A gripping futuristic thriller, perfect for fans of The Hunger Games.

It's graduation day for sixteen-year-old Malencia Vale, and the entire Five Lakes Colony (the former Great Lakes) is celebrating. All Cia can think about—hope for—is whether she'll be chosen for The Testing, a United Commonwealth program that selects the best and brightest new graduates to become possible leaders of the slowly revitalizing post-war civilization. When Cia is chosen, her father finally tells her about his own nightmarish half-memories of The Testing. Armed with his dire warnings ("Cia, trust no one"), she bravely heads off to Tosu City, far away from friends and family, perhaps forever.

Ever since she can remember, Joelle has loved telling stories. As she grew up, she started performing those stories on the stage. After graduating from Millikin University with a bachelor's degree in vocal performance, she continued on to DePaul University for her master's degree in opera performance, and from there went on to perform across the Chicagoland area in a variety of operas and musicals. Joelle still sings professionally, but most of her time is spent with her husband and son while dreaming up new stories.