THE SECRET SAND CIRCLE

The Secret Sand Circle blends psychological suspense with heartfelt compassion in this novel of trauma, secrets, and buried truths—and the quietly haunting ways they connect an unconventional psychologist with her patients. Their shared stories unfold across twenty-seven chapters, revealed in intertwined timelines of “Now” and “Then.”

Now: Each chapter opens in the present, marked by an advancing timestamp that moves the story through a single twenty-four-hour period. Readers meet successful psychologist Jo Harkins, sequestered at a retreat center as she works on a book about the patients who have shaped her career. Yet overshadowing Jo’s writing focus is a gnawing sense that something more is unfolding—both around her and within her self.

Then: These chapters reveal the first decade of Jo’s psychology career, bearing witness to the success of her unconventional counseling settings and cutting-edge therapies—including her signature secret sand circle—and the unrealized costs of her achievements.

Through the interwoven “Now” and “Then” storylines, five patients emerge in individual accounts of memory, abuse, and trauma—along with the profound ways they have shaped Jo’s practice and her sense of her self.

The book’s chapters unfold in seven sections, divided by six haunting vignettes: Silence, Skeletons, Scabs, Scars, Shame, and Secrets. Together, they form a mystery of memory, buried trauma, and deeply held secrets that ultimately can be revealed in only one place: the secret sand circle.

For every copy of The Secret Sand Circle sold in Buffalo/Western New York (WNY), $1 will be donated to The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Buffalo/WNY to help support peer-to-peer counseling for mental health clinicians, caseworkers and first responders who care for our community in times of disasters, crime and trauma.

For copies of The Secret Sand Circle sold outside of Buffalo/WNY, $1 per book will be donated to The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) in the area where the book(s) is/are sold, and $1 will be donated to NAMI Buffalo/Western New York, all to support peer-to-peer counseling programs for mental health clinicians, caseworkers and first responders who care for their communities in times of disasters, crime and trauma.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the book order form to purchase a signed Copy of The Secret Sand Circle, OR ANY OF CHRISTNA’S BOOKS.

In ordering, NOTE THE TITLE YOU WANT TO PURCHASE and include your address and the inscription you would like. $20 includes shipping/tax and a bookmark.

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The Secret Sand Circle Chapter one

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THE SECRET SAND CIRCLE PRESENTATION

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.

Why Invite Christina to Speak at Your Next Event?

“Christina spoke twice at the 2019 South Dakota Book Festival and was such a hit that we had to keep adding seats to her presentations!  She also led a discussion on her book, Beauty & Grace for the South Datoka Women’s Prison Book Club. The women loved reading the book and the whole evening with Christina.” --- Vonnie Shields, Former Chair South Dakota Humanities Council, Founder South Dakota Women’s Prison Book Club.

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