If you stumbled on this blog, it's an old one. Please visit my new and improved web site (complete with blog posts) at www.ngeminisasson.com !
Thanks. See you around.
All my best,
Gemi
Monday, March 13, 2017
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Goodreads Giveaway: Lies and Letters
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Lies and Letters
by N. Gemini Sasson
Giveaway ends February 01, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Until later,
Gemi
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Lies and Letters in paperback and Uneasy Lies the Crown on sale
Hi All,
Quick news before I rush off to tackle my never-ending to-do list. (A word of advice: Never remodel a kitchen and try to train for a marathon while writing a novel. The number of hours in a day are finite.)
Lies and Letters is out now. I LOVE doing this series because it allows me to create some really fun characters in a humorous way. More Sam and Bump adventures are planned for the future.
Meanwhile, I've begun the next Faderville Novel, Say Something. I'm not entirely sure how it's going to unfold yet, but there's a runaway teenager named Beam, an older guy making a trek across America named Buzz, and of course his Australian Shepherd, Hush, who happens to be a seizure alert dog.
Lastly, if you're a fan of my historical fiction, my story about the 15th century Welsh prince, Owain Glyndwr, is on sale on Kindle for a limited time. Info. about Lies and Letters and Uneasy Lies the Crown is below.
There’s a drug lord corrupting the youth of sleepy Wilton, Indiana — and he’ll get rid of anyone who stands in his way, including an innocent witness. Even a drug-sniffing dog.
When Sam McNamee decided to chuck her dreams of living in the Florida Keys and instead settled in rural Indiana to raise her daughter and look after her aging father, she didn’t expect to be caught up in the middle of a drug ring investigation. But someone has it out for her. Or to be more precise, her dog, Bump. And they’ll stop at nothing to run her out of town — including framing her daughter.
All Sam wants is to give her relationship with veterinarian Clint Chastain a chance. But matters get complicated when Clint’s ex — sexy humanitarian Dr. Danielle Townsley — invades Sam’s territory. Clint keeps reassuring Sam that she’s the one he wants, but his actions leave room for doubt. Meanwhile, firefighter Archer Malone is the one constant in Sam’s roller coaster life. And he’s looking better all the time.
Then, Bump disappears — and the one person who could help her find him is the same one she’s trying to avoid.
From now until January 8th, you can get Uneasy Lies the Crown, A Novel of Owain Glyndwr, for just 99 cents on Kindle. It also comes as an audiobook!
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Lies and Letters available for pre-order
The wait is over! Lies and Letters, A Sam McNamee Mystery (Book #2), is now available for pre-order on Kindle. Click here to have to arrive on your Kindle on Dec. 26th, just in time to decompress from the holiday rush.
And here's the best part -- it's half off until Jan. 1st! Yep, that's right, only $1.99.
If you missed the first book, Sam's adventures begin with Memories and Matchsticks. These books are a little bit dog story, a good dose of humor, some romance, and mystery all rolled up in one.
Lies and Letters on Amazon.com:
There’s
a drug lord corrupting the youth of sleepy Wilton, Indiana — and he’ll get rid
of anyone who stands in his way, including an innocent witness. Even a
drug-sniffing dog.
When
Sam McNamee decided to chuck her dreams of living in the Florida Keys and instead
settled in rural Indiana to raise her daughter and look after her aging father,
she didn’t expect to be caught up in the middle of a drug ring investigation. But
someone has it out for her. Or to be more precise, her dog, Bump. And they’ll
stop at nothing to run her out of town — including framing her daughter.
All
Sam wants is to give her relationship with veterinarian Clint Chastain a
chance. But matters get complicated when Clint’s ex — sexy humanitarian Dr.
Danielle Townsley — invades Sam’s territory. Clint keeps reassuring Sam that
she’s the one he wants, but his actions leave room for doubt. Meanwhile,
firefighter Archer Malone is the one constant in Sam’s roller coaster life. And
he’s looking better all the time.
Then,
Bump disappears — and the one person who could help her find him is the same
one she’s trying to avoid.
Happy reading!
