Paperback ISBN: 978-1-957656-68-7
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-957656-71-7
"This book was nothing less than beautiful. This story depicts courage and bravery to face the monster of domestic abuse. And wonderfully paints a picture of love in all its forms." -Angela Hughes, author of The Once and Future Chronicles series.
Audience: Ages 13 - up
The road to freedom starts when you slam the door of a single wide...
Eighteen-year-old Shanna has one goal this summer, and it's hitting the road. She won't be visiting colleges or backpacking through Europe, though. Instead, she plans to save her mom and little sister from the fists of her abusive stepfather and get them to the sea and freedom. What she didn't plan on was falling in love.
From the day Shanna walks out of the woods and into his life, Free knows what he wants to do with his summer. Oh, he'll train horses and help out on the farm like usual, but hanging out with his enchanting new visitor just became his top priority. Little does he know that Shanna needs more than a diversion this summer. She needs help saving her family. Next thing you know, Free is hitching up his horse trailer for a road trip he never saw coming, but won't steer away from, no matter how dangerous it might get.
Reviews:
Stacey Barlett writes with compassion for children and partners who experience domestic violence. Barlett's debut young adult novel Free Sings the Sea opens with a vivid rendering of an isolated home in the Appalachian mountains which the main character, eighteen-year-old Shanna, longs to escape. An unexpected encounter with a stranger not only provides Shanna with a means to rescue her family but a chance at love. Bartlett also highlights the beneficial impact of mental health counseling and positive coping skills to manage a traumatic past. -Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler, LCMCHA, Certified Prevention Specialist, and author of Whispering Through Water
I loved everything about this insightful, brilliantly written, unputdownable book, and I was not prepared for the way it moved my heart. The author touched on some heavy topics with life lessons beautifully woven throughout the pages. "Free Sings the Sea" is a wonderful, heartbreaking, hope-filled story reminding readers to never give up, that healing is possible, and love really can move mountains.-Kathryn M. Inman, Author of Counting Spoons
Free Sings the Sea is more than a beautiful love story. It is a hope story, a friendship story, a story about perseverance and survival. You will cheer for Shanna as she seeks a fresh start for her family, and her pluck and kindness will touch your heart. This novel is a huge hug!-Melissa Ostrom, author of The Beloved Wild and Unleaving
Free Sings the Sea is a heartwarming story of healing and recovery. The characters are vulnerable, yet courageous and you can't help but root for them. There are strong themes throughout of resilience, kindness, and mental health, as well as the restorative power of nature and friendship.-Brieanna Wilkoff, author of I'll Be There For You
Stacey was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and currently lives in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. She graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a BS in Psychology and has been a homeschool teacher for over twenty years. Her two novels, Free Sings the Sea and Monster Mountain are published with Monarch Educational Services, and her work appears in various literary journals. She has four children. Stacey loves to read and to write stories that bring hope to her readers’ hearts.
