The
Linked Through Time series
By
Jessica Tornese
Linked Through Time- the first of the Linked trilogy
Lost Through Time-
the second in the series
Amazon and Barnes and Noble
Bestseller!
Third and final in the series….
Join
Kate Christenson as she
battles a past that was never
meant to be her own.
Linked Through Time-
Fifteen year old Kate Christenson is pretty sure she’s about
to experience the worst possible summer at her grandparent’s farm in rural
Baudette, Minnesota. Without cable, cell phones, or computers, Kate is headed
for total isolation and six tedious weeks of boredom. Until the storm.
A freak
lightning accident has Kate waking up in 1960. But she is not herself. She is
the aunt she never met, but has eerily resembled her entire life. Thrust into
living a dirt poor, rural farm life, Kate struggles to make sense of her
situation- a boyfriend with a dark side, a “townie” who steals her heart, and
the knowledge that 1960 is the very summer her aunt drowns in the local river.
Even with
every precaution, Kate cannot stop fate, and an unexpected twist adds to her
dilemma. To her horror, Kate finds out firsthand her aunt’s death was not an
accident or a suicide, but something much, much worse.
Lost Through Time-
“There never was a body, you know.”
Such is the bizarre statement
from Gran only weeks after Kate has returned from an accidental time traveling
incident, surviving certain death…twice. Capturing Sarah’s killer seemed to be
the reason for Kate’s disappearance, but Gran believes otherwise.
Learning of Kate’s power to
time travel loosens memories and desires Gran has long since buried. Gran is
set on finding Sarah, who she believes never died the night Dave Slater threw
her in the river, but instead, went back in time through the Rapid River
portal. With rudimentary research and analysis, Gran thinks she has unlocked
the secrets to controlling the time traveling link that she and Kate share with
their ancestors and she plans to use Kate to bring Sarah back.
When Kate agrees, she is shocked to
find out that in the more aggressive form of time travel, she doesn’t become
Sarah, but trades places with her, sending Kate to Baudette, Minnesota in the
year of 1910, and Sarah ahead to the year 2000.
Baudette’s catastrophic 1910
fire and typhoid epidemic are the least of Kate’s worries once she discovers
what has happened. Her chances of a return trip are thwarted with the struggle
just to survive, and Sarah, reliving her lost childhood in the ease of current
day life, decides to never return to the past, leaving Kate to suffer the life
she has left behind.
Gran is
torn- get rid of the daughter she has dreamed of finding for four decades, or
rescue the precious granddaughter who risked everything for her selfish dream?
And to what lengths will Sarah go to destroy any chances of Kate coming back?
Will Sarah succeed in severing the link?
Destroyed Through Time
After a decade of her life wasted in a futile
search, Kate Christenson returns to Baudette, Minnesota to face more than just
her failure. Broken relationships, broken hearts, and a slew of unanswered
questions plagues her every move. Guilt and fear have turned her cynical and
distrusting, and most of all, have left her alone.
When she encounters a stranger with the same
hourglass birthmark, the past she has desperately tried to suppress comes
roaring back with a vengeance. Hungry for answers, Kate pursues the stranger,
eager to find another like herself.
But the answers she gets are beyond any she can
imagine, derailing every idea she’s ever had about time travel. Who is really
alive? And who is really dead? What can be changed? And what is forever broken?
When Mary disappears, Kate is thrust into a race
against time itself. But this time, it’s more than just one life on the line.
EXCERPT
FROM -LINKED THROUGH TIME
Steering
carefully into the gravel drive of the Rapid River parking lot, I swore under
my breath as the bike’s rear wheel slid on loose gravel. Trying to right the
bike too quickly, I ended up swerving sharply to the left and crashing into the
brush at the side of the gravel lot. Flying over the handlebars, I landed in a
patch of overgrown weeds, my knee striking a rock hidden in the ground. Pain
radiated from my knee, paralyzing me for a moment. I lay sprawled face first in
the grass, breathing in the smell of earth and dry grass, cursing myself and
everything on the planet.
Emotions
overwhelmed my frazzled, fragile mind and I let loose with a string of
profanities that would have definitely earned me a whipping. Rubbing my
throbbing knee, I groaned.
Lightning
flashed and the breeze picked up as if on cue, sending the cattails above my
head into an agitated dance.
With
great effort, I stood and flexed my leg. I could feel the slightest trickle of
blood dripping a warm path down my shin. Perfect, I grimaced. Can anything else
possibly go wrong tonight?
My
vision had adjusted slightly to the moonless night, but I still had to partly
feel my way to the place Travis and I spent the evening. Pushing through the
brush, I couldn’t help but sense that uneasy, creepy feeling that comes from
wandering in the dark, as though eyes watched you and monster hands waited to
grab at your feet. My heart pounded loudly in my ears, the tingling creep of
fear working its way from my head down through my limbs. I forced myself to
keep my eyes forward, ignoring the nagging feeling that someone or something
watched me from the shadows of the rocky shore.
