It's nearly publication day for Crossing the Lines! The physical proofs are about to go out, and I've already had some lovely reviews from readers who've read the e-book proof.
This novella is a little darker than some of my other fiction, a little grittier, so I was wary of how it would be received by readers who've enjoyed my other work. But luckily they seem to really like it – sigh of relief!
THE BOOK
When Sherman Rook walks into the Jupiter diner, Mollie’s mama is instantly smitten. Despite her daughter’s reluctance, they leave the New Jersey shore behind and move to his isolated farmstead over a thousand miles west.
Fifteen-year-old Mollie distracts herself from Rook’s cruelty by befriending a stray dog she names Hal, but when Rook crosses a final line Mollie realises that sometimes we must leave behind those we love in order to save ourselves.
With only $20 to her name, she sets out from Oakridge Farm, relying on luck and the kindness of strangers as she makes her way back home across five state lines.
You can pre-order here
THE REVIEWS
'This is a beautifully written novella, where layers of the narrative build to offer insight into two communities and many relationships. Mollie, the young protagonist, travels treacherous landscapes and grows wiser for the journey. Crossing The Lines shows it’s possible to break intergenerational cycles of behaviour . . . or not. Amanda Huggins uses skilful, sensory prose to offer a wonderful reading experience. What a joy!' Gail Aldwin - author of This Much Huxley Knows
'An atmospheric and haunting coming-of-age story of a young girl escaping her fate and returning to her roots. With compelling characters and evocative prose, this is a journey of self discovery that will stay with you long after you read the last line.' Sarah Linley, author of The Trip
'A road trip across America, the mistakes and lessons that pass across generations – Crossing the Lines by Amanda Huggins follows the journey of mother and daughter Ella and Mollie as they head west with the dubious Sherman Rook. First loves, lost loves, an unsettling and lingering threat of violence, Huggins creates a dusty, middle American landscape that acts as a backdrop for Mollie’s incident filled trek home to the East Coast. This is a beautifully written, tightly constructed novella, almost poetic in its descriptions. Huggins has a masterful grasp of language and within a few pen strokes creates characters that are wholly believable. The narrative arc works well within such a few pages and Huggins controls the pace and direction of the story with great skill.' Mike Lewis, author of If God Will Spare My Life
'Another beautiful novella from Amanda Huggins. I read in one sitting. It feels darker and edgier than some of her other stories and is drawn with an expert hand. As always, her writing style gives the reader enough but never too much; profound and unpretentious. Narrated in the third person, the novella shows a variety of characters’ perspectives, switching in each chapter. It felt unobtrusive, almost seamless. That is quite a feat. Though Mollie is the protagonist, I found myself sympathising with most of the characters, even the unpleasant ones, because they are well-rounded and believable with fleshed-out backstories. Amanda draws you in and before you know it you’ve reached the end. It is satisfying but makes you curious to know what happens next. It would have been easy for her to tie up the loose ends, but she chooses a subtler, more nuanced ‘open conclusion’. I love this realistic depiction of life, in all its messy complexity! Through her empathetic depictions, we experience the intricacies of the human experience, their vulnerabilities, and their desire to be saved. Some of the characters end up in a good place; perhaps the other characters can overcome their inner demons and choose a better path too. Who knows? Well…I sensed that there was hope.' Hannah Ruth Retallick
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