Review: Mona Lisa's Ghost by Nancy Kunhardt Lodge

MONA LISA'S GHOST

Lucy Nightengale Adventure Series, Book Two

by Nancy Kunhardt Lodge

Wilwahren Press

October 2017

Middle Grade Fantasy / Mystery

192 pages

What would you do if a classmate claimed to be the reincarnation of the real Mona Lisa, and that she is going to steal it because Leonardo never gave it to her way back in 1504?
Lucy Nightingale doesn’t believe her friend, Melissa. In fact, she suspects Melissa might be delusional, or at least brainwashed. But when the painting vanishes without a trace, Lucy and her best friend, brainy Sam Winter, embark on a harrowing adventure to save their friend and find the painting before it self-destructs. Yes, the painting is not well. Just before it was stolen, the Louvre Museum scientists used a scanning machine to measure the paint layers. The machine set off a molecule-smashing syndrome which will suck it into a Black Hole if someone doesn’t rescue it by injecting it with healthy molecules. This fantasy mystery is SLARP’s first case, (SLARP standing for Sam and Lucy’s Anomalies Research Project.) Like modern day 007 and Q, Lucy is the brave field agent and Sam is the funny inventor. Lucy and Sam solve a mystery that would shock the world if it were ever made public.
Mona Lisa’s Ghost is the second book in the Lucy Nightingale Adventure Series. As a former professor of Art History with a PhD in Renaissance Art History, my aim is to bring art and artists to life for children. If there is a message in this book it is to see beyond the surface of people to their true essence, as Leonardo did when he succeeded in capturing Lisa’s playful, yet mysterious soul. 

A Mom's Choice Award Winner!

MY TIDBITS

This is the second book in the Lucy Nightengale Adventure Series, and I read this one before grabbing the first. I would, however, recommending reading the first book first, since the events and characters in book two build off of the story in book one.

Lucy and Sam have started up SLARP (Sam and Lucy's Anomalies Research Project) and hit their first 'case'. During a class discussion at school about the results of a scientific scan on the Mona Lisa, Lucy notices a chaotic, stormy, and purple swirl engulfing the background of the painting. And it makes her feel terrible. Sam explains that its a problem with the molecules within the painting, and the only way to save it is for Lucy to head to Paris and see what she can do. While there, Lucy runs into a classmate, who claims to be the reincarnation of the woman portrayed in the Mona Lisa, and she's determined to steal her painting back. Even Lucy isn't ready for the adventure which ensues after that.

This is a fun book packed to the gills with adventure, imagination and even some wonderful art and history tidbits. With a bit of the feel of the relationship between James Bond and Q, Lucy and Sam head off to save the Mona Lisa from turning into a black hole. There's definitely a huge amount of fantasy thrown in with the action and scientific nods. A massive amount. Everything from shape-shifting monsters to aliens to time travel. . .and anything else the imagination allows. . .is tossed in. Oh, and we can't forget Lucy's mentor, the Wise One or a dog from another planet who loves to sit in a rocking chair.

There are super-duper amazing gadgets created by Sam, all of which are top secret and could be stolen by some unknown evil group. . .if the group even exists. And Lucy has her own 'super power' of high frequency thought, which brings things into existence and gives her a direct, mental link to Sam in the most dire of circumstances. Sam, meanwhile, is a class all of his own, and while Lucy dives from one perilous situation into the next, he is off to some top-secret conference up north, which was founded by a Viking long ago. As said, there is a lot going on, which shoves at imaginations borders and ventures beyond. At times, it gets a little chaotic, some questions are left open or unexplained, and more science friendly readers will question a thing or two, but the tale is nothing if not fast-paced and provides an explosive ride.

On top of all of this, art and history facts weave into the mystery and teach readers something along the way. In this book, the history behind the Mona Lisa as well as an introduction to Leonardo da Vinci flows amidst the fun. The author does a wonderful job at keeping the historic facts from becoming dry, while making sure some sit and won't be forgotten. It's an intriguing and clever mixture, which is sure to help kids gain a greater appreciation for art and the artists.

Middle graders who love adventure, science fiction and whose fantasies know no limits are sure to enjoy this series.


And here she is. . .