Best,
Gemi
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Holiday Giveaway
Hey folks! Would you like copies of Say No More and Say That Again or other goodies for Christmas? Enter to win from today, Dec. 17th, through 11:59 p.m. on the 18th. Read on for more information:
Kathleen
Shoop is giving away Holiday Prize Pack #6!
A
Fabulous prize pack is coming your way! Not one novel, but TWO books from N.
Gemini Sasson’s FADERVILLE SERIES will be gifted this holiday season! The
winner will also receive $40 in STARBUCKS giftcards, HAPPY PLUGS headphones, a
sweet, but sturdy CELTIC charm by GUARDIAN BELL, and MORE!
SAY
NO MORE and SAY THAT AGAIN by award-winning author, N. Gemini Sasson, are
simply wonderful stories. Every single character—from the big-hearted dogs, to
endearing children, to the leap-off-the-page adults—is memorable and lovable.
These are the novels that warm your heart and stick with you long after you
finish them. Enjoy STARBUCKS tea, coffee or a treat while you sink into these
compelling books. Plug in your bright, HAPPY PLUGS for a walk with your
favorite hound, and attach the good luck/protective bell to your dog’s collar
or your keychain to keep good energy circulating around you. And there’s MORE…
But that’s a surprise—you’ll have to wait to see!
Enter
the sweepstakes now to win for yourself or gift your prize pack to your dearest
friend! Share the contest to earn extra entries and you can enter once a day!
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Goodreads Giveaway - Win a Signed Copy of Say That Again
Here's another chance to win a signed copy of Say That Again on Goodreads!
Enter to Win
Happy reading,
Gemi
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Say That Again
by N. Gemini Sasson
Giveaway ends June 08, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Happy reading,
Gemi
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
What to Read Next - Romance - May, 2015
As promised, more books for your To Be Read pile! This is a selection of Romance titles.
Wife Number Seven (The Compound Series Book 1)
by Melissa Brown
Contemporary / New Adult Romance
I know! A New Adult Romance set in a polygamist society? Yes, indeed. That's a new twist, huh? But I totally bought into it.
Brinley is wed to a much older man, for whom she feels no love. Unexpectedly, she develops a connection to an outcast named Porter. Her journey is believable and it's easy to feel sympathy for the situation Brinley is stuck in and to understand her need to break free.
Love Me Sweet (A Bell Harbor Novel)
by Tracy Brogan
Contemporary Romance
If you like Romance that's more of the sweet variety and involves women who are long part college-age, Brogan's Bell Harbor series is great. I thought Love Me Sweet was the best installment of the series so far. It's a smidge steamier than the first two, but not so much you'll be blushing if you're reading it in public. It'll also make you laugh at times.
"When bad weather, missing money, honky-tonk musicians, and Elvis impersonators throw Grant and Delaney together on an unexpected road trip, emotions get all shook up. They know only fools fall in love, but they can’t help falling. Still, Delaney has a secret that could tear them apart forever."
Seven Days of Friday (Women of Greece Book 1)
by Alex King
Contemporary Romance / Greece
Looking for a sweet contemporary that will take you to new places? Here it is. King writes about Greece with powerful descriptions that will make you feel like you are there. Best part -- it's FREE!
"Thirty-four-year-old Vivi Tyler is living her nightmare: gay husband, self-harming teenager, melodramatic mother. They’re picking apart her sanity, one stitch at a time. She’s crawling along rock bottom when the arrival of a mysterious package opens a new door to a new country. A desperate Vivi dives headfirst into the quicksand that is Greece—her parents’ birthplace."
At Any Price (Gaming The System Book 1)
by Brenna Aubrey
Contemporary / New Adult Romance
This may be my most favorite New Adult yet. As New Adult usually is, it's a steamy read, but what I really liked about this is the intelligence of the writing. This is another FREEBY, so give it a try.
"When Mia Strong, popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she'll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact.
It's a desperate step, but it's the only way she can go to medical school and pay her mother's mounting hospital bills."
Entrepreneur Adam Drake, the auction winner, has found the loopholes in the rules of the auction...
