Tag: 5 star review

Auguste and The Condition by M. L. Sanford

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  

Auguste Kensley and his boyhood friend, Raj barely survives their neighborhood in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  As a fatherless and only child, Auguste and his friend overcome the obstacles that would keep them in their poverty-filled world and dead by the age of 15.   A fortunate meeting with a freelance news writer for tabloids provides an opportunity for Auguste to finally escape and become a man and not a statistic.    Raj too takes on the family business in the U.S. and manages to survive.   After a few years Auguste recognizes that he is in a dead-end job and seeks other opportunities. He selfishly suggests that his friend, Raj go abroad to visit his family while also growing the family business.  Raj agrees but only if Auguste joins him.

Both friends face their own brand of terror.  While Auguste’s is the focus, Raj experiences a terror much closer to home:

“The big deal?  Man, now you don’t understand,” said Raj.  The look of  puzzlement on his face was comical to Auguste, he was so serious when it came to his  problems but for Auguste’s, well, his were just silly.  That was how Auguste felt about it anyway.  “When you go for a visit to India,” he said, “they don’t expect you to stay a week, or even two.  It’s at least a month, even more,” the treble tone in his voice rising as he got more exasperated, it getting shriller the more he talked about it.

Auguste is thrust into a world beyond his realm.  He discovers love, loss, desperation, fear and despair.  Kidnapped by a “crime boss” Auguste finds himself given over to a terrorist group for ransom.  Sequestered into a dark hole, the terrorists break him.  They isolate him for 196 days, keeping him in a constant state of the unknown.  His girlfriend, Jasmine, along with Raj raise the ransom money required to release him.

His release is on one condition … and Auguste is the only one who can know about the condition. His failure to follow-through with it means Jasmine will die.  Faced with yet another ethical dilemma, Auguste must decide alone what to do when that condition arrives.

“Maybe this vacation, this experience of life and death on the other side of the world, actually worked, giving me a new purpose.”

Definitely an action-packed story with a well-developed plot and characters; it demonstrates the psychological damage a victim of kidnapping faces.  Furthermore, it outlines what captivity of any kind can do to a person – physically, psychologically and emotionally.  Believable and well-executed.

I enjoyed reading Sanford’s book and hope to read more by him.  He writes well, keeping the reader hooked throughout!

WordsAPlenty highly recommends this book with 5 stars.

To purchase a copy of Auguste and The Condition click here.

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Beyond the Black Door by Rachel Gatti

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

 

Rachel Gatti’s Beyond the Black Door is a delightful tale of Frances Combe, whose life has been somewhat dull and tedious, finds her family moving into Great-Grandfather Henry’s home on Woodhall Road.  Nearly homeless, they were given the family home.

“No Trespassing” sign hung crookedly across the front gate.  Weeds and tall grass covered the yard.  Broken slate tiles from the roof littered the walkway.  A thick wall of ivy consumed more than half o the home’s exterior.”

The mother was not overly thrilled as the house was decrepit and she was more about appearances.  Further she could not stand Frances’ tall tales!  She was less than thrilled to discover there was a black door that could not be opened.  It was this door that Frances used to travel through a portal into Terah.  Frances was the only person who could open the secret door.  A new world filled with creatures that live mainly in fairy tales and horror books.

Frances met Isaiah, a young man with a unique gift and Alistair the missing assistant to Henry.  Together they struggle to prevent the evil from crossing out of Terah and into the portal to Earth.

Defeating the evils will require one thing and one thing only – the power which Frances has in spades!

“Frances you can do great things,” Alistair said. “You have the ultimate power – the power of a pure human heart – the ability to love.  Any man can raise his fist in anger, but to love, even when the entire world opposes you, takes immeasurable strength.”

Support of her new friends and the courage to fight, Frances joins to defeat the evil.  Ahead of her, Frances has decisions to make – does she return home or stay?  Does she have the courage to do what is needed?  Do her parents even notice she’s gone?

Rachel Gatti did an excellent job of writing, explaining things clearly and building tension when appropriate.  While it reminded me of the Witch and the Wardrobe and Alice in Wonderland, I found the characters more comfortable.  Although Frances was faced with a journey and she was full of self-doubt Frances was never annoying about it.   Gatti clearly stayed with the premise of the book; it was always about love, pure of heart and tenderness. There were times she could have given into the gratuitous violence but she never did. Descriptions were vivid; one could see Brewsa clearly as if he were standing in the room with you.

