Still Here

by Elsa Kurt

★★★★★ Lovely story! Beautiful, bittersweet and heartfelt. Reminded me of the movie Ghost. Loved this book! Still Here is the story of a love that knows no limit. A romance so profound, not even death can tear them apart. He's the romantic, she's the comic, together they're unmatched. But the Harrison's have their troubles, too. A miscarriage has left Birdie fragile and adrift, in love as ever with Damon but unable to share her grief with him. As for Damon, his childhood demons still haunt him and he fears repeating history... The Harrison's trip to a small island named Tumau to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary was everything they thought it would be and more. Romantic dinners, glorious sunsets, and miles of blue sea. The perfect balm to their aching hearts. When Damon suggests they try cliff diving, Birdie's natural trepidation is overruled by a desire to please her husband. It's a decision that changes their lives “Don’t be scared, lady. I’ve done it a bunch of times.”The boy couldn’t be more than twelve. Twelve. And he’s cliff dived ‘a bunch of times.' Birdie Harrison is thirty-seven, and she’s never jumped off a cliff. Nor has she ever wanted to until now. She still doesn’t want to, but for Damon, she will“Thanks, kid. It’s that obvious, huh?”“It’s okay, lots of people are scared. It’s your time, though.”Cold sweat prickles in the pits of her arms, gooseflesh rises on her skin. Birdie’s stomach tightens and tremors ripple through her body like electric currents. She has never been this scared before. Before she can respond, he speaks again.“We can jump together if you want. But first, tell me your name, miss.”She finally turns her head from the impossibly far away blue-green water, and down at the sweet child beside her. A perfect stranger. His eyes are amber, his young skin — the color of warm cocoa — hugs his jutting bones. Water droplets sparkle in his tight curls like diamonds in the sun. He’s so calm.A little laugh — not at the boy, but at herself escapes through Birdie’s chattering teeth. She draws a shaky breath and nods on the exhale. Her hand flutters to her chest, and she pressed one palm hard against the violent drumming beneath her breast, as if it could be quelled. Less than thirty minutes earlier, she said she would try it, though. That was before she looked over the ledge, down at the sea so far below.“Just once,” Damon had promised from right beside Birdie, where the boy is now.“You’ll be so glad you did it, Babe.”He'd counted to three and jumped. She let go of his hand at the last second and drew back as he launched forward. Regret and relief tangled inside as she watched her husband sail through the air. The breath she’d been holding sighed from her lips the moment he broke the surface and shouted something unintelligible. But knowing Damon as she does, it is no doubt some words of encouragement. He’s down there now. Still waiting patiently for Birdie to find courage. She purses her lips together in a grim white line. Blood rushes and thumps in her ears. She hears her voice as if through a windstorm.“It’s Birdie. Birdie Harrison.”The boy smiles up as he leans in.“I’ll count to three, and then we’ll jump. Ready?”She nods this time, slower, more deliberately. Her heart is thudding like a bass drum keeping time for an invisible band.“One…Two…Three…”The boy whose name she doesn’t know — whose skin is like warm cocoa, eyes the color ochre, and hair that is diamond jeweled — swan jumps. Birdie’s feet do an awkward shuffle, her knees bend. But she doesn’t so much leap as fall forward. Air rushes past her ears, and her hair whips around her face before it streams back like ribbons of pale fire. Everything is a blur. Except for the boy, that is...

316 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2019

About the author

Hello! I'm a multi-genre author of several books (and will probably always be writing more!) I'm also a married mom of two grown daughters, a total daydreamer, nature lover, avid gardener, flower-loving, proudly awkward as heck woman thoroughly enjoying this stage in my life.
I love to create strong female characters who don't stay in the lines and the male characters who love them for it. I also weave the things I personally cherish into the stories. For instance, there's a high probability that you'll see a reference to Cary Grant (as well as others classic film stars) in my stories. Gardening, kayaking, dogs... yup, they find their way in there, too!
Writing professionally has been a lifelong dream, one that I only began to fulfill in my 40's & I'm so grateful to my husband for his constant support and encouragement. It's never too late to follow your passions!

Reviews

[Carol Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story. If life didn’t interrupt me I would have finished it in one sitting. It instantly drew me in and I didn’t want to put the book down. So sad that it ended. I want to read more about Damon and Birdie.
I won this book - thank you Goodreads and Elsa Kurt. I am now a fan.

[Kay White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

Mel, this was a great read. I really enjoyed it. hope to read many more of your books. Very interesting.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite- my book club loved this pic.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story concept

Overall the story is just okay. There is too much foul language for me. But also, this book needs more editing.

[Mary Kelleher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her books!!!! Awesome read!!!
Mary Kelleher