robert is skeptical and thinks he is in a dream, and maybe he is. Robert eventually will help, or at least in his dream he helps. The story is fun, the pictures are funny, and I am sure that children will love the book. It’s a good quick fun read for parents and their children. Enjoy!”
“This is a short story which is very well written and illustrated. It really hooked me from the start. Robert Pendleton sleeps nearly 14 hours on his couch. When he awakes it’s nearly midnight. Out of habit, he reaches for the television remote on the table. Feeling around in the dark, it’s not to be found. He tosses pillows, but it’s not hidden there, either. On hands and knees he looks under the couch. He spots the remote, but it’s just out of reach. Suddenly he sees something very strange … a very tiny man with bright red hair under his tam o’-shanter, and a neatly trimmed red beard. The little man is smoking a long-stemmed pipe. Robert is shocked as he rocks back, tumbling the table behind him, and in awe says, “Leprechaun!” The tiny man identifies himself as Colin and he’s on a mission and needs Robert’s help. Colin is from a different world, a place of magic, and is director of the Loose Change Collection Agency (L.C.C.A.). He needs help in confronting a terrorizing gremlin known as The Scourge! This is a very innovative short tale written with an Irish brogue which is mesmerizing. It’s very well written and certainly extraordinary. A definite fun adventurous read!”
“A children’s story even adults will enjoy! Robert Pendleton is taken on a magical journey into a parallel dimension by a couch change collector. I love the premise of this story and how it gives you a possible answer to all the weird things that happen, such as where all the socks disappear to and where the loose change ends up. I think this is a story both children and adults will enjoy. I recommend it to anyone that loves a fantasy filled children’s book that is short enough for a bedtime story.”
“Last night I cuddled with my 9-year-old son and we took turns reading pages of the short story “Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency”. Once introduced to Colin McMasters, my son was too busy giggling at the story to take his turns reading. Although most of the credit for these giggles does go to Dan O’Brien for his storytelling skills, I am claiming some as well for my Leprechaun accent skills (since what was coming out of my mouth was not quite an Irish accent). The story is unique. It answers so many unsolved household mysteries. What happens to the loose change in the couch? How can so many socks go missing? I only wish it could tell me why I start out with the same number of forks, knives and spoons yet, as time goes on, I end up with more knives and fewer spoons. Flatware math would have been too much to ask for though. What was delivered was perfect. I enjoyed the illustrations. The expressions on the characters faces and the details helped make the story come alive. I especially appreciated the illustrations when imagining the sock army. Hilarious. Overall this is a great short story that is family friendly. It’s nice to see an action story that features a main character turn hero who doesn’t have magic powers or super skills. Robert is an older man, waking up from a long sleep, who gets a surprise when he was merely searching for his television remote control. I do want to give kudos to the author for breaking stereotypes and embracing individuality. Robert was an elderly man but never described as one nor did he follow the stereotypes of an aged adult. Colin spoke against being labeled a “leprechaun” instead of being called by his specific name. The socks were dingy but not stinky. Finally, the villain was not a fierce monster but a little gremlin. Overall excellent reading experience that I was able to share with one of my children.”
“Charming adventure story with an unlikely hero. Dan O’Brien’s “Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency” is an unlikely adventure story about an old man named Robert Pendleton who suddenly finds himself battling a creature from another world. At the start of the story, Robert wakes up from a long sleep to find the TV remote missing. When he finally locates it underneath the couch, he sees a little man with red hair and a long-stem pipe – it’s a leprechaun named Colin McMasters, who claims to be the Director of the “L.C.C.A.” (or “Loose Change Collection Agency”) in the “Nation of Magicks” (sort of a mirror world to our own). Colin wants Robert’s help to rid his world of a demon called “the Scourge,” who is leading the “Lost Sock Army” against the leprechaun… Then again, this is the kind of story that cries out to be read aloud, and in that venue I have no doubt the whole family would find Robert’s adventure exciting and delightful. I’m certainly decades away from childhood and I enjoyed the story – including the delightfully detailed illustrations by Steve Ferchaud. Robert is an unlikely hero without any magical powers or special gifts, but he’s intrigued by little Colin’s plight, and he battles his own incredulity to do what he can to help. As someone getting uncomfortably close to Robert’s age, I found myself an instant fan! It’s not often we find an unassuming elderly gentleman in the role of hero. Overall, “Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army” is a charming tale that not only solves the mystery of couch cushion change and lost socks, but gives hope to those of us over sixty. Maybe it’s not too late to live an adventure, if only we keep our eyes open for the magic that hides in the darkness. Clever story, great illustrations – this one is a fairy tale for the “child” in all of us.”
“Unusual twist on a fairly standard adventure story. As the title implies, two of the themes of this story involve one sock of a pair somehow getting lost in the laundry and the propensity of change to fall out of your pockets. The story also involves a leprechaun and a gremlin as well as a magical trip to a mysterious place. While these plot devices are widely used, this story is extraordinary for the adventurer and hero is a wrinkled old man with a big nose, huge ears, a bald head and big glasses. I enjoyed this unusual twist on the standard adventure story, as the population around the world ages; children will be seeing more and more elderly people. Having them in the role of hero in fantasy books is another way to make them appear more human and fun to be around.”


Source: http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com/2014/07/what-readers-are-saying-about.html



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