REVIEW and GIVEAWAY
What the Valley Knows
by Heather Christie
What the Valley Knows by Heather Christie is currently on tour with Xpresso Book Tours. The tour stops here today for my review, an excerpt, and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
Millington Valley is a quintessential small Pennsylvania town: families go back generations. Football rules. Kids drink while adults look the other way. High school is a whirlwind of aspiration and rivalry, friendship and jealousy.
When smart and pretty Molly Hanover moves to town and attracts the attention of the football team’s hero, Wade Thornton - a nice guy with a bad drinking habit - longtime friendships are threatened and a popular cheerleader tries to turn the school against Molly.
The young couple’s future is shattered when Wade, drunk, wrecks his truck and Molly is thrown through the windshield. She wakes from a coma to find her beauty marred and her memory full of holes. As she struggles to heal, she becomes sure that something terrible happened before the accident. And there is somebody in the valley who doesn’t want her to remember.
Book Video
Excerpt
Prologue
Molly Hanover lifted her chin and the pain was so sharp her head slammed down onto the muddy gravel. Her teeth gashed her tongue and the copper taste of blood filled her mouth. She closed her eyes and the thump of her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
This wasn’t happening. She had to get up and find him. She needed to tell him something—something important—and her mother, she had decided she would tell her mother, too. They would help her.
At the edge of the field where she had fallen, a few un-harvested corn stalks jutted skyward. Late autumn grass sprouted in the weedy undergrowth. She lay splayed facedown, her arm twisted behind her back, raw pain searing through her right shoulder.
Where was he?
Again, she tried to raise her head and tiny spurts of light exploded against the darkness. Chilly rain stung her cheek and blurred her vision. Her hair stuck to her neck matted with bits of glass, dirt, and blood. The ground smelled fresh and earthy.
Help, she whispered.
It was hard to concentrate, but she listened carefully and heard the soft ping of rain hitting her nylon jacket.
Stay awake, she warned herself.
Don’t sleep.
She rolled and saw the wet road sparkle in a vehicle’s headlights. Maybe it was a bad dream. But the pain, the pain was real. Hot blood burned through the cut in her cheek.
Her mind raced and the sharp edge of panic pierced her memory. There was a secret, a thing unspeakable.
But it was gone.
Whatever she wanted to tell them had vanished.
Then her world went black.
[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]
Praise for the Book
“A debut novel mixes high school drama, teen romance, and a strong thread of mystery and thriller ... With strong prose and pacing, the pages turn quickly and easily ... the central characters' story has plenty to make it worthwhile, and many readers are sure to feel at home with this intriguing book ... A taut, compelling family tale.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
“A drama to pull at your heartstrings. Verdict: What the Valley Knows manages to straddle the line between YA and adult fiction in such a way that both categories of readers will appreciate the richness and high drama of the story.” ~ IndieReader
“I finished this book the night I got it! I could not stop reading and didn't want to put it down. There were twists and turns that I wasn't expecting as well as a sense of 'small town' familiarity - as if it could have all taken place at/around the high school I went to!” ~ brennan
“I loved this book. I had no idea what was going to happen and love that sort of suspense. It is categorized as YA but definitely can pass for a novel for adults. I highly recommend it.” ~ Aimee Nelson
“The author does seamless transformations between the adult and teenagers in the book. I don't want to give anything away, so I will recommend this book, it will keep you guessing and really takes you out of your reality into the lives of these characters.” ~ Gillian Felix
My Review
By Lynda Dickson
In her senior year in a new town, Molly attends a new school, moves into a new house, makes new friends, and even scores a cute new boyfriend. But she must also contend with the school bullies, her mother’s late nights, her guilt over her father’s death, and the creepy landlord who keeps showing up unexpectedly. Then something even worse happens but, before Molly has the chance to tell anyone, she and new boyfriend Wade are injured in a car accident, and Molly loses her memory. The fallout from the accident will tear this young couple apart and affect everyone around them. Can Molly heal both physically and emotionally and get the happy ending she deserves?
The story is told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Molly, her mother Ann, and Wade. The creepy atmosphere warns you that something bad is going to happen. And, when it does, it’s so sad that Molly doesn't feel like she can confide in anyone. However, after the accident, it’s nice to see how Ann, Wade, and her friend Lisa stick by her.
While this book deals with some serious issues, it is at its heart a story of friendship, family, and love, suitable for both teens and adults.
Warnings: coarse language, underage drinking, sexual references, rape (not graphic), drug use, bullying.
About the Author
Heather Christie grew up in rural Pennsylvania and, at age seventeen, took off for New York City in hopes of becoming a movie star. Flash forward several decades, a couple degrees, a bunch of cats, two kids and one husband later, she’s back in Pennsylvania writing her heart out and chasing dreams again. She loves to read, run, drink tea, and make Sunday dinner.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of What the Valley Knows, a 30-inch sterling silver necklace, and a What the Valley Knows mini book charm (US/Canada only).
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