Jennilee's Light

By: H S Skinner

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

A sweet, precocious child, the death of Jennilee’s mother, Cynthia McRae Lee, changes her life forever. Only four and a half years old when her mother is brutally murdered, Jennilee’s whole world is turned topsy-turvy overnight. No more happy, laughing child. No more inquisitive, talkative youngster. Jennilee becomes silent and withdrawn. Most folks in the small, close-knit town of Chinquapin Ridge blame the changes on the shock of her mother’s death. A few suspect the truth, at least some of it. All their suspicions don’t come close to the horror her life rapidly devolves into. With no will to be found, Jennilee’s childhood becomes a living hell. Her mother’s younger sister, Aunt Celie, gets custody of Jennilee and the family fortune—a fortune that now technically belongs to Jennilee, and one which includes the ancestral home. A huge old place that’s been in the family for generations, The Judge’s house requires a lot of work to keep it spotless. Jennilee knows exactly how much, because she’s the one who keeps it so. Jennilee says nothing about what goes on in The Judge’s house, not a peep to anyone. Celie puts on a good show for the townspeople, all the while making Jennilee look as bad as possible. The only thing that saves Jennilee, keeps her from running screaming into the night, is Charlie. More than just the boy next door, Charlie’s the other half of her heart. Born on the same day, in the same hospital room, Charlie is older by just a few moments. Jennilee and Charlie are connected by more than shared birthdays. Charlie lost his mother, too. A few months before Jennilee’s mother was murdered, Charlie’s mother simply...vanished. Charlie’s father can’t handle his wife’s disappearance, and he drowns his pain in alcohol. As a result, Charlie lives with his grandmother in the house right beside The Judge’s. Charlie is Jennilee’s champion, protecting her as much as possible, doing everything he can to counteract Celie’s evil. He has a better idea of what goes on between Jennilee and her aunt than any of the adults in their lives, but even his worst nightmares don’t come close to the reality. As Celie does her utmost to destroy Jennilee without losing control of the fortune she covets, Jennilee and Charlie become closer and closer. Jennilee puts up with everything her aunt dishes out, fearing any complaints to outsiders will land her in foster care. Jennilee can live with anything, no matter how horrible, but she can’t live without her Charlie. Charlie is determined to save Jennilee, to keep her alive and sane until they’re old enough to implement their plans. Charlie and Jennilee have known they were destined to grow up and marry each other since they were little. Neither can remember a time when they haven’t counted on doing so. They have their life plan mapped out, and it's all about happily ever after. Will the help of friends, including a friendly ghost, be enough? Or will the evil Celie win?

A Little Bit of Everything

Such a good book! A little bit of all the emotions. Mystery and love. Happy and sad. This book has it all!