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The Key: A Novella
When Annalee James was five years old, her parents were killed in a car accident during a terrible blizzard. Helena and Desi, her aunt and uncle, became her guardians and moved their newly made family to a small coastal town in Connecticut for a fresh start.
Years later, Annalee returns to Chicago to attend college, where she meets Cade Mitchell, a handsome but sullen and brooding upper classman. It’s not love at first sight, but as time passes, Annalee begins to see some of the gold glimmering beneath Cade’s tough boy façade.
Annalee brings Cade home over the Thanksgiving holidays, and the town is visited by a winter storm. Helena loans her niece a dark, wool coat—one that her father wore before his death thirteen years before. Buried in a pocket, Annalee finds a key to a safety deposit box at the local bank. One with both of her parents’ names on it.
Upon opening the box, Annalee begins to suspect that things in life are not coincidental. Perhaps the universe is more powerful than she once believed, and things eventually unfold as they are meant to. Helena and Desi always taught her to trust in herself.
Can she do that now?
Can she trust in those she loves?
Can she turn what she’s learned about her past into something that will give her a bright and happy future?
Years later, Annalee returns to Chicago to attend college, where she meets Cade Mitchell, a handsome but sullen and brooding upper classman. It’s not love at first sight, but as time passes, Annalee begins to see some of the gold glimmering beneath Cade’s tough boy façade.
Annalee brings Cade home over the Thanksgiving holidays, and the town is visited by a winter storm. Helena loans her niece a dark, wool coat—one that her father wore before his death thirteen years before. Buried in a pocket, Annalee finds a key to a safety deposit box at the local bank. One with both of her parents’ names on it.
Upon opening the box, Annalee begins to suspect that things in life are not coincidental. Perhaps the universe is more powerful than she once believed, and things eventually unfold as they are meant to. Helena and Desi always taught her to trust in herself.
Can she do that now?
Can she trust in those she loves?
Can she turn what she’s learned about her past into something that will give her a bright and happy future?
51 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2018
13 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Wing
30 books220 followersJ.C. Wing is a bestselling, multi-genre indie author. She likes to pen family dramas, romantic comedies, thrillers, YA and the occasional limerick. She has written more than twenty novels, including The Color of Thunder, The Gannon Family Series ("The Skye Books"), the Goddess of Tornado Alley Series and the Whisper Creek Mysteries Series. She is the author of Acquainted with Butterflies, a collection of short stories, personal essays and poetry, and she is a contributing author of the Grey’s Harbor Series.
J.C. publishes under Black Cat Press, her own imprint. Her writing companions are Tara, the golden retriever of absolute happiness and Calvin and Cayenne, the cats of chaos.
J.C. publishes under Black Cat Press, her own imprint. Her writing companions are Tara, the golden retriever of absolute happiness and Calvin and Cayenne, the cats of chaos.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 14, 2019
The Key is a short story about a teenage girl Annalee. Her parents died when she was a child, and her aunt and uncle took her in. One day Annalee discovers a mysterious key, which leads her to a safety deposit box, which holds secrets about her parents.
I’ve read a few of the author’s other stories and as always she never disappoints with her storytelling. Everything from the scenery to the characters to the dialogue draws you into the story. Even though the plot is wrapped up at the end, I feel that the story could be expanded into a full-length book where Annalee and her family’s future is explored.
I’ve read a few of the author’s other stories and as always she never disappoints with her storytelling. Everything from the scenery to the characters to the dialogue draws you into the story. Even though the plot is wrapped up at the end, I feel that the story could be expanded into a full-length book where Annalee and her family’s future is explored.
May 18, 2020
After reading this book, I wanted to write and post this review to share my honest experiences toward the story.
I must first commend the complexity and depth of the story. Being a novella and taking only twenty minutes to read, Ms Wing has spun an intricate and beautiful tale in so few pages, and that takes real talent. Packed with suspense and twists to turn things in a way you would never imagine, this was truly an impressive and emotional story.
I must first commend the complexity and depth of the story. Being a novella and taking only twenty minutes to read, Ms Wing has spun an intricate and beautiful tale in so few pages, and that takes real talent. Packed with suspense and twists to turn things in a way you would never imagine, this was truly an impressive and emotional story.
December 30, 2018
Death, Loss and A Key, Oh My!
J.C. Wing has done it again with another well written novella. She knows what she wants her characters to sound and what her readers want to read. If you like mystery, suspense and tragedy this is the novella for you to pick up. Annalee James doesn’t know what will hit her as the past comes back into her life. I highly suggest you get all of J.C. Wing’s novels to check out after reading this one.
Death, Loss and A Key, Oh My!
J.C. Wing has done it again with another well written novella. She knows what she wants her characters to sound and what her readers want to read. If you like mystery, suspense and tragedy this is the novella for you to pick up. Annalee James doesn’t know what will hit her as the past comes back into her life. I highly suggest you get all of J.C. Wing’s novels to check out after reading this one.
Death, Loss and A Key, Oh My!
January 17, 2019
I loved this so much!! What a unique story and with such suspense and satisfaction. It felt very balanced and complete for a short story. It had all the relevant details for an immersive read without boring the reader and I liked the way the author built the suspense and let it flow so naturally into the conclusion. A feat that I feel is hard to achieve in short stories. Annalee's take and perspective was so touching and drama-free too. An enjoyable read that is sure to please!
February 6, 2019
An enjoyable read with and unpredictable story line. J C Wing fit a lot of story into this novella and did a great job developing the main character within such a short story And... it has a happy ending.
April 10, 2019
As always J.C. Has done it again! This may be a short story but it is so exciting and so complete that you would think it was a full grown novel. If you have never read any of her books you really should read all of them. She is an exciting writer. Thanks for continually writing great books!
September 3, 2019
I immediatly fell in love with this amazingly heartfelt novella ! The author has such a gift of writing each charactor so realatable and with such feeling you are instantly hooked! A book of hope after great loss and what happens if you choose to push on. I loved Annalee and her story of hope. A fablous read i definatly recommend this book and look forward to more from this author!!
April 25, 2024
Unique Plot
This was a unique Novella and with a twist that will give you whiplash. It was an enjoyable ride for me. Excellent example of telling a whole story in short form. Did I miss the slow burn of JC Wing's novels? Absolutely! But I decided to read more short stories this year. I am glad this was one of them. Appropriate reading for 12+
This was a unique Novella and with a twist that will give you whiplash. It was an enjoyable ride for me. Excellent example of telling a whole story in short form. Did I miss the slow burn of JC Wing's novels? Absolutely! But I decided to read more short stories this year. I am glad this was one of them. Appropriate reading for 12+
December 1, 2019
This was a great story! I had no clue where it was going. Totally unexpected ending.
May 24, 2020
Great, quick read.
What a fun read. It takes place over a day or two and deals with Annalee's past and present life intersecting in the most unusual way. Loved it.
What a fun read. It takes place over a day or two and deals with Annalee's past and present life intersecting in the most unusual way. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews