On a
bench at the edge of the Lithia Park playground, someone is stalking two-year-
old Emily Michaelson as she plays with her eighteen-year old half-sister,
Brandy. The child’s laughter curves through the sunlight, as if on wings. The
stalker is more enamored than ever, but aware of Brandy’s vigilance with Emily,
knows a kidnapping won’t be easy. Planning to gain Emily’s trust, the stalker
gives her a necklace—little girls love pretty things. A few days later, Brandy
and Emily arrive at the park for the Children's Health Fair. When the stalker
sees them enter the public restroom, the opportunity is seized.
Not
long after Emily's disappearance, Detective Radhauser finds her rainbow-
colored sneakers in Ashland Creek, their laces tied together in double knots.
Brandy’s father and stepmother blame Brandy for Emily’s disappearance.
Radhauser feels sorry for her, but insists she stay out of the investigation.
Brandy can’t do that. She is obsessed with finding out who took her little
sister, and why. Will Emily be found in time?
Kathy Elliot***** I received
an advanced copy of Susan's Clayton-Goldner's "When Time is a River"
for review. This review reflects my honest, unbiased opinion.
Another masterpiece has been created. Again, I could not put my laptop down, even carried it into the kitchen while cooking. Detective Radhauser is the man I want solving my case should I ever need a detective and Brandy is the daughter every mother wishes she had raised. The humaness of all of Susan's characters, I believe, is one of the many reasons I am intrigued by her books. And in today's very narcissistic political climate it's so refreshing to read about characters who actually care about others and the greater good of society.
A great mystery indeed, with an ending I could never have surmised. The emotions of each character during crisis seemed authentic and believable. A poignant characterization of schizophrenia and bi-polar disease allowed the reader to understand, without bias, the faulty thinking that occurs in mental illness. I am anxiously awaiting the third book in this series.
Another masterpiece has been created. Again, I could not put my laptop down, even carried it into the kitchen while cooking. Detective Radhauser is the man I want solving my case should I ever need a detective and Brandy is the daughter every mother wishes she had raised. The humaness of all of Susan's characters, I believe, is one of the many reasons I am intrigued by her books. And in today's very narcissistic political climate it's so refreshing to read about characters who actually care about others and the greater good of society.
A great mystery indeed, with an ending I could never have surmised. The emotions of each character during crisis seemed authentic and believable. A poignant characterization of schizophrenia and bi-polar disease allowed the reader to understand, without bias, the faulty thinking that occurs in mental illness. I am anxiously awaiting the third book in this series.
Linda Willer ***** I received
an advanced reader's copy of this book directly from the author in exchange for
an honest review. As with the last two books I read by Susan, I am always
amazed at the writing and how something I would take 10 sentences to describe
she can do in one and you have a clear picture in your mind of character, time,
place and feelings. I love her work and I love this new series (hope it is more
than just a trilogy!!!!!) Many have reviewed the plot, telling the story so I
won't go over the plot again. I read a lot of series. The protagonist becomes a
friend. You live their lives day by day with them. Sometimes, you'd rather
not!!!! Sometimes, you just want to tell them, "to get over it." What
was refreshing about the protagonist in this series is that we learned and felt
his sadness and depression in Redemption Lake. It is now four years later and
he is very happy. Bringing Detective Radhauser to a happy place was genius. Now
the story really is about Emily and Brandy. It left room for a new hero,
Band-aid!!!!!!
Debbie ***** Brandy is a very
amazing young lady. When Emily disappeared, her whole life changed. What Emily
does to find her baby sister will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to
see what happens next. This book is so good you won't be able to stop reading
it. The author did a wonderful job writing this story. I would give this book a
higher rating than a five-star review if I could. I had the honor to review
this book for the author for a honest review. The reaction to this book is my
honest reaction to the story
Louise
Pledge ***** I
started reading this at bedtime and was so engrossed, I wanted to read the
whole book in one sitting (er laying). However, I'd had a long day and kept
falling asleep. I would, occasionally, throughout the night, force myself to
wake up and read a few more pages. So, as soon as I woke up, I picked it back
up and had to read until I was done. Yes, the story was THAT GOOD! An emotional
story (aren't all missing children stories just that?) with a few surprises
along the way. It wrapped itself up, nicely, and not "just all of a sudden"
like so many things we read. You will adore the heroine, Brandy, and find
yourself cheering her on.
I was intrigued by the cover and found myself wondering what the title meant. It all ties together and makes so much sense, as you read. Highly recommend!
