Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Slightest In The House organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Author Barbara Casey will award a $20 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Don’t forget to enter!
And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Slightest In The House
by Barbara Casey
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Synopsis
On some level she was aware that an elderly woman had come out of the darkness and put her arms around her. Meredith heard her say that everything would be all right. But on another, more conscious level, the one where all of her senses saw, felt, processed and recorded what was happening, Meredith watched two black body bags being loaded into the back of an ambulance. Then she watched the ambulance turn around and drive off in the opposite direction. Her long, tumbling mass of blond curls hung loosely over her face, shielding it. For Beth, the reality of what had taken place would come later. But Meredith had seen what had happened and understood. That knowledge was now seeping through every pore of her body.
Seventeen-year-old Meredith and her four-year-old stepsister, Beth, face the numbing reality of suddenly losing their parents in a freak accident. With no other family, they are taken from their mobile home in Georgia to go live with a grandmother they have never met in a mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. Beth soon adjusts to her new environment; but Meredith withdraws from everyone and everything, unable to blot out the image of the horrible crash that killed her parents. It is only when she reaches out to a homeless woman that Meredith is finally able to find herself and face her demons. With the help of her grandmother’s long-employed staff, a family doctor, a museum curator, an attorney who is more than just her grandmother’s legal advisor, and, of course, her conniving grandmother who is dealing with her own guilt for having been estranged from her son and his wife (Meredith’s and Beth’s parents), Meredith is able to pull herself from the depths of despair into a life filled with faith, hope, and generosity.
Slightest in the House is a contemporary novel with strong, interesting characters from different walks of life, brought together because of life’s difficult and often unexpected circumstances, and bonded together by their faith and belief that everything works out as it should.
Enjoy this peek inside:
Joseph had no trouble locating Mango Street or the apartments. The town of Palmetto was small, and all of the streets seemed to run north and south, and east and west. After parking next to the curb, Joseph waited by the car as Elizabeth walked up to the front door and knocked. A woman wearing jeans and a loose-fitting blouse opened the door.
“I’m Elizabeth Wallingford,” she said to the woman. “I understand my granddaughters are staying with you.”
The woman told Elizabeth her name was Anne Reynolds, “and this is my husband, Ron,” she said as she led Elizabeth into the dimly-lit living room. A man who had been seated across the room stood up. He was dressed in a policeman’s uniform, and the dark circles under his eyes indicated that he hadn’t slept in a while.
“We are terribly sorry for your loss,” he said putting his arm around his wife. “Ricky and Rachel were good friends of ours.”
“We are just so sorry,” repeated Anne.
Elizabeth nodded and then quickly glanced around the somewhat cluttered room. Her eyes paused on the young child who was curled up in a chair asleep.
“That’s our daughter, Christie,” said Ron.
Elizabeth continued to look around the room. Toys and games littered the floor. An old black and white Western movie was playing on the television, but the sound had been turned down. And then she saw them. A thin young girl—almost a young woman—with long blond hair and big blue eyes. So much like her mother. The jeans she wore were too short, even for her petite body. And the shoes on her feet looked as though they should be on someone else. Standing next to her was a much younger child holding some kind of stuffed toy with a ridiculous-looking bandage covering its rear end. A remnant of a tail hung limply over the bandage. Where the jeans on the older girl were too small, the dress on this child was much too large. The laces on her tennis shoes were frayed and knotted, and a rather large gaping hole in one of the shoes exposed the small bare toes within. Unlike her older half-sister, this child had short, dark hair, straight and fine, and her eyes were a golden brown. She was the image of her father, Elizabeth’s son. Elizabeth’s breathing quickened as the overwhelming sadness of the situation consumed her. Sensing the fear and uncertainty—and distrust—in these two young girls—her granddaughters, it was this that kept her own pain from being unbearable.
“Meredith . . . Beth, I’m your grandmother. I have come to take you to your new home.”
Beth put her small hand into Elizabeth’s jeweled one, and the three of them walked unspeaking out of the house. Ron carried what few belongings the girls had out to Joseph which he quickly loaded into the car—a brown tattered suitcase, a small wooden trunk with a brass lock in the middle, and a ripped paper shopping bag that contained a few books and toys. There was a smaller canvas bag with what looked like a computer in it. Meredith’s no doubt, Elizabeth thought as she watched Joseph put it in the back with the other things.
“We really didn’t know what to pack,” explained Anne apologetically. “Meredith and Beth picked out what they wanted.”
