Kansas City-based author to release third novel

Set on a fictional island in North Carolina, “Whisper Island” tells the story of spunky 12-year-old Primmy Hopkins, who dreams of joining the U.S. Life-Saving Service when she grows up. She wants to rescue shipwreck victims from the treacherous Atlantic waters, just like Pa and her brother. As friends and family remind her, there’s one problem: in 1913, no females are allowed into the Service.

Her mother, who left Whisper Island when Primmy was three, unexpectedly asks to meet Primmy.  The visit is a disappointment from start to finish and Primmy leaves feeling that her mother disapproves of everything about her, especially her dream of being a Life-Saver.

Back on Whisper Island, Primmy’s more determined than ever to do something important and courageous. A treacherous storm offers her the opportunity to do just that. 

“The first time I visited the Outer Banks, I learned about the work of the U. S. Life-Savers and was impressed with their bravery,” said Pickett. “When I learned that women were not allowed to serve as Life-Savers, I knew I had a problem for a spunky girl to overcome. I named her Primrose Estella and gave her a personality completely unlike her fancy name. She’s just plain Primmy and she’s determined to do something important and courageous.”

Kansas City author Anola Pickett will release her next novel, “Whisper Island,” on July 9, 2013. The book is currently available for preorder on BooksAndThings.com, Amazon, and BarnesAndNoble.com.

About the Author:

Anola Pickett comes from a family of storytellers. Even her name has a story: it’s a combination of her two grandmothers’ names—Ann and Ola. In third grade Anola discovered that writing down stories was fun too. In college she combined her love of reading and writing and earned a degree in English and creative writing from Webster University. After spending several years as an elementary and middle school teacher, Anola worked as a school librarian. She is also the author of 2011’s “Wasatch Summer” from Bonneville Books, an imprint of Cedar Fort Publishing & Media.

Now she writes full-time at her home in Kansas City. She fills her spare time with friends, gardening, swimming, needlecrafts, and reading. She and her husband enjoy traveling, especially to Hong Kong, where their son Gerry Doyle is a journalist.