Happy reading,
Gemi
Wife Number Seven (The Compound Series Book 1)
Contemporary / New Adult Romance
I know! A New Adult Romance set in a polygamist society? Yes, indeed. That's a new twist, huh? But I totally bought into it.
Brinley is wed to a much older man, for whom she feels no love. Unexpectedly, she develops a connection to an outcast named Porter. Her journey is believable and it's easy to feel sympathy for the situation Brinley is stuck in and to understand her need to break free.
Love Me Sweet (A Bell Harbor Novel)
Contemporary Romance
If you like Romance that's more of the sweet variety and involves women who are long part college-age, Brogan's Bell Harbor series is great. I thought Love Me Sweet was the best installment of the series so far. It's a smidge steamier than the first two, but not so much you'll be blushing if you're reading it in public. It'll also make you laugh at times.
"When bad weather, missing money, honky-tonk musicians, and Elvis impersonators throw Grant and Delaney together on an unexpected road trip, emotions get all shook up. They know only fools fall in love, but they can’t help falling. Still, Delaney has a secret that could tear them apart forever."
Seven Days of Friday (Women of Greece Book 1)
Contemporary Romance / Greece
Looking for a sweet contemporary that will take you to new places? Here it is. King writes about Greece with powerful descriptions that will make you feel like you are there. Best part -- it's FREE!
"Thirty-four-year-old Vivi Tyler is living her nightmare: gay husband, self-harming teenager, melodramatic mother. They’re picking apart her sanity, one stitch at a time. She’s crawling along rock bottom when the arrival of a mysterious package opens a new door to a new country. A desperate Vivi dives headfirst into the quicksand that is Greece—her parents’ birthplace."
At Any Price (Gaming The System Book 1)
Contemporary / New Adult Romance
This may be my most favorite New Adult yet. As New Adult usually is, it's a steamy read, but what I really liked about this is the intelligence of the writing. This is another FREEBY, so give it a try.
"When Mia Strong, popular gaming blogger, auctions off her virginity online, she knows she'll make waves. But what she will not be making is a love connection. Her rules are set in stone: One night. No further contact.
It's a desperate step, but it's the only way she can go to medical school and pay her mother's mounting hospital bills."
Entrepreneur Adam Drake, the auction winner, has found the loopholes in the rules of the auction...
Happy reading,
Gemi
Thursday, May 21, 2015
What to Read Next - May, 2015
I know! It's been way too long since I've done one of these posts. Since I've stepped up my writing output, though, I've been blogging less. In an attempt to make up for being a slacker, here are some fantastic books I've discovered this year. As always, a variety of genres, to please any literary palette.
Hello Love
by Karen McQuestion
General/Women's Fiction
Looking for a heartwarming feel-good love story with a dog in it? This is it! McQuestion always delivers a story that anchors itself deep in your heart, touching upon topics that everyone can relate to. This one is about love lost and love found and how, when we open our hearts, anything is possible.
Andrea becomes an accidental first-time dog owner. Dan, recently widowed, has just lost his dog. What they don't know when they first cross paths is that it is the same dog.
Departure
by A.G. Riddle
SciFi / Time Travel / Technothrillers
If you like fast-paced SciFi, grab this one fast! It's recently been picked up by Harper Collins and the price will increase soon. AND the movie rights have been bought by 20th Century Fox.
If that's not enough of a selling point, here are a few lines from the blurb:
"Flight 305 took off in 2014...
But it crashed in a world very different from our own...
With time running out, five strangers must unravel why they were taken...
And how to get home."
The Language of Hoofbeats
by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Literary / Contemporary Fiction
If you read my What to Read Next posts at all, you'll know I'm a Hyde fan. This is her best book yet. Alternating view points between the curmudgeonly Clementine and her new neighbor Jackie, it centers around the fallout that occurs when Star steals Clementine's horse. As always, Hyde delivers complex characters in an easy-to-read manner and brings them full circle.
"New to a small town, Jackie and Paula envision a quiet life for their kids: a young adopted son and two teenage foster children, including the troubled Star. However, they quickly butt heads with their neighbor, Clementine, who disapproves of their lifestyle and is incensed when Star befriends her spirited horse, Comet... When Star disappears with Comet, the neighbors are thrown together—far too close together."