Limbs
of the interlocking pines poked and prodded my bare arms as I threaded my way
through the trees. The pounding of the rapids had increased with the coming of
the storm; the wind tossed the water upon the rocks, sending spray high into
the air.
When
I broke through the tree line, I stood mesmerized by the awesome power of the
roaring water. It looked as if the rapids were fighting to break free of their
rocky channel, its watery fingers washing over the rocks, reaching far down the
wall, only to withdraw and try again.
Above
the churning waters, a simple two-lane bridge hung defiantly in the air, its
thick concrete arches planted firmly around the dangerous rocks. Suddenly, a semi
loaded with logs thundered across the bridge overhead; its headlights lighting
up the darkness for a matter of seconds. I used the momentary help to break my
gaze from the water and search the outer banks for my sweater.
A
flicker of movement amidst the trees caught my line of sight, and I focused in
on a ring of pines to my right; the very place Travis and I had been a few
hours earlier.
“Travis?”
I called out hopefully, thinking he had remembered to retrieve my sweater.
EXCERPT
FROM- LOST THROUGH TIME
I
felt the exact moment my heart stopped beating in my chest.
“Where’s
Mary?” I said, trying to keep the alarm from rising in my voice. The group
looked around, stunned.
Vivie
handed Gracie to James. “She was just here. I swear it.”
Frantic,
we strained to see across the wagon bridge into Spooner. The brilliant blond
tresses of Mary’s head were nowhere to be seen.
Ruth
spoke up. “That man took her to the depot.”
I
stared hard at Ruth, trying to process the words, but not understanding. “What
man?” I said, confused. There were dozens of people crossing the bridge rushing
in all directions. Like ants on a collapsing anthill, the twin towns were alive
with chaos, the people coming and going with what looked like little purpose.
“What man?” I said again, the panic seizing my voice and pushing it another
octave higher. I grasped Ruth’s arms in a painful, panicked grip.
Ruth
shrank away, afraid I might lash out. “I don’t know. I was watching John. Aunt
Vivie told me to watch John.” Her eyes welled with tears. “I had John,” she
insisted again, afraid of taking the blame.
“What
did the man look like? What was he doing?” I demanded.
“He
was that man from the backyard. The big man who touched Mary’s hair. I heard
him say he could help her run faster. For her to take his hand.”
Sickness
heaved inside and I clenched my jaw.
“You
were getting sick over the bridge,” Ruth accused. “You weren’t helping at all!
Mary couldn’t keep up and she was crying!”
Vivie
reached out and gripped my shoulders. Without saying a word, we stared hard
into each other’s eyes, the truth of the situation passing between us as though
we were speaking aloud. McGraw had bided his time, watched us from afar and
waited for a weak moment.
He
couldn’t
possibly know the danger he faced. Was it a ploy? Would he really take Mary? Or
was he just trying to get me alone to give chase and play his twisted game of
revenge?
“I’ll
go,” Vivie said, the sacrifice evident in the firm line of her mouth. “You
can’t fall for his trap, Kate. He won’t do anything to me.”
“No,”
I argued. “Too dangerous. If something happens to you, then Gran will never be
born, and then, neither will I.”
Excerpt
from Destroyed Through Time
It
was just past noon and the bar already had a smoky haze clinging to the
ceiling. I pushed open the glass door and ducked beneath a trio of dangling
bells hanging just slightly above my head. Squinting through the dim interior I
made my way to the bar, taking the first available stool beneath a poster
advertising the blond, voluptuous St. Pauli girl holding overflowing steins of
beer. Beer wasn’t what I needed. I wanted something that would instantaneously
numb the body from the neck down, including the realms of my heart.
It had been years since I had set foot in this
town and I couldn’t imagine facing the lot of them completely sober. College
abroad had been a great excuse, a scapegoat for a plethora of reasons not to
return. It was the only way I had managed to navigate the years of guilt, the
constant reminder of my failure to myself, to Mary, to Gran…to my mother.
The
list was endless.
It
was hard to believe a decade had passed. A fruitless, pointless waste of a
decade. Ten years of my life gone in a search that had yielded nothing. No
news, no information, and certainly no sign of Sarah. And now I was back where
it all began.
Q&A
with Jessica Tornese
1. The question that is always asked—what
inspired you to write Linked Through Time, and Lost Through Time?
