Ashlynn's Dreams

Before she was kidnapped, Jillian Marie Antel Blairington was just an average bright, brave, headstrong child. She was excited for life in a new house with her Momma and new Daddy. Afterward, she's all that ... and so much more.

Held in a scientific facility, Jillian discovers her past-a family she never knew and a power she doesn't understand. With her ability now activated, she can enter and even shape a person's dreams. Jillian's been kidnapped, and her Gift has been triggered, so she can locate and save Benjamin Connelly, a brother she never even knew she had. She'd better master this strange ability quickly, though, because her life isn't the only one at stake. Her babysitter, Danielle Matheson, is being held as a hostage to ensure Jillian's full cooperation. Slowly, Jillian begins to learn more about her captor and the other genetically altered children held at the facility.

Join Jillian as she tries to survive the training being forced upon her, find her unknown brother, escape with Danielle, and work her way back to a normal life once more.
Interview with the Author:
Q: What makes the Devya’s Children series special?
A: At the heart, this series is about family and friendship as well as the ethical questions surrounding genetic engineering. It’s been likened to the Orphan Black TV show. I like to think of it as a more family-friendly take on those themes. The premise is that a brilliant scientist and his team created several genetically altered children who have special Gifts, such as telepathy, healing, and dream shaping.

The journal/letters style is not unique to this series, but I believe ultimately it suits my need to get in these people’s heads. I’ve worked very hard to fill the books with relatable characters. Some of them happen to have superpowers, but as Jillian points out, everybody has gifts, if not Gifts. It’s just a matter of finding out what those gifts are and how they can be applied for the good of the world.

Q: What order should I read them in?
A: I suggest the traditional order of:
- Ashlynn’s Dreams
- Nadia’s Tears
- Malia’s Miracles
- Varick’s Quest
… before jumping into the prequel—The Dark Side of Science—or the Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts.

The prequel and the short stories can certainly be read as standalones, but they may be more enjoyable once the reader’s already familiar with some of the characters.

Q: Where does this book fit in the series? What theme(s) make it special?
A: Ashlynn’s Dreams is where it all started. This is definitely the place where you want to jump in and get connected. If I had to pick a few central themes, I’d say kidnapping, family, and genetic engineering.

Why kidnapping? Well, it’s awful and scary and just plain wrong, but in this case, there’s a specific reason the scientists do it.

How does family fit in? What makes a family? The truth is that family’s a complicated thing. For example, here, Jillian has a mother, a father, a step-father, and much more. It’s been fun to explore those connections.

Science fiction’s all about the what-ifs. We’re actually just getting into the advancements in real world genetics where some of these things could be in the near future. That’s going to open a whole can of ethical worms. Fiction’s a wonderful playground for delving into scientific ethics.

Q: Why should readers check out this series?
A: Because Devya’s Children will introduce you to a charming cast of characters dealing with some big issues. Right or wrong, the children exist, so now what? If you have the power to change the world, should you? What are the personal cost and consequences of shaping the world? These are all questions explored by the series.

Q: Can the reader get the whole series at once?
A: Readers can grab books 1-3 in a combination. I’ve not bundled in Book 4 yet, but hop on over to my amazon author page or website to get plugged in and keep up with the current promos.