It was supposed to be the start of their lives, not the end.
After a tragic accident as teenagers, Jensen Owens and Autumn
Miller find themselves miles apart but fate would soon have other ideas. Jensen returns to the place he ran away from, but he is not the man he once was. He struggles with something that no one can see, a secret that could forever take him under.
Autumn Miller was at a crossroads in her life. She had long since faced the past, or so she thought. That is until Jensen comes back. As their lives begin to intertwine, something, or someone, comes back from the past. Someone who should no longer be there.
Jensen and Autumn will be faced with a hard decision, one they may not be able to walk away from. They say that the past is the past. But sometimes, you have to go back in order to move forward.
Targeted Age Group:: Adults
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
What inspired me to write this book was witnessing someone who was close to me struggle with their own addictions. I had alot of fun with this one. I wanted the reader to see the story from both the main characters perspectives. It was quite enjoyable to dive into the headspace of two completely different characters and have their lives intertwine. I also really enjoy a twist so I added in a paranormal ghostly presence from their past.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
What inspired me to create the characters and this book? hmmm
I never know how the characters will fully develop until I start typing. They get created as I go. Its like starting a seed, you start with a tiny idea and then it blooms to life on its own. It just takes over.
Book Sample
Autumn
Often times, it’s the little scattered pieces in life that add up to lead to
monumental changes. One small step can take you down a road you never
would’ve seen coming. Autumn Miller was about to discover what may have
seemed like such an insignificant decision was about to have a huge impact
on her world. The balance would be forever shifted. They say people come
into your life for a reason. Whether they choose to stay, or leave, they always
leave a mark. Some more than others.
⌘
I held my breath as I punched in my pin number; I didn’t want to see my
balance, or lack thereof. I tapped my dark polished nails impatiently and
waited for the overused machine to spit back my card with the statement. And
there it was. I ripped it from the machine and gingerly looked down at the
small print, $310. Not too bad, but it wasn’t great either. Only three more
days until my next paycheck.
I took my time ambling around the parking lot until my eyes landed upon
my beat up ’79 Bronco. It used to be a dark, steel blue, shiny and sleek as a
polished sports car. The weather had taken its toll on the exterior, the paint
had begun to fade and chip off into barely existent paper-thin scraps. Rust
spots were beginning to spread, but the engine was still good…if the weather
agreed with it. My Bronco didn’t like damp days, or the rain. It took a few
good pumps of the gas pedal and lots of patience to get it started. Once up
and running, I couldn’t let it idle, not until it had at least one good run on
the highway to really warm up, or else it would stall. I often found myself
driving with two feet, one on the brake, the other lightly on the gas to give ’er
some juice. My Bronco’s moods suited me just fine; it was moody,
temperamental, often unpredictable…just like me.
I reached for the door handle, wincing as the heat from the metal burned
into my delicate skin. I pressed the knob and yanked as hard, and as fast, as I
could. The door didn’t budge. I braced my hand again against the burning
sensation as I gripped harder onto the handle and yanked. Nothing. I jabbed
my hip into the door with a solid force and pulled the handle in one swift,
well practiced motion. I smiled in triumph as the door clicked open. I jumped
onto the worn leather seat, and rolled down the window. I turned the key and
smiled as the Bronco roared to life, knowing it wouldn’t give me any trouble
today. Summer was in full swing, the weather warm and dry, a perfect
combination for the finicky beast.
I switched on the radio and focused on the soaring guitar and loud drums
to keep my mind distracted as I drove to work. Today was finally my last day
as a waitress. I would no longer have to wait on customers and smile through
cheesy lines in hopes of a decent tip. All of that would end officially at 5:00
p.m. It hadn’t been an easy choice, but I decided it was time to bite the bullet
and go back to school. I had always been a bright student, learning things
came easily; but I was also a free spirit. I didn’t like to sit still very long and
often had trouble settling on one particular idea. I wasn’t entirely sure school
was the right choice, but what else was there? I had been saving up the past
few years, and school seemed like the natural next move. I pulled into a vacant
spot and entered the small restaurant, tossing my wind tangled chocolate hair
into a loose ponytail.
“Autumn! You’re late!” Kendra tsked as she hustled past, balancing plates.
I stole a quick glance at the clock. “Only by five minutes.”
Kendra tucked a lock red hair behind her ear. “We’re swamped, can you
please grab table six? I’m dying here.”
“Sure thing.” I gave one last secure tug of my apron and strode to the table
to take their order. The day was chaos and we were short staffed. A few of the
unreliable waitresses had called in sick, which was no surprise. When the
weather turned warm and bright the staff seemed to drop like flies. I waited
impatiently for my orders to be filled from the kitchen. I glanced at a section
of my tables, sensing the impatience dripping off one table in particular.
“Orders up!”
I jumped in eagerness and filled my arms with the plates and hurried
towards the restless table. “Here you are.” I set the food in front of a couple
and their two younger children. “Sorry about the wait, we’re a little short
staffed today.”
A heavyset man grumbled. “That’s not my problem.”
A twinge of anger sparked at his demeaning tone. “No, sir, I guess it’s not.
Can I get you anything else?” My tone dripped in forced politeness.