Elizabeth nodded. So paltry, she thought, noticing the shabbiness of everything. But she mustn’t allow herself to think about that. Somehow she would make it up to them and to their mother. Somehow she would make it up to her son. And she prayed that she would be forgiven.
“Thank you for your kindness,” Elizabeth said to Ron and Anne, her emotions just under the surface. She didn’t trust herself to say any more and she slipped into the backseat with Meredith and Beth. Once settled, the big car slowly drove away.
It was daybreak.
About Author Barbara Casey:
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Barbara Casey is the author of over two dozen award-winning novels and book-length works of nonfiction for both adults and young adults, and numerous articles, poems, and short stories. Several of her books have been optioned for major films and television series.
In addition to her own writing, Barbara is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Agency. Established in 1995, she represents authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan.
In 2018 Barbara received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and Top Professional Award for her extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the field of publishing and other areas.
Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with three cats who adopted her: Homer, a Southern coon cat; Reese, a black cat; and Earl Gray, a gray cat and Reese’s best friend.
Author Links: Website / Blog / Goodreads
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What is she doing on the cover? She seems all twisted around.
She is sitting on a bench in a garden and looking back toward the ocean just beyond her grandmother’s property. She is grieving because she just lost both of her parents in a terrible accident and is now living with her elderly grandmother she never knew. Thank you for asking, Mary.
Thank you so much for hosting me and your interest in my latest YA novel. My best to you. ~Barbara
Losing both your parents in an accident would be difficult to deal with. Sounds like a good read.
In SLIGHTEST IN THE HOUSE Meredith, who is 17 years old, really struggles. Her half sister, Beth, who is 5 years old, is the one who is quick to adjust. When it seems as though nothing can help Meredith, it is a homeless woman who is able to encourage her to move forward. Thank you for commenting.
I like the cover. The art added to the book’s appeal.
Thank you, Jeanna. I like it as well. The artist did a beautiful job of capturing Meredith in her grief. There is a scene in the book that is very similar to the cover where Meredith is in her grandmother’s favorite garden – one of several – on the Palm Beach property. Thank you for stopping by.
This sounds like a good book and I am really looking forward to reading it.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Thank you for hosting this book.
Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.
Thank you, Rita. I am glad you stopped by.
This sounds like a book that YA readers will find captivating.
I wrote it with young adults in mind, but I have received very positive comments from adult readers as well. I think some of the themes in my book appeal to all ages. Thank you for your comment.
Curious question for the author. Do you have a cover in your head when you write or does it come after you are done ?
That is a good question. Most of the time an image comes to mind after I have written the book. There have been times, however, that I just couldn’t come up with an image. Fortunately, in those cases the publisher’s art department is able to make suggestions and from those we can narrow it down to something we all love. Because I write in so many genres – adult fiction and nonfiction, and young adult fiction and nonfiction – I have several publishers. Without exception, they have welcomed my suggestions and ideas for covers, and all of the results have been wonderful. Thank you so much for stopping by.
A captivating, emotional, and beautiful story that is a real treasure to enjoy. Heartrending and special. An author who is extremely talented and creative.
Anne, thank you so much for your kind words. You have expressed what all authors love to hear.
This sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for sharing!
I am glad you think so, Susan. Thank you.
This looks like an interesting novel
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
I shared this one too, Laura.
sherry @ fundinmental
That is terrific! Thank you.
great cover, this sounds really interesting
Thank you – I am really glad you like it.
I really enjoyed this peek inside the book, it sounds great
Thank you for your comment.
Who influenced you to be a writer?
I don’t believe it was any one person as much as it was my situation growing up. My father was an officer in the Marine Corps, which meant we moved every two or three years. I think by relocating so often, having to go to different schools, make new friends, and adjusting to new places somehow instilled a desire to write about my experiences. I appreciate your question. Thank you.
I am a longtime fan of Barbara Casey. I have all her books.
Hi Audrey, I was hoping you would be following this tour for my latest young adult novel. Thank you so much for your interest.
Thank you, Audrey. I appreciate you.
Looks like a good book.
Thank you for stopping by.
Sounds like an interesting story. Looking forward to reading the book.
From one Casey to another, thank you for stopping by and your comment.
I enjoyed the blurb and peek inside. Sounds like a really good book.
I am glad you liked the blurb and peek. Thank you.
I really like the cover and excerpt.
Thank you. I appreciate your comment.
Terrific cover
It is, isn’t it? The artist was able to nail it with the first draft. I simply described a scene in the book that I thought was particularly meaningful, and she captured it beautifully. Thank you for your comment.
This book looks very intriguing.