The Banks of Certain Rivers
by Jon Harrison
Contemporary / Family Life Fiction
As a runner and frequent visitor to Michigan, I found this book very enjoyable -- rich in description and sometimes heartrending.
Neil is a teacher and cross country coach raising his teenage son alone. Years prior, his wife suffered a debilitating brain injury that now requires full-time care in a nursing facility. Neil ends up falling in love with his mother-in-law's caregiver, but struggles with letting his son know about it. Meanwhile, he breaks up a fight on school grounds, but video surfaces that makes it look like he physically assaulted one of the students.
Just when you think Neil is going to survive the circumstances, something else happens to worsen his ordeal. Hang in there, though. This is definitely worth reading to its conclusion.
The Highly Sensitive Person (Urban Books)
by Elaine Aron
Non-Fiction / Self-Help
This is one I'll be recommending for years. If you've ever had someone tell you you're being 'too sensitive' or know someone who is deeply emotional or creative, this self-help book will put it all in perspective. Aron explains that Highly Sensitive People aren't riddled with a fault, but actually possess a desirable trait which contributes to the empathy and ingenuity of society.
"Do you have a keen imagination and vivid dreams? Is time alone each day as essential to you as food and water? Are you "too shy" or "too sensitive" according to others? Do noise and confusion quickly overwhelm you? If your answers are yes, you may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)."
Next installment -- Romance!
Happy reading,
Gemi
Hello Love
General/Women's Fiction
Looking for a heartwarming feel-good love story with a dog in it? This is it! McQuestion always delivers a story that anchors itself deep in your heart, touching upon topics that everyone can relate to. This one is about love lost and love found and how, when we open our hearts, anything is possible.
Andrea becomes an accidental first-time dog owner. Dan, recently widowed, has just lost his dog. What they don't know when they first cross paths is that it is the same dog.
Departure
SciFi / Time Travel / Technothrillers
If you like fast-paced SciFi, grab this one fast! It's recently been picked up by Harper Collins and the price will increase soon. AND the movie rights have been bought by 20th Century Fox.
If that's not enough of a selling point, here are a few lines from the blurb:
"Flight 305 took off in 2014...
But it crashed in a world very different from our own...
With time running out, five strangers must unravel why they were taken...
And how to get home."
The Language of Hoofbeats
Literary / Contemporary Fiction
If you read my What to Read Next posts at all, you'll know I'm a Hyde fan. This is her best book yet. Alternating view points between the curmudgeonly Clementine and her new neighbor Jackie, it centers around the fallout that occurs when Star steals Clementine's horse. As always, Hyde delivers complex characters in an easy-to-read manner and brings them full circle.
"New to a small town, Jackie and Paula envision a quiet life for their kids: a young adopted son and two teenage foster children, including the troubled Star. However, they quickly butt heads with their neighbor, Clementine, who disapproves of their lifestyle and is incensed when Star befriends her spirited horse, Comet... When Star disappears with Comet, the neighbors are thrown together—far too close together."
The Banks of Certain RiversContemporary / Family Life Fiction
As a runner and frequent visitor to Michigan, I found this book very enjoyable -- rich in description and sometimes heartrending.
Neil is a teacher and cross country coach raising his teenage son alone. Years prior, his wife suffered a debilitating brain injury that now requires full-time care in a nursing facility. Neil ends up falling in love with his mother-in-law's caregiver, but struggles with letting his son know about it. Meanwhile, he breaks up a fight on school grounds, but video surfaces that makes it look like he physically assaulted one of the students.
Just when you think Neil is going to survive the circumstances, something else happens to worsen his ordeal. Hang in there, though. This is definitely worth reading to its conclusion.
The Highly Sensitive Person (Urban Books)
Non-Fiction / Self-Help
This is one I'll be recommending for years. If you've ever had someone tell you you're being 'too sensitive' or know someone who is deeply emotional or creative, this self-help book will put it all in perspective. Aron explains that Highly Sensitive People aren't riddled with a fault, but actually possess a desirable trait which contributes to the empathy and ingenuity of society.
