THE SECRET SAND CIRCLE
CHRISTINA’S LATEST BOOK TO PUBLISH OCTOBER 2025
The Secret Sand Circle is the intriguing story of Juliet Olivia “Jo” Harkins, a psychologist who specializes in the treatment of survivors ravaged by abuse and trauma. In each chapter, Jo’s layers are revealed in separate timeline sections of “Now” and “Then.”
Now: In this twenty-four-hour timeline of chapters, you are enfolded into Jo’s personal narrative as she is on hiatus from her practice. She has taken up residence in a retreat center to begin authoring a book about five patients she has counseled. She believes telling their stories will help others who have endured similar abuses and debilitating aftereffects.
Then: In this review of Jo’s life and her profession, you witness her evolution as she becomes a preeminent psychologist. You follow her as she meets and begins counseling five patients, who eventually become the subjects of a book she is writing. She learns of their abusive experiences and guides them through effective treatments, including one of her own creation---The Secret Sand Circle.
Jo’s Now and Then Storylines unravel into a devastating jumble of suppressed memories and buried emotions, all of which culminate in two final Now chapters ¾ where she searches for help in the one place she believes she will be safe….
The Secret Sand Circle
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THE SECRET SAND CIRCLE
The Secret Sand Circle is a haunting and evocative journey into the mind of Dr. “Jo” Harkins, a renowned psychologist devoted to guiding survivors of abuse and trauma.
Through two interwoven timelines of Now and Then, Jo’s patients emerge chapter by chapter, their stories forming a haunting mosaic of cruelty, hidden truths, fragile memories, and the deep human need to heal.
Lyrical and disquieting, The Secret Sand Circle is a story of memory, erasure, and of the cost of bearing witness to another person’s pain¾ told from a space that is safe enough to hold it all…THE SECRET SAND CIRCLE
In this presentation Christina discusses her inspiration for this book, the creative process in writing it and her experience with readers since publishing. She finishes by reading an excerpt from the book.
Christina is available for author presentations on any of her books. If you would like Christina to speak to your business, organization, community group, book club or neighborhood gathering, CONTACT HER HERE.
WRITING Workshop Presentation
FINDING YOURSELF IN THE STORY
The Power of Therapeutic Writing and Personal Narrative
Finding Yourself in the Story is a writing workshop designed for those who want to explore their personal stories in a thoughtful and creative way. The workshop is presented by Awarded Author, Christina M. Abt and Family Systems Therapist, Kathleen Calabrese, PhS, BCN, LMFT, with a two-fold purpose:
I) To guide participants through writing exercises, which include a folder of prompts to help them recall and uncover the stories that have shaped their lives.
2) To discuss and understand the emotional layers that often emerge during such a writing process, how to navigate them with care and allow the experience to serve as a powerful tool for personal growth.
The Finding Yourself Workshop offers a quiet, supportive space for writing, tools to help you recall and structure personal stories, time for reflection, discussion, and connection with others. It can be a one-day or multi-day experience with meals, lodging, and activities that support relaxation and creativity.
Whether you’ve been writing for years or are just beginning, the Finding Yourself in the Story experience welcomes all levels.
For more information about Finding Yourself in the Story or to arrange a workshop CONTACT CHRISTINA
Knowing yourself begins with knowing your story.
Artificial Imagination
The Intersection of AI and Book Illustrating
In this presentation, Christina shares her journey
illustrating the children's book, Just As Good!, (published July 2025) using digital tools powered
by artificial intelligence.
Christina takes the audience behind the scenes of the creative process, from concept to final artwork, highlighting the learning curve, personal challenges, and unexpected discoveries along the way.
This presentation explores not only the technical aspects of working with AI in illustration, but also Christina’s emotional and artistic questions, reflections on what she has learned, how her perspective has evolved, and what her experience suggests about the future of art, authorship, and storytelling in an AI-assisted world.
Just As Good! is based on the life of a woman from Styrkersville, NY. It was written by her husband with Christina editing the copy and creating the digital illustrations.
Proceeds from all sales of Just As Good! benefit Make-A-Wish Ohio, KY, and IN
To purchase a copy of Just As Good! or arrange a date for Christina’s Artificial Imagination Presentation
CONTACT CHRISTINA
CLICK THIS LINK
TO PURCHASE SIGNED COPIES
OF JUST AS GOOD!
USING VENMO/PAYPAL/CHECK
Just as Good!
NEW CHILDEN’S BOOK TELLS INSPIRING STORY
OF TRAILBLAZING WOMAN TRACTOR-PULL CHAMPION
Just As Good! with digital illustrations by Christina M. Abt
Written by Mary’s husband, Mike, the story recounts Mary’s youthful desire to drive her father’s big red farm tractor but always being passed over in favor of her brothers. Undaunted, she continually insists that she can drive the tractor “just as good” as any of her siblings.
Then comes the day when Mary’s father finally gives her a chance to prove her tractor-driving ability claim. Exactly as she predicted, the determined young girl proves she is Just As Good! Mary then goes on to attend her first tractor pull competition and decides she wants to test her driving skills as a puller.
From her very first competition Mary is hooked and grows up to earn her place as one of a select number of women tractor pullers in the United States—-becoming a National Champion and an 2024 invited competitor at Mades Power Weekend, the largest, Ultimate Tractor Pull in all of Europe.
Just As Good! is the first children’s book to be published about the competitive world of Pulling Motorsports. With its uplifting storyline and engaging artwork, it the perfect gift for booklovers of all ages!.
The price to purchase is $15, which includes tax and shipping. All proceeds from sales will benefit Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana, a favored charity of the Bowling Green, Ohio National Tractor Pulling Championships.
CLICK THIS LINK To order your personalized copy of Just As Good!—-signed by both Mike and Mary and the digital illustrator Christina M. Abt, using Venmo, PayPal or check.
Why Invite Christina to Speak at Your Next Event?
“On the night of her reading at The Cell Theater, Christina shared the first chapter of her book, Beauty & Grace. Her delivery was engaging and at the end the audience showed their appreciation with a standing ovation. If you are searching for a speaker for your event, I would recommend Christina as an engaging presenter, an entertaining author, and a charming storyteller.”--- Charles R. Hale, founder Charles Hale Productions, Co-founder Artist Without Walls
Charles R. Hale
