A Note on the Writing of this novel
Lights & Sirens is a work of fiction. None of the places, characters, or situations are based on real encounters. However, the volunteer EMTs, who served on the Florham Park, NJ, First Aid Squad in the 1980s, were the inspiration for this novel. These volunteer first responders modeled what it means to provide essential medical services for their communities. They exemplified medical expertise, patience, and kindness. Volunteers continue to do amazing EMS work, both in New Jersey and throughout the nation.
Lights & Sirens went through nearly 200 revisions. I’ve been working on it for several years. Some changes were small—a word or a brief paragraph—others were more extensive. First readers and critiques groups helped refine the novel, as did my editors at Elk Lake.
Does the novel present a realistic picture of ambulance work? Yes, in part, but it also contains literary elements that you might not expect. I hope you will find it entertaining. Comments? Don’t hesitate to contact me.
NOTE: If you would like to order multiple copies of this books, please contact me directly.
Reader Reviews
Lights and Sirens hit all the notes with just the right amount of tension, realism, intrigue, humor, and surprise. I connected with the characters quickly and thought of them long after I completed reading this novel. Lights and Sirens is wonderful escape reading with only one problem, you’ll not want to put this one down.
Elizabeth Raum has written a poignant tale about authentic friendship in the midst of grief and doubt, bravery in the midst of crisis, and blossoming love. Set amidst the physical and emotional demands of ambulance work, the story is chock-full of characters you’d love to share a slice of pizza with, and who will keep you company long after you’ve turned the last page. And you’ll welcome the company! The story will keep you reading, the gorgeous poetry will let you linger, the ambulance scenes will keep you riveted, and the friendship and blossoming love between Annika and Jesse will keep your heart right where it should be. Written with compassion and grit, Lights and Sirens is ultimately a love story, filled with tenderness and hope and the sweet promise of new beginnings.
Lights and Sirens was very in touch with the not so pretty reality of a first responder—balancing a picture of “normal” life and the abnormal experiences of someone serving their community. The author gave a well encapsulated picture of the importance in relying on your team, reaching out for help when needed, and the power of prayer. If I had children, I would encourage this as reading content.
Lights and Sirens by Eliabeth Raum is not about a teen learning the ropes of being an EMT in an ambulance. It’s realizing that being surrounded by a sorrowful past, and seeing the face of pain and death as a part of the job, doesn’t mean life is unfair. There is beauty too—in unexpected friendships, poetry you never knew existed, and more importantly, faith-filled hope in God’s goodness. Chock full of characters you root for from page one, this book is much more than a ride in an emergency vehicle.
Lights and Sirens is a riveting story brimming with instantly loveable characters, complicated relationships, tender love, tragic loss, ultimate triumph, faith— and poetry! This is a captivating story from beginning to end, and I highly recommend it to teens and older readers.
The soul-searching strokes of Raum’s pen keenly explore how to make a difference in the world even when your own heart feels crumbled. I recommend this story for YA readers who enjoy a clean and earnest romance.
This storyteller offers teens an easy to read, but thought-provoking, book about BIG topics—life after death, faith, friendship, guilt, jealousy, and the power of love. We find out that poetry and laughter are some of the best first aid remedies we mortals can offer, and EMT workers are truly guardian angels.
Teen Readers Say
“I extremely enjoyed reading Lights and Sirens. I read the entire 266-page book in one afternoon! I could not put it down, even when I knew I had final exams to study for. I plan to pursue EMT-B certification in the next few years. This book fueled the fire! If I was not so busy finishing high school and entering college, I would definitely volunteer with my local first responders. Lights and Sirens is a truly inspiring read. Readers can tell the author has done her research with this book. I also appreciate her discretion when writing about wacky calls; I don’t have to worry if my nine-year-old sister picks this novel up. Ms. Raum writes with appropriate language for all ages.”
– Ella Adams
★★★★★
“Can you find redemption through saving others? This is one of the many important questions raised in Elizabeth Raum’s newest work, Lights & Sirens. The story follows sixteen-year-old Annika Sawyer, who joins the Twin Valley Rescue Squad trying to find meaning by saving others. However, the work is hard, much harder than Anni had anticipated. This fast paced novel pulls you in from the very first page. It explores love, faith, friendship, and how trauma can affect them all. The author’s writing style is immersive and smooth, pulling you in from the very beginning and grounding you in each scene with descriptive details from the ivy on a patients’ walls to the flashing lights of the ambulance. Lights & Sirens carefully and skillfully explores connection and the weight carried by the characters in meaningful, authentic, and relatable ways for the readers. Under the tension and action, there’s a lot of heart in this story, and I found myself thinking about it long after I had shut the cover on the final page. Overall, I found Lights & Sirens an engaging, memorable read. So if you love emotional, action packed and character driven stories, then this book is for you!”
– Ember Reid
★★★★★