I grew
up with a large family. My Dad was one of eleven children, so I have endless
tales of cousins and extended family. My Dad’s stories always stuck with me
because he grew up with nothing. Absolutely nothing! He did not have indoor
plumbing until high school- in Northern Minnesota! I admire him and wanted to
keep his stories alive. A lot of what happens to Kate in “Linked” are true
events from my dad’s childhood. Lost Through Time mentions a disaster that
actually occurred in my home town in 1910. I guess I just really like to keep
the stories of our ancestors from dying out. They were true, hard core
Americans fighting just to make a living.
2. Your take on time travel is unique did
you do any research to help you form the idea?
I love
the idea of using something that had to do with the region. Of course, northern
lights are not often seen as brilliantly as in Alaska or Canada, but they are
amazing and kind of mysterious, so I thought they could be a believable reason!
3. What challenges have you overcome in
having such a unique take on time travel?
As with
any book, I had to keep going back and forth to remember my rules and events to
make things happen. Since I change the rules in the second book, I had to
really sketch out why and how Kate could travel differently than other
characters.
4. You create a very realistic picture of farm
life in the 1960’s—did you do research? If not, how did you create such a
realistic picture without research?
I
actually lived on the farm I am describing. For a few short months, I had to
live with my grandparents in the very house my Dad grew up in . They were still
doing the same chores and living the same kind of lifestyle- except with indoor
plumbing of course! The chores were endless and I absolutely hate haying!
5. Who is your favorite character and why?
I love
Kate. She reminds me of myself. I was the snotty city girl that was taken out
of the city and moved to a small northern MN town when I was fifteen. I thought
my life was over! I learned a lot about myself as a person and learned how to
work outside. I appreciate my Dad more, and am so glad to have been raised
closer to his family. I love Kate’s growth and life lessons about boys. There
are good boyfriends out there and bad…definitely something we have to learn!
6. In book one you create sympathy for the
character of Sarah, but in book two she’s quite evil. Was making a character
that was originally likeable into a bad character hard?
Yes. It
was actually my husband’s idea to make a villain. He basically said that the
story will go nowhere without a villain, so we decided Sarah had the most to be
angry and vengeful for! Once I started, it was really fun to write the villain
part because I never get to act that way. It was a peek into the dark side
7. Kate matures a lot through book one,
did you always plan this, or did she mature as you wrote the novel?
Kate
was really a mirror of myself. I think I wanted to show that from day one- how
she can go from a judgmental teenager focusing on her own needs, to learning
about serving others. I think everyone makes this same transition at some point
in their lives; it’s just a question of when.
8. In Linked Through Time keeping track of
so many brothers and sisters was hard for Sarah, how did you do it as an
author?
I
literally took my Dad’s family and just changed the names! He had 6 brothers
and 5 sisters, and I just kept picturing them in my mind.
9. In Linked Through Time who was your
favorite brother or sister?
Probably
a tie between Dean and Rodney. I identify with both of their personalities. My
Dad had a little of each, so I brought out his tough military side in Rodney
and his protective side in Dean.
10. How did you evolve the story of Linked
Through Time into Lost Through Time?
I
didn’t want Kate’s story to be over. I knew I wanted to write about Baudette’s
historic fire, so once I decided to bring Sarah back into the picture it all
fell into place. I love history and am trying to decide how to connect with the
final chapter in Kate’s and Sarah’s life in book three.
11. We saw a very little bit of Travis’
son—will we see more of him?
T.J.
will make an appearance in book three. I think we will see a bit more develop
with him. I want Kate’s story to have something good in it for her. Though it
is a little Jerry Springer, I think Kate deserves a good man and some closure
in all the chaos she lives in.
12. What is the name of the next book in the
trilogy?
As of
right now, Destroyed In Time, recommended to me by another Solstice author,
Michael Thal.
13. Is there a release date set?
Not
yet. I am still in the early stages of defining the book. I have to be really
careful on how I end this book.
14. When did you start writing?
I didn’t
really start writing books until a few years ago, but I have always loved
writing and reading. They go hand in hand, I think.
15. As an author, what is your biggest
challenge and how do you overcome it?
Finding
time to write. I have three kids and it is a constant tornado in the house. I
try to take some time once a week to nail down some outline ideas.
16. You are with an independent publisher,
Solstice Publishing, how did you find them?
I
submitted my work based on a newsletter I received called Children’s Writer.
They give contact names and emails and it just happened to work out that Nik
Morton liked the manuscript.
17. What do you like best about being with a
smaller press?
I like
the camaraderie with the other authors. We have a daily interaction on line.
Mostly we use it for questions or support, but it’s nice to have others in the
same boat as yourself.
18. What is the biggest challenge of being
with a smaller press?
Marketing.
There just isn’t enough time or money to get the word out. It has to be done
over time, mostly own your own doing. But Solstice is trying hard to work with
everyone and do what they can with their resources. I was just voted Solstice’s
Author of the Year, so that was very exciting and proof that I do have fans out
there that love the books.
