And Then She Was Gone
Rosalind Noonan, 2014
Kensington Books
336 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780758274991
Summary
Eleven-year-old Lauren O'Neil vanished one sunny afternoon as she walked home from school. Six years later, her parents Rachel and Dan still tirelessly scour their Oregon hometown and beyond, always believing Lauren will be found.
Then one day, the call comes. Lauren has been rescued from a secluded farm mere miles away, and her abductor has confessed. Yet her return is nothing like Rachel imagined.
Though the revelations about what Lauren endured are shocking, most heartbreaking of all is to see the bright-eyed, assertive daughter she knew transformed into a wary, polite stranger. Lauren's first instinct is to flee. For years she's been told her parents forgot her; now she doubts the pieces of her life can ever fit together again.
But Rachel refuses to lose her a second time. Little by little they must relearn what it means to be a family, trusting that their bond is strong enough to guide them back to each other. (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
• Birth—N/A
• Where—suburban Maryland, USA
• Education—B.A., Wagner College, Staten Island
• Currently—lives in Portland, Oregon
Rosalind Noonan grew up in suburban Maryland on the outskirts of Baltimore and Washington. One of five children, she enjoyed the comical, energetic vibe of a noisy Irish household and remains close with her four siblings.
Noonan spent her senior year of high school in Ludwigsburg, Germany, and used that time to travel extensively throughout Europe. Noonan is a graduate of Wagner College in Staten Island, New York. Coincidentally, the campus was used as the primary location for the film School of Rock, one of Roz's favorite comedies. She recalls her four years on "the Hill," living in a dormitory with a breathtaking view of New York Harbor and lower Manhattan, as a time of vast growth and possibility.
Rosalind currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband Michael, children Carly and Alex, and a small King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Ruby. (From the author's website.)
Book Reviews
Highly sympathetic and compelling...will hold readers in its sway.
Booklist
Beautifully written...handles sensitive topics with grace, bringing the inner thoughts of characters to light in a manner that will make readers ache for their struggles.
Romantic Times
Discussion Questions
1. Although stranger abduction is one of a parent’s worst nightmares, most abducted children are kidnapped by their own parents or relatives. Are there ways that society might safeguard children from people like Kevin Hawkins? Discuss the balance between warning children of “stranger danger” and allowing them a modicum of trust toward their community.
2. Do you think Rachel’s decision to let Lauren walk home from school was irresponsible? Have you ever made a “responsible” choice that you regretted later?
3. Kidnapped at age eleven, Lauren was held captive in semi-isolation for six years. Discuss the important stages of development she “missed” during that time. What lifedefining moments do you remember from your teenage years?
4. While in captivity, Lauren nurtured an idealized view of family life by watching videotapes of old television sitcoms. What is the downside of looking for relationship truths in shows like Full House and Seventh Heaven? What positive values might these shows teach a child?
5. In the later years of her captivity, Lauren was not handcuffed or locked inside by Kevin Hawkins. What kept her from fleeing the compound?
6. Rachel believed that the terrible ordeal would be over once her daughter was found. Instead, the young woman who was rescued did not want to return to her family. What expectations should society have toward recovered captives? Should women of legal age be pressured to return to their families of origin? Why or why not?
7. When Lauren tries to re-assimilate with her family, her mother is the one person she finds it hard to bond with. “I know Mom can be a pain in the ass,” Sierra tells Lauren, “but she does mean well. She loves you a lot.” Although Lauren knows this is true, the feelings of resentment and betrayal prevail. Why does Lauren feel so much anger toward her mother? Do you think Rachel’s personality makes their breach worse, or does it help them mend their relationship?
8. In therapy, Lauren learns about finding balance in life. “Male and female, darkness and light, cold and hot, evil and good. At first she had told Wynonna that she wanted to be only yang, the sunny side of the slope. But Wynonna pointed out that the sun always moves across the slope, obscuring what was revealed and revealing what was hidden.” Discuss the interplay between yin and yang. Do you agree with Wynonna’s assertion that “We appreciate the sunlight more when we’ve been living in darkness”?
9. In the past, conventional therapy has not worked for Dan, who “was not an advocate of wasting time on a shrink’s couch. Too invasive, too touchy-feely, and way too expensive.” What elements of Wynonna’s program appealed to him? How could conventional psychotherapy be adapted to better suit clients?
