"Finding Emma"...more than a review

Author of the new heart wrenching story "Finding Emma", Steena is a woman who believes that 'in the end, everything succumbs...to the passions of your heart'. Steena's life revolves around her family, friends and fiction.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A child torn from the arms of loving parents, a relationship torn apart from loss...

Megan sees her daughter Emma everywhere. She's the little girl standing in the supermarket, the child waiting for the swings at the playground, the girl with ice cream dripping down her face. But it's never Emma. Because Emma's been missing for two years. Unable to handle the constant heartache of all the false sightings, Megan's husband threatens to walk away unless Megan can agree to accept Emma is gone. Megan's life and marriage is crumbling all around her and she realizes she may have to do the thing she dreads most: move on. When Megan takes a photo of a little girl with an elderly couple at the town fair, she believes it to be her missing daughter. Unable to let go, she sets in motion a sequence of events that could destroy both families lives.

50% of the proceeds of this book will be donated to The Missing Children's Society of Canada - an organization dedicated to reuniting families. Visit www.mcsc.ca for more information.

Paperback: 276 pages    
Publisher: Steena Holmes (April 8, 2012)  
Language: English  
ISBN-10: 0987856863  
ISBN-13: 978-0987856869  
Twitter Hashtag: #FindingEmma  Finding Emma is available in both paperback and for Kindle at Amazon, in paperback at Barnes & Noble, and your local indie bookstore.

My Review:

I first learned of this book through the “Women On Writing” mailing. After reading the book jacket, there was an instant connection and desire to read this book. I added it to my “Wish List” with hopes to purchase it with my next paycheck. Later in the week though, the opportunity to read Finding Emma and write a review became an opportunity I didn’t want to pass this up.

I called my Mom, “Remember the book, Finding Emma? I am going to be able to read it and write a review. I’m so excited.”

My mother’s response, “I already downloaded it to my Kindle and plan to start it tomorrow.” with a mischievous chuckle in her voice.

All I could do was shake my head on the other end of the phone. “Mom, will you at least wait until I get my copy so we can read it at the same time?”

“I guess so…” with more laughter.

The book opens with one exhausted mother falling asleep while her three children indulge in a water fight. She wakes up with mother-guilt for napping on the job yet reminds herself it is only because of doing the books for her husband’s business. The story moves quickly with an introduction to Megan, and her three daughters. Alexis, Hannah, and Emma are the joy of her and her husband Peter’s lives. Emma, the youngest is always escaping outside, in spite of the high lock on the door.

It was her youngest daughter, Emma’s birthday and it was to be spent at the carnival downtown but before they can leave tragedy strikes. Instead of making lemonade with Emma while Hannah and Alexis finished getting ready, she stopped to answer the phone. Within moments, Emma is gone…kidnapped.

The story of the mother searching for her little girl Emma, while sharing the couple raising “Emmie” as their granddaughter only a short distance from their home heightens the reader’s adrenaline. Will they run into each other? Do the grandparent’s know “Emmie” is the kidnapped Emma from the neighboring town?

You will attempt to solve the mystery while not only falling in love with Emma’s family but you will also embrace the couple raising “Emmie” as their own. Two families, two stories, one child, and one story.  Megan’s continuous search creates tension with her husband, Peter and their children. One daughter assumes the parenting role with the other withdrawing inward, except for the journal she uses as an escape.

Steena Holmes captures the masks worn by the family of the missing at times, in order to “do” and “be” what society expects. The relationship between Megan and her daughters triggered feelings long repressed since my sister’s initial kidnapping. Although a fictional read, it reflects the feelings, conversations, and emotions felt behind closed doors for most families of missing children.

I encourage you to read this book. As you turn each page, you will pray for Emma to be reunited with her family yet at the same time, you will pray for the well-being of the elderly couple if this prayer is answered. In order to save her marriage and keep her family intact, Megan agrees to hold a memorial service and purchase a headstone after Emma’s second birthday. Will this act of closure happen or will Emma be reunited with family? You will have to read Finding Emma to learn the answer…either way, read the last couple chapters with tissues.

Kudos to Steena Holmes! As the sister of a missing child, I have to say you hit a homerun with the bases loaded with this book. You deserve some cotton candy as a reward for a fabulous story. Thank you.

To visit Steena Holme’s website click on her photo above or copy and paste the link below:

http://www.steenaholmes.com/finding-emma/

To purchase Finding Emma in paperback or download to your Kindle - click on the book cover or copy and paste the link below: http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Emma-Steena-Holmes/dp/0987856863/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338751485&sr=1-1

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We are on a Scavenger Hunt! Visit Each of the Blogs Below  and Collect a Clue! 