19. For budding authors out there, how much
say do you think you have in the final product, from cover to the insides, to
the marketing?
Depending
on the publisher, you can have a lot of say in your product. I wouldn’t let
someone change my work completely, especially if it was something I didn’t
believe in. Stay true to your style and someone will come along that likes it!
20. Other than writing, what are some things
that you love to do?
I love
volleyball and camping, and outdoor things in general. I love, love, love to
read! A good book on the beach is my heaven!
Reviews
from Readers:
5 *- Hannah- “This book was recommended to me by a
friend, and I am very glad I bought it! As someone who grew up in Minnesota, I
enjoyed the Midwestern nuances included in the author's style. The story line
has the perfect amount of complexity to allow for an easy read with a plot that
keeps you guessing and looking forward to reading. I will be referring my
friends and family to this book, and am excited to read more by this author in
the future.”
5*- Author Jennifer Comeaux-“ I
haven't read many time travel stories, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one from
Jessica Tornese. What I loved most about it were the rich details that put me
back in the 1960's rural setting and the relationship between Kate and her
father in the past. It was such a neat way to strengthen the bond between
father and daughter - a bond that was very shaky in present day. The story kept
me in suspense throughout as I wondered if Kate would be able to change the
past, and the ending was definitely a surprise! I'll be looking out for more
from Jessica Tornese in the future.”
5*-Author Nancy Wood-“ LINKED
THROUGH TIME by Jessica Tornese tells the story of Kate Christenson, a
self-absorbed 15-year-old who's forced to spend the summer at her grandparents'
farm in rural Minnesota. There's no internet or cell service. No cable. And
before Kate even makes it into the farmhouse, she accidentally smashes her
iPod: a clean separation from the life she knew. Kate has issues with everyone,
from her dad to grandparents to her mother. Nothing is made easier by the fact
that Kate's a dead ringer for her Aunt Sarah, who committed suicide at age 15.
But when Kate is transported back to
1960, resurrected as Sarah, her once-burning issues begin to seem trivial in
light of what she's facing. Life is so different than what Kate is used to,
it's like a movie. Every member of the family works long, hard hours on the
farm. There's Sarah's questionable relationship with intimidating boyfriend
Dave Slator. There's a new love interest, Travis Kochevar, a townie. There's
Sarah's siblings, Kate's dad, and other aunts and uncles. And there the secrets
Sarah keeps, secrets that she doesn't even share with her closest sibling,
Kate's dad. With Sarah's death looming, Kate has to figure out why she's there.
Kate grows up during her stay in 1960. When she pops back into the year 2000,
she's matured, much more compassionate, and much more aware of love, loyalty,
and family.
This book drew me in and moved along
flawlessly. There's something for every reader: the paranormal, romance,
suspense, and a mystery with a twist. Jessica Tornese's deft writing will keep
you turning the pages. I'm hoping for a sequel!”
5*- Jboy- “Jessica definitely delivers on
her sequel to Linked Through Time. It takes a crazy twist at the beginning and
it keeps your attention to the very end. I'm hoping there will be a third book
since I really enjoy Jessica's writing style and story telling.”
5*-MN girl- “I think I liked this book
even more than the first! I was surprised at the development of Sarah's
character, and felt the suspense building throughout the book as well. Knowing
what was supposed to happen, and waiting to see what WOULD happen just made the
story fly by. The developments at the end of the book leave me feeling excited
to see what this author has in store for the third installment of Kate's
story!”
Author
Bio, Links, and Contact
Jessica
Tornese is an amazon bestselling author and was voted Solstice Publishing’s
2012 Author of the Year! She has finally finished the final novel in the Linked
series; check out Destroyed Through Time this summer!
Jessica
Tornese’s debut novel, Linked Through Time, was inspired by her home town
Baudette, MN. She graduated from high school there and continued her education at
Minnesota State University – Moorhead where she earned a degree in education.
She spent several years coaching in the Junior Olympic volleyball program in
Minnesota as well as the junior varsity team for Lake of the Woods High School
in 2010.
Her favorite hobbies include reading,
scrapbooking, playing volleyball, and extreme outdoor sports like caving,
ziplining, and white water rafting. Jessica is also active in her church and
has run several Vacation Bible School programs and Sunday school programs. She
enjoys working with kids of all ages!
She
hopes to continue writing and venture into new genres and age groups. Recently,
she self-published her first juvenile fiction book for kids online. (see
M&M Twins)
Jessica
is married and has three children. Her family recently relocated to a small
town in south Florida.
Links:
Website:
http://www.jessicatornese.com
Amazon author central page:
http://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Tornese/e/B008LUYA66/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linked-Through-Time/392292227468460?ref=hl
Twitter:
@jltornese
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/jessicatornese
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicatornese
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