“We will holler if we need you. I think you’ve done enough for now.”
I clenched my fists together and smiled through gritted teeth. I twirled
away and forced myself to take deep, calming breaths. It’s my last day. It’s my
last day. It’s my last day. I clung on to the thought for dear life.
I leaned against the counter and let out a frustrated sigh. Kendra came up
beside me with a smirk. “Betcha you’re glad it’s your last day, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
“Waitress! Waitress!” The heavyset man snapped his fingers impatiently.
I shot Kendra a look of despair as the heavyset man began to holler. “I’m
being summoned,” I muttered.
“Hang in there, you’re almost there!” Kendra cheered.
I approached the lively table as the two children began fighting. Their
mother tried with little success to quiet them. “Is there anything else I can get
for you?”
The woman spoke this time. “My goodness the service here likes to take
its time.”
I forced a smile. “I’m sorry, ma’am, like I mentioned before we are short
staffed today. We are all trying our best.”
The two children shoved each other, and one of them squealed. The father
tried his best to hush them before shooting an exasperated look at his wife.
She threw her hands in the air. “Two chocolate milkshakes. Please, hurry.”
I nodded wordlessly and wanted nothing more than to clack the children’s
heads together. If they wanted something to scream about, I would give it to
them. I entered the kitchen and made the shakes.
“Here you go. Two chocolate milkshakes.” I set them in front of the
children. “Anything else?” Please, for the love of God, say no.
“No, that’s all for now.”
I nodded quickly and made my rounds to the other tables. The scream of
a child tore through the restaurant.“Strawberry! I want strawberry!”
“Hush, keep your voice down.”
“Strawberry!”
“Okay, okay. Fine. Waitress!”
You can do this. This is your last day. You have one more hour to go. Smile
and it will all be over soon. I made my way to the table of dread once more.
“Is there a problem?”
“We need a strawberry milkshake now!”
The young child picked up his glass, and heaved it at me. A shriek escaped
my lips as I was met by a cold impact. The thick, chocolate liquid washed
over me. Gasps echoed from around the room as I angrily wiped milkshake
out of my eyes, and clenched my fists together. The rage had taken over now,
there would be no containing the beast any longer.
“Oh god. Get her out of there.” Kendra’s voice floated across the room.
“That’s it! I can’t do this anymore!” I tore off my apron and glowered at
the table. “Learn to control your children before you bring them in public, or
put a muzzle on them!”
The parents gasped in horror. “How dare you!”
I glared darkly and stormed away. My boss, Ray, rushed out of his office
and he looked concerned. “Autumn? Are you okay?”
“Ray, I know it’s my last day and all but I-”
Ray held up his hands. “Go.”
I gave Ray a nod in relief. “Thank you.” I grabbed my purse from behind
the counter and marched to the door that led to freedom. The last thing I saw
before walking out was pure amusement written on customer’s faces.
I found my faded Bronco in the parking lot. I gripped onto the metal
handle and tugged swiftly at the door but it wouldn’t budge. I tugged once
more but the door remained shut. My emotions ran on overdrive and I lost
it. My self-control spiraled down the drain. I hit the hood with my purse a
few times before kicking at the driver side door.
“Open, you hunk of metal! Open!” I gave a frustrated yell, pressed my
back against the stubborn door, and gently slid down onto the hot pavement,
legs sprawled out in a straight line. My purse began to ring, snapping me
momentarily out of my frustration. I leaned on to my side and dug through
the contents of my bag until I found my phone.
“Hello?”
“Hello. Is this Autumn Miller?”
“Yes, it is.”
“This is Westbridge College calling. I’m sorry to tell you this, but I have
some news that’s not going to make you very happy.”
I hesitated before answering. I was already in a foul mood. “What’s that?”
“I’m so sorry. We have had some students drop the course at the last
moment and we have decided we won’t be running the program until
March.”
“Are you freaking kidding me? That’s eight months away!”
The voice on the other end paused before beginning hesitantly. “I’m so
sorry but sometimes these things happen. We do hope you consider attending
next spring.”
I said nothing. I hung up the phone and tossed it into my purse. I lightly
banged the back of my head against the stubborn door. This speed bump was
not part of my life plan. What was I supposed to do for eight months? That
was almost a whole year away. I quit my job for this. I glanced at the restaurant
knowing I could probably talk my way back in. I considered it for a moment
until I glanced down at the milkshake stained uniform. Just as quickly as the
thought entered my mind, it was shot down with a violent defiance. And so,
I sat on the hot pavement and stared up the sky wondering what my next
move would be.
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Author Bio:
Katt Rose is an aspiring young writer who has a love of music, animals (horse lover) and writing. Katt is a true country girl at heart and would always rather be outside in her garden, on the beach or somewhere in the woods on her horse with her faithful dog by her side.
Katt studied Creative Writing and Journalism in University but decided to step into the health care field, after nursing her Oma back to health.
Years passed, but Katt could not silence the stories in her head. Once she began to write, she knew there would be no turning back. She was home. She is most proud of winning best fiction Apple Award of Excellence.
Katt Rose aims to be a well-known best-selling author, from the perfect stranger to someone you know. Remember, no dream is out of reach
