September Woods
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Ben’s growl suddenly turned deeper, and his lips curled in a snarl. Stella’s heart began pounding, and an inner voice inside her head told her to flee as quickly as possible, so she said in a quivering yet firm voice, “Ben, come!” He did as he was told, and she began to quickly walk toward home while clutching the leaf she had just wrapped to her chest. She worriedly looked behind her making sure nothing was in pursuit, and in that split second felt something grab her hair, an arm come under her neck, and a cloth with a strong acidic smell cover her face. Before she could get a scream out, everything went black.
Ben growled and sneered at the dirty vagrant man and he made several attempts to charge at his ankles to bite him as the man continued to grip Stella. Ben crouched low and repeatedly dove toward the man’s calf, but on Ben’s third attempt, the man plunged a sharp tree branch directly into the middle of Ben’s back. He yelped loudly as his legs gave way beneath him, and he cowered and backed away, but not before the man took a step forward and kicked him in the hip with his boot, sending Ben skidding to the ground. He whimpered and limped away in the opposite direction. The man held tight to Stella’s limp body, and quickly dragged her through the woods, turning around only once to see the injured dog hobbling away on three legs.
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About the Book
An extremely dangerous prisoner stumbles across a secret that could leave him financially set for life. He escapes from a maximum security prison and flees across state lines leaving a trail of destruction in his path. He seeks obscurity in the Northern wooded area of Wisconsin, and while shrouded in the deep forested area stumbles across 15-year-old Stella Compton, whom he abducts and holds prisoner. Stella finds herself in the midst of an incomprehensible nightmare, and one she fears there is no escape from. She vows if she survives her nightmarish ordeal and is reunited with her loved ones, she will commit her life to righting the wrongs the only way she knows how. Surprisingly, her journey leads her to the one man who restores faith in her future, and who will ultimately become the center of her world. This is a story that speaks volumes about the importance of our human relationships and the animals we bond with, and how one girl achieves triumph over tragedy.
About the Author
Kirkus Indie: “Two distinct genres delineate this book. A robust thriller and a heartfelt romance, with a smooth transition between the two.”
Clarion Foreword Review Four Stars (out of Five)
Debut author Linda Florke tells a compelling and suspenseful tale, one complete with plenty of twists and turns. Florke’s writing style is uncluttered, and she has a strong talent for building suspense and narrative tension. Readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats during many of the scenes.
An unexpected twist at the end of the book is dramatic and satisfying.
Florke shines most brightly in the aspects of the novel that clearly set the book in the thriller category.
September Woods is a worthy read, and Florke is definitely an author to watch.
Jeannine Hanscom
BlueInk: September Woods starts out as a thriller, but turns into a touching and satisfying coming-of-age story as the novel unwinds. Florke’s sure-handed writing and well-drawn main character make this novel appealing to fans of thrillers and character-driven stories alike.