Review: The Abbey Mystery by Julia Golding

I can't tell you how excited I am to start this month out with today's read. Now, I'm not really a Jane Austen fan  (gasp?). It's true. Her works never really grabbed me, and yet, this one caught my eye. And I'm so glad it did! Using facts from Jane Austen's life, this book swoops a thirteen-year-old version of her into a mystery. It's intended for the middle grade audience...after reading it, I'd say the upper end more. A tween read, in my opinion. It's definitely a good one, too. Too bad, you have to wait until April 23rd for this one, but mark your calendars because it's worth it.

(Gosh, I hope this is the beginning to a series)

THE ABBEY MYSTERY

Jane Austen Investigates

by Julia Golding

Lion Fiction

Middle Grade Mystery

ages 9 to 14

192 pages

Jane Austen turns detective in this spooky historical adventure by award-winning author Julia Golding!

It’s 1789 and a young Jane Austen turns detective as she seeks to solve the mysterious happenings at Southmoor Abbey. When a carriage accident forces a change of plans, 13-year-old Jane is sent to be a companion to Lady Cromwell for a week as the household prepares to celebrate the eldest son’s coming-of-age party. While there, Jane vows to solve the mystery of the ghostly monk in the Abbey grounds – for she does not believe in such stories!

But this is not the only strange occurrence for the adventurous young Jane to investigate. There are shivery night-time investigations, an Indian girl with secret talents, a library fire, two prize horses in danger, and friends to save from false accusations.

With notebook in hand and her faithful dog Grandison by her side, will Jane overcome the continuous obstacles and find out the truth?

BOOK DEPOSITORY   /    GOODREADS   /    B&N    /     KOBO     /    AMAZON

BOOK BLINK

                               * based on some facts from Jane Austen's life

                               * set nicely in time frame

                               * vivid characters

                               * mystery well woven

                               * tension mixed with humor, too

MY TIDBITS

This is the kind of read to sink into and get lost in until the very last page. And that's exactly what I did.

Jane's entire family is known to be adventurous and a bit unconventional. Despite this, they are well respected, and her older sister is requested to serve as companionship for the Lady of a wealthy family until their son has his coming-of-age party. But when Jane's sister is injured, she has to jump in. Her older brother spruces things up even more, when he makes a bet with her about the existence of a ghost at the Abby. Excited to start that investigation and win the bet, Jane's stay at the home begins. It brings all sorts of unexpected twists, most of which have nothing to do with the ghost in the slightest. But each one leaves her in dangerous situations and discovering secrets she should know nothing about.

When I started reading this, I was a little unsure how it would proceed. It is set in the later 1700's and stays as solid in that time frame as possible. Which means the dialogue and such also slides into this category. The terminology and word choice made me wonder if this one might steer out of the intended middle grade direction. But this fear was completely unnecessary. This book is very well done, the characters are fun to accompany, and the plot made it impossible to set down. Still, I do see this one more geared to the tween audience.

Jane is portrayed as a curious, risk-happy, slightly spunky, and yet, very aware of her duties as a young lady, kind of girl. And she's clever. Add her love for her 'lap-dog', and it's very hard not to like her. She makes mistakes but is quick to admit it and jump right back in. Plus, her moral compass is very well set, where it counts...even if this isn't acceptable to society's rules. She's the kind of girl, one wishes they could run around with and join in on her adventures.

While the historic time frame is very well portrayed and slips in masterfully without boring descriptions, it's the well-woven mystery, which really draws in. There are more than a few characters, but each has a personality of their own. They have their own troubles, and even those which are 'honorable' might not be perfectly so. This makes for a wide selection of 'who-dun-its', and the true instigators are hard to find until the end. But there are also several sub-plots running along the side, which make it hard not to fever for some of the other characters and hope they work out their problems as well. Plus, there are a few life lessons tossed into the mix.

I can highly recommend this one to mystery lovers, who enjoy a well-done jaunt into the past. While Jane Austen fans will enjoy it, by no means is it only for them (I, personally, have never been a Jane Austen fan and enjoyed every page). I really hope this is the beginning to a series because it promises to be a good one.

Review: The Burglar's Ball by Julia Golding

I'm starting this week off with a historical mystery. I did read and review the first one in the series awhile back (here) and was excited to get my hands on an ARC of the next one. So, today's review heads back into history and to a ball, where a thief disrupts a ball.

Ready to jet back in time? 

THE BURGLAR'S BALL

Jane Austen Investigates, Book 2

by Julia Golding

Lion Hudson Ltd

Middle Grade Mystery / Historical

176 pages

ages 9 to 12

COMING...

OCTOBER 22nd!!!

Nancy Drew. Enola Holmes. Sally Lockhart. Move over girls, it’s Jane's time!

Join young budding detective Jane Austen in her second investigation to uncover a devious diamond thief at the glitziest, most scandalous ball of the year! Inspired by Sense and Sensibility.
*
‘No one who had ever seen Jane Austen in her infancy would suppose her to be born to solve crimes. From her early love of sugar plums, and cleverness in hiding her expeditions into the pantry, her mother declared her far more likely to commit them. However, as Jane would counter, there was no better person to identify the culprit than the thief turned thief-catcher.’

When the headmistress invites her past favourite pupil to attend their end of term ball, Cassandra brings her younger sister, Jane, along too. Cassandra plunges into the feverish excitement of preparing for the biggest event of the year – the dresses, the dances and the boys expected from the neighbouring school.

Feeling rather excluded, sharp-witted Jane unearths the reason for the fuss – the headteacher wants to impress a rich family returned from India as the school is at risk of going bankrupt. Jane also befriends the dancing master’s assistant, a former slave, called Brandon, who is as quick to notice things as she. At the ball, a diamond necklace is stolen from a locked room and they are propelled into a race to uncover the burglar and save Brandon from gaol.

With the ever-present Austen spirit, Jane with notebook in hand, boldly overcomes the obstacles to finding the truth.

Perfect for readers aged 9-109, and for fans of Katherine Woodfine and Lucy Worsley.

GOODREADS   /    BOOK DEPOSITORY     /   B&N    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Every page pulls into a world, where history, mystery and readiness to defy social boundaries beam from every page.

Jane likes to sit at home, read and enjoy life, but her older sister is determined to drag her along to a ball at her school. Once there, Jane feels out of place and soon discovers that the ball isn't so much as a social event for the students as it is a forefront to gain money for the financially suffering school. During the event, a necklace is stolen, and the blame falls on her new found friend, the dancing master's assistant and former slave.

I enjoyed reading the first book in this series, but this one was even better. (Here, I should add that it's not necessary to read the first book before diving into this one, but it does clear up some of the relationships and characters if the series is read as such.)  Jane has a very independent character and more spunk than girls at that time should have. It makes her easy to root for, fun to watch, and inspiring, too. Like in the first book, Jane befriends those, whom society wants her to ignore and look down upon. And as in the first book, it's this person who catches the blame when things go wrong. Still, this book didn't feel like a copy of the first, but rather, was a wonderful read...even better than the first, since it flowed much more smoothly.

History comes to life in these pages.  Still, the mystery as well as the characters are easy for modern middle graders can connect with. Jane has siblings she loves and gets upset with; she usually behaves but does step beyond the 'rules' when needed; and she's ready to stand up to adults and solve things on her own. She's witty and has a heart of gold. All of this sits in a historical setting with fitting dialogue, mannerisms, and standards. And it's still fun. There's the needed tension to keep the pages turning and heart to keep the characters sympathetic. There are unexpected twists and turns, although the mystery isn't extremely woven, and the reader can see the ending coming before Jane does. 

This is a wonderful continuation of an interesting mystery series, and I have no doubt young sleuths and readers fans will enjoy this one. Plus, adult fans of Jane Austen will even enjoy taking a look inside.

Review: The Hummingbird Dagger by Cindy Anstey with Giveaway

The Hummingbird Dagger

by Cindy Anstey

Swoon Reads

April 16th 2019

YA Historical / Mystery

From the author of Suitors and Sabotage comes a suspenseful and enthralling new Regency novel, perfect for readers who like their Jane Austen classics with a side of mystery and murder.
1833. A near-fatal carriage accident has deposited an unconscious young woman on the doorstep of Hardwick Manor and into the care of young Lord James Ellerby. But when she finally awakens, it is with no memory of who she is or where she came from.
Beth, as she calls herself, has no identity; the only clue to her circumstances is a recurring nightmare of a hummingbird, blood dripping from its steel beak.
With the help of James and his sister, Caroline, Beth tries to solve the mystery of her own identity and the appalling events that brought her to their door. But nothing could prepare her for the escalating dangers that threaten her and the Ellerby clan. From the hazardous cliffs of Dorset to the hostile streets of London, Beth will fight to reclaim her past, hunted by a secretive foe with murderous intentions.
Fans of Cindy Anstey’s previous novels won’t want to miss The Hummingbird Dagger, a dark and twisty new offering that blends romance, danger and mystery.
Praise for Duels & Deception:

“Delightful … It is Jane Austen spiced with action, suspense, and humor.” —VOYA, starred review
“Jane Austen fans in need of a good new book, look no further.” —Entertainment Weekly

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

MY TIDBITS

Fans of Jane Austen, who enjoy a bit of a spooky mystery, will love diving into this one.

James' reckless younger brother takes a wild ride with his horse and buggy, causing an accident. Luckily, no one seems injured except for a young woman traveling without a chaperone on the carriage to London. As Lord of the nearby manor, the young James rushes to help her and allows her to stay at the manor while she receives medical attention. But she appears to have lost her memory as well. The only thing which repeatedly come to her are horrid nightmares with darkness, captivity, blood and a hummingbird dagger. As no one claims to know her or be searching for her, James and his siblings take it on themselves to help discover who she is. The truth, however, is not what they expected nor easy to find.

The author does a fantastic job at opening up a rich Victorian world with characters who are easy to root for and like. The dialogue, scenes and concerns fit the time period wonderfully and invite the reader to get lost in the historic setting. James, his siblings, and Beth are all kind, despite some quirks, and it's enjoyable to get to know them. When the plot thickens, it's impossible not to hope they make it through and defeat the 'bad' buy.

The first chapter grabs right away and bring along a slightly tense breeze in the background. The feeling that something isn't quite right seeps in gently and increases as the tale continues along. While the first chapters keep the tension high, it reels back as the book continues, taking on a more the more familiar pacing of a novel from that period as conversation outweighs action. It was a little slow for my taste at times, but then, I tend to enjoy more action and adventure in my reads. The twists and turns were also a bit confusing at times, but none of this made me stop reading. Especially the ending chapters pick up the pace again, and finish with a satisfying end. 

Romance is present and as sweet as James and Beth themselves. It's a slow burn, and that's fine with me, especially considering it's a young adult. This is one, however, that adults will also feel at home in and are sure to enjoy the mystery

And here she is...

Whenever she is not sitting at the computer, throwing a ball in the backyard, gardening or reading, Cindy can be found–actually, not found–adventuring around the world with her hubby.
She has lived on three continents, had a monkey in her yard and a scorpion under her sink, dwelt among castles and canals, enjoyed the jazz of Beale St and attempted to speak French.
Cindy loves history, mystery and… a chocolate Labrador called Chester. 

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What is coming in March?

Birds, flowers and sunshine are on their way. After the sudden bout of freezing temperatures, ice and snow, I am looking forward to every moment of Spring. Well, except for Spring cleaning...but that goes smoother with a good book on the side. (Shh...I never said I got my Spring cleaning done quickly.) And with this month's tempting reads, it will probably take much longer than usual. 

So much goodness coming this month! It just so happens to be Woman's History Month, too. So, I have all sorts of goodies on that front. Add the amazing...and I do mean super-awesome!...middle-grade reads on my list, and wow!

My son joked that I only show my 'best' reads on this list, but Oh, Contrair! I had so much trouble holding back this time and even counted the list several times to make sure I already had ten and couldn't squeeze in more. But I can't reveal everything. Life is so unfair.

Anyway, here we go!

THE ABBEY MYSTERY

From the Jane Austen Investigates series, comes this amazing looking mystery. I believe this is the 1st in the series (don't quote me on that, though). It does promise to be spooky, mysterious, historical and pack tons of goodness. Too bad, it doesn't come out until April 23rd, but you can get a tiny taste of it with me already on the 1st. 

Middle Grade Historical Mystery

YOLK

The strength of sister relationships takes center stage in this one, but with a unique twist. Two estranged sisters meet up and live together (although they don't really know each other) and agree to work together to get away with insurance fraud to save one of their lives...while the other dies? It's written by an award winning author. My thoughts hit on the 2nd of this month.

Young Adult Contemporary

EAT UP, BEAR!

Planning a camping trip? You'll want to pack this book along with your tent if you are. It's a small board book about camping and bears...just right for little campers to get a first impression about these animals. If it hits that goal? Find out on March 3rd, although it doesn't release until April 13th.

Board Book

DOWN WORLD

I've been looking forward to reading this one, since I got my hands on it. It's sold as a Stranger Things meets Dark and takes place in a high school, where doors open up to another world. It's supposed to be creepy...or so I've heard. It releases on March 30th, but I'll give you my thoughts on the 4th.

Young Adult Science Fiction / Thriller

STEALING GREENWICH

This is the 1st book in a new series from Brittany Geragotelis, and I can't wait to dive in. A girl has grown up with a criminal father and is now, taking her skills to school...in hopes of working for good. A Robinhood syndrome kind of thing, I guess. See how good it is with me on the 12th. It releases on July 6th.

Middle Grade Contemporary

FEARLESS

While it's March...not October...I have another spooky read. This one centers around a cursed theater, ghosts, and the desire to make a show a success. It hits the shelves on April 6th, but get some goosebumps with me already on the 18th.

Middle Grade Paranormal

ALINA: A SONG FOR THE TELLING

It's time for another dash into historical fiction, this time with one which resembles Anne of Green Gables or Little Women. Taking place in the 12th century, this one is about a girl who escapes her aunt and heads to the Holy Land in hope of finding answers about life. I thought it sounded intriguing, and we'll see if I'm right on the 19th.

Middle Grade Historical Fiction

BREAKING THE ICE

This one is based on the true story of Manon Rheaume, the 1st and only woman ever to play a game in The National Hockey League. I'm always thrilled to get a sport book on here. See what I think of this one on the 21st.

Picture Book

Silver Dawn Afire

This one is fantasy pure. A girl dies, ending her mortal life but knowing she will progress to be one of the Myridians...which means magical power. There should be friendship, adventure, tension, action and magic galore. Of course, evil schemes and impossible odds are probably not far behind. You'll find out on the 26th but can beat me to it, since it releases on the 16th already.

Young Adult Fantasy

Should I show you more? There are so many more!!! Maybe just one. I'll call this one my surprise read, since I have no idea when or how I'm going to get it in this month. But I will because I'm determined...even if I have to add a whole new day to March (yeah, right.)

DATE A LIVE - DEAD END

No worries. This one is in English, too. (Someday, I might get my Chinese far enough to read something...) I decided to hit another manga this month for fun. This heroine isn't really a heroine. She's shunned by the world. But one guy is willing to try to stop her from destroying them all with a scheme no one has thought of yet...he's going to ask her out on a date. Sounds crazy?  

Young Adult Fantasy / Manga

Behind Five Willows by June Hur

Finally, I'm getting to today's read...and I've been looking forward to it. I've enjoyed June Hur's works before and bet that this one will be just as easy to sink into. I believe it takes more of a lean in the historical fiction direction with romance...but I saw some comments claiming there are a few fantasy aspects. So, we'll see.

BEHIND FIVE WILLOWS

by June Hur

Feiwel & Friends

YA Historical Fiction

336 pages

COMING MAY 26th!!!

From the New York Times-bestselling author of A Crane Among Wolves comes a warm and romantic homage to Jane Austen set in historical Korea, about a reader and a writer who secretly fight against government book banning and find themselves irresistibly drawn together.

As the dutiful second-eldest daughter of a poor family, society would have Haewon believe that her only hope of a decent life is to marry well. But during a time of rampant government censorship and book banning, she instead works as an illegal book transcriber in order to make a little extra money. It’s dangerous work, but she loves it―especially when she gets to transcribe the work of her favorite author, known as Black Lotus.

When her older sister becomes smitten with a wealthy young gentleman, Haewon is roped into chaperoning them during their courtship. Which wouldn’t be so terrible... if it weren’t for the young man’s uptight and annoying best friend who also accompanies them.

As the only son of a noble, Seojun has a lot expected of him. Wealth. Status. Respectability. Certainly not frivolous and often illicit activities such as reading fiction. But Seojun loves to do something even more scandalous: writing. He’s kept his work secret from his father and friends, but with each passing day, the pressure of being his father’s son and the dispiriting actions of the government make Seojun question the purpose of it all. The only thing keeping him going are the encouraging letters he receives from his transcriber, known only as Magpie.