Thank you for your comment.
do you have a favorite author
I really don’t. There are just so many good authors, I tend to read a variety of whatever strikes my fancy when I have time. Thank you for asking.
I enjoyed e peek inside. Thank you for the giveaway!
Thank you for taking a peek. Good luck on the giveaway.
Great excerpt and giveaway. 🙂
I am glad you stopped by. Thank you.
How did you become an author?
I was the Director of Public Relations and VP for Development at a small college in North Carolina. One of the things I did was edit the book manuscripts professors were writing for publication. At some point I realized I wanted to write my own book, so I gave myself a year to write the book and try to get it published. Nine months later I received a contract for my first book with an option on the second. I never stopped after that. Thank you for your interest.
I so enjoyed reading this well done excerpt!
Thank you for sharing it with us.
I really appreciate your comment and am happy you stopped by. Thank you.
The book sounds fantastic. Great cover.
Thank you so much. I am glad you stopped by.
Hope it does well!
That is nice of you to say. This book has so many elements that I hope will appeal to readers – both adults and young adults.
The cover art is great! It sets the stage for the book.
It really does. When the publisher first sent me the draft of it, I cried. The artist beautifully expressed one of the scenes in the book. Thank you for your comment.
Do you listen to music when you write?
I do, and it is usually Classical music. It has to be instrumental without singing. Otherwise it becomes too distracting for me. Thank you for stopping by.
The synopsis is interesting. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you. I am glad you stopped by.
is there a certain place you like to write at
I have a home office that has the usual office things like a desk, credenza, file cabinet, and, of course my computer. But I have also furnished it with family treasures that have been passed down to me. These things give me joy, but they also seem to inspire me. I also have built-in book cases filled with books that I have published as well as books written by other authors. I do all of the heavy lifting of creating in my office, but I always have a pad of paper and pen with me everywhere I go just in case I have a creative thought. Thank you for your question, Wendy, and I am really happy you stopped by.
Have you ever started a book that you decided not to finish?
Wow! I have never been asked that question. I don’t believe I have. By the time I actually start writing a book, I have already spent months planning it, researching it, and getting to know the characters. So all of the hard work has been done, and it is just a matter of writing the story. Once I start writing, I simply can’t put it down until it is finished. I appreciate your question and thank you for stopping by.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be instead?
AUUGH… The problem is, I simply can’t imagine not being a writer. It is strange how life turns out. When I was growing up, I thought all of my friends had such great imaginations and I didn’t. Yet, I became a writer. It is a passion with me, so I am afraid I just wouldn’t be very good at anything else. You always ask the most interesting questions – thank you.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
You are welcome. Good luck!
What inspired you to write this book?
Before moving to Georgia, I lived in Palm Beach County, Florida. With so much in the news about the homeless problem around the country, the island of Palm Beach also had its share, even with all of its wealth. That memory stayed with me and somehow evolved into my story of Meredith and Beth. Most of my story takes place in the south, and many of the characters are created from living in the south and being around southerners I have come to know and appreciate. Thank you for your question.
do you many author friends or family
Not really. I have no siblings, and other than my mother, most of my family live in Illinois. When my father died, my mother moved in with me. Two years later, my husband died. So now I tell everyone that my mother and I take care of each other, along with my three rescue cats. My mother is quite elderly, so most of my time is spent writing and taking care of her. I truly believe there is a reason for everything, as well as a time; and right now, this is what I am meant to be doing. Thank you, Wendy. I am glad you asked.
Wendy, let me add, over the years I have represented many writers and helped them to get published. Many of these writers have remained in my life and I consider them friends. However, one of the characteristics of being a serious writer is that you lead a somewhat insulated life. This is what I chose and it suits me. I will let others do the partying and heavy socializing.
The book looks great. I enjoyed reading about it.
Thank you, Jen. I appreciate your comment.
thanks again for the great giveaway best wishes with the book
Thank you, Wendy. I am so glad you followed my tour.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
I really like the way the story unfolds by connecting some of the minor characters and the role they play. There are some interesting twists that allow for the feeling of what people in the south refer to as “getting your just deserts.” And, of course, when I wrote the ending, I knew it was right. It was satisfying. Thank you for all of your great questions.
looks like a fun one
Thanks for stopping by.
Good luck on your new release.
Thank you, Billie. Glad you stopped by.
This sounds like a very interesting story. I look forward to reading it.
It was nice of you to follow my tour. Thank you for your comments.
I just want to thank my host for such a wonderful time, and all of the bloggers for their comments and interest in SLIGHTEST IN THE HOUSE. My best to you. ~Barbara