10. The use of horses as a therapeutic aid dates back to ancient Greece. This therapy developed Lauren’s cognitive skills as well as establishing a relationship of trust between horse and rider. From playing ball with a horse to teaching it how to deal with fear, what was the most interesting aspect of this therapy for you?
11. What do you think Lauren will be doing five years after the story ends? What sort of career/future do you envision for Sierra?
12. If you were producing And Then She Was Gone as a movie, who would you cast as Lauren? What actress has the nurturing quality and hard drive of Rachel? Who do you see as Dan? Sometimes attractive villains are the most devastating. Who would you cast as Kevin Hawkins?
(Questions issued by the publisher.)
Scattered Links
M. Weidenbenner, 2014
Random Publishing, LLC
257 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781494366957
Summary
Scattered Links is a novel that pulls its characters from the gutters and, in the end, celebrates the tenacity of the human spirit.
Thirteen-year-old Oksana lives on the streets of Russia with her pregnant mama and abusive aunt—both prostitutes. When Mama swells into labor, Oksana makes a decision to save herself from abandonment, a decision that torments her forever. But when her plan fails, her aunt dumps her in an orphanage before she has the chance to say goodbye to her mama or tell her the secret that haunts her.
Scattered Links is a story of family and the consequences that come from never learning how to love. It’s a story of a girl’s inability to bond with her adopted family and the frustrations that follow. How can a child understand the mechanics of forming a healthy relationship when she never had a mother who answered her cries, held her when she was frightened, fed her when she was hungry, or loved her unconditionally?
Only when the child meets a rescued abused horse, and recognizes the pain in his eyes, does she begin to trust again.
Watch the book trailer.
Author Bio
• Birth—July 1, 1957
• Where—Detroit, Michigan, USA
• Education—B.S., Taylor University
• Currently—lives in Warsaw, Indiana
Michelle is a fulltime employee of God's kingdom, writing and encouraging writers every day. She's often a sucker for emotional stories, her sensitive side fueling the passion for her character's plights, often giving her the ability to show readers the "other" side of the story. Her sensitive side hears the emotional, pain-filled stories that plague people in the world, their shouts and secrets wake her from sleep, cause her to miss turns in the road, and interrupt unrelated conversations.
She grew up in the burbs of Detroit with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home Michelle cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls. But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and babysitting--without drama, Michelle discovered having brothers wasn't so bad. They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which comes in handy with book reviews.
Michelle is living her dream—writing every day and thanking God for the stories He puts in her path. When Michelle isn't writing she's winning ugly on the tennis court. She's known as "Queen of the Rim Shots." No joke. It's ugly. (From author's website.)
Visit the author's website.
Follow Michelle on Facebook.
Book Reviews
Captivating. Scattered Links takes you down the street of nearly any Eastern European town, arm-in-arm with the orphaned. Michelle has captured the beauty and horror millions of children live everyday. The attention to detail is impressive. Having lived in a post-Soviet country for a time, visiting orphaned children, this fictional account rings with truth, from the heart-wrenching pain of abandonment to the realization of self-worth, and the love family and faith brings. Thank you for such an uplifting book, appropriate for the young reader, as well as adult. May your heart be encouraged, as mine was.
Kim de Blecourt, author of Until We All Come Home: A Harrowing Journey, a Mother's Courage, a Race to Freedom
This story rings so true and close that it is sometimes hard to remember that it is fiction. This book is good for all ages and opens your eyes as you follow the journey of the main character, a Russian orphan. The story is written very well, researched and edited with added attention to details. The entire story is constructed to make it an experience for the reader and it is one I enjoyed. From the very first page until the last, I was riveted. This is a read-again story and even with the emotional charge in it, I recommend it. (5 stars.)
Kathryn Bennett - Reader's Favorite
This was one of the best books I've edited, and that's saying a lot. I critique and edit more than 200 books a year for writers. I can easily say Scattered Links is one of the best books I've worked on and read in years. Perfectly written, full of heart and soul, this is a story for teens and adults. I cried many times, so moved, and I rarely experience that kind of power in a novel. I absolutely love these characters, and the relationship Oksana has with Boris the horse is so terrific. Michelle's use of metaphor and symbolism in the book is beautiful, and her story is the kind that will endure for generations and should move hearts all over the world. Don't miss this book. It should win all the big awards.
