This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Killarney Traynor is a writer, singer, actor, and history buff living in New England. Her debut novel, Summer Shadows, reflects her love of local culture and history and long summer days.
"I've always thought that the best adventures were the ones that started in your own backyard," she says. "Summer Shadows comes from that idea, that sometimes the most exciting, frightening, and wonderful things happen right on your own street."
When she isn't writing, Killarney likes to spend her time working with a local film company, Narrow Street Films, and searching for new and interesting historical trivia. "I've just learned that Vermont has several vampire burials from the early 1800s, and I'm trying to figure out a way to work that into a novel."
Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite
Killarney Traynor's debut novel Summer Shadows is a wonderful mystery story about three orphaned children and their Aunt Julia. After the children's parents are tragically killed in a car accident, Julia take custody of the children. She has no ongoing financial means to support the children and she is totally lacking in childcare experience. Nevertheless, the spunky young adult takes on Jack, Dana and Ron as she makes decisions which not only threaten to undermine the children's security, but also threaten to leave her heart in New Hampshire.
After losing her job, Julia decides to take the children to their parents' neglected vacation home in Franklin, New Hampshire. What she doesn't know is that she is about to sign up for the adventure ride of her life! Little Jack is afraid to leave Julia's side; Dana is lonely and scared; and Ron decides to take over control of his siblings as the 'man of the house.'
Traynor has beautifully portrayed the emotional turmoil of the children and, in particular, she takes the oldest child, Ron, from a position of control and fear to that of a child going through the grieving process. Julia herself is highly lovable and believable as a stand-in mother. The interest between Julia and her next-door neighbor Robert is one of those relationships you just love to witness. When a haunted house and a murder are thrown in for good measure, you know for sure you have a winner on your hands. Summer Shadows is the book you want to read without having the slightest interruption. It is human; it is delightful and it is beautifully written.
