‘Ready?’ Dad asks, and I straighten Callie’s tiara on my head before I loop my arm through his and we hover, waiting for the strains of the music to begin.
‘I Have a Dream’ by Abba begins to play.
And I step into the rest of my life.
Acknowledgments
It has taken a village to bring this book to life and I’ve so many people to thank: Bookouture, both the team behind the scenes, and the other authors who are a constant source of support; my editor, Lydia Vassar-Smith; Henry Steadman who has designed me another striking cover, and Rory Scarfe whose belief in me as a writer has made an enormous difference.
I have met some lovely people in the writerly world, both online and offline this past year and I’d especially like to thank all the book bloggers who work tirelessly. We are all united by our love of stories and I’m massively grateful for every single review.
It has been lovely to share the experience of being published with my virtual writing buddy, Sam Carrington, who spurs me on every day to sit down and just get on with it, and Tom Bale who has been on hand to answer the endless questions I have had as I navigate my first year as a published writer.
Thanks to Leanne Laren for her input into police procedures – any mistakes are entirely my own. Sara Hammond for your listening ear and let’s not forget THAT quote which will forever hang above my desk. Sarah Wade – thanks for always cheering me on. Symon Adamson – thanks for the early read. Bekkii Bridges for her insights into life as a veterinary nurse.
I am massively indebted to Emma Mitchell, Lucille Grant and Mick Wynn who generously gave their time and have really helped to shape The Gift into the story it is today. Your feedback has been invaluable.
My family for their love and support, particularly my mum, Diane Hockton, for bearing with me during this busy year, and my Aunty, Judy Kingston, for always championing me.
Karen Appleby – no one tells it quite like it is as much as a sister. I probably don’t tell you I love you enough, but I do.
Callum, Kai and Finley, my gorgeous boys who inspire me to be the best version of myself I possibly can be. However big you grow, you are still my world.
I have come to the end of writing The Gift so grateful I still have a husband! Thanks Tim, for picking up the slack at home and your unwavering belief that I could write a second book. You have been amazing.
And for Ian Hawley of course, with all my love, always.
Letter from Louise
Hello,
Firstly, a massive thank you to all the book bloggers and readers who read, shared and reviewed The Sister. My debut novel reaching No. 1 was more than I ever dared dream of, and I am hugely thankful for all the support.
I do hope you have enjoyed reading Jenna’s story. Cellular Memory is a theory more and more experts are supporting and it has endlessly fascinated me. I became utterly absorbed with my research, and in Jenna’s discussions with Vanessa, most of the examples she gave are true. I have been stunned by the amount of transplant patients who have, to some degree, undergone changes after surgery. There are no rational explanations for these accounts. How can recipients have memories of a donor they never knew? Can science explain everything? It wasn’t so long ago the heart was regarded as the centre of wisdom and emotion. What do you think? I’d love to know.
Of course, ultimately, The Gift is a work of fiction and I have taken artistic license in my interpretation. In writing Jenna, I particularly wanted to explore the emotional impact dealing with such a drastic change of health can have, and I do hope I have approached the medical aspect sensitively, without trivialising the impact a transplant can have.
I cannot express how much admiration I have for donor families. My family and I have been on the register for as long as I can remember, and if you aren’t please consider signing up. You really could save lives.
Finally, I love to hear from readers. You can contact me through my website or connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.
Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to spend with Jenna. If you have enjoyed The Gift I really would appreciate it if you could write a short review. It really does make such a difference.
Louise
@Fab_fiction
fabricatingfiction
www.louisejensen.co.uk
Book Club Questions for The Gift
1) Near the beginning of the book we discover Jenna has ended her relationship with Sam as she feels she can no longer offer him the life he deserves. Was she right to do this? Are we ever justified in making a decision for someone if we feel it is for the best?
2) The Gift is about Cellular Memory, a theory that more and more experts are supporting. Can science explain everything? It wasn’t so long ago the heart was regarded as the centre of wisdom and emotion. What do you think?
3) Did your perception about the characters change from the beginning of the book until the end? How?
4) Jenna is partly driven by guilt that Callie died. Are some people more susceptible to guilt than others? Are her feelings justified?
5) Did you get a good sense of Callie throughout this story?
6) What did you assume about Callie and Nathan’s relationship?
7) This novel is, in part, about secrets. Is it ever OK to keep a secret from a loved one? Is honesty always the best policy?
8) Were you satisfied with the end of the book? What alternative ending can you think of for this story?
9) Jenna concludes: ‘We all have our reasons for doing the things we do, don’t we? The lies we tell. We are all a mixture of good and bad and I don’t think anyone is entirely one thing or the other.’ Do you think this is true?
10) What do you think might happen to Jenna after the Epilogue?
Also by Louise Jensen
The Sister
The Sister
“I did something terrible Grace. I hope you can forgive me …”
Available Now…
Grace hasn’t been the same since the death of her best friend Charlie. She is haunted by Charlie’s last words, and in a bid for answers, opens an old memory box of Charlie’s. It soon becomes clear there was a lot she didn’t know about her best friend.
When Grace starts a campaign to find Charlie’s father, Anna, a girl claiming to be Charlie’s sister steps forward. For Grace, finding Anna is like finding a new family, and soon Anna has made herself very comfortable in Grace and boyfriend Dan’s home.
But something isn’t right. Things disappear, Dan’s acting strangely and Grace is sure that someone is following her. Is it all in Grace’s mind? Or as she gets closer to discovering the truth about both Charlie and Anna, is Grace in terrible danger?
There was nothing she could have done to save Charlie …or was there?
Buy Now…
A compelling, gripping psychological thriller perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, I Let You Go, and The Girl With No Past.
Published by Bookouture
An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.
23 Sussex Road, Ickenham, UB10 8PN
United Kingdom
www.bookouture.com
Copyright © Louise Jensen, 2016
Louise Jensen has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-1-78681-096-0
k you for reading books on Archive.
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