Tuesday, April 16, 2013

NEVER IS A LONG TIME ...


Tears stream down Dani’s face and she views her father one last time. The casket closes. She reaches out for her mother’s hand, but it remains empty. Oh Dad, what am I going to do without you?

At the reception, Dani shakes her head. Her eyes search desperately around the room. Is that? No, it couldn’t be. Could it? Another tear flows down her cheek. 

The crowds thin; Dani and her mother leave with the remaining few guests. Neither speak on the drive home. Neither speak as they enter the house. The silence is deafening.

Dani enters her room, she pales as her head spins like a cyclone through a Kansas farm. The transparent figure of her deceased father rummages through her discarded drawings ...  


*     *     *     *     *


“I’m not going,” Dani said.

“Your flight leaves in two days. Start packing.”

“I told you, I’m not going! My whole life’s here in New York. What about school?”

“It’s only for a short while. I’ve already phoned the school. They understand you need time to grieve your father’s death.”

“But —” 

“This is non-negotiable. If you won’t pack your things, I will.” Her face flushed. In three aggressive steps, she slammed the door on her way out.

Great. Rural England. How do I get out of this one? Maybe prayer will help.

Dani heads toward church. The simple architecture soothes her nerves. She steps inside. As her eyes adjust, her father’s image appears in the third pew from the alter. She blinks and the vision is gone. Dad. What gives? Why?


Will England give Dani the answers to her father's ghostly appearances?

What family secrets shake her to the core? 


Will her dad’s ghost help her to return back home to the mother who wants to keep her there?




A dangerous journey begins ...


NEVER GONE by Laurel Garver












A fascinating premise. Many teens have to deal with a parent’s death. And I find this quite interesting. Don’t you? Is she really seeing her father’s ghost or is it all in her mind. I certainly want to find out ... and will. I’ve had this novel on my TBR list for a while. I think it’s time to move it to the top of the list.

I hope you all will drop by Laurel’s blog. She always has great writerly advice and is an excellent writer.

Have a WONDERFUL day everyone and I hope to see you back tomorrow. The book featured is very special. You won’t want to miss it!

34 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Great introduction! I remember when this book came out. Sounds very moving.

Unknown said...

I've read this. It is lovely.

Unknown said...

Sounds very suspenseful Ghost stories still freak me out a little. :)

Susan Oloier said...

I'd love to read this one, too. Kuddos to you once again, Michael! What a beautiful cover, as well.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

What a fascinating premise. Interesting that we do not know if the ghost is real. But do we ever in life? :-)

Cherie Colyer said...

Love the teasers. I nominated you for an award. Click here to learn more.

Now I'm off to find out more about your book. I'm glad I picked today to stop by!

Marti said...

Good book. Visiting from A-Z

cleemckenzie said...

I'm not sure I could manage a "never gone" parent. Not even France could help me in that situation. Guess we'll see what happens to Dani.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Death is a tough topic, but one we all have to deal with eventually.

Michelle Wallace said...

Sounds like a great story... maybe a tear-jerker?

Writer In Transit

Michelle Merrill said...

Ooh! That's awesome! I love that she's grieving, and seeing her dead father, and being forced to live in England. Thanks for sharing :)

Julie Flanders said...

One of my favorite intros yet. You're giving me so many books to add to my list! :)

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Oh I'm absolutely in love with the cover art. Great intro, Michael!

Samantha May said...

Sounds like a great book! It has a sad, but moving, premise!

Writing Through College

Fe said...

Ghost stories always give me the shivers but I'll have to find out - 'is she really seeing her father's ghost...?'

Now, as you recommended, I'm popping over to Laurel's blog...

Jessica Schley said...

This sounds like a fascinating twist on the "Parents read in YA" story. Thanks for this rec!

PK HREZO said...

Yay for Laurel! She's great!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

You do such great intros. I know so many of my students who have lost a parent.

mooderino said...

That was a little spooky.

mood
Moody Writing

Carol Kilgore said...

Sounds really good! I don't remember seeing this one, but I'm going to add it to my Amazon list.

Gwen Gardner said...

Oh England is a very haunted country. I think Dani's ghost-seeing is only beginning :)

Awesome intro, Michael. The book sounds great!

Unknown said...

I want to know, too! And I love that metaphor, cyclone through a Kansas farm. These intros are as good as the stories themselves. :) I think I'm all caught up now. Sorry I was so late in posting, sweetie.

Golden Eagle said...

This book is on my TBR list. Loved this look at Dani and her circumstances!

Ciara said...

This book sounds moving.

Ella said...

Great write Michael! I have had my eye on this book, for awhile. I am bit nervous to read it, since my Dad died when I was a teen. I had an experience-of him saying good bye. I think I am ready~

Thank you for sharing @>-------

Silvia Writes said...

Great opening ... well written. Sounds like a journey worth following for the reader.

Silvia @ Silvia Writes

Rebecca Green Gasper said...

This one sound good, too. All these great picks and now my TBR list is way too long...I'll never have time to write now bc all I'll want to do is read :) Thanks :) I am really enjoying your atoz. I've had a great time!

Deniz Bevan said...

Yay for Laurel! And Never Is A Long Time is one of my favourite Roxette songs!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

This is an awesome introduction to a book. Makes me want to read it if I every get time.

Mary Montague Sikes

Kristen said...

Wonderful intro! It sounds like a great read. I put it in my wishlist.

#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

VR Barkowski said...

Such a compelling premise, and I've been meaning to read this for some time. Laurel is a wonderful writer. No more procrastination—I'm heading over to Amazon immediately. Your intro magic(k) is working, Michael. :)

VR Barkowski

Kimberly Gabriel said...

What a moving intro...the setting sounds fabulous in this book!

Carrie Butler said...

That made me shiver! I'm intrigued. :)

Laurel Garver said...

Thanks for the compelling intro, Michael! I've been so deep in the cave working on the sequel I lost track of where you were in the alphabet.

Thanks for the kind words, all. I have a great trailer for the book, too: http://www.youtube.com/embed/JY0gSZ3-nU4.