Nancy Kunhardt Lodge has a Ph.D. in Renaissance art history. She taught at Tufts, Boston, and American Universities. She has written scholarly articles and delivered papers at Renaissance conferences in Italy and the U.S., among them the Frick Collection of Art, the Corcoran Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Resident Associates Program. She is a member of SCBWI and the College Art Association.  She has written two novels in the Lucy Nightingale Adventure Series. Dr. Lodge is the granddaughter of Dorothy Kunhardt, author of the children’s classic, Pat the Bunny. She lives in West Newbury, MA. with her husband and two Corgis, Wilbur and Charlotte.

You can find more about her at www.nancylodge.com

Sneak Peek: Hooked by DeAnna Browne with Giveaway

HOOKED

The Hardwired Trilogy Book 1

by DeAnna Browne
YA Science Fiction

When virtual reality surpasses people’s wildest dreams, many struggle to remain in the real world. Sixteen-year-old Ari has watched the financial and emotional cost of virtual reality addiction for years as her father continues barely existing in a VR coma. Unfortunately, her only option to help her family escape poverty is if she studies the one subject she hates and fears: virtual reality programming.

Despite her misgivings, Ari soon develops a rare talent that makes her question everything. Now she must hide her ability or risk becoming a priceless commodity that governments and corporations will fight, steal or even kill to possess. As officials tighten the shackles surrounding Ari, she rebels against her imposed future and searches for a way to save those she loves. Yet, running proves impossible, when the government is always one click away.

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SNEAK PEEK

T his isn’t real.

Ari stood on a nearby hill above the familiar carnival with her brother, Marco. Rides spun endlessly in the distance, and neon lights flashed, illuminating the dark night. It stole her back to a time when the world was a different place, a place full of laughter. An uneasy sensation crawled along Ari’s skin as she thought of her body tucked back in reality with wires streaming from the port in her neck.

“Remember how you puked on the Spinning Hammers?” A wide smile lit up Marco’s face. Marco and Ari both took after their mother with their tanned skin, dark wavy hair, and chocolate eyes. Except for the smile—Marco wore their father’s smile.

She couldn’t figure out how her brother always appeared so put together, in and out of the virtual realm. Ari wore a flannel shirt and beat up jeans, and not on purpose. The VR program let people change their clothes, but Ari never stuck around long enough to bother with fashion.

She turned back to the carnival, the rides antiquated and shedding their paint even in this computerized replica. The carnival had come around every spring when they were little. People lined up all day and night for rides, an event so popular someone made it into a VR.

“Please, Marco, I feel like I’m about to lose it.” She dug her nails deep into her palms and welcomed the pain as it grounded her in reality.

“What? You don’t like it?” Marco acted surprised. “I had to ask them to dig into their storage to find this virtual for you. Come on.”

Marco grabbed Ari’s hand and pulled her down the hill towards the rides. The cool night air brushed against her face as they raced down the grassy path, and she fought to keep her fear from bubbling over. She had never lasted more than two minutes in one of these programs, but today she needed to. Her future depended on it. Assignments for their continued education were coming soon, and if she couldn’t pass the VR simulation, she might as well sign up for a life of kitchen duty.

Her breath came in rapid pants as they reached the entrance. A disfigured clown face with exaggerated eyes and teeth welcomed them, his mechanical voice scratchy. Her throat tightened as she tried to breathe. She panicked at the idea of being stuck here forever, trapped in this virtual world, spiraling into a VR coma like her father. The government limited the hours kids could be inside a VR, but people, young and old, still slipped, which left their family paying the bill in hopes they would return.

The clown image frizzed momentarily into a dark void with specks of light replacing the creepy face. “Marco, what’s going on?” She pointed at the distorted image. There had to be some sort of glitch.

Marco glanced at the clown. “What are you talking about, Ariana?” He tugged on her arm. “Snap out of it. I told Mom we would have fun.” He yanked her toward the Tilt-a-Whirl.

An elderly man worked the empty ride, or so her brain told her. He wore a plain blue uniform and a smile that was a touch bigger than necessary. Holding the gate open, he welcomed them inside.

The virtual showed its age as the computerized character blinked constantly and tilted his head every three seconds like clockwork, but they couldn’t afford anything more sophisticated. Ari wasn’t sure if it was the uncomfortable memory of wires hooked into her unconscious body or this man’s creepy behavior that made her want to run away.

She froze with fear at the gate. “I can’t do this.”

“Yes, you can.” Marco’s dark eyes locked onto her with a firmness that didn’t suit him. “You don’t have a choice. Get used to VRs or get used to cleaning toilets while Mom tries to marry you off. Is that what you want?”

