
The written word has always been special to me. I still remember so many of my favorites growing up…Follow My Leader, My Side of the Mountain, Pippi Longstockings, Black Beauty, and the list goes on and on. And because of my love of the written word, I’m a big believer in giving books as Christmas gifts. How else can I send my favorite people on a trip to another time or place? Adventures, romances, historicals, paranormal, mysteries…stories to entertain and excite. So many books, true and fiction, to make everyday a vacation.
A few years ago I gifted my daughter one of my favorite books, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This delightful tale combines mystery and intrigue in a charming children’s story. Mary is a complex character—spoiled and orphaned, angry at the world after being sent to live with her elusive Uncle in England. However, after discovering her cousin, Colin, Mary changes, learning to encourage and support her cousin as she helps him strengthen his muscles and move from being debilitated and broken to a healthy and joyful child. Important subjects intermixed with a great story, showing tremendous growth and personality.

My main character, Jack, is much like Mary in The Secret Garden. He is angry and upset, having been ripped from the only home he ever knew to live on Roanoke Island. His relationship with his father is also strained after his sister’s accident and Jack is stressed as he tries to prove himself to his father once again. Enter a horrendous monster, a demon remnant from the time of the Lost Colony, determined to destroy Jack and his family and my ghostly adventure begins. I hope you’ll give Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island a read this Christmas.
In celebration of the Book Blog Hop, I am happy to offer one FREE e-copy of my story, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island to one lucky winner. I am also supplying one print copy to my local library. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may all your holidays be Book-a-licious!
C.K. Volnek