Susanne Lakin - Amazon Customer Reviews (also, an author, editor, blogger at Live Write Thrive)
Discussion Questions
1. Describe how Oksana’s life was different in Russia than in the US.
2. Therapeutic horses have been proven to help special-needs children. What do you think contributes to the success of this theory?
3. Do you think RAD, reactive attachment disorder, is more prevalent in post-institutionalized children or foster children?
4. What did Oksana leave Ruzina in the orphanage?
5. How many children are being re-homed as a result of RAD? (Re-homed is when parents place their RAD children in other homes because they can’t cope with this disorder.)
6. What does our country do with unwanted children versus other countries? Is there a better way?
7. What were the emotional scenes? Did you cry? Why/why not?
8. If Oksana were a real character alive today how would her past affect who she is as a mother, employee, or wife?
9. What did you learn from reading this novel?
10. What genre would you say this book fits? Is it for young adults or women?
11. What tense was the book written in?
12. Would you have preferred to read it from Katie’s point-of-view too?
13. Do you think children with RAD can become well-functioning adults? Why/why not?
14. Why do you think Oksana was closer to Laura than Katie?
15. Were the characters believable? Why/why not?
(We'll add specific questions if and when they're made available by the publisher.)
The Brotherhood Wars (Jewel Trilogy, 3)
Claude Brickell, 2014
Bricbooks
181 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780557160617 (Kindle)
Summary
This modern-day adventure, the final in The Jewel Trilogy, has young, accomplished art historian Michael Bennington off this time to Florence. Here, he views the famed recently-rediscovered Florentine Diamond and soon finds him in yet another thrilling pursuit of a legendary ceremonial sword purported to have belonged to the Emperor Charlemagne himself.
This curious assignment leads Bennington to Germany, and along with a vivacious young co-accomplice named Sabina, he tracks the artifact’s whereabouts first to Munich and Berlin then to Amsterdam on behalf of a 600-year-old secret organization with its roots in the Holy Roman Empire.
The two at last arrive at the Louvre in Paris for a life-and-death finale sure to thrill mystery buffs and satisfy the thirsts of art enthusiasts, as well, as only Bennington’s escapades can do
This is the final installment in the Jewel Trilogy: the first book is The Napoleon Connection (2014), and Carlota's Legacy (2014) is the second.
Author Bio
Claude Brickell is a New York-based writer of art history adventure mysteries. His Jewel Trilogy introduces readers to young, likable and accomplished art historian Michael Bennington as he searches the world for rare and missing artifacts in three thrilling installments: The Napoleon Connection, Carlota's Legacy and The Brotherhood Wars.
Claude's formal education was with the American University and the Sorbonne in Paris, Oxford University in England and graduate of New York University. He is a world-traveler, a certified fine arts appraiser, a filmmaker, a former ice hockey league player and an equestrian enthusiast. He is currently an instructor at New York University. (From the author.)
Visit the author's book website — and his art blog.
Visit Claude on Facebook.
Discussion Questions
1. What is Michael Bennington all about? What drives this artifact enthusiast to the ends of the world to discover their whereabouts?
2. How does Bennington compare with other artifact hunters such as Robert Langdon? Does his age-difference add to or hinder his success?
3. How does Bennington add up in the area of love and intimate relationships? Is he struggling or hopeless? (most discernible after reading all three installments).
4. How convincing are the author's depictions and descriptions of the various locales Bennington visits?
5. How would you define exactly the genre of The Jewel Trilogy?
6. What age range and reader group do you feel The Jewel Trilogy is best suited for?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)
Carlota's Legacy (Jewel Trilogy, 2)
Claude Brickell, 2014
Bricbooks
143 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780557123100 (Kindle)
Summary
This modern-day adventure, rooted in a rich, historical past, has young, accomplished art historian Michael Bennington approached at a New York jewelry auction by a pleasant enough couple from Belgium, nobility actually, who wish to engage him in a curious assignment. He must track down the whereabouts of a priceless diamond and ruby necklace the couple thought they owned, but after having theirs appraised, discovered it was only a cut-glass fake.
