THE DIGITAL DIVA SERIES
(formerly known as The Samantha Granger Experiment)
"A 2010 Golden Duck Award Nominee for excellence in children's literature!"
(Paranormal/Sci-fi Teen Adventure Series)
Book 1: Talk to the Hand
Book 2: Rise of the Phenoteens
Kindle Nook
Book 3: Let Freedom Ring
Kindle Nook
*See below for reviews and an excerpt of book 1*
Coming soon in print!
After Sam is fused with her cell phone, she's ready to conquer the world! Or at least the 8th grade...
Talk to the Hand
When Samantha Granger touches a meteor while talking on her cell phone, her life is changed forever: her body now has all the capabilities of her phone (GPS, phone, text, camera). She secretly calls herself a "Digital Diva" as she rushes to answer emergency calls. But will her identity be discovered when sparks fly (literally!) between her and Trevor, her dreamy crush? Samantha has to get a handle on her abilities and quick, because when Sam gets kidnapped and the entrie town is in danger, she is the only one who can save them.
"Eight grader Samantha has all the latest technological gadgets, thanks to her parents' jobs at an electronics company. When a chance encounter with an eerie crystal in the woods mysteriously merges Sam with her innovative new cell phone, it leads to newfound abilities. Sam discovers she can access all of her phone's technology literally with a blink of an eye. Suddenly, Sam has phone service via her palm, photographic and video capabilities through her eyes, and more. However, when she reluctantly starts intercepting 911 calls, Sam garners unwanted attention from some menacing strangers. Townsend creates a believable character caught in extraordinary circumstances: Sam's practicality and typical teen behavior--all she really wants is to have a date with her crush, Trevor--ground this fantastical tale... Readers are bound to be intrigued by this new action heroine."--Kirkus
"Sam meets challenges with creativity and panache. The novel has plenty of complications and plot twists. They may not always be believable, but they keep things moving. The wacky humor is equally appealing. This is definitely a book targeted at girls. Many will identify with Sam's interests and fears, as she narrates her life in the first-person. Boys might enjoy the action and science fiction aspects... It's a fun and timely concept...as the first in a series, so girls who like action and humor may have found a new superhero to follow."--The New York Journal of Books
"A fun read that I think middle grade or tween girls would really enjoy. As a first in a series it definitely peaked my interest and I'm curious as to where Sam's special abilities will take her."--Red House Books
"There is a refreshing new voice for Y.A. fans and it belongs to author Kari Lee Townsend. Hip, smart and funny, 'The Samantha Granger Experiment: Fused!' engages readers from start to finish. Townsend gives 'teen angst' a whole new meaning, 'fusing' her story with charm and delight. Samantha Granger is here, and she's a winner!"--Hollywood Director Doug McKeon
"I loved getting to know Samantha, a girl superhero complete with techie powers and a cast of sidekicks. Read FUSED and enjoy the adventure!"--Award-winning author of The Light of the Oracle, Victoria Hanley
"Samantha Granger gives new meaning to girl power. A fun, feisty and gadget-crazed superhero is born!"--Author of Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President, Taylor Morris
"What a great idea--the ultimate sci-fi adventure for the gadget generation!"--Author of The Declaration, Gemma Malley
Excerpt
I hurried my steps until I stood on the edge of the hole and then blinked rapidly. What the heck was it? The rock inside the hole was huge and sort of looked like a crystal, but it glowed so brightly that it hurt my eyes. It smelled like the time my mom forgot she had eggs boiling.
I was no science dork, but it didn't take a genius to figure out this thing wasn't "of this world." A need to know what it felt like settled over me. The crystal looked sort of watery, yet solid. Just one little touch. What could it hurt? I touched the tip of my finger to the freaky, glowing crystal-type thingy.
Not a good idea.
A force more powerful than anything I'd ever experienced ripped through my body, making me feel like I was having surgery with no anesthesia. The glowing blue-green light illuminated my insides until I screamed in agony, the smell of burning flesh turning my stomach seconds before the force threw me twenty feet bakwards.
I landed hard, the breath whooshing out of my lungs and my eyes rolling back. I was knocked out cold like I'd gone a round with Oscar De La Hoya. Moments later, I opened my eyes, pain free and smelling like me again: cucumber-melon body splash and mint double-stuffed Oreo cookies.
I fixed my standard ponytail and examined my body, but I couldn't find a single burn mark, cut, bump, or bruise. I felt strong and energized. All I found were a tiny chocolate stain on my new jacket from eating cookies at Melody's house and a ton of dirt and grass stains on my new jeans.
"What the heck happened?" I said out loud to hear my voice and make sure I wasn't dead. I couldn't wait to tell Melody. I had to send her a picture. I glanced around.
My elation over having survived my "close encounter" evaporated as fear filled my every pore. The kind of fear only royally ticked-off parents can instill. Scrambling to my feet, I searched the ground for a good ten minutes. I looked everywhere: under rocks, trees, leaves, you name it. I even retraced my steps but found nothing. Forget the stains on my new clothes; I couldn't find my Electro Wave anywhere. I might not be dead now, but I would be when I got home.
My mother was going to kill me!