Welcome to my website!   

 Writing is something I had as a hobby for years before it became a way of life.
At first, poems and rhyming verse were a source of amusement and interest. Writing stories for children arose from reading stories to my own children over the years. The reading just turned into writing the stories. I have a special interest and fascination with the world of fantasy.
In 2005, I began the first mystery and fantasy story aimed at 9-11 year olds - The Mystery of the Shandon Clock, followed in 2006 by the Mystery of the Shandon Rumblings.

An interest in theatre and music is another source of writing for me.. Several short plays have been written over the years, as well as two musicals – Behind Closed Doors (2007) and Suspicious Grief (2008) for young and old. (View http://www.sibeliusmusic.com under ‘Browse by Composer’. Select ‘S’ for extracts and other music pieces. Play the MP3s for better sound quality.)
New Book: Presently, I'm working on a story for the younger reader (5-8yrs), about a dog's adventure on a farm. This book will have illustrations. Update: book at the printers. 
Book Launch Oct 2009 at St. Mary's Library, Shandon.
Thanks to Eileen, Deirdre(librarians), Cllr. Kieran McCarthy.                                       

About the books

In 2005, book of poetry published about Cork city - Cork. A City in Pieces.     

 New Book 2009 - The Mystery of the Shandon Rainbow Trail
  
The Mystery of the Rainbow Trail  
Follow the story of the five Shandon young people –Simon, Jill, Len, Rebecca and Shane– who follow the colourful trail out of Cork Harbour to Greenland and the Arctic. There, a great crystal which helps to keep everything in balance in the northern hemisphere, is failing - due to the effects of solar winds. Some of the group go into space to help repair the damaged crystal with a laser beam! Find out about a whale, which helps Simon, who gets lost in a dark zone.

Also, read more about the ongoing romance between Rebecca and Shane.

Summary of the other books:
Book 1 – The Mystery of the Shandon Clock (Four faced Liar) unfolds the story of four children(Shane, Rebecca, Jill and Simon), aged between 9 and 12, living in the historic Shandon region of Cork city in Ireland, who rescue the city from the icy grips of arctic-like weather, brought on by a time discrepancy. The mystery occurs as they carry out a mission to recover time stones missing from the famous Shandon clock.

They have the protection and guidance of a long lost grand uncle, from another dimension, who helps them go back in time to find the stones. Will they reach the deadline of Christmas Eve before the arctic conditions reach an intolerable level of cold? Follow the story as they move between time dimensions and two of the characters enjoy a little romance!

Reviews: ‘...different to many children’s books. The elements of time dimension and fantasy grabbed our imaginations. Two characters fancied each other...others were funny.’(Primary students of St, Marie’s Of the Isle, Cork).

‘...people who like time travel will think it’s cool.’ (Primary students St. Augstine’s, High Wycombe, England.)

This book is now in a play format. If you want a copy for your school – just email me
at celine.spengeman@gmail.com

Book 2 - The Mystery of the Shandon Rumblings

This story is a sequel to the 'Four Faced Liar.' It takes place two years later. The fantasy follows the efforts of the same children - Shane, Rebecca, Simon and Jill -to save their historic area, Shandon, from the dangers of subsidence with particular concern about the historic buildings - the Firkin Crane, the Shandon clock and the Butter Exchange. There is help from 'the other world.' However efforts of the 'other world' are interrupted when Shane falls down a hole. Thereafter he appears to have a change of interest in teamwork.
Len, a boy from Mayfield joins the 'rescue' efforts. Help from the 'other world' comes with arrival of a surprise but familiar visitor. This story follows their efforts to 'coax' Shane back onto the team and their training with the 'master minds' to help with the repair of the damaged crystal - the cause of the subsidence! Will they reach the damaged crystal in time? Will the historic buildings be saved?

Review: ‘...a thrilling combination of fiction and adventure that draws the reader in.’ (Primary students of Gaelscoil Ghoirt Alainn, Cork.)