Will Rise from Ashes
by Jean M. Grant
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GENRE: Women's Fiction
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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.
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Excerpt Two:
A gray column of ash exploded on the screen. The plume darkened the sky.
“Mom, come look!” Will said, without turning from the TV.
She fidgeted with the mail on the kitchen counter. Then said a bad word. The metal trash lid clanged open, and she grumbled. He tapped a finger on his thigh as he listened to the newscaster.
A few minutes passed. “Mom…”
“One minute,” she called. He turned. She dragged the basket of dirty laundry from their vacation to Yellowstone down the basement steps. Thump, thump, thump.
“But it’s the volcano! On TV!” His pulse flickered. This was important. She needed to see.
“Hang on a sec, Will.”
The clock read 9:03 p.m. Eastern Time, but it still felt like Mountain Time and he wasn’t sleepy. He counted to one second. He knew she didn’t mean that. Her “a sec” or “a minute” could be way longer.
She returned from the basement and opened the window over the kitchen sink. The metallic, vibrating hum of the foghorn sounded in the distance. He rose and added a tally mark to the chart on his clipboard. Soon, he’d need to make his snow charts, too. But it was only August.
“Where are they?” Mom said.
She came through the doorway to the living room with her mug in one hand. It smelled like burnt stinky milk. He covered his nose.
“Mom, watch out!” She almost stepped on his eight red volcano cut-outs lined in a row in front of the TV. His heart kerthumped. He straightened one, so the bottom edge realigned with the rest. There, better.
“So, honey, what is it? Find an interesting documentary to watch?” she finally asked, drawing her gaze to the TV as she stumbled. “Will, the tape and scissors. I need you to pick them up, okay?” She yawned. “We need to go to bed soon.” She leaned over the coffee table and clicked her laptop shut with another curse. “I can’t even track their flight. Where are they?” she repeated to herself.
Her brown eyes were shiny, holding that sad look she got when she thought about Dad. Some expressions confused him, but Mom was easier to understand than others. She was sad a lot these days. Was she sad about his little brother Finn not returning home yet? He approached her and hugged her around the waist. He nudged the top of his head against her ribcage. “It’s okay, Mom. Finn and Uncle Brandon will be here. Maybe their flights were delayed again?”
She exhaled. Coffee breath. His stomach squeezed. Delays. Yuck, he didn’t like delays either.
She said in a whisper, a raspy grating sound, “They should’ve landed by now…the traffic north to Maine from Boston isn’t awful this time of day. Finn’s going to be so wired.”
But he’s not a robot, Will wanted to say, but he knew it was just one of Mom’s weird phrases. The commercials ended. He grabbed her hand. “Look, Mom. Yellowstone! Maybe Finn and Uncle Brandon saw it erupt since we were all just there! How lucky of them to see that, huh?” He pointed to the LIVE symbol in the bottom right corner.
Her mug slipped and fell in a crash, spilling all over his volcanoes.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jean’s background is in science and she draws from her interests in history, nature, and her family for inspiration. She writes historical and contemporary romances and women’s fiction. She also writes articles for family-oriented travel magazines. When she’s not writing or chasing children, she enjoys tending to her flower gardens, hiking, and doing just about anything in the outdoors.
Website https://www.jeanmgrant.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/JeanGrant05
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Jean-M.-Grant/e/B0728KFXP9/
Interview with Jean M. Grant
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
Though the book takes place in the wake of a volcanic eruption, I like that the eruption itself is not the emphasis of the book. Its focus is the physical and emotional journey of the mother and her son. They run into trouble along the way though. Over and over. It’s a changed world. Or is it? Will humanity prevail? Can AJ overcome her grief-ridden past, her complex present, and embrace a new life for her family? She is struggling with widowhood, parenting, and anxiety. Why not toss a huge natural disaster her way to get her where she needs to go (emotionally)? I like my intro, and I love my final scene. I enjoy her conversation scenes with Reid, a man they meet along the way, and I am a sucker for action-packed scenes of mishap and scenes of heartache.
I also enjoyed not just diving into the psyche of the heroine, AJ, but also exploring 9-year-old Will’s perspective of the world. His scenes bring a sweet lightness to the story. So, I would have to say that I am partial to his scenes, be it the counting of tiles in a pizza shop, his scientific musings/obsessions, or his tenderness with his mother.
2. If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Once again, I’d pick Will. He’s a sweet, creative kid and has an admirable view of the world around him. I’d go off on a nature walk with him and let him wow me with his thoughts. Though as a mother myself sometimes we need a little break from the kiddos. So, maybe I’d also hang out with Reid. He is a soulful conversationalist. He seems a guy I’d like to hang out with and learn from…his stories (life experiences) and his wise interpretation of philosophical reads are intriguing.
3. If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?
That’s hard to pick! Should I go back in time and be Shakespeare or Jane Austen? Or slip into a modern author’s role such as Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander? I am partial to wanting to be in Ms. Gabaldon’s shoes.
4. Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
Some of my characters find their basis in real people in my life or are inspired by my own experiences. But as with any character, they are fictionalized and take on a life of their own. I spend a good deal of time on character development up front, so I have these interesting characters all laid out. Of course, they do take me on a journey and can be unpredictable. Often the characters become a blend of real-life inspirations and fictionalized daydreams to become unique individuals.
5. What made you want to become a writer?
I’ve been drawn to words and art since my youth. My mother was an artist and poet. I began with dabbling in short stories and poems in my teens, while learning a bit about drawing. After a very long divergence into the science arena (with no regrets, I LOVE science), I am back now crafting words and worlds. I am a daydreamer and love to read books that whisk me away to new places, deep worlds. I do also have a soft spot for happy-ever-afters (hence why I also write romance). I would say the dreamer in me (that fell in love with words, worlds, and characters) drew me to a writing career. Plus, I have full control. I take the reins! Except when my characters try to overthrow me.
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Jean M. Grant will be awarding $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteAnother great book to discover. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteAre any of the characters in the book inspired by people you know?
ReplyDeleteAlways. :) Some...
DeleteGreat cover and awesome giveaway! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting to know your mother also had a creative mind. She must have inspired and supported you. I envy that.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Wishing you all kinds of luck with this book and all your others.
She did - as artist and poet. I first wanted to be an artist waaaay back when. I ultimately dedicated my first book to my mother, and though she's not alive to read it, I know she is looking down upon me with pride.
DeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading the post. Sounds like a good book
ReplyDeleteSounds like a must read.
ReplyDeleteWho is your favorite character from your book?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing an excerpt, this sounds really good
ReplyDeleteHow long did it take you to write your book?
ReplyDeleteHow many books have you written so far?
ReplyDeleteDo you have any ideas for a sequel to the book?
ReplyDeleteHow did you come up with the characters names in the book?
ReplyDeleteHow many hours a day do you spend writing?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the excerpt. I want more.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read
ReplyDelete