Normally she would have smacked her older brother for talking like that, but the truth hit its mark. Biting her lip, she stepped toward the small compartment built for two. Marco climbed in and slid across the faded blue vinyl bench. She squeezed in beside him and fastened the thick black strap.

“I thought you loved being here. I always did.”

Every spring, her father would empty the jar of coins on top of the fridge and treat Ari and Marco to a fun day at the carnival. They would fill up on fried bread and cheese curls, watching the night descend into a blur of neon lights. But, unlike her brother, this reminded Ari of what they didn’t have anymore: a father and a jar full of savings. In a VR coma, their dad was more dead than alive, and the chipped jar now sat empty on top of a rundown fridge.

Chest tightening, she pushed back the memories. “I’m sorry. I can’t, Marco. I gotta go.” She clawed at the thick black safety belt as the ride surged forward.

“Are you really going to waste Mom’s money? You know this is your last chance before your tests.” If he saw the fear in her eyes, he ignored it. “Whatever. Go. I’m staying and getting my money’s worth.” She bit her lip and faced forward, holding back her rising hysteria. The cart picked up speed and pushed her against Marco, who screamed in delight, arms raised high in the air. She wanted this so badly, wanted to let go of reality, to let go of the gnawing sensation in the back of her neck. As the cart continued to spin, Ari closed her eyes, hoping to endure. By the time her cart approached the aged man a second time, she was gone.

Her eyes opened to a water-stained ceiling. The stench of old cigarettes and filthy bodies welcomed her back to reality. She strained to turn her head. Her neck pinched from the cords in her port. Disgust tasted sour as she clawed the base of her neck, pulling at the thick cable.

“Hey, girlie. You’re going to tear your port, and I don’t have the stuff to fix it.” A man’s thick hands turned the cable until a click sounded, and then he gently pulled the wires out. She wanted to scratch at the insertion site, to tear away the mechanical feeling that lingered inside of her. Instead she undid her ponytail and covered the port site with hair, smoothing it down.

Her brother lay next to her in a reclined chair, a smile pasted on his handsome face. His wavy, thick hair, often kept short, curled around his temple. He always appeared more innocent while unconscious.

Glad to see he’s enjoying himself. She pushed back the bitterness boiling inside. He had been trying to help.

The large man, covered in old tattoos and smelling of yesterday’s beer, winked at her. Revulsion rolled around in her gut. Before he could speak, she rushed out of the room. She detested this shop as much as the virtuals themselves. The VR center stood only a few blocks from her house, a permanent fixture in her rundown neighborhood.

Ari hurried through the metal doors, squinting as she welcomed the sun. The real sun.

Her sun.

“Missy, want to catch a trip with a real guy?”

A withered man sat outside, his dirty clothes hanging off his body. “Trust me. I look a hell of a lot better on the inside.”

She snapped her head back to the road in front of her, ignoring him.

“Don’t be like that,” the man said.

Someone reached for her, grabbing at her arm, but she swatted it away, quickening her step. Please just leave me alone.

The jeers of the strung-out VR addicts followed her for the rest of the block.

She tried not to imagine how her father had used to be there, hanging out with the bums to catch a free VR. She tried, but it didn’t work.

DeAnna Browne graduated from Arizona State University with her BS in Psychology. She finds it helps to corral those voices in her mind and put them to paper. Her debut novel, A DEMON RISING, came out in August 2017 with Black Opal Books and book two in the series, UNHOLY SUNDERING, is due out 2018. An avid reader and writer, she has a soft spot for fantasy with a touch of romance. Despite her love for food and traveling, she always finds her way back to Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, children, and pet dog.

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Review: Fire and Bone by Rachel A. Marks

FIRE AND BONE

Otherborn, Book One

by Rachel A. Marks

Skyscape

YA Urban Fantasy

407 pages

In Hollywood’s underworld of demigods, druids, and ancient bonds, one girl has a dangerous future.

Sage is eighteen, down on her luck, and struggling to survive on the streets of Los Angeles. Everything changes the night she’s invited to a party — one that turns out to be a trap.

Thrust into a magical world hidden within the City of Angels, Sage discovers that she’s the daughter of a Celtic goddess, with powers that are only in their infancy. Now that she is of age, she’s asked to pledge her service to one of the five deities, all keen on winning her favor by any means possible. She has to admit that she’s tempted — especially when this new life comes with spells, Hollywood glam, and a bodyguard with secrets of his own. Not to mention a prince whose proposal could boost her rank in the Otherworld.