"Do you have a keen imagination and vivid dreams? Is time alone each day as essential to you as food and water? Are you "too shy" or "too sensitive" according to others? Do noise and confusion quickly overwhelm you? If your answers are yes, you may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)."
Next installment -- Romance!
Happy reading,
Gemi
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
It's Release Day for Say That Again!
IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!
Say That Again, the follow-up to Say No More, is now available as an e-book everywhere and as a paperback on Amazon.
This story is for those who want to believe we get to meet our heart-dogs more than once in a lifetime.
"Echo's life hasn't been easy so far. Mistreated by one owner after another, he'd rather just get by on his own. Still, he longs for his forever home. Not until he meets young Hannah McHugh does he learn to trust again. Hannah not only understands him -- she hears him.
Before the accident, Hannah already knew she was different from other kids. Now, animals are speaking to her -- and no one believes her. Even her own father, Hunter, tells her to keep it to herself.
When Hannah and Echo disappear, rumors run wild about her new neighbor Heck. Hunter wants to trust his gut, but time is ticking away..."
Here's where to find it:
E-book:
Amazon.com (US)
Amazon.uk (UK)
Happy reading,
Say That Again, the follow-up to Say No More, is now available as an e-book everywhere and as a paperback on Amazon.
This story is for those who want to believe we get to meet our heart-dogs more than once in a lifetime.
***
"Echo's life hasn't been easy so far. Mistreated by one owner after another, he'd rather just get by on his own. Still, he longs for his forever home. Not until he meets young Hannah McHugh does he learn to trust again. Hannah not only understands him -- she hears him.
Before the accident, Hannah already knew she was different from other kids. Now, animals are speaking to her -- and no one believes her. Even her own father, Hunter, tells her to keep it to herself.
When Hannah and Echo disappear, rumors run wild about her new neighbor Heck. Hunter wants to trust his gut, but time is ticking away..."
***
Here's where to find it:
E-book:
Amazon.com (US)
Amazon.uk (UK)
Paperback:
Happy reading,
Gemi
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Discount for Say No More
In celebration of the release of Say That Again (The Faderville Novels: Book #2), its prequel, Say No More, has been discounted to 99 cents as an e-book everywhere for a limited time.
Say No More is a story about how far a dog will go to show her loyalty and how long a dog's love will last. It has a 4.9 star rating on Amazon.com. Here's what some readers had to say about it:
When five-year old Hunter McHugh witnesses the farming accident that takes the life of his father, Cam, he stops talking -- to everyone except his Australian Shepherd, Halo. Unable to cope, Hunter runs away and gets lost in the Kentucky wilderness. It's up to Halo to find him. Just as she's about to give up, Halo gets help from an unlikely source -- Cam's ghost.
Halo is no ordinary dog. Not only can she see ghosts, she can talk to them, too. If only she could tell Hunter that death doesn't mean an end to being around the ones we love, maybe she could help him find his voice again. Unfortunately, she may never have the chance..."
Where to find it:
Say No More is a story about how far a dog will go to show her loyalty and how long a dog's love will last. It has a 4.9 star rating on Amazon.com. Here's what some readers had to say about it:
- “A very good story about love and commitment all through life and beyond whether you are a dog or people.
- "Everyone should read it just for the good feeling you have when you finish it."
***
"A dog's love is forever.
When five-year old Hunter McHugh witnesses the farming accident that takes the life of his father, Cam, he stops talking -- to everyone except his Australian Shepherd, Halo. Unable to cope, Hunter runs away and gets lost in the Kentucky wilderness. It's up to Halo to find him. Just as she's about to give up, Halo gets help from an unlikely source -- Cam's ghost.
Halo is no ordinary dog. Not only can she see ghosts, she can talk to them, too. If only she could tell Hunter that death doesn't mean an end to being around the ones we love, maybe she could help him find his voice again. Unfortunately, she may never have the chance..."
