Synopsis:
What if you could travel back in time and meet the
person you were in a past life?
What if something went terribly wrong?
In early summer of 1973 a restless young woman, resentful
of her crippled husband and two young children, goes on a
"night with the girls," only to find herself running for her
life...
In the same coastal town not far away, a mentally ill man
tormented by "aliens" takes refuge from a storm in his
cardboard box home...
What could these people possibly have in common?
Enter another young woman living in the distant future --
the year 2202 -- and struggling with a life-crippling phobia,
who makes an extraordinary choice that will soon change
all three of their lives forever..
"If The Starfish People contains a message, it’s this:
Broken people can become whole through love.”
WINNER OF THE SILVER MEDAL IN THE 2008 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER AWARDS (IPPY) GIVEN IN LOS ANGELES |
"Leann Marshall has crafted a fascinating story of life, death, and time travel with her novel, "The
Starfish People." Follow Sera as she travels back in time to find the reason for the horrific dreams
that continually haunt her. Marshall's conversational writing style effortlessly brings her
characters to life, allowing the reader to experience the world - past and future - through the
eyes of these characters. You won't want to put this science fiction thriller down!" --Albert Isaac
Starfish People." Follow Sera as she travels back in time to find the reason for the horrific dreams
that continually haunt her. Marshall's conversational writing style effortlessly brings her
characters to life, allowing the reader to experience the world - past and future - through the
eyes of these characters. You won't want to put this science fiction thriller down!" --Albert Isaac
"I found this time travel fantasy story to be refreshingly creative and an especially engaging read. Set in the
future, the young main character, Sera suffers from constant and horrible nightmares of drowning. Her
therapist tells her that she is reliving a real death experience in a past life. Wanting her to confront this time
and hopefully end the nightmares, the therapist convinces Sera to travel back into time to witness the actual
death of the entity she used to be.
The future as described in the book and the character development are what I found to be most clever and
enthralling. I became engrossed in the characters and their stories as they related to Sera in her time travel -
they seemed so real, as did the whole story! I found that I cared for and had emotions for these characters! I
read the book in one sitting and was captured from the first chapter to the last line. The author, Leann
Marshall, is a master at taking the reader from his/her time and space to hers!" --Katherine Jewell
future, the young main character, Sera suffers from constant and horrible nightmares of drowning. Her
therapist tells her that she is reliving a real death experience in a past life. Wanting her to confront this time
and hopefully end the nightmares, the therapist convinces Sera to travel back into time to witness the actual
death of the entity she used to be.
The future as described in the book and the character development are what I found to be most clever and
enthralling. I became engrossed in the characters and their stories as they related to Sera in her time travel -
they seemed so real, as did the whole story! I found that I cared for and had emotions for these characters! I
read the book in one sitting and was captured from the first chapter to the last line. The author, Leann
Marshall, is a master at taking the reader from his/her time and space to hers!" --Katherine Jewell
"Leann Marshall is an excellent writer, able to blend fantasy and fact into a believable story. I
especially liked her character Willie, and Goblin, his dog. She wrapped up the story well. I
hope she continues to write in this genre. A good story!" --David Raines
especially liked her character Willie, and Goblin, his dog. She wrapped up the story well. I
hope she continues to write in this genre. A good story!" --David Raines
Leann Marshall's “The Starfish People” is such a wonderful writing
(recognized for excellence as the Independent Publisher Books
Awards’ Silver Medal Winner for Science Fiction/Fantasy); one must
ask just what it was that could possibly have won the gold? A truly
compulsive read leaving behind an energy signature all its own!
***** J. M. Humperjohn
(recognized for excellence as the Independent Publisher Books
Awards’ Silver Medal Winner for Science Fiction/Fantasy); one must
ask just what it was that could possibly have won the gold? A truly
compulsive read leaving behind an energy signature all its own!
***** J. M. Humperjohn
When I published my new science fiction/time travel fantasy book, “The Starfish People,” I found I had
control over many aspects of my book, including the cover art, any interior artwork, and the author
photo to be used. I could have easily chosen to have one of the publisher’s artists do this for me. But it
hit me—why not just bring together the creative talents of those around me? It couldn’t hurt to ask…
My nephew, Scott Williams, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Savannah College of Art and
Design. Although he’s done several projects, he had never designed the cover of a book, so I was thrilled
when he happily agreed to take it on. We discussed various options for the cover and he sent me several
idea sketches. When I saw the “wheel within the eye,” I knew the book had its new cover.