As loyalties shift, and as the two men vie for her attention, Sage tries to figure out who to trust in a realm she doesn’t understand. One thing's for sure: the trap she’s in has bigger claws than she thought. And it’s going to take a lot more than magic for this Celtic demigoddess to make it out alive.

 MY TIDBITS

The tagline 'Gossip Girl meets Percy Jackson' lives up to its claim, but with a heavy mix of the TV series, Lost Girl, throw in.

Sage's life is a mess and has been as long as she can remember. Against her better judgement, she's lured to a party with the promise of food and a shower, but instead, finds herself captured by a strange people, who claim to have supernatural powers. But more, they insist she too is not human. She's dragged away to a mansion and starting a dangerous fire, begins to believe that these people might be right. Not only must she learn to control her powers, but is faced with the choice to pledge loyalty to one of five factions of paranormal beings. But she doesn't know who to trust, especially since two very different men are determined to win her over in the process.

Sage is not the usual type of paranormal heroine. She packs a sharp tongue, tons of mistrust and isn't about to let anyone push her around. And she carries baggage from her past. Tons of it, but it's not there to gather sympathy and pity. Rather, this harshness has molded her personality making her easier to understand despite her sharp edges. Of course, Sage has heart, and it's exactly this desire not to hurt others which keeps her from running away from everything.

The story is fast paced. Not only does she head from one action or dangerous situation into the next, but layers of secrets are constantly being brought to the surface. She is a special snowflake with a huge roll in destiny, but this weaves well with the other characters and story to keep it growing to cliche.

The side characters in this story add wonderful richness to the world. The tale isn't only told from Sage's point of view but allows several other characters to gain their own depth. It's hard to tell who to trust and who to cheer for as each has their own agenda in mind. Each has their own personality, some of which add a wonderfully playful level of snark and superficial girliness to counter the more serious, dark side.

As for the romance, Sage is not one to jump into anything. She does drool quick but has strong walls in the background. Trust needs to be won from both sides. Although this is sold as two guys loving one girl, it's not as clear cut as that. There's a lot going on in the background, all of which unfolds with time as Sage uncovers more and more secrets from her past. It's complex and not even what Sage thinks. It will be interesting to see where it all steers in the future books in the series.

And I do plan on reading more. What, at times, seemed like a normal urban fantasy, shifts into high gear by the end of the book and promises so much in the books to come. Fans of urban fantasy with fee, gods, shades, and so much more are sure to enjoy this read.

Review: I Am Loved by Nikki Giovanni, Illustrated by Ashley Bryan

April is Poetry month, and what better way to start it out than with a book from prize holding Nikki Giovanni? Together with the amazing artist, Ashley Bryan, she has created a beautiful picture book with inspiring poems centered around love, life and joy.

I AM LOVED

by Nikki Giovanni

Illustrated by Ashley Bryan

Atheneum Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

Newbery Award honoree Ashley Bryan has hand-selected a dozen of National Book Award winner Nikki Giovanni’s poems to illustrate with his inimitable flourish.

There is nothing more important to a child than to feel loved, and this gorgeous gathering of poems written by Nikki Giovanni celebrates exactly that. Hand-selected by Newbery honoree Ashley Bryan, he has, with his masterful flourish of color, shape, and movement, added a visual layering that drums the most impartant message of all to young, old, parent, child, grandparent, and friend alike: You are loved. You are loved. You are loved. As a bonus, one page is mirrored, so children reading the book can see exactly who is loved—themselves!

MY TIDBITS

With colorful illustrations, which invite to dream, and beautifully worded poems, this is a book to inspire and bring the warmth of love.

This is a collection of eleven poems, each weaving a lovely description centering on themes from cats to dance to quilts to wild flowers and more, but each of these underlines a feeling of love and warmth. Some of the poems are only a few verses long, while others require the entire two-page spread. The poems paint a picture of things which are familiar but also lead to deeper meaning and thought. While some poems are easy for children in the intended age group to understand, others will require and invite discussion. The range is wide, from simple to more complex. Some poems are better geared for slightly older children over age eight. At times, the level of vocabulary is higher than younger listeners and readers might be accustom to. But there's something for everyone, and each person is sure to find their personal favorite.

The illustrations are a playground of colors, shapes and form. The familiar is molded in with a rainbow of joyful fantasy, while nodding at diversity in one of its most beautiful forms.