***
Where to find it:
Amazon.com (US)
Amazon.uk (UK)
Amazon.ca (Canada)
Amazon.com.au (Australia)
Apple
Barnes and Noble
GooglePlay
Kobo
Scribd
Amazon.uk (UK)
Amazon.ca (Canada)
Amazon.com.au (Australia)
Apple
Barnes and Noble
GooglePlay
Kobo
Scribd
Happy reading,
Gemi
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Pre-order Your E-book of Say That Again
"A little girl's love. A dog's courage.
Echo's life hasn't been easy so far. Mistreated by one owner after another, he'd rather just learn to get by on his own. Still, he longs for his 'forever home'. Not until he meets young Hannah McHugh does he learn to trust again. Hannah not only understands him ― she hears him.
Before the accident, Hannah already knew she was different from other kids. Now, animals are speaking to her ― and no one believes her. Even her father, Hunter, tells her to keep it to herself.
When Hannah and Echo disappear, rumors run wild about her new neighbor, Heck. Hunter wants to trust his gut, but time is ticking away."
You can now pre-order your e-book copy of Say That Again (A Faderville Novel). It will appear on your Kindle on April 7th or if you own another e-reader and don't use a Kindle app, like Nook or Kobo, it will appear on your device on April 8th.
Order here:
E-book:
Amazon.com (US)Amazon.uk (UK)
Happy reading,
Gemi
Monday, March 30, 2015
Goodreads Giveaway for Say That Again
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Say That Again
by N. Gemini Sasson
Giveaway ends April 12, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Happy reading,
Gemi
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Say That Again - Chapter 1
Say That Again (The Faderville Novels: Book #2)
chapter 1: Hannah
Hannah
McHugh placed one small foot in front of the other without knowing exactly
where it was that she was going. Her purple sneakers left barely visible
imprints in the damp clay of the path as the airy trilling of the bluebird
beckoned her onward. To Hannah, the notes were like a song sung only for her. It
filled her with happiness. Lifted her heart, all the way up to heaven.
Every now and then, she saw a flash of
bright blue feathers, flittering against a glass-blue sky.
Laughing, she followed the bird. Down a
steep slope littered with loose slabs of stone. Up a long incline through a
towering stand of trees. Along a narrowing trail that wound between boulders
bigger than her sister’s school bus.
The bird danced from limb to limb.
Higher, faster. Happy, singing.
Follow
me,
it said. This way. Over here. Hurry!
Her steps quickened. Her breaths came in
puffs, her heart pattering against her sternum as she lifted her knees and
pumped her tiny arms to keep up. Her stuffed giraffe, Faustine, swung in her
grip, its yarn tail tattered and one beaded eye missing. Part of the stuffing
in Faustine’s neck had long since been compressed into her slender body, and so
her head flopped helplessly at the end of her too long neck whenever Hannah carried
her about, or leaned precariously to the right when Hannah set her on all
fours, as if the little giraffe had a question she was always waiting to ask.
Just as Hannah topped a hill, the bird
dove into a tangle of branches in the valley below, its song muted. Hannah
stopped, peered intently at the place where it had disappeared, saw nothing.
Patiently, she stood at attention, eyes
and ears keened. But there was no more sign of the bird. Nothing but silence.
Deep, empty silence all around. Not even a breeze to rustle the last of
autumn’s papery leaves.
Then it occurred to her that she had no
idea where her family was. Or how far she had come. Or from where.
Panic constricted her ribs. She’d get in
trouble for wandering off from their cabin. Her daddy would frown at her and
cross his arms. Her mommy would shake a finger in her face and speak to her
sternly. She wouldn’t be allowed to watch her princess movies or go to Gramma’s.
Maybe for a whole week. It would be boring sitting in her room alone.
A tear squeezed from the corner of
Hannah’s eye, tracing a trail of regret as it slid down her cold-kissed cheek.
She shouldn’t have wandered away from the cabin before everyone else had woken
up. They would be worried to find her gone. Frantic. And mad.
But she had only wanted to see what was
beyond the little clearing. To search for one of them. Her older sister, Maura, had told her there were fairies in
the woods and that they took naps beneath mushroom caps and bathed on leaves
dappled with morning dew and made their homes in the hollowed trunks of giant
oak trees. From a distance, Maura told her, they looked exactly like little
white butterflies.