Jeni Walden, the daughter of my fiancé, John Walden, graduated from photography school at Randolph
Community College in Asheboro. She was the natural choice for the author photo to go on the back
cover of the book with the bio. She had her work cut out for her, because I usually hate photographs of
me and tend to come off looking very self-conscious. But because she’s family and I feel comfortable
around her anyway, she was able to pull it off with a very excellent picture of me to send to the publisher.
Back when Mindy Barker—my own daughter—was still in school, her notebooks (and to my dismay,
even a few pairs of her blue jeans) were filled with doodles and designs. Even though she’s grown up
and married with a son of her own, she still manages to find time for drawing - rendering beautiful
designs both in body art and in henna. So when I found I wanted a small illustration on the book’s title
page, I asked her if she would come up with something. The result was lovely, and I fell in love with it.
Falling pathetically short in my self-written bio for the back cover (while I thoroughly enjoy writing
about many subjects, it seems I have trouble writing about myself), my niece, Jordan Marshall, came to
the rescue. She is one of those individuals who seem to have an innate knowledge about many things
and I value her opinion. She suggested that while it had to be brief, I needed to make my bio more
dimensional, and wrote an example. Again, since she’s family, she was able to hone in on a few suitable
details that rang true to me, so I used them.
One of the settings in “The Starfish People” is a fictional town that is partially inspired by Southport - a
real-life, charming coastal town here in North Carolina. In particular, I used impressions given me by
my parents, Roy and Jane Marshall of Southport, of the “Blessing of the Fleet,” an annual event every
spring in which the boats are blessed for a safe return as they go out to sea. Their colorful descriptions
of the event and the firing of the cannon were a big help and inspiration.
The result of all this input was awesome—and a one-of-a kind novel that will also be a family legacy
forever. Writing a book was both exciting and challenging, but that was only part of the whole learning
experience for me. The lesson I will carry with me always is this: when faced with any task, or a
challenge of any sort, large or small, you may not have to look any farther than the ones around you to
pool talents, resources, thoughts, and opinions that can help to help guide you along the way. But at
the very least—and most important of all— it helps simply to have the support of family and friends.
And they all know I would do as much for them.
Tapping Into a Creative family...
Reviews of The
Starfish People:
Starfish People:
Author: Leann Marshall Cloth Hardback Trade Paperback 144 pages Availability: In Stock Buy the Book Now: |
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"The Starfish People is an amazing story; it kept me up until late at night. I
couldn't put it down. As a science fiction/fantasy fan, your book ranks as
one of my favorites.
Thank you"--Donelle Knudsen
couldn't put it down. As a science fiction/fantasy fan, your book ranks as
one of my favorites.
Thank you"--Donelle Knudsen
"After years of being haunted by a recurring nightmare where she is drowning, Sera Muir's life is an empty shell. The
nightmare is unrelenting and repeated therapy has proven to be unsuccessful. Sera moves through life without
meaning, unable to hold anything more than a menial job. Her one promising relationship for love and happiness is
doomed due to her water phobia caused by her all consuming dream.
Sera is convinced by Dr. Moore, her therapist, that perhaps her dream is not a dream but rather a memory - a
memory of a drowning in a previous life. In the year 2202, science has advanced such that one has the ability to trace
their life energy signature back in time. Dr. Moore identifies Sera's past life signature in a woman named Melissa
James.
Through research, they discover that Melissa dies in a drowning accident which is the likely cause of Sera's
nightmare. An experimental procedure, Kinetic Regression Travel, may allow Sera to return back in time to witness
what happens to Melissa so that she can finally break free of the hold this nightmare has on her.
However, for her journey to be successful, Sera must be extremely careful to only observe events of the past and not
interfere with them or the result may be catastrophic. Desperate for finding meaning and searching for a way forward,
Sera agrees. Ironically, after traveling back to 1973, for perhaps the first time in her life, Sera is anything but an
observer. In fact, in a period of only a couple of days, Sera connects so deeply with those she meets, she begins to
finally live life. The ultimate choice she makes and its impact transforms herself and those around her.
The Starfish People by Leann Marshall is a beautifully written novel. The characters are marvelously developed and
lovingly conveyed to the reader as if paying tribute to their tragic lives. I was moved by each of them and haunted by
the bittersweet ending. Marshall's insights into the human condition are thoughtfully written. One of my favorite
quotes comes from Willie:
'Maybe you understand why somebody is the way they is, and maybe you don't understand them at all. But folks all
got their own ways about them - good and bad. And that's all there is to it in this life, you know. We all just trying to
find our way.'