This is a lovely collection of poetry, one which is perfect as a read-aloud and offers an open door for discussions. But for all things, there is a constant sense of joy, love and warmth, and a celebration of life in its all of its variety.


And here they are. . .

The Author. . . .
Nikki Giovanni is one of the most decorated poets of our time. She is the recipient of seven NAACP Image Awards, a National Book Award, a Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King Award, and a Grammy nomination. She is the author of three New York Times bestsellers as well as many poetry collections for children and adults.
You can visit her online a Nikki-Giovanni.com.

The Illustrator. . .

Ashley Bryan grew up to the sounds of his mother singing from morning to night, and he has shared the joy of song with children ever since. A beloved illustrator, he was recently named a Newberry Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He has also been the recipient of the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award; the Laura INgalls Wilder Award; has been a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer; a Coretta Scott King Award winner; and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum, Let It Shine, Ashley Bryan's Book of Puppets, and What a Wonderful World. He lives in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.

Sneak Peek: Through the Glass by Erica Kiefer with Giveaway

Through the Glass 

The Window Series, #2

by Erica Kiefer

CTP Pulse

YA Romance, Suspense

COMING. . .

TOMORROW

APRIL 3rd, 2018!!!

Still reeling from the discovery of her twin sister, Olivia struggles to face her mother’s betrayal. As Olivia and her friends seek to unravel the dark mystery of how and why the twins were separated, tensions escalate when Emma runs into her sister’s ex—who assumes she’s Olivia. When honesty is abandoned for more secrets and lies, the fallout between the sisters only intensifies. As they sift between truth and deception, it becomes clear that matters of the heart are not as transparent as they may seem.
A page-turning mystery laced with romance and emotional drama, Through the Glass is the satisfying conclusion to the Window Series duology by Erica Kiefer.

