I was going to write a different blog post today, but thanks to the evil people of the world who seized my desktop with a tricksy virus, I opted not to risk cussing up a storm on my blog. Instead, I am pleased to introduce a fellow author, April Plummer whose novel, Coming Home, is now available on Amazon.

For years, eighteen-year old Isabela Fuentes worked two jobs to support her promiscuous, alcoholic mother.

After the latest boyfriend rapes her at knifepoint, Isabela throws her few possessions into her car and drives until she reaches Lakeside, Montana, twenty-five hundred miles from New York City’s suffocating smog.

As her bodily scars fade, she takes solace in the nature around her and records it in her sketchpad. It isn't until she begins sketching scenes from her rape that she learns to cope with what happened.

But leaving her mother behind to fend for herself might have been a mistake; and when two strangers appear on her doorstep claiming to be her dead grandparents, they threaten the fragile childhood memories. Before she can rebuild her life, Isabela must decide to either let her past go or unite it with the woman she’s become.

For the next three days, you can pick up Coming Home by April Plummer free on Amazon.

If you aren’t convinced yet, here is a scene from the book with a brief intro by April.

April: "Here's a great scene and one of my favorites. Isabela is in Montana, and out in a canoe for the first time with her newfound best friend Bethany. The reason it's one of my favorite scenes is because it's just the beginning for Isabela - she's learning to stretch her wings and discovering a purity in nature and her own independence."

“Okay, so take your oars, and on the count of three, we’ll both start rowing. We have to go at the same pace or else we won’t be able to stay straight. Just go slow and steady.”

“I’m pretty sure I can figure it out.” Isabela watched the oars slip smoothly into the water. The canoe inched forward, barely disturbing the water. At first, it wasn’t as easy as she thought it’d be. The oars were heavy, and she didn’t have much upper arm strength. It was an effort bringing the long, thick pieces of wood up out of the water and pushing them back down, at the same time keeping in sync with Bethany’s movements.

With each row, however, the oars slipped into the water with less effort. Their speed gradually increased as the canoe split the water, splintering the mirrored image of the sky and mountains. Isabela felt her arm muscles getting stronger.

The mountains above were tall yet welcoming. Their curves swept along the edge of the sky in majestic waves, graceful despite their rigid peaks. The rocky ledges overlooked the lake, and fields of evergreens stacked high, their dark green needles stark against the purest blue sky.

“This is peaceful.” Isabela’s voice broke through the rhythmic sounds of the water rushing beneath the canoe and the birds singing their evening melodies as they flew in vague patterns through the air.

“Yeah, it is. It’s a pretty good workout too. Wait till tomorrow. You’ll be so sore you’ll be sorry you did this.”

Isabela shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. This is exactly what I needed."

I asked April to share a little about herself to give readers a little insight into the mind behind the book. Here are some fun facts she gave me.

From the time I was 19 until I met my current (and final!) husband at age 28, I moved at least once a year, sometimes twice.
I finished my first, horrible, full-length novel when I was 25, and if there is a God (and I believe there is) NO one will EVER read that. (Unfortunately, it's too late for a few sad souls...)
I'm a fitness freak and health nut, but secretly I binge sometimes in the evenings on HUGE bowls of air-popped popcorn. No butter, just olive oil, salt, and Splenda. But I'm talking Movie Theater Extra Large, huge. I guess my binges won't be so secret now. :)
I danced competitively throughout my entire childhood, but now I've got the flexibility of a rock.
I'm a pretty decent cook, but I never cook. My husband is the chef in this family.
My greatest joy is my daughter's smile. I may not be her bio-mom, but I couldn't love her any more if I were.
The best way to spend an evening is outside on a beautiful Friday evening. Picture a glass of wine, my husband and daughter, and chicken slow-cooking over a wood-burning fire. That is my heaven.

Sounds like my kind of evening. Hurry now and pick up Coming Home by April Plummer. I'll be out there downloading it with you.

Happy reading!