Michael accepts the assignment with a heightened passion—his specialty is 19th century jewels—and he’s off to Mexico City where the real necklace originated. From there he traces its path to St. Petersburg, Paris, Los Angeles and New York and ends up in Brussels for a harrowing life-and-death finale. The quirky former owners of the artifact are all beyond belief but historically accurate nonetheless and their exotic and lurid pasts both astound and captivate.
Carlota’s Legacy continues the entertaining exploits of the likable Bennington character in the second installment.
This is the second installment in the Jewel Trilogy: it is preceded by The Napoleon Connection (2014) and followed The Brotherhood Wars (2014).
Author Bio
Claude Brickell is a New York-based writer of art history adventure mysteries. His Jewel Trilogy introduces readers to young, likable and accomplished art historian Michael Bennington as he searches the world for rare and missing artifacts in three thrilling installments: The Napoleon Connection, Carlota's Legacy and The Brotherhood Wars.
Claude's formal education was with the American University and the Sorbonne in Paris, Oxford University in England and graduate of New York University. He is a world-traveler, a certified fine arts appraiser, a filmmaker, a former ice hockey league player and an equestrian enthusiast. He is currently an instructor at New York University. (From the author.)
Visit the author's book website — and his art blog.
Visit Claude on Facebook.
Discussion Questions
1. What is Michael Bennington all about? What drives this artifact enthusiast to the ends of the world to discover their whereabouts?
2. How does Bennington compare with other artifact hunters such as Robert Langdon? Does his age-difference add to or hinder his success?
3. How does Bennington add up in the area of love and intimate relationships? Is he struggling or hopeless? (most discernible after reading all three installments).
4. How convincing are the author's depictions and descriptions of the various locales Bennington visits?
5. How would you define exactly the genre of The Jewel Trilogy?
6. What age range and reader group do you feel The Jewel Trilogy is best suited for?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)
Perky's Books and Gifts
Evelyn Rainey, 2013
Bedlam Press
223 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781939065377
Summary
Welcome to Perky's Books & Gifts where gardening books blossom into bouquets, cookbooks sizzle with succulent juices, and military history books can be lethal. Don't mind the mutilated body behind the werewolf display, or the fact that the cafe manager is an egregore; Frankenstein was one, too.
The story of Perky's Books and Gifts begins with murder and ends with true love. It is told by Madison, Perky's Night Manager. She must band with her quirky (maybe just plain crazy) staff to figure out just what is making the books spring to life terrorizing the store and its customers. Does it have something to do with the new café worker, the possible new tribe of owners, the no-nonsense Colonel or the mysterious lady who just suddenly appears at a cafe table only to disappear just as suddenly with only a feather remaining?
Perky's Books & Gifts…a place where you can find murder, mystery, love, monsters, demons and giant festive hats. All of that, and books too!
Author Bio
• Birth—May 23, 1960
• Raised—on military posts around the world
• Education—B.S., Florida Southern College
• Currently—lives in central Florida, USA
Evelyn Rainey lives very quietly in a small southern town with her dog, three cats, and thousands of home-grown tadpoles and frogs (don't ask). She spends her time in this incarnation teaching, writing, and belly dancing.
Her first novel Minna Pegeen was published in 2011 and was followed by Bedina's War in 2012. Perky’s Books & Gifts, her third novel, began to take form during the six years she worked at Books-a-Million as a part-time paperback specialist and Red Badge. The Island Remains, her fourth book, is due out in July, 2014. Evelyn's guest-author appearances have have included the 2012 Carolina Renaissance Festival and upcoming ALT*Con and Necronomicon. She has also been published in anthologies, magazines, columns, and newspapers.
Rainey facilitates Writers for All Seasons. She has been an educator for thirty-one years with certifications in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School Integrated Curriculum, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Gifted Education, and Journalism.
Outside of the school system, she is an herbalist, a singer, belly-dancer and she loves to do book-signings. Her online presence includes Evelyn-Rainey.com, WritingRainey.blogspot.com, Twitter (EvelynRainey), MySpace, Delicious, Digg, Stumbleupon, Reddit, and Facebook as (WritingRainey), and Goodreads as (Evelyn_Rainey). She also writes the weekly Science Fiction/Fantasy Books column for BellaOnline (From the author.)
