$50 GC – Loon Cove Summer by Donna Galanti @DonnaGalanti #looncovesummer

Posted on May 8, 2025 by fundinmental

Hi Donna, It is wonderful having you on fundinmental today.

How Real-Life Inspiration Influenced Writing a Book

I never knew my Great Uncle Elmer, but he lived on in stories my mom told me—and the dozen or more large-framed photos he took that I inherited. He was an avid photographer and organic gardener back in the mid-20th century before organic was mainstream. His articles and photos were even in Organic Gardening magazine.

And in 1968 when he was in his 60s, Uncle Elmer solo thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from April to October—hiking 2,200+ miles from Georgia to Maine. He even got invited to visit the White House by President Johnson for his adventures but refused to leave the trail to attend. His wife would drop food packages at designated spots along the way, but he mostly ate seeds and berries.

Uncle Elmer at the start of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, April, 1968

After his 6-month trek in the wild, Uncle Elmer stopped at my parents’ house in New York on his way home and when my mom asked what he wanted to eat he heartily replied, “Fried chicken!” Then he slept on the floor in the guest room as he was so used to sleeping on the ground.

Uncle Elmer alone in the wide-open spaces of New Hampshire

On his thru-hike, an October snowstorm prevented Uncle Elmer from climbing Mount Katahdin in Maine and reaching the end of the trail at this mighty peak. But he returned the next year to Maine and completed the final five miles of the trail up the mountain.

Uncle Elmer carefully crossing a Vermont pond

A hiking lover myself, Uncle Elmer was my inspiration behind featuring adventures on the Appalachian Trail and Mount Katahdin in Loon Cove Summer, my next middle-grade novel being released on May 6th. His real-life scenarios played a role with a death-defying adventure in Loon Cove Summer. I wish I could be brave enough to solo through-hike like him.

Thanks so much for sharing the wonderful guest post, Donna.

Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Donna Galanti is a talented author that can write fabulous stories that appeal to all ages. Her latest, Loon Cove Summer comes out at the perfect time of year. She draws from real life stories and experiences to make Sarah Richardson’s story feel authentic.

Thirteen year old Sarah Richardson has not been on the lake since her mother’s death. She is determined to turn her life around. She will return to the lake and save the loons. She loves volunteering at the wild bird rehabilitation center.

Sarah becomes friends with Theor and his mother, Maggie, when she comes to study the loons. When Maggie becomes too close to Sarah’s father, her emotion run amok. Then, she finds that the campground she has loved may have to be sold.

She wanted her father to be happy, but she felt Maggie was a threat. Would she lose her father to her? Or would her life become fuller with the addition of Maggie in their lives?

As Sarah struggles to face the challenges in front of her, she will be forced to grow and accept the things she cannot control. She will come to terms with her grief.

I like that Sarah uses her mother’s diary for inspiration.

I love stories that weave fact and fiction together as seamlessly as Donna Galanti has and I love how she uses her own love of the environment to supply us with food for thought. Loon Cove Summer is an adventure that had my emotions mixing with Sarah’s as she grows and develops into a fully fleshed out character.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

SYNOPSIS

Thirteen-year-old Sarah Richardson is determined that her life will finally get unstuck this summer. She just knows it. Her to-do list? Brave the lake again. Save the loons. Stop missing Mom. Her one bright spot: volunteering at the local wild bird rehabilitation center. The summer looks even brighter when Sarah meets Theo, the boy staying at her family’s Maine lakeside campground who cares about protecting the loons just like she does. But when Sarah’s family may have to move, she adds a new to-do item: save their home. And when she suspects Dad is dating Theo’s aunt, the naturalist helping research environmental dangers to the loons, Sarah is caught in a new world of grief. With the looming reality of losing her dad, her home, and the loons, Sarah must make a big statement to take control of her life. Capturing inspiration from her late mother’s Appalachian Trail hiking journal, she boldly plans a solo wild adventure. But as her challenges mount, she wonders if her courage will earn her the voice she seeks—or if she’s made a reckless choice that just might claim her life.

You can order Loon Cove Summer here in hardcover, paperback, or eBook from your favorite bookstore: https://www.donnagalanti.com/loon-cove-summer/

Praise for Loon Cove Summer:
“A warm-hearted novel that balances profound loss with humor and hope.”
– Kate Allen, author of The Line Tender

“As sparkling, refreshing, and mysterious as a Maine lake in summertime.”
– Cathy Carr, author of 365 Days to Alaska

“An original and fun read from start to finish … unreservedly recommended.”
– Midwest Book Review

“A page-turning read set in the wilds of Maine.”
– Paul Greci, author of Surviving Bear Island

“The cast of unforgettable characters and tender relationships stays with you.”
– Jessica Rinker, author of The Dare Sisters

LOON COVE SUMMER EXCERPT

Theo slowed the canoe as the sun burned the fog away. We glided into Lambert Cove, a favorite place for kids to hang out. A forgotten dock jutted out around the turn. Some pine trees dotted the island. The old Lambert house stood there, its weathered boards fading more each year. The front shell was all that remained after a fire. I’d reminded Theo of the fire again, but too late now.

We eased the canoe onto the sandy beach. The wind picked up and water lapped up against the canoe. We sat in the warm sun for a long moment.

Theo rubbed his nose. “Wanna talk?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then let’s explore.” He grabbed his bag and stepped out, pulling me with him.

We pulled the canoe up farther onto the sand. Just offshore sat two massive boulder, the Gunks, names for the twin, giant flat-topped rocks that kids spent time together on. Set ten feet or so off the beach in the water, they were each wide enough to hold several people. A cool spot to hang out from spring to fall, with great views of the lake. Remnants of campfires were strewn across the small beach, blackened logs sunk in ash. Theo clicked photo after photo of the Lambert house, taking off through the overgrown trail leading up to it. Charred timbers stood among the trees. They didn’t seem to bother him.

“What is this place?” he said.

“Jeremy Lambert built it for his wife over one hundred years ago.”

His camera clicked faster. Something new to photograph that was disappearing.

“What happened to it?” He stood back for a wider shot.

“I heard they had kids who didn’t like the lake. So, when his wife died, Jeremy left it to nobody.”

Theo lowered his camera. “This Lambert guy didn’t want anyone to have it who didn’t love it like he did.”

“I guess so.”

He ran a hand over the sagging porch railing, peering through the front door, still guarding the blackened remains.

I looked up at the now cloudless blue sky, the sun bright in my eyes. “It burned down one night when a bunch of kids lit a fire in the old fireplace. It went up like a torch, some town people said. You could see it all the way to our beach. It happened before we moved here.” I kicked an old crunched-up beer can. “Can you imagine seeing that?” The moment it came out, I wanted to suck the words back in.

Theo lowered his camera. “I can. Wood burns fast.”

“Sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay.” He slid his camera away and headed back for the tiny beach, setting his bag down and tossing off his shirt in one swift movement. Scars crisscrossed up and down his back, pain and healing painted on him. I stood, clasped in the shadows of an ancient pine, moved by his sharing this and all the words we left unspoken. His loss. Mine.

He strode in, shivering as waves rippling around him. He pushed through the water and hauled himself up on the iron stairs built into the Gunks. Sitting on top, he leaned back on his elbows and peered up at the sun, water drops glimmering along his curls and shoulders.

I inched toward the beach, staying in the shadows as he shimmered on the rock. A sailboat skimmed waves in the far distance. An osprey soared overhead, searching the deep blue for his next meal. Waves rolled into shore from a speedboat that passed a moment ago. I breathed in the fresh scent of Nikuwoss Lake as I’d done a thousand times.

I’d breathed it in with tears flying, overlooking Loon Cove.

I’d breathed it in with six breaths a minute then four then two, then none.

I’d breathed it in with laughter before death came to our house.

“Come on in, Wes,” Theo called, peering over at me.

I went for it and plunged in, fully clothed.

ABOUT DONNA GALANTI

Donna Galanti is the author of two middle-grade book series, Unicorn Island and Joshua and the Lightning Road, and the paranormal suspense Element Trilogy for adults. She has lived in fun locations including England, her family-owned campground in New Hampshire, and in Hawaii where she served as a U.S. Navy photographer. Donna is an avid outdoor adventurer and nature lover. She volunteers for the Old-Growth Forest Network and the National Audubon Society. When Donna’s not wandering the woods seeking magic and wonder, you can usually find her biking or kayaking. For more information on her books, school visits, and events, visit her at: www.donnagalanti.com.

MY DONNA GALANTI REVIEWS

A Human Element
A Hidden Element
Joshua and the Lightning Road
Joshua and the Arrow Realm
Unicorn Island
Unicorn Island (Secret Beneath The Sand)
Unicorn Island (Beyond The Portal)

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Rattleman by George D. Shuman

Posted on February 28, 2013 by fundinmental

I posted this during a tour a while back, but since then, a book trailer has come out. I also, forgot to add it to my reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. So, take a look, check out the book and if you like, pick up a copy for yourself at the end of the post.