When his best friend falls hard for a girl of lower social status, Seojun finds himself forced to act as chaperone to the infatuated couple―along with the girl's younger sister, who is as irritating as she is judgmental. But as Haewon and Seojun spend more time together, they begin to suspect they may have judged each other too quickly...

GOODREADS     /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

If you enjoy romances set in historical Korea, which holds the ancient atmosphere firm but delivers it with an ease fitting to modern readers, this book is for you.

First off, this isn't a true YA read through and through in the sense that the main characters are in their twenties. They are worried about marriages, but this works thanks to the historic aspect. But the book is written in a YA appropriate manner and is steered in a way that will grab this audience level.

Haewon is the second of three daughters of a well-off but not overly high-leveled family. Her and her sisters are known to be a bit problematic, although they've never really caused meaningful scandals or ruined the family honor. Haewon loves to read books, which are forbidden, and secretly transcribes works from a 'forbidden' author. Her older sister is facing forced marriage due to an imperial proclamation that all women need to be married by a certain age. Seojun, the other main character, is the son of a very wealthy and long respected and powerful family. He lives under tight constraints and values but is secretly the questionable author. When he accidentally meets Haewon, his biggest fan, he's interested in a female for the very first time. She doesn't know his identity but is also drawn to him, but it's not only their societal rankings that make a relationship difficult. Both have gone directly against royal proclamations and both could face horrible consequences if discovered.

As usual, the author has created a rich world, which is easy to sink into. The historic aspects open wide and embrace with natural flow. There are just enough details to make the surroundings sit without growing heavy, and the ideals and thoughts of the time sit deep in each character. While historical, however, the author delivers the characters with easy-to-read dialogue and scenes. It's historical but takes on enough modern style to make it very accessible and smooth. The characters each carry distinct personalities, and although their worries match historic times, they are understandable and relatable. There's depth to each one and enough arc even in sub-characters to make them enjoyable to meet.

This is a romance and historical fiction drama flow smoothly and keep a steady, grabbing pace the entire way through. Both Haewon and Seojun have their quirks to create a slow-burn relationship with it's stumbles and twists. It's not sappy or quick. The other problems the characters face mount steadily during the read, packing increased urgency as the pages turn...but it's not high-tension until later, and even then, just enough to keep the tale grabbing with a bit of danger. For someone like me, who is a bit more of an action girl, it's very steady but a touch slow, since the first half heavily leans into the situations of Haewon and Seojun as they make their encounters, first friendship steps, and the foundation surrounding the 'forbidden' books and their activities gains depth and momentum. But it's never boring, either. The tale grabs and keeps the reader engaged, since the characters come across so nicely, and it's clear that something has to give, at one point. 

I highly recommend this one to historical romance fans, who love world depth and a fog of intrigue to keep things on their toes.

And here she is...

June Hur is a New York Times-bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author of YA historicals, including The Silence of Bones, The Forest of Stolen Girls, The Red Palace, A Crane Among Wolves, and Behind Five Willows. Born in South Korea, June spent her formative years in the USA, Canada, and South Korea before studying History and Literature at the University of Toronto, and working at the city’s public library. Her work has been featured in Forbes, NPR, The New York Times, CBC, and KBS. June resides in Toronto with her family and can be spotted writing in coffee shops.

Review: The River Boy by Jessica Brown

THE RIVER BOY

by Jessica Brown

Middle Grade Historical

ages 8 to 12

A story of friendship and courage in 1909 Montana.

Nine-year-old Clara is worried about the lonely summer ahead of her. That's when she meets Josiah, a boy full of ideas and imagination. Soon they're writing a book together, traveling all over town and countryside to collect stories.

But as their adventure unfolds, Clara begins to learn how much gumption it takes to fight for an idea - and how much courage it takes to fight for a friend. Together, Josiah and Clara create a summer like never before.

MY TIDBITS

Set it a rural life in 1909 in Montana, this is an inspiring read about friendship and determination.

Nine-year-old Clara is friends with everyone but still doesn't really feel like she fits in anywhere. Living on a ranch with her parents and two older brothers, she's often busy with chores. One day, while wandering out on her own, she meets Josiah sitting on a rock by the river, and he seems to have a lot in common with her. A close friendship forms quickly. They decided to write a type of book together, and soon find themselves facing unexpected problems and obstacles which will test their will power and friendship.

