My latest release, Life in the Land, is a tale of romance and the everyday life of a superhero. But as well as my two leading men, Bobby and Mike, the other stars of the novella are the land itself and the crops that grow on the family farm. I hold my hands up, I’m a biologist. There I said it!
With that in mind, it’s hardly surprising that I chose a slightly quirky angle to how my superhero, Bobby, has to deal with his superhuman gifts. The gifts themselves manifest from the magic in the land of the family farm, and Bobby has to connect to the magic in order to get his superpowers. I don’t want to spoil the story, but I don’t think I’m giving too much away if I was to say that as well as a special oak tree on the farm, the other crops are very friendly too, and have distinct personalities. The carrots are rude, and the hedgerows make fun of the sprouts for being smelly. But they all love Bobby and his family.
So where did this strange idea come from? Well, I guess there’s been several news stories over the years about talking to plants. The UK’s Prince Charles has been quoted about talking to his plants to help them grow, and I’ve several green fingered friends who say they do the same. And this got me thinking, what if the plants talked back? Would some plants be friendly or grumpy? Would they wish you a good day or tell you to take a hike? Once I’d thought of that I thought it was too great an opportunity not to include these ideas in this story.
So next time you’re in your garden, listen carefully. You never know what your plants and flowers might be trying to tell you.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Cohen is a Brit abroad. Having swapped the Thames for the Rhine, she has left London behind and now lives with her husband and baby son in Basel, Switzerland. She can often be found with a pen in one hand and a cup of Darjeeling in the other.
Blog: https://rebeccacohenwrites.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/R_Cohen_writes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.cohen.710
Blurb
The magic of the Sawyer family’s extremely green thumbs comes straight from the land. But Bobby Sawyer’s expected superpowers don’t become a reality until he kisses his best friend, Mike Flint. That kiss moves the earth—literally.
When Bobby moves to the city, leaving Mike behind, Bobby keeps his green thumb nimble by working in a garden center and uses his superpowers to help fight crime. He’s on a mission when a bomb explodes, leaving him seriously injured, forcing him to return to the family farm—the source of his strength—to recuperate.
While attempting to recover, Bobby realizes Mike is still the love of his life. But Mike is leery: Bobby left him once before. What if all Bobby needs is one more magical kiss?
Short Excerpt from Land in the Land
The distant hum of a tractor’s engine and a few notes of birdsong were the only noises, and once again Bobby’s chest filled with heart-clenching disappointment. His eyes prickled, and he tried to hold back the tears, but he couldn’t. Large, wet tracks raced down his cheeks, and he leaned forward and rested his head and arms on his knees as he sobbed, pent-up disappointment and salty worries splashing into the soil.
“Please don’t cry, Bobby.”
Mike’s eyes were large and imploring, and Bobby was so miserable at his lack of progress that he just wanted something to hold on to. He leaned forward and tentatively brushed his lips to Mike’s in the gentlest of kisses. With a soft sigh, Mike kissed back in the same chaste way.
There was a tremor beneath him, a mild shake that made his whole body vibrate. They sprang apart, both staring wide-eyed at the dirt as they tried to work out what could be causing the disturbance.
Bobby’s jaw dropped. Before his eyes two of the large roots pulled themselves free of the ground, clods of soil falling from the delicate rootlets as they reached out to him.
With an undignified yelp, Bobby fell backward and scrambled away, but a soft rumble from the oak made him stop. It was reassurance, a call for calm, and he knew then everything was okay.
Buy links:
DSP: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4109