Yet she hadn’t seen any fairies. Or
butterflies, even. Just the bluebird. And trees. Lots and lots of trees.
Millions, maybe gazillions.
She had to get back. But to where? And
how?
As she turned in a circle, searching for
a familiar sight, fear crept up her spine. She clutched Faustine to her chest
and held her tight. This place looked different, not at all like the forest
clearing where their cabin was. They had come to the state park for Hannah’s
fifth birthday. She hadn’t wanted a party with lots of other noisy children. Or
a pile of presents. Or a fancy restaurant dinner, where waiters wearing
sombreros would sing and clap for her, drawing everyone’s attention. Those
things were all too much, too noisy. She had only wanted this: a weekend with
her family, just the four of them, in the faraway woods of southeastern
Kentucky, where she could watch the birds and look for wild animals.
What she’d really wanted, though, was a
dog of her own. But they had told her she was too young for that and would have
to wait, probably until she was Maura’s age. And so she’d settled for a camping
trip. Now that they were here, she wasn’t sure why she’d wanted to come in the
first place. It had sounded like fun, but there really wasn’t much to do.
Christmas was only a week away and
although it was still cool, the weather promised to be good. So Daddy had
thrown their suitcases in the truck he used for his veterinary business and put
Maura and Mommy in charge of packing the food. Hannah had only been responsible
for her own things. But when she went outside this morning, she’d forgotten to
grab her coat off the peg by the door and now she was shivering so hard that her
teeth clacked. It hadn’t felt that cold when she first stepped outside.
Far off, a sparkle caught her eye. She
looked down below and noticed, amid a drifting sea of fog, a shimmering silver
ribbon. A big creek. What her daddy called a river. Beyond it, the ground rose
up again to more hills, bigger hills, taller and broader than those behind her.
Hills embraced by wispy clouds.
Hannah started downward, toward the
water. She was thirsty. And hungry. She hadn’t had breakfast yet, and although
she doubted she would find food anywhere near here, she could at least get a
drink of water before she tried to find her parents and Maura.
She raced downhill, her short legs
wearying not halfway down. She stumbled, falling to her knees. Undeterred, she
stood, brushed the dirt from her leggings, and continued on. The ground
flattened out. Leaf-littered dirt gave way to winter-dead grass, anchored in
the mud of a recent rain.
At water’s edge, she knelt and made a
scoop with her hands. The water froze her fingers when she dipped them in. She
brought the cool liquid to her mouth and sipped, then spat it out. It tasted icky.
Like sand.
Farther along the bank, an animal with a
black mask and a ringed tail winked at her. It waded into the shallows. Hannah
recognized it as a raccoon, the same kind of animal that tipped their trashcans
over and made her daddy angry. She smiled and waved. It chattered in response,
then plunged its front paws into the water, up to its elbows.
Bit by bit, she scooted closer. The
raccoon eyed her curiously and went back to washing its face. Careful not to
get too close and scare it away, Hannah sat, crossing her legs. She would try
to find her way back to the cabin in a little while. After she was done
watching the raccoon. She couldn’t be that far away. Maybe if she stayed here,
they would find her.
But what if they went the wrong way?
What if they searched and searched and just gave up?
No, they’d look. They’d find her. They
would.
Hannah kissed Faustine on the head and
noticed a dab of mud there. If she dipped Faustine’s head in the river, maybe
it would rinse away the dirt. Holding Faustine’s back legs, she stretched out
on her tummy and leaned out from the bank, reaching toward the water.
She wiggled forward a few inches and
Faustine’s head flopped into the water. She held her there awhile, giving the
dirt time to wash away. As she began to pull Faustine back, a flurry of chirps
sounded above her. She looked up to see the bluebird alight on a branch on the
other side of the river.
You
should listen more closely, it said.
“What?”
Just
listen!
Hannah didn’t understand. She was sure
she’d heard the bird, but what was it talking about? Listen to what? To whom?
Fast
water. Bad.
“But I need to give Faustine a bath,
silly bird.”
Not
silly.