The author does a wonderful job at bringing these characters, the setting and the time period to life. Clara is a joy to follow. She's full of energy and has a golden heart as she faces problems which not only fit the past but modern day times as well. Josiah is a wonderful friend, who might come from a slightly different background than Clara, but still, the two make wonderful buddies. Readers will enjoy not only this glimpse back into history, but easily identify with both characters.

The writing is never overly descriptive and allows the story to continue through with a wonderful pace. The vocabulary and speech is also fitting to the setting, making it not only more authentic but allowing readers to come across some terms and phrases they may not recognize. The short length of the book won't scare away more reluctant readers, and is just right for the story. Warmth radiates from the pages as the characters demonstrate traits such as caring for others, helpfulness, trust and understanding.


And here she is. . .


Jessica Brown grew up in southeast Texas and now lives in the west of Ireland with her husband and son. With graduate degrees in English and writing, Jessica's writing has appeared in Relief journal, Dappled Things, Journal for Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, and in the book Jane Austen and the Arts. She is a regular contributor to the blog at Art House America and Duke University’s Faith and Leadership blog and also had the privilege of editing a book by Faustin Ntamushobora on forgiveness, Transformation rough the Different Other. In 2016, her novel for children The River Boy was released, and this year The Grace to Be Human, her nonfiction book for adults, is forthcoming with Kalos Press.  

You can follow her blog at her website, www.jessicabrownwriter.com.

Sneak Peek: The Secret of Dartwood Manor by N.A. Triptow with Giveaway!

The Secret of Dartwood Manor

by N.A. Triptow

The Witchling Trilogy, #1

January 18th 2021

YA Fantasy, Romance

 

Witches. Ghosts. An ancient secret. Enter a world of myth and magic through this contemporary fantasy reimagining of Jane Austen’s beloved classic, Sense and Sensibility.

The small New England town of Tarryville, Maine is steeped in history, having been settled by the Dartwood and Farris families who fled Salem during the witch trials. The Dartwood sisters, Eden, Mariah, and Melissa, unexpectedly return home after their parents are found murdered. Upon their arrival, the girls are plagued by dreams in which dark spectral beings haunt them. When the hellish creatures seem to be more than just nightmares, another mystery begins to unravel as they discover that the circumstances around the murder of their parents may be far more menacing than they appear. Frantic for answers, they must untangle the mystery of their parents’ murders and reconstruct the pieces of an ancient secret. With the help of the young assistant curator of their family museum, Baden Correia, and an estranged friend from their past, Evan Farris, the orphaned Dartwood sisters must uncover the truth before the darkness haunting their family descends upon them as well.

Goodreads / Amazon

SNEAK PEEK

“Have a good night, Dr. McConnell,” Baden held the door for one of their regulars as the woman exited the Dartwood Library and Museum. She was the last patron of the evening. Locking the door behind her, he turned to finish cleaning up

for the night. Returning a few stray books to their homes on the shelves and throwing scraps of paper in the trash was all he had left to do. As he made his way toward one of the tables, his attention was drawn toward a nearby bookshelf. He could hear a voice whispering something. Someone was behind that shelf.

“Hello?” Baden called out. Hearing only more whispering, he headed for the bookshelf, spotting the silhouette of a woman. Wondering how he had missed her before, he turned the corner and said, “I’m sorry but we’re closed for the eve—” His words cut short as he froze in place, staring at the suddenly empty space behind the bookshelf.

“Baden,” a woman chimed from across the room.

“Who’s there?” he called out, spinning on his heals. How had the woman crossed the room so quickly?

“Don’t you remember me, old friend?”

Baden followed the voice into the center of the room and caught the tail of a white cloak that only partially obscured what appeared to be a toga rushing behind another bookshelf. He had finished his rounds through the museum checking for patrons. No one else had been there. He was certain. Now, staring at the strange silhouette gliding behind the shelves, he couldn’t help but think of the Dartwoods. They had been murdered at night in their own home. “This isn’t funny,” he tried to speak with confidence, but it came out as little more than a whimper.

“They’ve finally come,” the voice seemed to be coming from everywhere despite the fact that he could distinctly see her gliding in front of him.

