Hi, friends! How are ya? Ready for school to start? (ME! ME! I am!) Don't tell my kids I said that.
Really, I'm just looking forward to a little more routine in our lives. Sam will be going into third grade (what???), Grant will be going into first, and Owen and Gwen will go to preschool together. Oh my goodness, what is happening? It's Gwen's first year of preschool and Owen's second. I'm so excited for those little cuties! And looking forward to some time alone without someone yelling in my ear to get them food.
Anyways. Let's talk about Oceans of Sand!
Oceans of Sand
Oceans of Sand is my young adult fantasy novel coming June 2023. I am thrilled that it's going to be published! This is a lifelong dream of mine come true. My publisher is Immortal Works, and they are fantastic, seriously. I am so lucky to be working with them!
So is Oceans of Sand only for young adults?
Heck, no! This is a book that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. I'm reading it aloud to my eight-year-old right now, and even he's interested. Do only teens read Harry Potter? YA books are for everyone!
What is Oceans of Sand about?
Oceans of Sand is about 17-year-old Norah, the only girl in her village without a sand gift, yet it's up to her to save everyone.
Norah has wondered her entire life why she's so different, and all she wants is to be able to protect her family and her best friend (and secret crush), Zadock.
A famine has ravaged the desert nations, and things are getting desperate. The only thing that might save them is a moonstone - an artifact that could bring back the rain. Legend says that the moonstone is located across the ocean of sand, a sea of sand pulled into treacherous waves by the closeness of the moon.
As far as star navigation goes, Norah is the best, and Zadock's sand gift is the strongest the village has seen for generations, so they are chosen for a secret mission to get the moonstone. But when Zadock is captured by the enemy, Norah is on her own. Can a powerless girl find the courage to save her village and her friend?
What can you expect when reading Oceans of Sand?
Oceans of Sand is everything I personally love in a book - it's got a unique setting, fast-paced plot, and a swoony romance sub-plot. Fans of Brandon Sanderson will love Oceans of Sand.
Is Oceans of Sand clean?
Squeaky! You won't find any dirty scenes or any cussing in any of my books, ever. That's something you can count on from me as an author. Feel safe gifting Oceans of Sand to any teenagers (or anyone!) in your life.
Waiting, Waiting... I Hate Waiting
June 2023 (Oceans of Sand's release date!) is still a long ways away, and waiting sucks. But rest assured lots of exciting pre-content is coming - cover reveal, first chapter sneak peaks, eek!
Can You Do Me a Favor?
Do you know someone who loves to read? Point them towards jessicaflory.com and tell them about Oceans of Sand! It would mean the world to me.
I can't wait for you to read this book!!! Don't forget to join my facebook page, follow on Twitter, and hang out on Instagram for all the fun details. Talk to you soon!
Got a question about Oceans of Sand, or the writing/publishing process? Pop it in the comments below!