Gatti did nothing that was gratuitous.  It was natural and flowed seamlessly.   An excellent novel for young and old adults!

If you have children or you yourself enjoy adventure and fantasy, this is an excellent choice.   WordsAPlenty gives this B.R.A.G. Medallion honoree a 5 star rating.

To purchase this book on Amazon, click here.

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The Golden Sword – The Camelot Inheritance Book 1 by Rosie Morgan

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

 

The Golden Sword – The Camelot Inheritance Book 1 is an excellent book geared towards children and teens between 10 and 14 years of age.  It is, in fact, a book that most adults will love as well! 

Set in Cornwall, England, three young friends find themselves encountering weird people and incidents that leave them very much aware of danger.  Arthur Penhaligon is an intelligent and courageous young man.  He loves to skateboard and hang out with his friends: Tamar and Nick.  Nick loves to eat and is relaxed, carefree while Tamar is more disciplined and a determined young woman.  Together the three encounter Crow Man and others who are weaving this paranormal like tale of time travelers and watchers. 

Arthur, Tamar and Nick are on a quest to discover who the Crow Man is and what is going on but like for most children, the adults involved are mysterious and purposely vague.  Together they fight the evil minded characters and rescue themselves from danger with a little help from their “odd” friends. 

The following is an excellent example of her word crafting – leaving no doubt what the evil witch’s intent is:

“Understand this Arthur Penhaligon; it is of little use trying to escape. Your destiny is to be with us.  She said this so quietly he was chilled.  Her indifference was far more terrifying than her anger.”

It is clear early on that Arthur is the chosen one and has a very close tie with Camelot and King Arthur.

Morgan is impressive in her ability to tell a story and not only capture the reader’s attention but immerse them in the tale.  The characters are very believable and realistic as is the interaction between all the characters. 

I would not be surprised to see this talented author with her Arthur Penhaligon stories catapult into the literary world surpassing other successful writers such as J. K. Rowley or Rick Riordan. 

 

If you have children or you yourself enjoy adventure and fantasy, this is an excellent choice.   WordsAPlenty gives this B.R.A.G. Medallion honoree a 5 star rating.

To purchase this book on Amazon, click here.

 

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Vain Pursuits (Bunny Elder Adventures Book 2) by J.B. Hawker

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

Vain Pursuits by J. B. Hawker opens with Bunny Elder and her sister, Taffy flying off to Italy.  Anyone who has a sibling will know that one of the two of you can be rather difficult and one of you will bend over backwards to be accommodating. These sisters are no different which is partly why it is a fun relaxing and yet exciting mystery!

Taffy, newly widowed wished to purchase a unique naivety scene to add to her collection.  Bunny went with her as a travel companion.  While on their whirlwind trip, not only does Taffy get her unique naivety scene but a shepherd figurine is thrust upon her by a shop owner.  Thus begins their trip of coincidences, Italian Mobsters, stolen religious icons and an opportunity to explore an old romance with new insights.

Bunny has the patience of a saint … between her sister and her ex-husband, Bunny has a lot on her plate.  Not only does she run afoul of Italian mobsters in a case of mistaken identity but she has the marks of the beating to prove it!

After having survived her previous encounter with a killer, these killers have more plans and the means to carry out their plan.  “She couldn’t imagine what made people want to try to kill her. Bunny had always considered herself to be fairly innocuous and inconspicuous.  She’d even toyed from time to time with the possibility the camouflage of middle-age was rendering her invisible.” 

Grounded in her faith, Bunny must struggle to find balance between her faith and her ex-husband whom she still loves.  Stubborn as she is faithful, Max struggles to draw Bunny to the “dark side.”  Moments of truth are shared but I am left wondering if the truth Max reveals is really the truth or “his” truth so he can sleep at night.

The seriously weakened and dying Anthony, the “Godfather” of the mob, encounters both Taffy and Bunny on the plane from the U.S. to Italy.  When he sees they are the ones who claimed the shepherd, he falls to the ground.  “He looked at Taffy a few moments, smiled and sighed, “Not hell, then.  Praise the good God.”  This revelation of Anthony’s and his death does not prevent Bunny from being tortured for answers she cannot give to the new “Godfather” and his goons.  Kidnapped, beaten and soon facing death – will Bunny, Taffy and Max survive?

The layout of each book is done in a subtle yet inspirational manner – the sharing of biblical verses at the beginning of each chapter that connect with the plot and/or character development is very well done.   Her writing is smooth and logical.  She balances everything perfectly.

