Spirit

ISBN: 1468152491

Author: LaPalm, Jodi

Condition: New

Review "I won this book thru a Goodreads contest and couldn't put it down for anything. I fell in love with Ellie and Reese in their own relationship and only wanted the best for them as much as they wanted it. [...] This was just a fantastic read for me. Thank you so much for allowing me to read your book. It was well worth it." -Goodreads Reviewer Product Description "I won this book thru a Goodreads contest and couldnt put it down for anything." [Amazon Reviewer]In SPIRIT, a woman seeks freedom from the boundaries of her small town and overbearing mother. Yet, as the prospect of independence looms near, she discovers leaving the only life she has known may not prove easy, particularly when love is one of the ties to be severed. At sixteen, Ellie saw things other people could not. By eighteen, she saw things as they really were. And yet, it would take years before Ellie could see that a Spirit, if willing, could never truly be broken. With senior year in high school underway, all Ellie Duncan can think of is the day she will finally break free from the confines of her small Colorado town and overbearing mother. When she meets a mysterious new boy and uncovers secrets of a local Indian legend, however, Ellie soon realizes her life and the people around her are not as they appear and events of the past may push her toward a future she never wanted.[If you enjoyed this book, read its follow-up ~ REVELATIONS: a continuation of Spirit!] From the Author From SPIRIT:   He led her through a wall of pines and onto a path. Though overgrown and worn, it was obviously used by someone and possibly something non-human, such as deer and other creatures. Crafted of stamped dirt like the running trail behind her home, it also had small, yet sturdy tree branches buried within. And as they headed up a slight hill, Ellie soon realized they were stair-like, purposeful in their ability to provide a strong foothold and maintain balance against the sloping landscape.   Minutes later, they happened upon a large, flat rock. Reese went to it and set his backpack down. Opening the bag, he removed a woven rug and draped it over the solid stone like a tablecloth. Upon closer inspection and approval, he then withdrew a plastic container.   Ellie watched Reese set down two gourmet cupcakes from the local bakery. "I was worried they might be ruined, but it looks like I packed them right."   "But when did you..."   "I drove over there during last period," he explained. "I have Coach Wiley for hall, and he sometimes lets me leave. As long as I'm back for practice, he doesn't mind. Have a seat."   Ellie settled on one side of the makeshift table while Reese sat down on the other. He looked for her in the waning autumn light. "Happy Birthday, Ellie. I hope you like it."   "Like it? I love Compton's buttercream frosting." She cradled the cupcake, swiped a finger through one side and licked the sugary icing with her lips. "Thank you, Reese. I seem to be saying those words a lot lately."   "Wegme'h."   "What?"   "Wegme'h. It's another way to say thank you. Only this time in Ronahanee."   "Oh. Well then...wegme'h, Reese. Very much," she added shyly.   "You said that pretty good for a white girl."   She laughed. "Teach me another word."   "Tell you what. I'll teach you a new word every time we get to spend time alone." Her lips, stained pink from frosting, formed a small pout and his heart began to race. "Okay, how about I tell you my Ronahanee name as a consolation."   Her face brightened, and the pounding within his chest sped so rapidly and so fierce, Reese suddenly became lightheaded.   "Wahkneh."   "What does it mean?"   "Sacred."   Ellie repeated his other name, stumbling over it until it felt right on her tongue. He waited until she finished, catching her eyes with his in the dusk. "I have another name, too."   "Why?"   "The tribe provides one name when you are born. To carry you into the Earthly world. Mine is Wahkneh. Then they giv