The Linked
Through Time series
By Jessica
Tornese
Linked Through Time- the first of the Linked trilogy
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.
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.
Lost Through Time- the second in the
series
Amazon and Barnes and Noble Bestseller!
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?
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.”
Jessica Tornese's third and final in the “Linked” trilogy is tentatively called
Destroyed Through Time and should be out in 2014!
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 was
recently voted Solstice Publishing’s 2012 Author of the Year!
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 finish her Linked trilogy soon, and continue writing. 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:
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Linked-Through-Time/392292227468460?fref=ts
Twitter-
@jltornese
Blog/Website-
http://www.jessicatornese.com