Vain Pursuits is an inspirational book, one that is easy to read yet has some difficult truths – women are beaten and murdered, faith is sometimes difficult to hold close to one’s heart and sometimes family and love are painful.

If you enjoy cozy and inspirational mysteries, this is an excellent choice.   WordsAPlenty gives this B.R.A.G. Medallion winner a 5 star rating.

This book may be purchased from Amazon by clicking here.

 

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Sacrifice (Absent Shadows Trilogy, Book 2)

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  NOTE:  This author received a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree for her first book.

A continuation of Sam and Lili’s relationship and their struggle to be together captures the reader’s attention immediately.  The two books flow seamlessly together.  S.M. Spencer executes an excellent description of the pain and struggles of young love separated by miles thus providing a clear and realistic connection between the characters and the reader.   Spencer proves to be insightful into young adult relationships and the struggles they face.

The plot twists are intriguing.  The saddest part of the book was not the lingering ghostly sister of Sam and her doomed existence of waiting for him to cross over potentially forever but rather the ability of Lili to easily step into the role of motherhood and the culture of vampire hunters.   She does redeem herself when her daughter is born but that in itself brings another set of problems.

I was hoping that Lili’s ex would make an appearance in Australia but I suspect that might be later.  We are given a more in depth view of his personality and it is a vile one!   We are given a clearer picture of Lili’s mom and their relationship. Spencer is widening the circle of characters providing a stronger connection to Lili and Sam.

Spencer has proven yet once again her talent at weaving a story and building strong connections drawing the reader deeply into the story.  While it is fast paced, it is not overly so.  As I was reading this I was surprised that I was nearing the end but could not wait to discover what Lili and Sam were going to do and what would happen with Ceylona.  This book is truly about sacrifices – Lili does it throughout the book to protect her husband, her children and her friends.

An excellent continuation of Destiny: Absent Shadows Trilogy. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a great read!

Another 5 star review from WordsAPlenty.  To purchase this book click here.

 

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Hollow (Bunny Elder Adventures Book 1) by JB Hawker

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

 

Minister Eustace Elder didn’t believe in extravagant things like … life insurance.  Bunny Elder finds herself widowed and asked to move out of the rectory to make room for the new minister and his family.  Alone and living on a meager savings, Bunny has to reevaluate her new life.  Her family has other ideas … like dating!

“Don’t tell me you’ve got a hot date for lunch.  Jean, please remember that I am a recent widow.  I know you never liked Eustace, but try to remember that he was my husband.  I’m certainly not dating, so soon.”

Setting forth to find a job, she finds herself as an assistant to a newspaper editor … one that she has a prior history with: “He was incredulous.  He had not spoken with his first love since they had divorced almost thirty years ago.”

If that’s not enough, she finds herself tangling with a deranged killer.  The killer’s calling card – dead bodies littered about and some skillfully hidden in Halloween decorations!

Now the Killer is after Bunny.  “I’m an Avenging Angel … did you know that?”

Will Bunny survive the Avenging Angel?  Will she reunite with her first love?

J.B. Hawker does an excellent job of setting up the story and then following through on the plot in a skillful and entertaining manner.  An adventure and cozy mystery rolled into one.  True to the definition of a cozy mystery, Hawker cleverly reveals the mystery in a humorous fashion and in a small, very socially intimate community with some adventure.

Her writing is concise, rich in description and light reading.  Hawker captures her readers’ attention and holds it from beginning to end.   Her character development is solid and believable.  Her attention to detail is exceptional.  This is a must read if you enjoy cozy mysteries and adventures!

 

WordsAPlenty gives JB Hawker’s Hollow, a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree, five stars.

 

To purchase this book:  http://www.amazon.com/Hollow-Bunny-Elder-Adventures-Book-ebook/dp/B0095K1NWK/

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A Greater World by Clare Flynn

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  2015 B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

 

Elizabeth Morton is a young woman used to living in comfort surrounded by her sister and nieces.  Her father is off in Australia seeking a fortune.  Elizabeth receives word that her father wishes her to move to Australia to marry and leaves the house to her sister’s vile husband.  The vile brother-in-law forces Elizabeth to make the move and leaves her a little something to remind her of him.

“Elizabeth curled her lip. ‘Excited? Excited at being treated like a piece of baggage that can be shipped across the world on a whim and handed over, sight unseen, to an old man who has to be raving bonkers himself to go along with it?’”