It is only through her past, that Sera finds her way.
Not only did I enjoy reading this novel, but I found myself frequently thinking about it's characters, themes, and what
might have been, making it clear to me why this novel was awarded a 2008 IPPY Silver Medal. This is an extremely
good debut novel and Marshall proves she is a very capable author.
I suppose my one complaint would be that I longed for more. The novel is a brief 138 pages and I know that I could
have spent even more time in Marshall's world. If you like novels from Oprah's book club, put this one on your shelf.
You will grow and care about the characters more than those in House of Sand and Fog (Oprah's Book Club)
(Vintage Contemporaries) and the outcome will be more satisfying than Drowning Ruth. I anxiously await the release
of Leann Marshall's next offering."
Todd A Fonseca, author of The Time Cavern
nightmare is unrelenting and repeated therapy has proven to be unsuccessful. Sera moves through life without
meaning, unable to hold anything more than a menial job. Her one promising relationship for love and happiness is
doomed due to her water phobia caused by her all consuming dream.
Sera is convinced by Dr. Moore, her therapist, that perhaps her dream is not a dream but rather a memory - a
memory of a drowning in a previous life. In the year 2202, science has advanced such that one has the ability to trace
their life energy signature back in time. Dr. Moore identifies Sera's past life signature in a woman named Melissa
James.
Through research, they discover that Melissa dies in a drowning accident which is the likely cause of Sera's
nightmare. An experimental procedure, Kinetic Regression Travel, may allow Sera to return back in time to witness
what happens to Melissa so that she can finally break free of the hold this nightmare has on her.
However, for her journey to be successful, Sera must be extremely careful to only observe events of the past and not
interfere with them or the result may be catastrophic. Desperate for finding meaning and searching for a way forward,
Sera agrees. Ironically, after traveling back to 1973, for perhaps the first time in her life, Sera is anything but an
observer. In fact, in a period of only a couple of days, Sera connects so deeply with those she meets, she begins to
finally live life. The ultimate choice she makes and its impact transforms herself and those around her.
The Starfish People by Leann Marshall is a beautifully written novel. The characters are marvelously developed and
lovingly conveyed to the reader as if paying tribute to their tragic lives. I was moved by each of them and haunted by
the bittersweet ending. Marshall's insights into the human condition are thoughtfully written. One of my favorite
quotes comes from Willie:
'Maybe you understand why somebody is the way they is, and maybe you don't understand them at all. But folks all
got their own ways about them - good and bad. And that's all there is to it in this life, you know. We all just trying to
find our way.'
It is only through her past, that Sera finds her way.
Not only did I enjoy reading this novel, but I found myself frequently thinking about it's characters, themes, and what
might have been, making it clear to me why this novel was awarded a 2008 IPPY Silver Medal. This is an extremely
good debut novel and Marshall proves she is a very capable author.
I suppose my one complaint would be that I longed for more. The novel is a brief 138 pages and I know that I could
have spent even more time in Marshall's world. If you like novels from Oprah's book club, put this one on your shelf.
You will grow and care about the characters more than those in House of Sand and Fog (Oprah's Book Club)
(Vintage Contemporaries) and the outcome will be more satisfying than Drowning Ruth. I anxiously await the release
of Leann Marshall's next offering."
Todd A Fonseca, author of The Time Cavern
"Leann, your book has taken me back into time travel of my own! The realism with which you write transcends
fiction/fantasy. I took this journey with Sera, and felt the pain she felt. The writing is magnificent, and it is no
wonder that this novel won the Silver award; however...it is interesting that it surely is a Gold Medal winner in the
reader's eyes...Your characters took on a life of their own, which is a challenge to any writer, yet you mastered it with
ease. I am looking forward to your next writing." Linda Law, author
fiction/fantasy. I took this journey with Sera, and felt the pain she felt. The writing is magnificent, and it is no
wonder that this novel won the Silver award; however...it is interesting that it surely is a Gold Medal winner in the
reader's eyes...Your characters took on a life of their own, which is a challenge to any writer, yet you mastered it with
ease. I am looking forward to your next writing." Linda Law, author
Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com As an eBook Contact Leann Marshall to order a special autographed copy with an award seal on the cover: Leann Marshall |
