Friday, September 17, 2021

Friday's Great Read: SMALL FORGOTTEN MOMENTS


 


 Is Zenna a muse, a sleep-deprived apparition, or something much more sinister?

 Three foodie facts about Jo:

 She's British and she has amnesia, so she likes comfort food, food which subtly remind her of her childhood. I've provided links in case you have no idea what I'm talking about!

1. In the novel she makes her mother a cottage pie which she loves - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cottage-pie

2. Jam roly-poly, a staple of school canteen meals - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/sticky-toffee-puddings

3. She grew up on the coast, so crab is a firm favorite.

 


Excerpt from Small Forgotten Moments by Annalisa Crawford

 

This excerpt is taken from the middle of the book, when Jo’s dreams and hallucinations are becoming more severe.

 In the middle of the night, I’m wide awake. An owl hoots, foxes cry, something screeches further along the valley and makes me shudder.

I close my eyes and breathe deeply, evenly. Floating on the ocean, with Opera Pink mist swirling around me. To be more accurate, over the ocean—the mist holding me like a pair of hands. I drift to sleep, my lungs filling with crisp sea air.

Suddenly I’m thrashing against the waves. And Mum’s with me, both of us frantic, immersed by the tide. I struggle to keep above the water, stretching toward the surface, gasping for air. The hands which kept me up now push me down—pressing firmly on my shoulders to prevent me breaking free, easing me toward my death.

I call for Mum, desperately trying to find her in the black, churned-up water. My lips are moving, my words reverberating around my head. But I can’t hear my voice. In my head, I’m yelling, but the sound melts into the sea.

The hands loosen, and I wriggle away instinctively. I kick out and swim as fast as I can, swallowing water as I gasp with the exertion. I’m not moving. I’m stuck, tangled among the seaweed. Panicked and sinking as I flail. The hands are gone, but I’m going under.

At the very last moment, as I take my last gulp of air and expect to plummet to the ocean floor, all motion ceases. I’m in bed, flinching against the daylight; my arms are still trying to swim, my legs kick out. I’m bleary, as if I haven’t slept at all. The dream crumbles; pieces ebb away as I grapple for them.


 

You can read more about Small Forgotten Moments at www.annalisacrawford.com or go direct to the publisher’s website for all purchase options https://bit.ly/small_forgotten_moments

 


About Annalisa Crawford

Annalisa Crawford lives in Cornwall, UK, with a good supply of moorland and beaches to keep her inspired. She lives with her husband, two sons, and canine writing partner, Artoo. She is the author of four short story collections, and two novels.

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39 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

A very Happy Birthday to Jacob.
I love that I have seen Annalisa's latest work featured in a number of places. The support of the blogosphere is priceless.

Valerie-Jael said...

That sounds like a great book! Happy Birthday Jacob! Hugs, Valerie

nashvillecats2 said...

Wonderful post Sandra and congrats to Annalisa, have been to Cornwall many times.
Happy birthday to Jacob.
Have a good weekend keeping yourself safe and well.
Yvonne.

Annalisa Crawford said...

Thank you for featuring me today, Sandra. And happy birthday to Jacob.

Annalisa Crawford said...

Thank you Yvonne - I hope I've created a Cornwall your recognise!

Annalisa Crawford said...

Thank you, Valerie

Annalisa Crawford said...

Bloggers are so generous. I'm happy you've spotted my novel hanging about :-)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Big congratulations, Annalisa!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I often wonder what it would be like to have amnesia. This sounds like a wonderful book. So good to read a bit about it and the food references, too.

Happy birthday Jacob. Enjoy your day.

Christine said...

Thanks for sharing. Happy Birthday Jacob.

R's Rue said...

Thank you so much for sharing

D.L. Finn said...

Happy birthday,Jacob!
What a great excerpt that certainly caught my attention, Annalisa!

J.P. Alexander said...

Feliz cumpleaños a Jacob y suerte para el libro de Annalisa. Te mando un beso

Jeanie said...

Happy Birthday to Jacob. And that sounds like a most intriguing book. Congratulations to Annalisa.

Hot guys said...

Enjoyed this, Sandra 🙂

Annalisa Crawford said...

Thank you, Alex.

Annalisa Crawford said...

It's an interesting concept, isn't it? Hopefully I've brought something slightly different to the table :-)

Annalisa Crawford said...

Thank you, D.L :-)

Annalisa Crawford said...

Thank you, Jeanie.

Sandra Cox said...

The blogger buds are wonderful aren't they? And doesn't Annalisa's book sound intriguing?

Sandra Cox said...

My pleasure:)
Thanks for Jacob's Bday wishes.

Sandra Cox said...

It does, doesn't it, Val? And don't you love the cover?
Thanks for Jacob's BDay wishes.

Sandra Cox said...

I'd love to visit Cornwall.
Thanks for Jacob's well wishes and the weekend wishes. Hope yours is filled with joy.

Lee said...

Aha! The plot thickens!

Enjoy your weekend, Sandra...take good care. :)

Rajani Rehana said...

Wish you a very happy birthday ��

cleemckenzie said...

Kudos to Annalisa on her book! Love reading about the story and it's definitely on my TBR list.

Sandra Cox said...

My pleasure:)

Sandra Cox said...

It is good, isn't it, Denise?

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for the well wishes to Jacob and Annalisa, J.P.
Sending hugs your way.

Sandra Cox said...

It does sound intriguing, doesn't it, Jeanie?
Thanks for the well-wishes to Jacob and Annalisa.

Sandra Cox said...

I'm glad, HG:)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandra - Annalisa's book is such a good read ... I won the prize for it - lucky me and really did enjoy it ... just posted a review on my blog for her. Great you've posted about the food that entices in the book ... I rather went off jam roly-polies a few decades ago ... but shepherd's pie (cottage pie!) is always delicious and I love, love crab.

I had Cornish chocolate too ... yummy! A belated Happy Birthday to Jacob - cheers Hilary.

Sandra Cox said...

It does indeed;)
Thanks, Lee.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for Jacob's well wishes, Rajani.

Sandra Cox said...

Excellent!

Sandra Cox said...

Congrats on the win. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing that with us. Heading over to read the review now.

windowtothebeauty said...

Very interesting post!
Thanks for sharing 😍😍
Regards:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for stopping by:)

Magic Love Crow said...

Sounds like a very good book! Happy Birthday Jacob! Big Hugs!