UNTHREADED

by Vicki-Ann Bush

When a young man turns to dust right before his eyes, Noah Winston is hurtled into the center of a time-bending mystery. In his quest to uncover the truth, he’s driven deep into local legend and discovers a town that vanished over one hundred years ago. As he struggles to untangle the secrets of the past, he meets a family who he must save from the curse and finds himself falling in love.
Can he save them from a fate worse than death and find true love, or will time slip away and steal her from him forever?

254 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2010

About the author

Born Vicki Ann Guidice, her journey into the realm of the spiritual and supernatural was initiated at birth. Her early years were spent in Queens, New York known for having more people passed on than alive, as well as having several Gothic cemeteries within walking distance of its communities. At the age of 15, she moved to Los Angeles California taking her fertile imagination with her. After meeting her future husband, Ronald Bush, her new homeland became Las Vegas, Nevada.

As a mother of two, her first published book in 2008, Winslow Willow the Woodland Fairy, took her love of fantasy and spun it into a heartwarming children’s book. The progression to the young adult literary market took root in her novels that captured the haunting qualities of the Las Vegas desert surrounding her, but it was New York that called her home. Alex McKenna, the main character in the book series first published in 2019, is the embodiment of her Italian-American roots, memories of adolescent outsider status, and the strength it takes to live an authentic life.

Ms. Bush is a co-founder of Coffee House Tours, an events-based collaboration between local bookstores and coffee shops allowing authors to represent themselves and their works. Additionally, she is a frequent podcast literary guest and has a special relationship with The Center LGBTQIA+ Las Vegas where Alex McKenna has been an inspirational focus as a transgender Paranormal teen. Now starring in the short film Alex and Margret’s Beginning, inspired by the book series, Ms. Bush is now an award winning short screenplay writer and Producer. Bringing her moving and unique storyline and character to a broader audience.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked right from the beginning when 20 yr old Noah witnesses a young man literally turn to dust before his eyes. He returns to the same location the next evening and witnesses even more un-explainable events. This is where he first sees the beautiful Emma and her brothers, but dressed as if they were from an earlier time. Noah soon gets his best friend, Travis involved, and they won't stop until they have answers to this mysterious phenomenon they keep going back to witness. As Noah learns more about Emma and her family, their town, and the curse that haunts them, new pieces of the puzzle are introduced. A missing journal is found, a demon is revealed, Noah's long time friend and co-worker, Jen, is getting more suspicious of Noah's lies, and an ally from what they thought was the 'dark side' needs their help too in this whole saga. Noah gains an even more important ally and one very surprising one that I did NOT see coming! Brilliant connection with the characters and how everything ties together. I could not put this one down until I read the last sentence. The writing is excellent, descriptive, and the story line ties together beautifully. Mystery, suspense, and love all wrapped into this story with a conclusion that will have you turning pages to get to the end. I hope we get to read more about the characters Noah and Emma in the future... I would even love to see something with Jen and Travis written about their relationship maybe more along the lines of a contemporary romance. A "Dusk Chronicles" movie would make me even happier! WELL DONE Ms. Bush! I'm looking forward to reading more of your work!

[Joyce Mosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging read. I had a hard time putting it down and finished it in two sittings. The integration of a legend into the story made it more interesting. I enjoyed reading about the landscape of the Vegas area. The friendship of the main characters made the relationship believable.
I was fortunate to receive a copy.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read! From the very beginning you are enthralled. Vicki Ann Bush creates these characters and story line that makes you want to keep reading. Hard to put down. Imagery was fantastic. I can't wait to see what else she has coming out! One of my new favorite authors!

[Venus Smurf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. The plot was creative, and there were definitely plenty of twists and turns. I did think the romance moved a little fast, and there were times when the writing was a little choppy (run-on sentences and the like), but it was a good YA read, even if I'm not a YA.

[Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. Being from Vegas I enjoyed the familiar locations used. I was a fan of Noah being a genuine character, who is in love but not that sappy twinkling love.

I'm part of a book club and will be recommending this book.

[Roger DeBlanck · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dusk Chronicles by Vicki-Ann Bush generates suspense and intrigue as it cleverly employs the early history of Las Vegas into a time-travel adventure. The hero of this YA novel is Noah Winston, a compassionate and determined type of everyman teenager. His father’s battle with cancer forces him to grow up quickly. He uses his paychecks from his job to help out his family while also taking on multiple responsibilities at home. But when he witnesses a strange and tragic phenomenon involving a young man about his age, Noah is pulled into a mystery that spans over a hundred years and involves a curse that ultimately plays out between the forces of good and evil. I liked how Noah and his friend, Travis, visit the public library to research the first settlers of Las Vegas and to discover the lineage behind the curse and those connected to it. As Noah’s involvement in events becomes more vital due to his love for Emma, he must take on an unimaginable amount of responsibility for solving and fighting against the predicament Emma and her family are trapped in. The story keeps you glued to the page as you follow Noah, Emma, and many other characters through the challenges and adversity they face. In addition to its thrilling outcome, the story includes a distinct spiritual aspect that addresses themes of sacrifice and fighting for what’s right. Vicki-Ann Bush has delivered an exciting YA novel.

[Abelardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the sun is setting Noah Winston is driving on a side street in downtown Las Vegas. He gets a flat. As soon as he changes the tire and throws the jack in the trunk he hears an agonizing squeal. A young man is lying in the street. Noah rushes over. He calls 911. The stricken man calls out for a woman, Emma. He, and his clothing disintegrate into dust. Nothing is left. Noah leaves the scene stunned by what just happened?

The next night he returns to the same side street as the distressing encounter. He parks his car. Soon he sees three young people coming toward him. Noah is struck by the similarity of their clothing with the man from the night before. The three teenagers disappear into a construction site.

Noah is possessed. Who are these people? He returns again, this with his longtime friend, Travis. They make contacted with the three teenagers.

This begins an engrossing sci-fi/time travel mystery that is well plotted and executed by the author. I’m not usually a reader of this genre but I was more than willing to follow Noah and Travis as they get drawn into a world that existed 100 years before.

Their sleuth work and the well-defined, engaging supporting characters created by Vicki-Anne Bush a fine read. I highly recommend it.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not being a fan of time-travelling adventures, I was a little skeptical when I first noticed this book awaiting review, but when I saw the author was none other than Vicki-Ann Bush, I broke with tradition and grabbed it for review. I rejoice that decision after reading this magical tale of romance between two lovers who are worlds apart. The characters are very engaging and likeable, and the landscape was so well described that it was easy to visualize myself being there. My heart broke at Emma’s tears when I discovered her relationship to the deceased who had appeared briefly at the beginning of the story. They say that love can conquer anything, and ‘The Dusk Chronicles’ shows exactly how far a talented wordsmith’s imagination can push that boundary even further. I recommend this book for teens and adults who enjoy their romance with a touch of drama, stretching their imagination to the fullest.

- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

[A.B. Funkhauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

College age student Noah’s life changes when an injured teen he finds in the road literally disintegrates in his arms. Distraught, he confides his experience to his best friend Travis, setting the two off on a journey to solve a mystery that includes the disappearance of an entire 19th century Las Vegas town, a powerful demon rooted in Native American folklore and a beautiful girl not entirely of this world. Charming and engaging for all ages, Vicki-Ann Bush’s time traveller cleverly combines contemporary age audacity with the faith and fortitude of another age all under the aegis of love and loyalty. Romantic, fast paced and with a rewarding conclusion, The Dusk Chronicles has it all.

[Francene Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good if you want fiction filled with a combination of action and magic. However, as a stand-alone piece, this book didn’t quite work. The beginning intrigued me enough to keep reading, but soon past actions were introduced without explanation. Switched points of view make it difficult to sympathize with any of the characters, and spelling mistakes halted my reading on several occasions. Mostly, I kept reading to see how the plan to save trapped village people would work.It didn't take long to reach the end.

[Victoria Kaer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unthreaded is a beautiful love story across time that tells the tale of hearts entwined despite the expanse of years that separates them. Vicki-Ann Bush weaves a fable that draws the reader in, while also teaching them some of Las Vegas’ rich history.

[Karen Marketto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super book! Grabbed my attention at the begining! Had hard time putting it down, even though I am far from a young adult! Looking forward to the next book by Vicki Ann Bush!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come!