Now available: The Vessel
Scientists attempt to save humanity by implanting all the world’s evil into one human vessel. Will it work?
The Vessel is the heart-pounding second book in The Devil Particle dystopian YA series. If you like flawed characters and world-shattering stakes, then you’ll love Kristin A. Oakley’s gripping tale.
Book One: The Devil Particle
A skyscraper filled with deception. A troubled teen seeking redemption. Will his race to the top become a fatal dilemma?
Paul Salvage longs to prove himself. So the loyal seventeen-year-old is thrilled when he’s selected to compete in the trials to determine who is worthy enough to save society by accepting all of humanity’s evil. But when his brother is murdered, the gallant young man gives up his dream to comfort his grieving father.
Persuaded not to drop out by a powerful family friend, Paul sets aside his own feelings and joins the group of fifty teens chosen to battle to the top of a tower filled with tests and traps. But as he grapples with one horrible choice after another, the haunted young man fears he isn’t noble enough to be the hero who will rescue everyone on Earth.
Can Paul escape the endless doubts and dangers to climb his way to victory?
The Devil Particle is the explosive first book in the Devil Particle dystopian YA series. If you like flawed characters, deadly competitions, and world-shattering stakes, then you’ll love Kristin A. Oakley’s dark tension.
Award-winning Carpe Diem, Illinois is the first book in the Leo Townsend Series
For decades, the small town of Carpe Diem, Illinois has quietly unschooled its children, eschewing tests and classrooms for real-life experiences. Now, long-smoldering political feuds and deep personal secrets threaten to explode. More
The second book in the Leo Townsend Series
Chicago Examiner reporter Leo Townsend has landed the interview of a lifetime with openly gay, front-running US presidential candidate Griffin Carlisle. But when Leo is forced to abandon the interview to rush to the side of his estranged father, Leo’s personal and professional worlds collide.. More
Latest Newsletters and Posts
The Gift of Time Part 2
For Christmas, I’d ask each of my family members to give me the gift of time and they came through! They loved the idea of spending a day with me doing something we both enjoy and gave me coupons for these adventures. After the holidays, I contacted each of them to schedule our events. Here’s how 2022 is looking for me:
The Gift of Time
After sixty years on this planet, I have all the material things I need. And those things seem to reproduce. Honestly, I’ve donated three carloads of stuff to St. Vincent’s in just the last two weeks and I’ve barely scratched the surface. So, while a new sweater, a bottle of perfume, or an Apple watch are wonderful gifts, they’re not what I want this Christmas. I want the gift of time.
Christmas Book and Game Flood of 2021
It’s time again to start planning for Jólabókaflóð (Yule Book Flood). What is a Yule Book Flood? It’s a wonderful Icelandic Christmas tradition. On Christmas Eve, Icelanders give each other books and then spend the night reading while eating chocolate or drinking hot cocoa. What could be better?
So, for the fourth year in a row, I’m passing along my recommendations for your own Yule Book Flood. These are books I read (or re-read) this year. I’m including some favorite board games for more family fun.