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SNEAK PEEK

I never cared to be an actress. Waltzing across the stage with all eyes on me wasn’t my style, nor was feigning confidence as a different character. I admired them really, the performers who could fool an audience into feeling and believing their words. The very best could pull people into their world within minutes, tugging on heart strings and wrapping the crowd around their little finger.
Turns out my mother was the true actress around here.
I lifted my eyes from my bowl of stew, a fleeting glance landing on Mom as she sipped wine from a goblet. Without even meeting my gaze, her words found me from across the table.
“I’ll take it as a compliment that you haven’t spoken since we sat down for dinner.” She positioned her goblet beside her placemat, careful and precise. Regardless, the red liquid sloshed from side to side, taking a minute to settle.
I tried to hide how my eyes widened. Like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, I bowed mine over my dinner, slipping the spoon into my mouth and forcing myself to swallow another bite. Tasteless, it hit my empty stomach like a punch to the gut. I would never pull this off.
“Are you feeling okay?” Mom asked. She cocked her head to the side, studying me. Her eyes bore into me like a magnifying glass, reading beyond the obvious signs of my discomfort. She could always see right through me.
I scrambled for some line of truth, knowing it was the only way I’d be able to disguise my lie. Stalling, I ran my napkin across my lips, still focusing on the carrots and potatoes inside my bowl. How could I talk to her when I could barely maintain eye contact?
“Does this have anything to do with Andre Steele?” Dad asked. Grateful for the interruption, I found comfort responding to my ally, though he had no idea how deceived he truly was. Until just hours ago, I hadn’t either.
“Um, sort of,” I said, my fingers clenching the napkin in my lap. I couldn’t picture Andre without seeing him with Emma, harboring my twin in his backyard pool house. I’d only just met her after our entire childhood apart, and now we were separated again with more secrets and lies. There would be a time for truth, but that time was not now. Not until we solidified a plan.
Mentioning Andre seemed to fit my unsteady behavior, though. Dad cleared his throat and exchanged a knowing look with Mom, who gave a tight-lipped smile in return. I needed to play along as truthfully as I could, which, considering Andre and I were still unsure about our relationship status, shouldn’t prove too difficult. So, out with the truth.
“Well, we did kiss the other day—” I paused with an exaggerated sigh. “Come on, Dad. Don’t make this more awkward with that face. You’re the one who asked,” I reminded him, not actually wanting to talk about Andre and me either. However, it seemed easier than explaining, “Oh, and by the way, the woman you married separated me from my identical twin and has been using us to run a social experiment.” I wasn’t sure I’d ever be equipped to navigate that conversation about the woman he loved and the mother I trusted.
Used to trust.
“So…” I continued in a hurry. “We kissed, but then I decided I didn’t want a boyfriend, so I put an end to it. Only… Dominic stopped by on the weekend and I was mad at Andre, so I kissed Dominic, too—” I stopped when Dad dropped his fork against his plate and then clamored to pick it up in a clumsy fashion. I bit my lip, wishing I were only fibbing about kissing Andre and my ex-boyfriend within twenty-four hours of each other. “It’s been a little confusing around here,” I finished, folding my arms against the table.
Mom made a curt noise that sounded like judgement to me, not that she had any room for that. “It sounds like we might need to set up a second visit with your therapist.”
“No, not Todd,” I moaned, a genuine response of humiliation and dread. The first sit-down with that uncomfortable man was enough. However, I’d have to give in. This apparent boy drama seemed to be working as the perfect detour from the truth. And the lies.
“Livvy,” Mom said, her tone softening as she used my childhood nickname. I met her eyes in surprise. She hardly ever called me that anymore. It wasn’t like her to coddle. “One session alone is not going to help you come to terms with understanding your adoption situation… Yes, I know,” she clarified. “I mean, how I raised you without actually adopting you. We have our differences in opinion, but I’m sure we can agree you suddenly chopping your hair off and kissing a new boy every night might be symptoms of something deeper beneath the surface.”
Ugh. The psychiatrist was back in the house, which was why she’d sent me to a therapist in the first place. She hadn’t wanted to wear her mom and psychiatrist hat at the same time. Little had I known back then that Mom wore multiple hats every day.
The client-focused psychiatrist.
The devoted mother.
The twisted social scientist running tests on separated identical twins.
My cheeks burned as images of facing Emma along the river leapt to the forefront of my mind, shadowed by her navy hoodie. Pale and afraid. Nervous to my touch. I’d left her tonight, seated on the edge of the bed inside Andre’s pool house, her eyes wide and uncertain. Andre would take care of her, but I hated how the sister I’d only met hours ago lay just a few miles away from my reach. We had so much to catch up on. So much to try to understand, and a plan to devise.
“Fine, I’ll go see Todd again,” I said, conceding with less fight than normal—anything to keep this conversation at bay. On second thought, maybe I was conceding too fast, raising suspicion. That didn’t sound like me. “But don’t go pulling one of your favors again and getting me in tomorrow,” I hurried to add, crossing my arms for added effect. I slouched into the back of my seat. “Give me a week or so to figure out what I want to talk with him about. Deal?” I raised my eyebrows, hoping I’d pulled off my usual stubbornness mixed with compliance.
Dad cleared his throat. “That sounds fair enough. Don’t you think, Evelyn?”
Mom smiled softly at him and took a deep breath. “I suppose so.” She looked my way to say, “I’ll call Todd in the morning and see when he is available. No rush,” she promised. She stood up, gathering dishes from the table, and then disappeared into the kitchen.
At last, the charade was over. I jumped up, taking mine and Dad’s bowl to the sink. I let the water run over them. After a quiet minute, Mom’s hand landed on my shoulder. I let her touch press into me, stifling the urge to knock her hand away.
“I hope you know you can talk to me,” she said. “No matter what’s going on.”
I swallowed. At this point, there was no use professing I was just fine. She was letting me know she saw right through me, a skill I once considered more sentimental than manipulative. I could only do my best to conceal my knowledge for a while longer and hope she chalked my uneasy behavior up to the original adoption issues. Or boy problems.
“I love you, Olivia.” She squeezed my arm.
I unclenched my teeth. “I love you, too, Mom.”

And here she is. . .

 

Erica Kiefer’s debut novel Lingering Echoes was published by Clean Teen Publishing in November 2013. She continued the series with Rumors (A Lingering Echoes Prequel) and her newest release Vanishing Act. All of her books can be read as stand-alone contemporary YA fiction, touched with romance, emotional drama and suspense. With a degree in Recreation Therapy from Brigham Young University, Erica’s experiences working with at-risk youth have influenced the realistic and relatable nature of her writing. Her first inspirational non-fiction entitled Borrowed Angel (published in April 2014 with Currawong Press) describes the loss of her infant son and her journey towards healing.
Married since 2005, Erica resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with her four children and can often be found satisfying her sweet-tooth with chocolate-chip cookies and a glass of milk. Now and then, she dusts off her collegiate rugby skills and dives back into the game.

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