Author: K.N. Smith
Publisher: Two Petals Publishing
Pages: 340
Genre: Young Adult Action-Adventure, Young Adult Thriller, Urban Fantasy, Mystery/ Thriller
Welcome or unwelcome. Fate has arrived.
"A captivating and poetic tale of mystery, fantasy, and reality tied together by action!" 5-stars, Lars Jackson, Amazon Customer
A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, can the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.
"Brilliantly crafted and written!" - Megan King, Indie Book Reviewers
"An energetic adventure debut with stellar action sequences. Smith's writing is intelligent and often lyrical. Her exuberant prose never fails to dazzle." - Kirkus Media
"Author K.N. Smith uses her mastery of the written word to weave an entrancing, yet powerful tale of adventure that keeps you turning pages in an unquenchable desire to find out what happens next." - Publishers Daily Reviews
Book Information
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Publisher: Two Petals Publishing
Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-0989474757; 340 pages; $12.95; E-Book, $2.99
Available for Purchase in Paperback & Kindle at www.books2read.com/knsmith.
Chapter One
Twenty Years Later
THE COMMUNITY OF DANVILLE HEIGHTS offers the scenic route to a carefully crafted universe. Casts of shadows cool and soothe, beckoning the weary, comforting their plight. Explosions of color captivate, blanketing the land. A peaceful valley filled with families disinterested in city life, its combination of natural resources and quaint charm enchant those fortunate enough to dwell within.
Nature expressed itself always, as seen in a swirling butterfly as it dipped toward a crimson landing pad. It meandered along clean streets where comfortable homes with large porches seemed to have been plucked from the pages of a country interiors magazine.
Sunlight showered a dwelling with pale mint and creamy white paint, warming the sun porch and a shallow saucer of water left for visiting birds.
The butterfly swooped to examine embellished mailboxes, flapping its orange wings as though it were clapping for the winner. One of the mailboxes read: Parker Residence.
A bike lay sideways in the yard.
In this town, folks enjoy ripe tomatoes, fragrant peaches, and loads of neighborly warmth. People were glad to see each other, or at least they understood the politeness of saying hello. After all, a warm smile that’s always on the menu is reassuring indeed.
🙟
Across the way, the morning sun seeped into the bedroom of Kinsu Yamada, an athletic teenager named after an uncle from Japan. I’m so tired. It’s time to get up, but I’d rather be dreaming about what’s her name from sixth period. The girl with the short hair. Dang, what is her name anyway?
Getting up now offered a downside, like chancing a nap in the middle of class. Because his sore muscles needed a stretch, the option of dreaming quickly disappeared, so he reached for the headphones on his nightstand.
“Let’s see, how did that beat go?” He sifted through rhythms floating in his mind, like the masterpiece he had laid down yesterday. One, two, dat, boom. Yeah, that’s it right there! Only the beat master could do that.
He pushed the blankets aside, then reached across his bed. Where’s my tablet? He felt around until his fingers slid across cool metal. “In you go, headphones.”
He fired up one of his own tracks. The pulse of the beat brought him to life, but it wasn’t complete. New sounds were destined to mingle with the melody. I love this software. “Alright, FastBeats, let’s go.”
Kinsu opened the dashboard. Black and white keys made interesting noises. He wove drum and guitar effects into his tracks, dragging and dropping them into perfect position. Ooh, nice!
With the track finished, a quick scroll through a beat making contest announcement boosted his confidence. I’m sure I can win this one. When is it? A few weeks from now? No problem. I got this!
Time was moving. He plugged the headphones into his phone. A shuffled playlist spilled into his ears. Kinsu rolled out of bed to look outside. The beat throbbed in his head. A bird flew by the window as the blinds sliced through the view of a picture-perfect morning in Danville Heights.
🙟
A solid rocking chair made of real wood stood in the corner of the porch. It had beautiful grain and curves, just the way Mrs. Perkins remembered from her childhood. At seventy-five, she rocked almost daily, usually late at night, and like today, early in the morning before the sun peeked through sprawling trees.
