Title: Finding Evie
Author: Catina Noble
Genre: Fiction
Book Blurb:
Evie, a seventeen-year-old has a decision to make. To stay in abusive home not knowing when there will be food to eat and when the next physical blow will appear. Or to run away with nowhere to go and no one to turn to with only herself to count on.
Excerpt:
On this particular night, something was different. My father had been drinking yet again. I could see the rage building in his piercing blue eyes when they locked with mine. I don’t know how to explain it because this kind of thing had been going on throughout my entire childhood, but something was off this time. I had to make a decision. And fast.
I honestly didn’t have a plan for how I was going to get out of this particular situation, or how it might need, or whether this night might change anything, or if it might change everything. None of that mattered right then. I just knew something had to be done. Things weren’t going to end well, that much I knew. I had this bad feeling.
I turned to my mother for support. Surely, she had to realize who dangerous the unfolding scene was.
“Mom, can’t you see I need help? I can’t take this anymore. It shouldn’t be like this.” There was no way she could just sit back and watch anymore. She had to do something.
She was sitting at the kitchen table. She was wearing her pale-blue, long-sleeved nightgown with the zipper down the front and she was working on he of her search games or crossword puzzles. She didn’t react int he slight at the sound of my voice. It was as though she were trying to ignore me, and everything else that was going on.
This time, I wasn’t going to let her do that.
“Mom, I know you can hear me. Turn around.”
She turned and her eyes met mine. She spoke quietly. “Evie, you know bearer than to upset your father. You know better than that.”
the thing was, I hadn’t done anything. It was the same as it always was. I was being punished for something I hadn’t done. My father hated me for things I didn’t even do. There was something wrong with him. He needed help.
How could she even think for a moment this was my fault? She was sitting not even six feet from us. I was the kid here. They were the parents. Did they not have some sort of obligation? They weren’t doing what they were supposed to be doing. I tried to recall the last time I had seen my father upset. I couldn’t.
All I had wanted to do was sleep at a friend’s place because Dad was completely drunk. My sisters had already gone to spend a night with their friends. I didn’t want to be his punching bag. That’s what it basically boiled down to. He seemed to be on a fresh wave of rage. I thought I might vomit. I glanced at the back screen door where my friend PJ stood waiting, just outside. She was fifteen. I’m sure she could hear every word. I had no time to be embarrassed about what she might hear. I would worry about that later. Right then, I had to keep my wits about me.
My father had noticed my eyes looking toward the door. He took another swig from his Molson Canadian beer—I can still picture that bottle—and through his gritted teeth he spoke.
“I’ll give you one warning and only one.” He pointed his beer bottle at me. “You try leaving his house and I will slice your damn throat.”
I could feel my eyes bulging. This was not happening. This wasn’t real. I looked over in my mother’s direction once more, my eyes pleading for help. She never even looked up. She continued sitting there, immersed in her all-important puzzle.
My father sucked won the last of the beer then smashed the bottle against the door jamb. His hand reached down to the hards of to it and taking the biggest piece, he lunged at me.
I ran for my life.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
What makes your featured book a must-read?
Finding Evie’s main character, Evie is not only a survivor but a thriver. No matter the neglect and abuse she wakes up to, she just keeps getting up every morning with hopes that today will be the day that is different. She vows to herself that one day she will no longer be a part of the vicious cycle. This book brings hope and validation to anyone who had a troubled childhood and wondered, what is wrong with me? The answer is nothing, you are absolutely perfect. It was them, not you.
Giveaway –
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Open Internationally.
Runs January 23 – January 29, 2024.
Winner will be drawn on January 30, 2024.
Author Biography:
Catina Noble is a Canadian writer. She has kept a journal since she was in her early teens. Her writing is diverse and has something for everyone. Noble’s work expands over a variety of genres including: Sci-Fi, YA, Non-Fiction, Fiction, Short Stories and Poetry. Her work has appeared in several publications including Chicken Soup for the Soul, Woman’s World Magazine, Y Travel Blog, Perceptive Travel, Bywords Magazine, Phafours Press, Crowe Creations, Canadian Newcomer Magazine, The Mindful Word and many others. She currently has four chapbooks of poetry, a full length poetry book and a total of ten books published. To date, four of her books: Vacancy at the Food Court & Other Short Stories, I’m Glad I Didn’t Kill Myself , Everest Base Camp: Close Call , Finding Evie won the Reader’s Favourite seal of approval. She has a B.A in Psychology from Carleton University and a Social Services Worker Diploma from Algonquin College. She currently works full-time in her field and is enrolled in the Addictions & Mental Health program at Algonquin College. When she is not busy working, she enjoys travelling, volunteering, cross-stitching and crocheting. Catina’s favourite place to work on her writing is at a local coffee shop. Sometimes, her dog Aspen and her cat, PJ help supervise her creative writing through the entire process.
Social Media Links:
@cncreate