Chaucer’s Books in Santa Barbara will host local kids author Gwen Dandridge for a book talk and signing of her book “The Lady of the Tower,” 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21 at 3321 State St.

Once upon a time — in “The Lady of the Tower” — there was a lady locked in a tower by an evil magician. Does she languish there, awaiting a hero to come save her?

Nope, Nell is no lady, and she’s definitely not waiting to be saved. She escapes the tower and returns to her parents and siblings.

But what about the ones who are still trapped in the tower? Should she return to rescue them with her pet raven Soot? And will her wits be enough to defeat the evil magician and reunite sweethearts Roselyn and Will?
 
Dandridge, of Santa Barbara, is the author of “The Stone Lions,” “The Jinn’s Jest” and “The Dragons’ Chosen.” For more, visit www.gwendandridge.com.