Warm summer nights, lights and spinning wheels, laughter, candy and games--it's carnival time! The best memories of any carnival or fair are the prizes won at the game booths. Ready to play? 

We're on the hunt for all things related to carnivals.  

At each stop along our Finding Emma tour there are clues. These might be words hidden in a guest post or a "word for the day" at the bottom of a book review. Each time you find a word submit it on Steena's Scavenger Hunt page.

Each entry equals one ticket to win. 

Please enter only one "clue" per entry. Each entry earns another chance to win.

Prizes:

First Prize: Work with a Bestselling Author. Our Grand Prize winner will help create a character for Steena Holmes' next book!

Second and Third Prize: Winners will each receive a signed copy of Finding Emma and a special pewter angel figurine from The Missing Children's Society of Canada, an organization dedicated to bringing children home.

Contest runs June 4 - July 7. Open to U.S. and Canada. In the case of an international winner prize will be an eBook copy of Finding Emma. Three winners will be chosen at random. Winners to be announced on July 9th. Winners will be posted on Steena Holmes' website and notified by Steena Holmes via email.

For even more fun, visit the Carnival Board on Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/steenah/summer-carnivals-childhood-memories/

Steena (and Emma) love the Carnival. Come see their pictures of favorite memories of summer fun and fairs and pin up some of your own! (Hint . . . the pics will give you a clue to the word for the day)

Enter your clues here: http://www.steenaholmes.com/wow-scavenger-hunt/

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  June 4 @ The Muffin! - Today!  Stop by The Muffin for an interview with Steena Holmes, and enter to win a print copy of Finding Emma!

http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

 

Tuesday, June 5 @ Writer Inspired 
Have you ever thought of leaving a journal of letters for your child? What about sharing a journal with a child? Today we're talking about letter writing and we're also giving away an e-copy of Finding Emma!
http://writerinspired.wordpress.com/   

Wednesday, June 6 @ Jennifer Greenleaf: Maine Author   What secrets about you lie waiting to be discovered? Find them through journaling! Also, this Maine Author treats us to her review of Finding Emma.
http://jennifergreenleaf.com/   

Friday, June 8 @ The Guilty Parent 
Do you know what to do if your child is missing? Steena shares some tips. Also, Nichole shares her review of Finding Emma.
http://www.theguiltyparent.com/   

Monday, June 11 @ All Things Jill Elizabeth 
Ah, the sting of rejection. As writers we know this well, but how can we make it work to our advantage?
http://www.jill-elizabeth.com/   

Tuesday, June 12 @ Words from the Heart   Today Steena talks about taking the fear out of danger with kids and Linda treats us to her review of Finding Emma. Come on over!
http://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/  

Wednesday, June 13 @ Books, Books, the Magical Fruit    Get to know Steena Holmes. Sue is hosting an interview and giveaway today!  http://booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com/   

Thursday, June 14 @ Lisa M. Buske 
Get the scoop on Finding Emma--Lisa shares her review!
http://lisabuske.weebly.com/blog.html 

Friday, June 15 @ Thoughts in Progress 
We all know they do but...just why do chocolate and writing go hand in hand? We're giving away an eCopy of Finding Emma so come join the fun!
http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com/   

Saturday, June 16 @ A Tattered Past 
Is there a family meal that takes you back in time? Steena talks about favorite childhood recipes that somehow define us!
http://www.tatteredpast.blogspot.com/   

Monday, June 18 @ CMash Loves to Read 
Come join Steena for a talk about finding passion in your everyday life. Enter to win a copy of Finding Emma and read Mason Canyon's review of Finding Emma!
http://cmashlovestoread.com/   

Tuesday, June 19 @ Workaday Reads 
Come on over and learn the story behind the story. There will be a book review and giveaway too so come join the fun!
http://www.workadayreads.com/   

Wednesday, June 20 @ Dianna's Writing Den 
Come over to the Writing Den for an interview with Steena Holmes! Enter to win a copy of Finding Emma.
http://diannaswritingden.com/   

Saturday, June 23 @ Barbara Conelli's Chique Show 
Join us for a live interview!! Call in or text your comments and questions. It all happens at Noon EST.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/barbaraconelli   

Thursday, June 28 @ Crazy for Books 
Join us for one of Jennifer's fun book reviews! Enter to win a copy of Finding Emma.
http://crazy-for-books.com/