I’m not the pro—protagonist in Ruin Falls, I don’t think. Actually, I don’t really know what that word means, so I guess I could be. But I don’t think so because Ruin Falls is really my Mommy’s story. It started when we all went away on vacation. Me, my brother, Reid (he’s eight), and my mom and dad, of course.
That’s how come there was a problem. Cause of my dad.
It was fun at first. Vacation, I mean. Not the looooong drive when there was nothing to do but stare out the window. I thought I liked anything green and growing, but zillions of miles of corn? No way. It got so I couldn’t even think about popcorn, and don’t ever mention corn on the cob to me again.
Actually, I love corn on the cob. I wish we had some right now. Hold on for a second…
There are no tissues here. When I have to blow my nose (because I’m being a big cry baby like Reid says), I have to do it on my sleeve. Gross. Especially because we can’t really do laundry either. Just in the creek like we’re like the old-fashioned people in the colonial village the high school students set up every spring.
I wonder if I’ll ever go to that fair again.
Then when we got to the hotel, vacation started being fun. Reid took me into the lobby and he even got the whatdoyoucallit kind of machine to let out a candy bar and even though we didn’t eat it—duh, like Daddy would kill us—it was fun just to look at the wrapper, all shiny and with a picture of delicious looking chocolate on it. And then we got to go in a real live elevator! It didn’t go fast like a roller coaster but it was still fun.
The best part of the whole night was getting to sleep in the weird bed with Reid. A sharp part stuck up into my back, but I didn’t care. In real life I can’t hug or snug with Reid. That would be weird! And all our friends would laugh at us. But in this teensy, crowded bed, I just pretended I had to wiggle or roll around, and then I got to lie all scrunched up next to him.
That was really fun. But I didn’t know then that we wouldn’t be going back to our house where we both have our own bedrooms. That we’d be sleeping next to each other, in sleeping bags on the floor of a barn, for like forever.
Hold on a second…
I wish we had some tissues. What kind of stupid person misses tissues? I do.
The first baddest part of the night was when Daddy woke us up. It wasn’t morning and I was so tired, I fell back asleep in the car. It took all the way until it was light out till I realized Mommy wasn’t there. And when I asked Daddy how come, he just said for me to go play with Grandma. But Grandma doesn’t even like to play! And this farm isn’t like a real farm at all, not like our farm back home. That one I love. This one just has all these stinky cows on it and more of that stinky, stinky corn.
I hate corn and I hated that stupid farm.
Till we had to leave it. Then things got even badder.
When I went to look for Izzy is when the next thing happened. I should’ve known Daddy would never be smart enough to bring Izzy when we had to leave that great hotel. He’s stupid, this whole vacation is stupid, and all I wanted was to get Izzy back.
I asked Reid what I should do and that was the baddest part of all. Because my brother always knows everything. Except now he doesn’t. And if he doesn’t, who does?
My Daddy said he was going to get her for me, and he did, but he’s still just a big old liar. Otherwise, how come we’d be living in this place where there are no tissues and no laundry and not even any real house? I don’t think this is vacation anymore.
I bet my Mommy’s super scared right now.
You can read more about Ally and her mommy in Ruin Falls, published by Ballantine which was released in April 2014 to starred reviews and chosen as an Indie Next Pick. Though Ally plays only a small role in the book, she is absolutely right. Her mom is super scared—and will do whatever it takes to get Ally and Reid back home again.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on July 14 for the chance to win a copy of RUIN FALLS. (US entries only, please.)
Meet the author
Jenny Milchman is a suspense writer from the Hudson River Valley of New York State. Jenny is the winner of the 
2014 Mary Higgins Clark Award for her debut novel, Cover of Snow, published by Ballantine/Random House in January 2013. Her short story ‘The Closet’ was published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine in 2012, and another short story, ‘The Very Old Man’, was published in EQMM in 2013. The short work ‘Black Sun on Tupper Lake’ appears in the anthology ADIRONDACK MYSTERIES II.
Jenny is the Chair of International Thriller Writers’ Debut Authors Program. She is also the founder of Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day, which was celebrated in all 50 states and four foreign countries by over 700 bookstores in 2013. Jenny hosts the Made It Moments forum on her blog, which has featured more than 250 international bestsellers, Edgar winners, and independent authors. Jenny co-hosts the literary series Writing Matters, which attracts guests coast-to-coast and has received national media attention. She also teaches writing and publishing for New York Writers Workshop and Arts By The People.
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Another good book. Thanks, Dru.
I like the sound of this book! I know I would enjoy it! Thank you!
Sounds like a great book, would love to read it
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
Thanks, Dru Ann, for giving Ally the chance to speak. And thank you all for your interest in Ruin Falls…
Thanks Jenny. This was a great read.
Can’t wait to read Jenny Milchman’s new book. I know it will be a great read!
Cover of Snow was so suspenseful I read it in almost one reading. This sounds just the same, can’t wait to read it.
Whoa! super creep!
Good to hear Ally’s side of this not-vacation!. She did a good job keeping her cool in the story. I’d like to stop by her real house & drop off a box of tissues. Loved the book; will read it again, soon.
What a fun idea!! Loved Ally’s comments. Where are your short stories available?
This sounds quite scary, perfect for a summer night. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
You have me…now I really want to read this story.
I’m not impressed by the cover but I love the author’s writing 🙂
Sounds like a very interesting book with quite a bit of suspense which is a good thing once in awhile for us who read mostly cozies. The interview was great; I love to learn something about the authors and always do in your blog posts, Dru Ann. Thank you.
Cynthia
This introduction by Ally has drawn me in to her story. So many questions. Thank you for the introduction.
Thank you Dru & Aly for the low down on this book. Like Cynthia, I, too am a cozy mystery fan…BUT…I’ve read almost everything Mary Higgins Clark has written and enjoyed it. Jenny’s style sounds similar. I’ll put it on my TBR list.
sxygrndma48(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds intriguing. Bobbipad at gmail dot com
Again, my thanks to Dru for having Ally to her blog, and to all of you for being here! Cover of Snow readers–thank you! I am always amazed that people have discovered my work. I hope Ruin Falls grabs you if you read it, and always love hearing from you or meeting you out on the road!
PS: I am fascinated by the cozy/suspense distinction. One day, if we all get to meet, we will have to discuss!
This book grabs you at the start.
I like the fact the little girl speaks..and we see thru her eyes and mind…makes it more real to the reader..but lays a well laid plot, nicely, and easily, to follow…..
This sounds very enticing to read. Thanks for the chance to win and the great post.
It sounds like a great read. I love that the story is told from a child’s point of view. Thanks for the chance to win this great book.
contest is closed.