Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Sammy and The San Juan Express: Seals The Deal

Rate this book
Think Katniss (Hunger Games) meets Nancy Drew (Girl Detective)— Now, meet Sammy — Only a week after their mother died, fourteen year old Samantha Carlisle and her younger brother, Loren, are shipped off to live with their Uncle, a float plane pilot in the San Juan Islands. Sammy’s hidden powers emerge when she senses danger and harm being done to seals and sea lions. Her effort to protect them triggers a chain of events that lead to kidnapping and attempted murder. Only her strength, courage, and new found friends, above and below the water’s surface, will determine if she lives or dies. “You are special,” her mother told her. Now she finds out why. Overview Samantha Carlisle’s world is turned upside down with the death of her mother. Her father, a gulf war veteran, is lost in anger and alcoholism. At fourteen Sammy is alone, frightened and abandoned. In her most desperate moment, she and her seven year old brother are sent to live with their Uncle Teddy, a float plane pilot, in the San Juan Islands. The adventure begins. Just two weeks in the Islands and Sammy’s world transforms from absolute grief to an awakening that leads to a fight for survival and if she succeeds, saving her new found friends, and finding herself. Along the way she meets a federal agent who in her words, “looks like a female Indiana Jones,” she meets a pathologist from the National Animal Crime Scene Investigation unit, meets a woman who, through experiencing a similar loss, becomes her emotional sister, and encounters a marine biologist whose southern drawl carries Sammy to the realization that she can do anything. Most importantly, Sammy discovers a special sensitivity to animals that opens doors to a new world. “You’re special,” her mother told her, and she now learns just how special she is. Sammy also finds plenty of trouble along the way. “There are pirates in these waters,” Uncle Teddy told her, and she soon learns how dangerous modern day pirates can be. Thugs and killers might be a better description. Whether she lives or dies depends on her wits and courage, and on the new family, above and below the water’s surface, she has gathered around her. Seals The Deal is fast moving adventure on the high-seas of the San Juan Islands. A must read for ten to fifteen year olds, and young hearted adults of all ages.

300 pages, Paperback

Published November 6, 2015

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Nickolai Vasilieff

7 books3 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
5 (71%)
4 stars
1 (14%)
3 stars
1 (14%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 30, 2021
I totally enjoyed reading this book!

I highly recommend this book. It is compelling and keeps you coming back for more.....the author weaves a great story, hooking you in to the main character early on. Sammy has many experiences where she struggles to overcome her fears and realizes she can trust herself and that will help her through many challenging times. Her amazing sensitivity to animals is another important theme in the book and shows her depth and caring for animals and nature. The author's skill in creating dialogue, reveals Sammy's transformation, her self discovery. Sammy's story has much to offer all ages of readers. It has a wide range of appeal. Looking forward to the next book by this author!
Profile Image for Katy Daily.
139 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2016
Full disclosure - Nick is a friend of mine and he asked our bookclub to offer feedback - which I will do privately. There is a lot about this book that I thoroughly enjoyed - I found myself looking forward to getting a chance to pick it up each evening. I think this would be an excellent book for young adults and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

I do think accurately capturing teenage girls' voices can be difficult and there were times I don't think Nick got it quite right - especially the way Sammy dealt with the grief of her mother's death - but I'm sure this will develop and will be refined as he writes more.

Nice job Nick!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.