Dreams and Echoes

By Patti Larsen

This prequel novella to Family Magic explores Syd's first job--while she struggles to save a ghost.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patti Larsen
• Release date: May 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781927464465

Patti Larsen

I'm a USA Today bestselling, international award-winning author of so many titles I'm losing track (220+) and no end in sight! I live in beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada, home of Anne of Green Gables and some of the most amazing beaches in the world. I currently reside with my plethora of pets and the voices in my head.

Book preview

Dreams and Echoes

Novella Prequel to the Hayle Coven Novels

Patti Larsen

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 by Patti Larsen

Find out more about Patti Larsen at

http://www.pattilarsen.com/

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover art (copyright) by Valerie Bellamy. All rights reserved.

http://www.dog-earbookdesign.com

Edited by Annetta Ribken, freelance Goddess.

You can find her at http://www.wordwebbing.com/

Copy edits and proofing by Jennifer Wingard.

Find her at www.theindependentpen.com

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Chapter One

I loved the smell of the ocean, the crashing sound of the waves as they hit the pier with frothing, white enthusiasm. It had been years since we'd moved to a town with water for a back yard, so when Mom told me we'd be staying a while in Sable, New Jersey, I crossed my fingers, toes and every other body part, begging the elements to just make it so.

Our last town hadn't been anything to write about in my diary, mostly dull, quiet and all kinds of hum blah drum. That was, until a long-forgotten artifact came to life and tried to kill my little sister.

Mom was a bit temperamental when it came to Meira. Especially when the eight-year-old half-demon girl's life was in danger. Come to think of it, I felt the same way. The fact it had been my fault the little box I'd bought at the neighbor's yard sale turned out to be possessed by the spirit of a dark witch really didn't help matters.

The resulting brouhaha left our house in shambles, the neighborhood on high alert and our coven running for the hills in the middle of the night.

Again.

I winced as I leaned over the wooden rail and looked down at the white-capped water. Mom did her best to put out the fires that cropped up from the battle, but the local fire department had been busy.

What was it about our family we couldn't just be freaking normal already? My stomach crawled with tension, ruining my happy seaside moment. My sneakers thudded hollowly on the boards, finally turning to the crunch of gravel as I crossed onto the asphalt path at landfall. Everything always had to be such a drama-soaked collapse into complete disaster.

According to the sullen whispers of the rest of the family, life hadn't always been like this. In fact, from what I could find out, it seemed we'd managed, at one point, to stay put for decades at a time all hunky dory, nothing to see here, life was a rainbow of light and pure happiness.

Until I came along.

I knew they blamed me for every move. My toe impacted a chunk of loose pavement and sent it scurrying as my mood dropped into familiar darkness. No matter what the cause, our moves always seemed to come back to me somehow.

And, to be honest, though I felt like their accusations were unfair, I also had a horrible feeling they were right. That I was some kind of trouble magnet.

Me, who only ever wanted to be ordinary in a family of insanity and magic.

Bummed out by my train of thought, no longer enraptured by the scent of salt, the warmth of the early summer sun on the Jersey shoreline, or the sight of the quaint little ocean town, I just wanted to go home and curl up under the covers. Forget everything and hide so the family could stay put a while.

The image of me, old and gray, living in the basement, smelling of mold and withered from neglect made me shudder. Maybe the coven would prefer such a scenario, but I couldn't change who I was.

Or pretend I was someone else.

Sydlynn. Mom's mental voice touched my mind along with the soft caress of her power, the family's magic whispering happily to me.

My stomach churned. Yeah? I hated using my power, even if it was only to talk to her in my head. I'd tried to convince Mom to use a cell phone, but she was as hopelessly inept with technology as I was with magic.

Dinner will be ready soon, she sent with a hint of irritation at my pert reply.

Yeah. Really, Syd? You had to prod her when she was already pissed, didn't you?

Idiot.

Now, Syd. Mom's magic cut off abruptly, leaving me with goosebumps and a queasy stomach. I didn't know why, but any use of power made me feel physically sick. Naturally, Mom and the others thought

Reviews for Dreams and Echoes

[laurasreading · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Even if you have not yet been introduced to the Hayle coven family, you will appreciate this quick read.I did read Family Magic, the first book, before this, so I had a good idea of the family dynamics, but if you've ever ben or known a teenaged girl, you are good to go.The Coven tried to mind their own business and live harmoniously with all other life forms.Still, things happen and more often than desired they need to uproot and find new places to live.Sydlynn happens to be the only 16 year old girl in the coven, so has no true best friend other than her cat, Sassafras. Sass happens not to really be a cat, but you will read about that.Other than having the gifts of several kinds of magic, Syd and her family have fairly normal dynamics. A Grandmother whose thinking is not as clear as in her younger days, a father who can't be around as much as they wish, a younger sister Syd loves but who is not a substitute for friends her own age. Then there is Syd's mother, who happens to be the coven leader. This focuses all eyes on their family and everything they do.All Syd wants to do is make friends and live a normal life. She is not interested in magic, but being part of her natural makeup, her wishes are not making an impact on that.They move to a new town and Syd decides that she is old enough to take on a summer job.As fate would have it, she is rejected from many before she finds an opportunity.Oh - and there is a connection between the house she lives in and the person who offers her a job.This was a fun read for magic lovers of all ages.I recommend it to cozy fans, friendly witchraft and paranormal fans, those who enjoy quirky characters from small towns and coming of age stories.This novella is a perfect vacation read and a wonderful introduction to a series I know you will want to read from the very beginning.

[Jamie Heatly · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

haven't read this book as of yet! but I have read family magic. book 1 of the hayle coven series, on a different book app. I really enjoyed the book. but the only problem is I can't find the Books for the hayle coven series on here at all but this book and other ones. plz let me know when the hayle coven series books will be on Scribd PLZ???

[tfs93 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is my first read by Ms. Larsen. I liked it very much. I am reading Family Magic now. This story has it all magic, witchcraft, comedy. The characters are easy to like and interesting. There is even a talking demon cat. A different take on the witch genre.