The Language of Souls (10 page)

Lena Goldfinch lives in a scenic small town in Massachuset
ts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. She’s been a past finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests, and has been published in short fiction. In her not-so-murky past, she’s worked as a software engineer and a web designer, and now loves writing fiction. A member of RWA and SCBWI, she’s also a blog admin for The Enchanted Inkpot, a community of writers and readers of middle grade and young adult fantasy.

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To my mom, Elizabeth Goldfinch, for promoting my lifelong love of reading. To my father, Albert Goldfinch, Sr., for instilling the values of hard work and being a good student. I’m still striving to be better, Mom and Dad! To my sister, Nancy, and my brother, Al, for sharing in my life. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement. I love you very much!

To Thyra Root for your excellent editing skills. To Jennifer Cervantes and Erin Cashman for your reviews of this work and for so many encouraging words. To Lisa Amowitz for your patient mentoring in graphic design. (Thank you, Sensei Lisa!)

To Jessica Andersen and Marley Gibson for years of encouragement and support. To Nina Borromeo for your support, encouraging words, and promotional skills. To the writing organizations that sustain me in so many ways emotionally and professionally: the New England Chapters of RWA and SCBWI, the gang from the Whispering Pines Writer’s Retreat, and the Enchanted Inkpot blog.

To the girls of Farewell Farm, Nashoba Valley Tech, Wakefield High School, and Littleton Library for your cover votes.

To my beta readers, Becca Hoff and Amy Troutt, for your valuable feedback on the first edition. And to Allison and Rebekah for your most helpful (and sometimes humorous!) input on the second edition.

To my friends who have encouraged me in my writing, especially KimAnn Thomas, Jen Radl, Linda Sproul, Kathy Monsen, Jen Kett, Anne Riemer, and Kim Hoff.

To my kids, Eliza and Evan, for your patience with my writing habit, for all your encouragement, and your help with all the details that keep us moving forward in life: from loading the dishwasher, to putting away the dishes, and most especially for all your words of encouragement. Much love!

And last, but far from least, to my husband, Paul. You have always been there for me, supporting my dreams and seemingly endless efforts, and I will never forget it. I love you!

“A thoughtful artistically woven tale that delves into the complexities of the human heart. Goldfinch understands the frailties of the soul and draws readers in with her subtle romantic touch. Readers will be enchanted and wanting more!”

—Jennifer Cervantes, award-winning young adult author of
Tortilla Sun

“The Language of Souls is a wonderful romance/fantasy novella, which is both sweet and sensual at the same time. The lush and wondrous setting springs to life off the pages. I loved Solena. She is smart and spunky, but it is her kindness and empathy that make her such a wonderful character.”

—Erin Cashman, author of young adult supernatural fantasy,
The Exceptionals

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Five

Also by Le
na Goldfinch

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Kindle Edition | COPYRIGHT © 2010, 2012 by Charlene Goldfinch Glatkowski

All
rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For more information contact:
[email protected]
.

Cover images: Dazzle, AnaRasha, o---girlinred---o at deviantArt

First published by The Wild Rose Press, October 2010

An
INDIGO ROAD
book

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