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Add to goodreads

.Rattleman

George D Shuman

From George D. Shuman who served twenty years with the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington DC, and whose international bestseller, ’18 Seconds’, is currently in production as a major Hollywood motion picture.

Better still, ‘Rattleman’ is George D. Shuman’s most gripping crime thriller yet.

The Rattleman knows every crevice, every creek, every cave, every ravine, every inch of his remote hunting grounds in the Appalachian Mountains.

He is a determined serial killer, always waiting for his next victim to cross his path.

When Park Ranger Jane Cameron literally stumbles across the remains of two of his victims, she discovers that she too has been caught in his trap.

And when the ‘Rattleman’s prey is at his mercy, she’s dead.

MY REVIEW OF RATTLEMAN BY GEORGE SHUMAN

Kirsten, a state police corporal and senior forensic technician, arrived to examine the woman’s head. It was all that was found on the edge of the icy river. It looked like it had been cut clean, but it could have been the ice that cut it. It was sent off to the lab to find out more.

As Marty sat at the General Store, talking with Hattie, he recalled another woman had disappeared not that far from here. He put in a request for the report. When it arrived, he found, she too, had five ear hole piercings. Were there more similarities?

Jane Cameron knew she wasn’t supposed to go off on her own, but it was too late to seek help and make it back by tonight. The girl was missing and a night could make a difference. What she found in the cave, made her realize she could be next. The next sound she hears tells her it is already too late.

One of their own was down and Marty would stop at nothing to find the killer.

Over a 15 year period, on Blood Mountain and the Appalachian Trail, too many women were coming up missing. It now involved Georgia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. What was happening to them? Was there a serial killer loose? The newspapers thought so and the Atlanta Constitution named him the Mountain State Butcher.

DEA agent Judy Wells had been given her first real case since coming back to work, after loosing her baby to SIDs and her husband walking out on her. She was meeting an informant in the Latora Crime family. It was one of the biggest cases in the city and she was anxious about her part in the investigation.

Judy had come back from a living hell, but was still having trouble. When she failed her qualification at the piston range, she had real cause for worry. The next time she was scheduled to qualify, she pretended to have the flu, but she could only put it off for so long. If she couldn’t shoot, she would lose her job, and her job was all she had left.

Jimmy Latora, Sr had died and his son had taken over, but he had no respect from the ranks. The informant was a Lieutenant in the Latora crime family. Carlisle, Jimmy’s son, had pissed him off, so he turned rat.

When the plane that was carrying the contraband crashed, Judy was sent to check it out.

Would it end up being the best thing that ever happened to her, or would it be her final downfall?

4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

“God thinks I’m a cat. He likes to dangle things in front of me and then snatch them out of my reach.” I just had to put that in my review, because it made me bust out laughing when I read it.

The cover is awesome and creates an aura of mystery. The title, Rattleman, is very appropriate, and you will find out why when you read the book.

I love murder mysteries and find serial killers especially fascinating.

It is suspenseful and very well written, but something kept me from rating it higher. It lacked the WOW factor for me. It could have been longer and developed more of the story, gone deeper into details. I still loved the book and am happy to have it in my Kindle collection.

Marty seemed like a great guy, but living in the sticks is not for everyone. His fiance left him for someone else and moved to the big city. He liked his job and did it well.

Judy Wells was a tragic figure. If something in her life could go wrong, it would. Her husband had left her for someone else, shortly after their baby died from SIDS. She just couldn’t seem to get over it. When it affected her job, it put her life as a police woman in jeopardy. She would lose her job if she couldn’t pass her shooting qualifications.

The Rattleman was a psychotic killer that had no remorse and no intention of stopping. His victims were chosen because of them being in the wrong place, at the wrong time. He could travel freely, because no one missed him when he wasn’t there and he knew the woods like the back of his hand. There was only one way to stop him, and that was by catching or killing him.

I enjoyed the book, and would definitely pick up another one written by George D. Shuman.

I received this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

About George D. Shuman George Shuman is the international bestsellingauthor of the Sherry Moore series about a blind woman who can see 18 seconds from a dead person’s life, using her innate ability to track down their killers.

George’s first four Sherry Moore books are published by Simon & Schuster. ‘!8 Seconds’ is currently in production for a major Hollywood motion picture.

‘Rattleman’ is the first of George’s books to be published by Taylor Street. It too will be a major Hollywood motion picture.

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GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos George D. Shuman is offering for the Giveaway 1 (one) ebook to a lucky commenter. International. Easy entry as always, just leave your email address and answer the question: