Summer's Shadow

Sierra Winters and the Void #1

by Craig MacLachlan

When seventeen-year-old Sierra Winters watches her physical body sink to its death, she realizes a shining silver cord connects her two halves together, but it breaks off from her bellybutton, sinks with her body, and then everything changes when a mysterious boy named Valeck saves her life.

Sierra soon discovers she has stumbled upon a mysterious realm known as The Void, which is filled with mystery, intrigue, danger and love. But upon returning to The Void, she is met by a sinister man known as Maven Kodiak who can manipulate his surroundings into a sickening Rot. Maven wants the power of her silver cord all for himself so he can enter the physical world and conquer it.

And he will do anything to take Sierra's cord, even if it means her death.

On the run from Maven, Sierra struggles to understand her abilities and powers which yield some surprising results. As she and Valeck fall in love, Sierra discovers he is keeping a vital secret from her. Can Sierra be happy sharing her life between both realms, or will she be forced to choose one over the other forever?

But nothing in Sierra’s life will matter if she doesn't find a way to stop the maniac hunting for her.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

356 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 2014

About the author

Craig MacLachlan currently lives in Post Falls, Idaho in the USA, and is married to Christina. His first completed YA paranormal/fantasy novel is Sierra Winters and the Void: Summer's Shadow, book one of a planned 4 part series.

Craig recently won third place in a one act screenwriting competition put forth by The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) Creative Writing Competition.

Sierra Winters and the Void: Summer's Shadow is out now under the MediaAria CDM Ltd. imprint. (Craig is no longer represented by MediaAria CDM and has the full rights returned for Summer's Shadow and the rest of the series).

Follow Craig on his FB Author page: https://www.facebook.com/CraigMacLach...

Follow Craig on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigmaclac...

Reviews

[Craig MacLachlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer's Shadow is officially for sale! I'm so excited! At the moment it can be bought on Amazon and B&N websites as well as their country versions. Foyles in the UK as well.

http://www.amazon.com/SUMMERS-SHADOW-...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summe...

http://www.foyles.co.uk/witem/essays-...

Cheers,
Craig

[Kimber · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you want an awsum book in 2014 to start you off on the trilogy..its
"SIERRA WINTERS AND THE VOID: SUMMER'S SHADOW"

This book is AMAZIN!! I was lucky enough to get a glimpse...and I can tell you what...you'd be silly not to get it when its out.

[Marit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply fantastic.
I'm really happy that Craig let me to be his beta reader for this book.
It's an unique book and I loved it.

[Teele Meister · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the book. I was happy to be a beta reader and honestly, I am waiting already for the next one. It was simply amazing, interesting and fantastic. It is a must read book ! :D

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one day. It was very unique, different and fresh. The use of a magical cord to connect the main character, Sierra, to her soul body was really cool. I really liked the characters, especially Tess. I wanted more of her! Maven was a great bad dude and Amber really fit in well. Sierra is so cool, she is so awesome and strong willed. I loved her! The love story between Sierra and Valeck really worked and having them separated between the real world and the void makes for great tension and stuff! Valeck is swoon worthy but protective of her for a reason but that's what makes him so neat. Protecting the girl he likes. There are many minor plots in the book that connect characters and characters from the past which is awesome. I want to say more but won't spoil anything! The different story was what made me love this book!

The author is a fantastic storyteller and I can't believe this is not in stores or with a publisher like Scholastic or Penguin or one of the others!!!!! Wow! I can so see this in a movie theatre!!!! I see a bright future for the author and I can't wait for book two!!! That cliffhanger ending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Majanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...

Summer’s Shadow is an interesting YA novel about courage, and a magical realm that sounds like an older and more mature version of Narnia. Main character Sierra witnesses a cord running from her soul to her body, while she watches her body plummet to its death. A boy named Valeck saves her life, and it’s the beginning of an adventure that will change Sierra’s life forever.

Valeck is an interesting love interest. I liked him from the start. He’s keeping secets, but that makes things interesting. He’s about as mysterious as they get, which is always a bonus. The realm Sierra stumbles upon, the Void, is dark and threatening, and there is the threat of an evil wizard named Maven, who wants to spread a rot through the Void, which destroys everything in its way. Maven wants to get Sierra’s cord, no matter what it takes.

Written in a clear, unique voice, with an amazing cast of characters and an intriguing plot, Summer’s Shadow is a must read for the YA crowd.

[Tina K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer's Shadow was an excellent novel. Full of action and adventure. Twists and turns and a nice little love story. Sierra Winters is a strong main character with flaws, which I liked. She has issues to get through that will continue being dealt with in later books it appears. Sierra's love interest, Valeck, is a great character with his own issues. Maven is a perfect, devious, dark evil character with his own intriguing back story. Sierra's friends play a large role as well and the three of them are great together as S.A.T.'s, which the call themselves.

Overall the pacing and thrill of this story and plot was really well done and the idea of the void and magical cords connecting bodies to spirits is really fascinating. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Congratulations to Mr. Maclachlan on a fabulous debut novel.

[Gail Chehab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer’s Shadow is the first book in Craig MacLachlan’s Sierra Winters and the Void series. A detailed read pumped with adrenaline, Summer’s Shadow is a fusion of paranormal romance and fantasy. Sucked into a fast moving plot that is exceptionally written and almost flawless in its execution, Summer’s Shadow is a profoundly deep story that is filled with courage, angst, and breathtaking images of magic and beauty. The characters rock in a tale that is both classy and classic. A must read for those that want a novel that has staying power and for its honest writing style that makes for an addictive read.

Gail Chehab, author of The Tunnel (2015) and The Echo of Sand, winner of the First Series Award