Visit the author's website.
Visit the author's blog.
Book Reviews
Madison Jefferson is the night manager at Percival’s Books & Gifts...and tells us the story of a interesting period where everything goes more weird than normal when a mutilated body is found behind an in-store werewolf display.... Evelyn Rainey has created a wonderful world that is completely centered on one location, Percival’s Books & Gifts...and the employees that work there and in doing so creates a world that would seem small but instead makes a environment that seems as if it doesn’t end.... Perky’s Books & Gifts is a fast paced interesting read that is littered with characters that all have something to offer in the story whether it be a somewhat major conversation to just a small nudge. And it is the characters that moves the story always forward and keeps it fun and magical.
Jason Bonton - Mass Movement Magazine
Discussion Questions
1. Compare and contrast the descriptions of Jeremy and Calvin. Now, using the same criteria and style, describe yourself and your best friend/worst enemy.
2. Several classic Science Fiction novels were given literary “nudges” in this book. Name three of them. Identify which book each alludes to.
3. Before the prevalence of the internet, there were certain books which were not allowed to be sold in “brick & mortar stores” without documenting the buyer’s identification. How do you feel about this?
4. Following the procedures in the book, deal a simple (Past, Present, Future, Fortune, Fate) tarot reading for yourself. If you don’t have a tarot deck, use a “normal” deck of playing cards and add 4 Jokers to represent the Pages. Evaluate the cards and write them down. In one week, return to your reading and describe any responses to it you may have. (If you would like assistance in interpreting the spread of cards, email the author with exactly what cards were laid in which position:
5. Identify as many Star Trek episodes as you can which were alluded to. Match the Perky’s event to the episode.
6. Compose a conversation with a Tobogatan with whom you are stuck in an elevator.
7. The relationship between Maddie and the Colonel drives the story from the beginning to the end. What other relationships (real or fictional) can you describe which are similar?
8. Seth Green and Michael Landon are mentioned as portraying the same kind of character. What was that character? Name three other actors who have played the same type of role.
9. Admit it—have you ever walked into a book store and told the clerk you were looking for a book? What was his/her reaction?
10. Uncle Billy gave one classic hint that he was illiterate while being questioned by Jack. What was it?
11. Maddie doesn’t actually speak in Latin when she babbles. What language is it?
12. This book puts forth the idea that Lazarus might still be alive because once Jesus brings someone back to life, that person can never die. Discuss your feelings and beliefs about this idea.
13. What classic comedy is alluded to during Norman’s funeral? (hint: starring Danny Kaye)
14. What classic fantasy movie is alluded to when Henry gives Kwichatklnds back the betrothal bracelet? (hint: starring Rutger Hauer)
15. The marriage scene does go on and on. Of all the opinions presented by the attendees, with whom would you most agree? With whom would you disagree?
16. Abstinence outside of marriage is advocated throughout this novel (Sam Wayne, Henry and Norman, Maddie and Thomas, and the spritephage demon-bait team). What are your opinions about abstinence outside of marriage?
17. Have you ever fallen prey to a swindler? How did he/she bamboozle you? What was the result?
18. Tell about your most recent experience with a book signing. How did you feel about the author? How did the author feel about being there? Did you buy a book?
19. All of the Cold Case Missing Person/Murder files listed in Perky’s are factual. Choose one and write or discuss a possible solution to the case.
20. One of the creatures described and prevalent in Perky’s is painted on the walls of a 14th century European chapel. What is the creature? What is your stance on the existence of such creatures?
21. If you were a character in Perky’s, would you be a customer or an ambassador? Describe what character you would portray.
22. Billy’s cussing is done symbolically in this book. How do you feel about curse words in novels?
23. You have bought an outfit from Jeremy’s Jresses. Describe the clothing and the event to which you will wear it.
24. Each character changes during the story. Choose one character and describe how friendship in the light of overwhelming differences helped or hurt that one character’s personal path.
25. In the sequel to Perky’s Books & Gifts, Thomas’ twin is going to show up, the Ancient spritephage demoness will return, and true love will again wing its way through the store. What else would you like to see happen?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)