Chris Eboch

Chris Eboch writes a variety of genres for young people. She also writes for adults as Kris Bock (see below). Chris lives in New Mexico, where she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and watching the sunset from her patio. Her home office looks out on nature, complete with distracting wildlife such as roadrunners and foxes. Her BFA in photography is used mainly to show Facebook friends how lovely the Southwest is.

Chris is the author of over 40 books for children, including nonfiction and fiction, early reader through teen. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure; The Genie’s Gift, a middle eastern fantasy; and the Haunted series, about kids who travel with a ghost hunter TV show, which starts with The Ghost on the Stairs. Her writing craft books include You Can Write for Children: How to Write Great Stories, Articles, and Books for Kids and Teenagers, and Advanced Plotting. Learn more at www.chriseboch.com.

THE EYES OF PHARAOH, set in Egypt in 1177 BC, brings an ancient world to life. When Reya hints that Egypt is in danger from foreign nomads, Seshta and Horus don't take him seriously. How could anyone challenge Egypt? Then Reya disappears. To save their friend, Seshta and Horus spy on merchants, soldiers, and royalty, and start to suspect even The Eyes of Pharaoh, the powerful head of the secret police. Will Seshta and Horus escape the traps set for them, rescue Reya, and stop the plot against Egypt in time?

THE GENIE'S GIFT is a lighthearted action novel set in the fifteenth-century Middle East, drawing on the mythology of The Arabian Nights. Shy and timid Anise determines to find the Genie Shakayak and claim the Gift of Sweet Speech. But the way is barred by a series of challenges, both ordinary and magical. How will Anise get past a vicious she-ghoul, a sorceress who turns people to stone, and mysterious sea monsters, when she can't even speak in front of strangers?

THE WELL OF SACRIFICE is a middle grade historical adventure set in ninth century Guatemala. Kirkus Reviews called The Well of Sacrifice, "[An] engrossing first novel.... Eboch crafts an exciting narrative with a richly textured depiction of ancient Mayan society.... The novel shines not only for a faithful recreation of an unfamiliar, ancient world, but also for the introduction of a brave, likable and determined heroine."

BANDITS PEAK - While hiking in the mountains, Jesse meets a strange trio. He befriends Maria, but he’s suspicious of the men with her. Still, charmed by Maria, Jesse promises not to tell anyone that he met them. But his new friends have deadly secrets, and Jesse uncovers them. It will take all his wilderness skills, and all his courage, to survive.

Readers who enjoyed Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet will love Bandits Peak. This heart-pounding adventure tale is full of danger and excitement.

The HAUNTED series follows a brother and sister who travel with their parents' ghost hunter TV show. In each book, the TV show researches a new ghost at a new location. The kids try to help the ghosts, while keeping their activities secret from meddling grownups. The series, for ages 8-12, contains THE GHOST ON THE STAIRS, THE RIVERBOAT PHANTOM, and THE KNIGHT IN THE SHADOWS.

THE GHOST ON THE STAIRS is set at a Colorado hotel haunted by a ghost bride from the 1880s who is waiting for her missing husband to return. THE RIVERBOAT PHANTOM features a steamboat pilot still trying to prevent a long-ago disaster. In THE KNIGHT IN THE SHADOWS--winner of the 2010 New Mexico Book Awards in the category Juvenile Book--a Renaissance French squire protects a sword on display in the Metropolitan Museum in New York City.

JESSE OWENS: YOUNG RECORD BREAKER, for ages 8-12, is written under the name M. M. Eboch. This is an inspiring story, focused on Jesse's childhood. Through hard work and courage, African-American runner Jesse Owens overcame racism, poverty and poor health. He won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics, in Hitler's Germany, proving that Blacks could compete at the highest level.

Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier, for ages 8-12, is an inspiring biography focused on Milton’s life as a child and young man. Learn about the many challenges he faced before founding his famous chocolate company. He struggled in school, had a difficult family situation, and went through multiple bankruptcies. Later in life, Mr. Hershey shared his good fortune by founding a school for disadvantaged children. This is part of Simon & Schuster’s Childhood of Famous Americans series, and is written under the name M. M. Eboch.

Chris also writes for adults as Kris Bock.

Kris Bock writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. The Mad Monk’s Treasure follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In The Dead Man’s Treasure, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In The Skeleton Canyon Treasure, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a mystery with strong romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town.

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page.