I always love it when a young character shows up in my stories. It’s fun to look at what’s happening through a child’s eyes. I often have kids in my books. At times, my kids are central to the story as Sienna is in my upcoming release, When the Meadow Blooms. Sienna is such a great little girl to get to know. I love how she is entranced by everything in nature and all of God’s creatures, including those most of us shun like snakes and spiders. Everything is a wonder to my Sienna.
But because she is so easily distracted by the world of nature, she is often in trouble at the Home for Girls. This little tidbit of a scene is when the headmistress of the Home is trying to get her attention without success.
Calla tried to see what might have caught her sister’s eye, but nothing was there. That didn’t surprise Calla. Sienna saw things no one else did. Cracks in the plaster might make her imagine a bird or perhaps an actual bug was climbing the wall. Any creature of nature could capture Sienna’s full attention.
Sienna was slight, delicately slim. She often neglected to eat in the time allotted for their meals. Her white blonde hair curled around her face, and while Calla wasn’t near enough to see, she knew her light blue eyes would be calm as a still pool of water. That was what worried Calla most—that Sienna didn’t seem to care whether she was punished or not. She endured whatever they did to her without tears.
~~
Sienna wished for a mouse pet while at the Home and even after she’s at the farm. Her older sister, Calla, isn’t in favor of a mouse keeping them company.
“Silly Calla. A mouse is too small to hurt you.”
“Not if it bites me.” Calla touched the wall and scooted down to sit on the floor. She pulled her knees up close to her chest.
“I would tell it not to.”
“So now you know mouse language?”
“I’m not completely sure. I haven’t had the chance to talk to a mouse nose to nose as yet.”
Sienna has a hard time making friends with a mouse. She does much better with a couple of crows she feeds.
Release day for When the Meadow Blooms is not quite two weeks away now. You still have time to pre-order the book to make sure you get one of the first copies. You can find buy links on my website. If you like a print book, a great place to order one is Baker Book House with a 40% discount and free shipping if you order it before the May 3rd release date. You can find the book at any of your favorite booksellers on the internet or at your favorite bookstore. If you can’t find it on the shelves, most bookstores gladly order a copy for you. I love shopping in brick & mortar bookstores.
Also don’t forget about the Goodreads giveaway with five winners of When the Meadow Blooms. And watch for a giveaway here soon.
Do these little peeks at Sienna make you want to know more of her story?
Comments 14
Best book of 2022, it will have you up til the wee hours, as always Ann does not disappoint . Superb writing.
Buy 2 or 3 as gifts ! The story makes you feel as if you are there, have the tissue’s ready.
Author
So glad you liked finding out what my characters were going to do, Gale. And I’m all for your advice to do some book giving. Thanks for going to Meadowland with my people and for your kind words about the story.
Is When the Meadow Blooms only available from Baker in paperback?
I’m looking forward to reading another of your wonderful writings!
Author
Oh no. The print version is available at all the internet book sites and from your local bookstore too. If it isn’t on the shelves, most bookstores are more than happy to order a copy for you. I didn’t intend to make it seem as if you can only get a print copy from Baker Book House. I just have to love the big discount they give readers on pre-orders. But you should be able to buy the paperback anywhere you like to shop. Amazon. Christianbook.com. Barnes & Noble. Lifeway. Etc.
What I meant or should have asked is: Is When the Meadow Blooms available in hardcover? I love the discount Baker gives and have ordered from them in the past. 😊
Author
Amazon shows a hardcover edition, Karen, but I think that might be the large print version. If so, I haven’t gotten copies of it yet and the large print version generally comes out a little later than the regular trade paperback. So guess I’m no help at all. Sorry.
No problem. Just interested.
I received my copy of When the Meadows Bloom from Baker yesterday. Thank you! 😊
Sienna sounds adorable!! I adore small children. They are always full of surprises!
Author
Sienna certainly is, Marjorie. I love writing about kids who are unique. I had another little girl who had a different way of looking at life like Sienna in The Believer. Hannah had big time trouble with Shaker life. I loved it when she ran away and climbed up in a tree where her sister Elizabeth found her. I hadn’t thought about how much Sienna was like her. Maybe a distant relative. 🙂
Yes, I definitely want to know more of Sienna’s story! Looking forward to the release of “When the Meadow Blooms”! Enjoy a wonderful week!
Author
Thank you, Lauren. I hope you will enjoy my Meadowland story when you get to read it.
Author
So glad you think you’ll be glad to get to know Sienna better, Lucy and Birdie. Always great to see your comments.
Definitely can’t wait to read. Blessings
Yes, Sienna sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to read all about her in your book.