I was intrigued by the cover and found myself wondering what the title meant. It all ties together and makes so much sense, as you read. Highly recommend!
Susan Clayton-Goldner is a graduate of the
University of Arizona's Creative Writing Program and has been writing most of
her life. Her novels have been finalists for The Hemingway Award, the Heeken
Foundation Fellowship, the Writers Foundation and the Publishing On-line
Contest. Susan won the National Writers' Association Novel Award twice for
unpublished novels and her poetry was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. A
collection of her poems, A Question of Mortality was released in 2015.
Her novel, A Bend In The Willow, released by Tirgearr Publishing in
January, 2017k has nearly 100 reviews on Amazon, averaging 4.6 stars. Her second
novel, Redemption Lake, was released
in May, 2017 and is averaging 4.9 stars on Amazon. Her newest release, When Time Is A River is available for preorder at half price and releases
on September 6, 2017.
When she isn’t writing, Susan spends her time
making stained-glass windows and quilts. She says those two activities are similar
to writing—telling stories through glass and fabric.
Excerpt –
When Time Is A River
I sat on a concrete bench exactly twenty
yards from the Lithia Park playground and waited for Emily. For thirty-two
days, I’d studied her movements, followed her and Brandy, the teenager Emily
called Band-Aid, trying to determine exactly how and when to execute my plan.
As the sun made its low circuit across a
crisp and cloudless sky, I felt grateful to be free again. To be in this place
where the air smelled like earth and pine bark.
I opened my leather attaché case and removed
my binoculars and The Sibley Guide to
Birds. I set the book in a visible spot beside me on the bench, picked up
my binoculars and scanned the clumps of rhododendron bushes where Emily liked
to hide. She wasn’t there. Shifting the binoculars to the playground, I
searched the line of children at the slides, the sandbox and finally found
Emily on the merry-go-round.
Brandy ran in circles and sang as she pushed
the laughing child. “The wheels on the bus go round and round…” Every time I
saw her in the park, she was singing. Sometimes she came alone, brought a
guitar and sat by the creek.
Small clouds of dust rose with the beat of
her boots on the worn ring of dirt around the merry-go-round. Her long dark and
curly hair was tamed on the top and sides by a hot pink cowboy hat and her skirt
flowed behind her like a multi-colored banner as she ran. A half dozen silver
bracelets made music when she moved her arm. She looked like a gypsy turned
cowgirl.
I focused on her bandaged cheek, flinched
and looked away. More than anything, I hated imperfection.
When she skidded to a stop and the dust
settled, the merry-go-round slowed and my gaze riveted on Emily. As always, she
clutched her worn Pooh bear in her lap. I adjusted the lens on my binoculars
until Emily appeared close enough to count the grass clippings on the back of
her neck. I imagined the toddler turning somersaults on the newly mown lawn—the
legs of her red corduroy pants rising up over the plump soft flesh on her
calves. I tried to steady my breathing. Alive with secrets and desires, I no
longer cared what the dark-suited doctors said. They never understood my needs
or my dreams. Why should I swallow their pills to escape them?
Emily rested her chin on the
merry-go-round’s safety bar. With her legs dangling over the side, she looked like
an illustration in the storybook, Snow
White. A tiny flawless princess—so brightly lit from the inside that I
imagined sunshine, rather than blood, filled her perfect veins. When the
spinning finally stopped, she stood and jumped.
“Be careful,” I whispered as I set the
binoculars aside.
Emily’s hair flew up, then fell back over
her forehead—sunlight rippling through the red highlights in her dark curls. In
midair she flashed a smile, then landed on her feet, giggling over her shoulder
as Brandy chased her around the playground.
A flutter of panic rose in my throat. Brandy
was so vigilant. But even careful people make mistakes.
Emily’s laughter soared through the air and
the two of them passed so close to me I could have reached out and touched
Emily. Then the toddler turned and ran back toward the merry-go-round. As she
passed by the bench where I sat, she paused and waved at me.
Happiness swelled my chest. The dream of
having this particular little girl pulsed through my veins like a mind-altering
drug. It aroused every nerve in my body until even my fingertips throbbed with
expectation.
Brandy scooped Emily up in her arms.
She was so pure and innocent. All I needed
to do was gain her trust and the rest would be easy.
I pulled the necklace from my pants pocket
and smiled as I studied the garnet heart set between two diamonds.
Little
girls love pretty things.
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Thank you so much for hosting me on launch day, Zrinka.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome. It always exciting to meet new authors and show their books to the world. Thanks for being here.
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