The Voice by Jennifer Anne Davis
YA Contemporary novel
Publication date: January 29th, 2013
During her abduction
and assault, Audrey begins to hear a voice. She hopes she’s not going
crazy, because after what she’s experienced, that’s the most logical
explanation. However, as she begins to listen to the voice, Audrey
realizes that someone may be telepathically trying to help her.
Unfortunately, rescue isn’t all she needs. In order to leave behind the constant reminders, she flees to her Aunt Kate’s house in San Diego, and assumes a new identity. It works—until the eighteen-year-old twin boys who live next door threaten to break through the protective walls she’s worked so hard to build.
Between Caleb going out of his way to befriend her and Justin avoiding her at all costs, Audrey doesn’t know if normalcy will ever find her again. But one thing is certain: When a familiar danger resurfaces, it’s the same voice that she turns to—a voice that is not only real, but a lot closer than she realizes.
Gripping and tastefully told, The Voice is a story of healing, trust, and courage.
Available at the following places:
Amazon (kindle)
Chapter 1
Lying in the dark cabin, I tried not to
think about the foul smell of body odor mixed with the stench of
urine. I tried not to think about how hungry I was, or when I would
eat again. About the plastic zip ties cutting into my wrists, or the
spider crawling up my arm. I kept trying and failing. There was
nothing to do but think.
Audrey? he spoke in my mind.
“Here,” I replied, still not
understanding who or what the voice was, hoping I wasn’t
going crazy. Though, after what I had been through, crazy wasn’t
too far off. Instead, I focused on what the voice was saying.
After weeks of being stuck here, he was the only thing keeping me
grounded and giving me hope.
I need you to do something for me.
He sounded drained. “Are you okay?”
I asked.
Scream.
“What?”
I need you to scream as loud as you
can. Now, Audrey! Scream!
Bill had left the cabin only five
minutes earlier, and I was afraid to make any noise. What if he was
still outside and heard me? Would he come back in? I was so sore and
bruised that I couldn’t handle anymore.
Scream! he urged.
Finally trusting the voice, I sucked in
a deep breath, closed my eyes, and screamed as loud as I could. At
first I sounded like a cat that was being strangled, the sound barely
audible and grating on my ears. But I kept trying, and the noise
transformed into something loud and fierce.
Yell the word “help.”
“HELP!” My throat was raw, but that
didn’t stop me. I took all of my hurt and anger, and used those
emotions for the energy needed to sustain the scream.
Then a thumping came from the other
room—maybe the front door. My body shuddered. Shimmying to the edge
of the mattress, I tried to stand, but my legs gave out, and I fell
to the rough, wooden floor, landing on my knees. With bound hands, I
inched my way to the corner of the room, as far away from the door as
possible.
Keep screaming!
I wanted to curl into a ball and
disappear, but I did what the voice said and let out a shrill,
loud cry for help. The sound bounced off the walls, echoing.
Wood shattered in the other room. I
kept yelling, wishing that I had the power to destroy Bill with my
scream.
The doorknob twisted. Please don’t
hurt me again . . . please don’t touch me . . . no more, please. No
more.
The door exploded open. Instead of
Bill, there stood three hunters dressed in camouflage and bright
orange vests. One held a shotgun, and another held an axe. I froze in
horror. The men looked at one another and then back at me.
Audrey, tell them who you are. Your
name.
“I’m Audrey Marshall. Please help
me.”
“The kidnapped girl?” the older guy
on the right asked. I nodded. “I’m calling 9-1-1. You’re going
to be all right now,” he said reassuringly, his cell phone already
at his ear.
“Thank you,” I whispered to the
voice. But he didn’t respond.
*********************
Interview
with Jennifer Anne Davis
*Every
author has their story about their road to publication. How was your
road?
Long!
I wrote a book and tried to get it published with little success. At
the time, I had no idea what I was doing or even what genre I was
writing. Then I entered an essay contest and won! My essay was
published in a book and this fueled my desire to keep on writing. I
realized then that I love to read young adult novels and decided to
write the book I wanted to read. I outlined THE VOICE, wrote it in
four months, revised it for almost a year, then sent it out to agents
and publishers. I had several people interested in the story. I ended
up going with a small publishing house that specializes in YA books
and I couldn’t be happier!
*How
did you come up with the idea for THE VOICE?
I
kept having a reoccurring dream involving a girl that was locked in a
cabin. At first I planned to have her guardian angel rescue her but
then I realized that there were too many stories involving angels at
the time. I liked the idea of telepathy, so I just kept playing
around with the story until I had something that worked.
It’s
an odd mixture of pure joy and complete and utter fear. I am so
excited that my dream of becoming a published author is here! When I
saw the advanced reader copy of my book with my picture and name on
it, I cried! It was so surreal. But the thought of people reading and
judging my work is hard. I really hope people enjoy the story. I’m
trying to grow thick skin because I know not everyone will love it,
and that’s okay (at least that’s what I keep telling myself). I
get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about its release day!!
*********************
Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she married her high school sweetheart, worked as a legal assistant, and taught high school English. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.
The Voice is her first novel.
Visit Jennifer online at www.JenniferAnneDavis.com
Thank you for the chapter read. Very exciting!!
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