It was not always like this

In 1916, Emma O'Neill is frozen in time. After sampling an experimental polio vaccine brewed on a remote island off St. Augustine, Florida, she and her family stop aging--as do the Ryans, her family's business partners. In a way, this suits Emma fine because she's in love with Charlie Ryan. Being seventeen forever with him is a dream. But soon a group of religious fanatics, the Church of Light, takes note. Drinking the elixir has made the O'Neills and Ryans impervious to aging, but not to murder. When their families are massacred, Emma and Charlie are the only ones who escape with their lives. On the run, Emma is tragically separated from Charlie. For the next hundred years, she plays a cat-and-mouse game with the Church of Light and their descendants. She becomes a private investigator when a series of murders--whose victims all bear more than a passing resemblance to her--indicate that her enemies are closing in. Yet as the danger grows, so does Emma's hope for finding... Mystery / Young Adult In 1916, Emma O’Neill is frozen in time. After sampling an experimental polio vaccine brewed on a remote island off St. Augustine, Florida, she and her family stop aging—as do the Ryans, her family’s business partners. In a way, this suits Emma fine because she’s in love with Charlie Ryan. Being seventeen forever with him is a dream. But soon a group of religious fanatics, the Church of Light, takes note. Drinking the elixir has made the O’Neills and Ryans impervious to aging, but not to murder—Emma and Charlie are the only ones who escape with their lives. On the run, Emma is tragically separated from Charlie. For the next hundred years, she plays a cat-and-mouse game with the founding members of the Church of Light and their descendants. Over the years, a series of murders—whose victims all bear more than a passing resemblance to her—indicate that her enemies are closing in. Yet as the danger grows, so does Emma’s hope for finding the boy she’s certain is still out there . . . In The 1913 Florida Everglades, Seventeen-year-emma O'neill Samples An Elixir From The Fountain Of Youth With Charlie Ryan, Her First Love. For The Next Three Years, The Two And Their Families Live In Isolated Bliss . . . Until The Wrong People Catch Wind Of Their Discovery. The Magical Waters Have Made Them Impervious To Aging, But Not To Murder. In The Ensuing Bloodbath That Takes Their Families, Emma And Charlie Are Separated. For The Next 100 Years, Emma Wanders The World, Evading The Murderers And Their Descendents--and Searching For The Perpetually Seventeen-year-old Boy She's Certain Is Still Out There. In love and possessing eternal youth, after sampling an experimental polio vaccine in 1916, seventeen-year-olds Emma and Charlie have the perfect life until Charlie disappears and Emma is hunted through the years by the Church of Light, a group of religious fanatics.