“Who’s come?” He made his way around the shelves to face the woman, but she was gone once more. When no answer came, he closed his eyes. “You’re just tired,” he said to himself, shaking his head, before opening his eyes.

The whispering began again, this time closer. It was right on the other side of the bookshelf he was standing next to. Slowly he turned and saw the silhouette behind the shelf. Inhaling, he placed a weak hand on the spine of the massive text that obstructed his view of her. The whispering was still a constant hum, but he’d have to be quick if he wanted to avoid her disappearing again. Rapidly, he pulled the book out of its place and was met with the weary expression of a frail old woman, her milky eyes boring into him, though he doubted they could see much of anything. “Que susto!” he all but screamed, leaping back. He recognized her. She’d been in his nightmare the night of the murder. Somehow, though, her visage felt more familiar than the simple memory of a dream. He knew her, but he did not know how.

“They are in danger,” the crone hissed in warning, and then she was gone. She hadn’t run away or moved to the side. She had merely vanished.

Placing the book back on the shelf, he buried his face in his hands. There was no way he had seen a woman just disappear in front of him. It was impossible.

Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, he jumped. Sighing a laugh, he tried to clear his thoughts. It must have been a hallucination brought on by grief and stress. There was no other explanation. Stilling himself, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and went to finish cleaning up.

And here she is...

 

N. A. Triptow graduated from The University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts in English Teaching with minors in History Teaching, Theatre, and British Studies. She teaches high school English and Film Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Strategic Communication and Advertising from Purdue University. In her free time, you can find her reading, watching and analyzing movies and television shows, attending the theatre, going on walks or hikes, and playing board or video games with family and friends. She lives in Utah.

For more from Nicole, including character artwork, playlists, swag, excerpts, trailers, and more, visit her website!

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Sneak Peek: Phoenix by Addison Kline

Title : Phoenix 

Author: Addison Kline 

Book 1 of the Phoenix Saga - The Phoenix

“Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” Or so the book of Corinthians tells us. 

Alanna Anderson does not agree with this sentiment. At the tender age of thirteen, Alanna believes that she has learned all she needs to know about love. Love is fleeting. Love is callous. Love is a lie. Growing up in the rough streets of South End, Pennsylvania, Alanna Anderson knows a thing or two about guarding her heart. Although there is a boy that vies for her attention, Alanna has no interest. She surrounds herself with the people she loves best, and immerses herself in her music and her love of literature. But one winter day, two boys forever changed Alanna’s life. One cemented Alanna’s belief that love was cruel. Another sought to prove her wrong.

Cris Serrano is new to town. Moving to the United States from Portugal, he is stepping into a world he in unfamiliar with. He is not fearful, though. Stepping forth with confidence, Cris is excited for what this new experience will hold, leaving behind a past he’d rather forget. Upon his first day at Henshaw Elementary, Cris meets Alanna Anderson and sparks fly. Their connection is one that will forever rewrite the map of their destinies – two supernovas colliding amidst a darkened sky. Not everyone believes that Alanna and Cris belong together, though. 

Damien Foley has loved Alanna Anderson from the day he first set eyes upon her. Though she ignores his advances, Damien has hope that Alanna will open her heart to him. But when Cris Serrano comes to town, everything changes. Alanna gazes at Cris the way Damien wishes she would look at him. Watching her fall in love in Cris was more than Damien’s mind could take. As Alanna and Cris are enveloped in the joy of young love, a storm is brewing. With Damien’s attraction to Alanna only intensifying with each unrequited sentiment, an obsession was born. 

Young love does not come easy in this gritty, romantic suspense novel. In the Phoenix Saga, they love hard, they fight hard, and the stakes are high as teens struggle to step over the echelon of adulthood.

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Addison Kline is an International Best-Selling Author who resides in Pennsylvania with her family. When she is not writing, she is immersing herself in music, reading to her heart's content, traveling with her family, or binging on her favorite shows on Netflix that include Wentworth, Bloodlines and Sons of Anarchy.

Addison is a member of the International Thriller Writers Association and while she loves to write in a variety of genres, Addison always says "mystery is her game." Some of her other favorite sub-genres to write include romantic suspense, psychological thrillers, crime and mafia thrillers.

Some of Addison's greatest influences to date include Edgar Allan Poe, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Harper Lee, Gillian Flynn, Emily Dickinson, Jane Austen & James Patterson.

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