She moved across her porch to adjust the hanging pots lined with moss, swaying in the soft wind. “Don’t you look lovely?” Mrs. Perkins stroked the dark purple geraniums, gifted to her by an acquaintance. “Such a rare color. So beautiful.”
She reached up to untangle a stubborn chain on one of the pots, which had caused it to lean sideways. Much better, she thought, after a few yanks.
A quiet town near the small city of Sandry Lake, Danville Heights was just the kind of place she liked. Small community feel. Occasions to get to know residents. Moments to find out their business. Just the way she liked it.
As she admired her flowers, something special met the morning. When the sun had appeared, sparkling dew evaporated from tall blades of grass, retracting the moisture so refreshing to the blades. Drying out right before her eyes, each blade had a story to tell emerging into the new day. So many stories. Much like the ones Mrs. Perkins had in memory.
She knew a lot about the history of Danville Heights. But it was clear to her—some secrets were not to be revealed. The trick? Imitating the blades’ mastery of secrecy throughout the decades.
She gripped the arms of the rocking chair, lowering herself, landing on a striped pillow. So comfortable. So nice and quiet.
She looked to the sky and smiled.
The motion of the rocking chair was part of the puzzle of the day’s awakening. Boys were slowly rolling out of bed, and the coffee was on, the rich aroma wafting through the houses. All of it made for a smooth transition from night to day without interruption of normal events.
🙟
A few streets over, Chase Freeman, a junior at Danville Heights High School, had fallen in love with his pillow. But he could hear Diane, his older sister, moving around the house. She had been raising him since their single mother passed away two years ago from breast cancer. They were doing their best to make it from semester to semester.
Diane was definitely in charge. She kept the house in order doing what her mother would have done. “Lasagna tonight, loaded baked potatoes tomorr—” She saw her reflection in the computer monitor as she zoomed around a corner. “Let me check my grades on the portal.”
She removed a small laundry basket from beneath her arm, setting it on the floor. With her knee on the desk chair, she logged-in to her online college courses to review the rankings. “B+? I was hoping for an A.” She searched for the message icon and tapped the keys. Dear Professor, I’d like to discuss this assignment during office hours…
As Chase entered his junior year, she gave her all to keep him focused. A challenging job for a young woman, but it appeared to be working so far.
Chase loved to sleep, but it wasn’t meant to be this morning. If he was going to catch a ride with Diane, he had to get up… now.
With her grades reviewed, she was on the move. Diane passed his room while putting away the laundry. “Chase, you must not want a ride today.” She could sense his fancy for feet dragging.
Chase jumped to the floor, suspending his covers in one hand. “Okay, okay, I’m up, see?” Tossing the blankets aside, he grabbed a silver bat from the corner of his room. Step up to the plate. He perfected his swing in the mirror. Nothing can stop this player. One more season after this year, then I’ll be an outfielder in college.
Diane was still in the hallway. “No, I don’t see anything. Get moving. I have to work at the café this morning.”
Chase swung one more time. “I am up.”
He bid farewell to his warm sanctuary. His deep brown skin glistened in the sunlight. A banner above the door with a quote from Babe Ruth caught his eye— ‘Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.’
Often amused with her brother, Diane smiled as she gave her final warning, “You’d better be, or you’re walking, mister.”
🙟
There was no sign of the sun in the not so distant town of Sandry Lake. Considering the height of the east side buildings which should have received a golden kiss by now, this seemed odd.
Didn’t the rooftops feel lonely awaiting the moment to greet the sun’s fresh rays?
Usually, there was plenty of action on the road, but today the mood was low. A dark contrast to the bonds being made in Danville Heights, where the sun appeared to believe it had a multitude of friends on which to rely for the next stretch of time.
About the Author
Her latest book is the YA Action Adventure/YA Thriller/Urban Fantasy/Mystery/Thriller DISCOVERY OF THE FIVE SENSES (The Urban Boys Book 1).
You can visit her website at www.KNSmith.com or connect with her on Facebook.
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