Wow, wow, wow, my baby is coming to readers’ hands on April 17th. It’s been a whirlwind spring with three books coming out, each a month apart (no, I did not plan this, but I grabbed the reins and I’m enjoying the ride!). This book put my perseverance and patience to the test: countless rewrites, critique partners’ (and agents’) feedback, ping-pong edits with my editors…and sweat and tears. At the end, I was rewarded with the layered, gripping, and heartbreaking journey of AJ Sinclair and her son Will.

I’m filled with gratitude that my editor took a chance on this book (Women’s Fiction and a shift from my usual romance stories). I’m also forever grateful to my writer’s group and beta and critique partners that guided me to the end. Thank you, all!

Now for the cover art! Debbie Taylor did an amazing job capturing my vision:

And the blurb:

Young widow AJ Sinclair has persevered through much heartache. Has she met her match when the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, leaving her separated from her youngest son and her brother? Tens of thousands are dead or missing in a swath of massive destruction. She and her nine-year-old autistic son, Will, embark on a risky road trip from Maine to the epicenter to find her family. She can't lose another loved one.

Along the way, they meet Reid Gregory, who travels his own road to perdition looking for his sister. Drawn together by AJ's fear of driving and Reid's military and local expertise, their journey to Colorado is fraught with the chaotic aftermath of the eruption. AJ's anxiety and faith in humanity are put to the test as she heals her past, accepts her family's present, and embraces uncertainty as Will and Reid show her a world she had almost forgotten.

A few photos from a trip a few years ago to the Pacific Northwest that was inspiration for my backdrop. We went on a volcanic tour so to speak, culminating at Yellowstone, naturally. What an adventure! This trip was followed by one last year to Colorado/Utah that also fed my creative muse. I have 1000’s of photos but this handful gives you a sprinkle. :)

Now for an excerpt:

Even from far away, I recognized the man’s plaid long-sleeved shirt and the large backpack, but now he was walking alongside a bike on his approach.

“Hey, look! It’s that guy you drove past this morning!”

 I shuddered inwardly. Well, karma just bit me in the butt.

“How did he catch up with us?” Motherly instinct took over as I rose, my legs wobbly. “Will, stay there. Here, take this,” I said, handing him the tire iron.

 “We already tried that, Mom.”

“Not for that, Will.”

He scratched his brown hair, which was overdue for a cut, and looked at me, confusion wrinkling his brow.

“Be my wizard, Will. It’s your sword.”

“Wizards have wands.”

“Will…”

The circuit connected. “Oh…yes, Mom, I’ll protect you!”

I smiled faintly. “Thank you, honey.” I didn’t want to explain further that it was me protecting him. I didn’t want to say that if something happened, to run and hide in the woods. Because he would run and hide. Then what? Who would come help?

I shoved my hand into my front jeans pocket to nestle my fingertips around the pocket knife I had given Harrison for our wedding anniversary. The man slowed his bicycle as he drew nearer. He gave me an understated, yet significant, nod. The nod of understanding, of kindness. I didn’t buy it.

“Hello, again,” he said.

Ouch.

Much more to come. Stay tuned!