The bird burst skyward. Hannah tilted
her head up to watch, but as she did so, she felt Faustine slip from her
fingers. The stuffed animal fell with a splash, floating on the surface a few
moments before an eddy engulfed it and pulled it under. Then, a surge pushed
Faustine back to the top.
Hannah flailed a hand
outward, stretching far. Her body, small though it was, tipped over the edge of
the bank. She gasped in shock as her hands hit the cold, cold water. Then as
her head plunged beneath the surface, she captured a final gulp of air in her
lungs and shut her eyes tight.
*****
Paperback on sale now: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Pre-order the E-book (Available April 7th for Kindle and April 8th elsewhere):
Amazon.com (US)
Amazon.uk (UK)
Amazon.ca (Canada)
Amazon.com.au (Australia)
Apple
Barnes and Noble
GooglePlay
Kobo
Happy reading,
Gemi
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Paperback of Say No More Now Available
Psssttt... You can get the paperback of Say That Again now. Yes, now.
Well, as soon as Amazon and UPS can pack it up and deliver
it to you.
ORDER THE PAPERBACK OF SAY THAT AGAIN HERE.
Say That Again is Book #2 of the Faderville Novels and the sequel to Say No More, but don't worry, these books don't have to be read in any particular order. You can pre-order the Kindle version, which will be available April 7th. Here's the description for Say That Again:
"Echo's life hasn't been easy so far. Mistreated by one owner after another, he'd rather just learn to get by on his own. Still, he longs for his 'forever home'. Not until he meets young Hannah McHugh does he learn to trust again. Hannah not only understands him ― she hears him.
ORDER THE PAPERBACK OF SAY THAT AGAIN HERE.
Say That Again is Book #2 of the Faderville Novels and the sequel to Say No More, but don't worry, these books don't have to be read in any particular order. You can pre-order the Kindle version, which will be available April 7th. Here's the description for Say That Again:
"Echo's life hasn't been easy so far. Mistreated by one owner after another, he'd rather just learn to get by on his own. Still, he longs for his 'forever home'. Not until he meets young Hannah McHugh does he learn to trust again. Hannah not only understands him ― she hears him.
Before the accident, Hannah already knew she was different from other
kids. Now, animals are speaking to her ― and no one believes her... Even
her own father, Hunter, tells her she should keep it to herself.
Then, the reclusive Heck Menendez moves in next door... When Hannah and Echo disappear, rumors run wild about old Heck. Hunter wants to trust his gut, but time is ticking away."
More links and information coming soon!
Happy reading,
Gemi
Then, the reclusive Heck Menendez moves in next door... When Hannah and Echo disappear, rumors run wild about old Heck. Hunter wants to trust his gut, but time is ticking away."
More links and information coming soon!
Happy reading,
Gemi
Monday, March 16, 2015
Bruce Trilogy Paperbacks Now Available with New Covers
And the best part is they cost less than before! That's a win-win all around.
You can find The Crown in the Heather here. New covers for the rest should be up by the end of the week, but rest assured they are in stock. At this time the new covers are only available in Amazon stores, but eventually they will be elsewhere.
Meanwhile, I have emerged from Proofreading and Formatting Purgatory. I'll have details soon on where and when you can order Say That Again (the sequel to Say No More), book #2 in my Faderville Novels series.
Happy reading,
Gemi
Monday, February 16, 2015
E-book Cover Design Awards
Dane's covers for The Bruce Trilogy have been awarded a gold star by Joel Friedlander in his monthly e-Book Cover Design Awards for January 2015. Joel said this:
"These three covers show series design at its best. The emblematic characters each convey the tone and context of the books, and they are held together by the overall look and the strong series branding."
Dane is a member of the incredible team at E-book Launch. This was a re-design of the entire series from my original covers and I could not be more in love with them! They seem to be grabbing readers' attention. In the first two days of a recent promotion, The Crown in the Heather was downloaded over 40,000 times across all platforms, reaching as high as #2 Free on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
More book news coming soon! I have another book nearing publication. Yay!!!
Until later,
Gemi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)


















