EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
Keeper
(Seed Savers Book 4)
(Seed Savers Book 4)
by S. Smith
Keeper is the fourth book is the middle grade dystopian Seed Savers series by S. Smith. Also available: Treasure (FREE), Lily, and Heirloom. Or why not get the Seed Savers Boxed Set (Books 1-3)? It's ON SALE for only $0.99 to 20 November.
Description
In Keeper, book four of the Seed Savers series, friends Clare and Lily reunite, Trinia Nelson schemes to maintain control of the food supply, and the Seed Savers Movement is on the verge of splitting into factions.
As James Gardener works to keep Seed Savers from splintering, Lily, Clare, and Dante become reckless and begin sneaking out of their hidden safe house.
Will their desire to meet with an old friend lead to forgiveness, or will it end in betrayal leaving the Seed Savers Movement in jeopardy?
Video for Book 1, Treasure
Excerpt
[Lily talks with her father, followed by encounter with Arturo.]
“What’s next?” I asked him after a few minutes of small talk. I kept bringing up the Movement; he kept avoiding it.
“I think we should let your mom know where you are.”
“Sure,” I said. “You can do that?”
He gave me a look that said, What do you think? I am James Gardener, after all.
“Oh yeah, right.” I wasn’t about to bring up the security breach that had landed him in jail and devastated the Movement.
“And maybe—” he was looking down, talking to his feet, “—maybe send you back to her.”
I didn’t see it coming. The happiness I’d felt seconds earlier dissolved like snow in hot water. Neither did I anticipate the tears. I ran toward the door with my head down.
“I just remembered something,” I called, keeping my voice steady.
“Lily.
***
“Hey, slow down. Where you going?”
I kept running, not wanting to explain my tears. Arturo ran after me, his hand soon catching my shoulder.
“What’s up, Lily?”
My nose was running and I sniffed as I met his gaze. “Nothing. Just jogging.” I sniffed again and dabbed at my watery eyes. “I think I have allergies.”
I watched his face closely. Was he struggling with the word allergy, or trying to decide whether or not to believe me?
“Oh,” he said at last. “Me, too.” He sniffed and coughed a dry little cough. “I am not accustomed to this forest.”
As we walked along the path, I let the sweet mountain air calm and soothe me.
“It’s so beautiful here,” I said. The woods were absolutely gorgeous. The trees, changing clothes in the fresh fall air, were a kaleidoscope of oranges, reds, and yellows.
“Yes,” he agreed. “Very peaceful. And the weather is not so hot.”
“I’m learning the names of some of the flowers. These are false foxgloves,” I said, breaking off the end of a purple stalk.
“Like Aubrey’s hillside.”
“Yes, I think so. And yesterday I learned black-eyed Susan and skunk goldenrod.”
He smiled. “Ew, skunk? Is it stinky?”
“Hence the name.”
We laughed.
“I like here,” he said. “Is better than the places we pass through.”
“But it was an adventure,” I said. “And it did have its scenic moments.” I was thinking of the view from the fire tower and the place where we swam.
“Oh, yeah,” he said. “And the birds here very good,” he added.
We went on like that for awhile, talking about nature, reminiscing about the incredible journey that brought us here. Before I knew it, I was crying again.
“This is happy crying?” Arturo asked, in shock. Hoping, maybe.
I burst out in a combination laugh/cry as I turned and threw my arms around his neck, shaking my head no.
He patted my back. “’S okay, Lily. ‘S okay.”
Praise for the Book
"There is much excitement in this book - tension is escalating - and plenty of time with the characters we've grown to know and love. I am looking forward to the next book and am actually sad thinking that the story might soon end. That's how it is with really good books - we always wish there was more." ~ T. Griffis
"This is a great book. It is best to read the first 3 books in the series as they lead up to this one." ~ mom of 4
"There are exciting twists and turns that keep you turning the page. The intertwining stories of all the characters made this quick, fun read. S. Smith is a talented storyteller who has crafted a story that makes you think about food in a new way." ~ Mrs Nelson
"More and more, the series is resembling the fast paced action political drama of the Divergent series – without the killing, and with the added fun of things like Dandelion syrup being discussed. Although I was sent an advanced reader’s copy of Keeper, I still made a point to pre-order a final copy for my kindle. The book is a keeper in every format, and it’s just worth it to be as supportive as possible of this story, help it get told. I’m looking forward to the day Smith gets a movie or mini-series deal. Better yet, the homeschool mom in me votes for it to be a Netflix original." ~ AnakaliaKlemm
"In a way this book seems to move out of Middle Grade territory into full-blown dystopia. But older Middle Graders read the Hunger Games and similar YA works, and those already engaged with the series will enjoy the developments, and the combination of mistakes and danger that our brave, sometimes foolhardy, protagonists engage in. It ends on more of a cliffhanger than the others, although revelations near the end give a tantalising view of the next book. I can't wait!" ~ eppingstrider
About the Author
S. Smith grew up on a farm with a tremendously large garden. She maintains that if you can’t taste the soil on a carrot, it’s not fresh enough. Although she now lives in the city, she still manages to grow a few fruits and vegetables, and visits the family farm on a regular basis.
Ms. Smith is a member ALLi (The Alliance of Independent Authors) and saves seeds for her local seed bank. She gardens and writes at her home in the beautiful and green Pacific Northwest.
A licensed ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, Ms. Smith has enjoyed teaching students from around the world.
Giveaway
Enter the blast-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash.
Links
