Tree Singer by Jacci Turner (best novels for beginners TXT) 📕

once again, but this . . . pride . . . was different. No longer was Mother looking at her as a child, but more as an equal.

The rest of the family crowded around—her still-pregnant sisters, Oleaster with the widest smile she’d ever seen. Da, face streaked with tears, pulled her into a bear hug. Anatolian raced about, barking in excitement and receiving all the petting he was due.

She noticed the prince standing off to one side, looking lost. She waved him over.

“Mind your manners, everyone.”

To her surprise, the commotion quieted.

“This is Prince Thomas of Castle Trigginsfeld. He’s going to be training with Adven and studying to be a quester.”

She watched as her family greeted the prince, some hesitantly, some—namely Wollemi—with enthusiasm.

She was not a child anymore, Mayten realized. She had grown up, learned that there was more to life than simply living on the homestead. She had more friends, now. A better understanding of the world. But one thing was certain.

This village, this clan, would always be home.

Acknowledgements

Tree Singer is my favorite book to date. I started writing it years ago while sitting at my beloved retreat center, Mercy Center, and staring out at the beautiful trees. I miss being there during this pandemic experience and long to return. Most of my books have been worked on in that peaceful place.

Much thanks to my editor, Louisa Swann, who makes me a better writer and always says, “Where are we now? I need sensory details.” How do I always forget those? She was kind enough to come out of retirement for this book. I wonder if she regrets it? She worked hard to get my book and I into shape! I always feel like they are “our” books in the end, though she gets little credit.

Thank you to my early beta readers: Brett Copeland, Jodie Ruana, Patty Doty, Mark Holloman, George Perrault, David Turner and Sarah DeLacey.

Thanks to my more recent beta readers, my SCBWI critique group: Suzanne Morgan Williams and Linda Kay Hardie and those who helped at the end.

A special thank you to my advance team who have been incredibly helpful and encouraging! Kiara Rasmussen, Heather Eaton, Jade Griffin, Jessica Starks, Cheryl Zollinger, Molly Ellen Stewart, Thea Riley, Caryn Lockhart, Marleta, Jack Childress, Anna Marshall, Alli Miller, Rene Averette, Lesa Larkin, Dante Sellman, Sue C Dugan, Kelli Akers Broberg, Rittie Katz, Cindy Moss Harbolt, Adelai C. Sanborn, Michael Paul, Annette Lambert Lane, Jenetah Walker-Taylor, David Katz, Theresa Borges, Sherry, Miguel Angel Morales, Colleen Koester, Grace Abigail Kengle, and Susie Veon.

As we were editing this book, many of California’s forests were on fire. My heart broke over the great losses. But as we see in this book, trees are survivors. I’m thankful we still have the giants among us.

Thank you to my friends at Lucky Bat Books who have championed my writing for eleven years and to my cover designer, Esther Rodriquez aka Merc76 at 99 Designs, who was very patient as we worked to get details to her during the pandemic.

Thanks to God, whom I always feel closest to when I walk among the trees, and to all my fellow tree huggers out there who understand what I mean. May peace and health be yours.

About the Author

Jacci lives in the Nevada desert with her husband and their dog Rosie. She loves to escape as often as possible to the redwood forests in California to walk among the giants and find peace. She also loves chocolate, babies, and writing books for readers of all ages!

Also by Jacci Turner

The Birthright series

The Cage

The Bar

The Lamb

The Finding Home series

Bending Willow

Stretching Willow

Finding Willow

Willow’s Ride

Willow’s Roundup

Young Adult

Cracker

Snapped

Other

Shipwrecked

For more on Jacci’s books go to:

http://jacciturner.com

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https://www.pinterest.com/jacciturner/

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https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=148218545&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5347211.Jacci_Turner

Table of Contents

Copyright

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Acknowledgements

About the Author

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