Struggling to forget the incident and making plans to refuse to marry whoever her father wants her to marry, she finds herself meeting a young man who is struggling to forget things as well.  Michael is running away too.  He needs to forget his role in his brother’s death and the grieving horror his parents are going through due to that loss.  He opens himself up to Elizabeth briefly.

Once in Australia, the two find themselves struggling through the obstacles that fate continues to throw in their way.  Each one is far worse than the other – both marry but not for love. Elizabeth struggles through loneliness and death, she watches her whole world collapsing around her as she continues to fulfill her promises to a man she had grown fond of but does not truly love.

“Jack Kidd may not be the man you dreamed of, but then the man you dreamed of wouldn’t be that for long either.  At least if you’ve no high expectations, you won’t ever be disappointed.”

As a woman, Elizabeth has few options left to her in a world where men rule.  She perseveres and finds that in the end, fate allows her some happiness.

Clare Flynn clearly communicates that women during the 1920’s were mere chattel in the eyes of men and the law.  Men saw the women of that time as weak and inferior mentally.  Flynn does an excellent job of proving that this is not true.  Elizabeth is a strong character; her morals and ethics are strong as well.  Michael is shown as strong but hurting as well.  He is struggles to overcome the tragedy of his brother’s death, losing Elizabeth, marrying for position. Michael seems to adapt easier to demands in Australia.  Elizabeth is faced with daily challenges that would leave most hiding under the blankets.

Flynn did an excellent job of making this novel a real and authentic story.  The dialect, descriptions, and seamless plot are excellent further identifying this as a book worth reading multiple times.  Her attention to details is thorough.  Characters are so vividly described one can see them.

This is an excellently written book, I enjoyed the characters and her rich vocabulary. Flynn is gifted at making the characters real and vivid.  The connections between reader and characters were true, leaving the reader to grieve, cry, laugh and gasp throughout.

This was one of those books that grab you from beginning to end!

WordsAPlenty gives Clare Flynn’s A Greater World, a 2015 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree, five stars.

To purchase click here:   http://www.amazon.com/Greater-World-Clare-Flynn/dp/1500369306/

 

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Doorway to Deephollow by K.A. Lovold

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  2015 B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

Each day is a struggle for fourteen-year-old Gracie Harrold as she moves through Westside Middle School after her older brother’s sudden disappearance.  Not only does she have to deal with her feelings but those of his friends and teachers that remember him, as well as her parents.

“The reality that Ethan was gone, and her heart ached.  Her life had turned upside down two years ago when Ethan left school and never returned home.”

After a particularly challenging day when Bianca and Zoey were at the height of their bullying Gracie, Gracie opened her locker … again her world turned upside down!  Staring back at her was a young girl with a gaping mouth and wide eyes INSIDE her locker!  Questioning her sanity, Gracie flees.

Another chance encounter in the locker and Anwen of Aldermarsh Pond introduces herself to Gracie and welcomes Gracie into her world. Gracie has found a world that is fun, filled with fairies and huge butterflies and other creatures.  She feels stronger and different.  She no longer has to witness her parents grieving; she is free.

There is a great evil that would destroy both worlds given an opportunity or worse yet – Gracie and her friends.  “Not all of who know the ancient secrets will welcome this outsider to Aldermarsh Pond.  There is even one who wanders in and out …”

Gracie must make a decision – discover the truth or live in fear jeopardizing her family and friends.

K.A. Lovold does an excellent job of bringing two worlds together making them realistic and connected. Her vivid descriptions bring the creatures and characters to life. She is masterful at pulling the heartstrings and making the reader feel the sense of loss and joy that Gracie experiences.  One can almost see the look on Gracie’s face when she speaks of her parent’s overprotectiveness.

Lovold is skillful in building the plot making the existence of the two worlds seem natural and real.  As a reader, I was worried that I would not be able to connect to the characters or plot given my age.  Lovold is a crafter of words and stories – any and all ages will enjoy this book.  A delightful book for the young and young at heart.  It is a must read!

As a 2015 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree, WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star rating and looks forward to the next installment.

Purchase this book at http://www.amazon.com/Doorway-Deephollow-K-Lovold-ebook/dp/B00NQIVIVS/

 

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A Chasing After The Wind by Jim Carson

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

“You are my sunshine . . . my only sunshine . . . you make me hap-py . . . when skies are
gray . . .” Rose kissed Mack on the head and continued singing.”

Thus begins a very powerful novel by Jim Carson, A Chasing After The Wind.  I don’t enjoy crying or feeling too sad so for me, the first fifteen pages were the hardest to get through because my heart strings were being pulled – you could almost anticipate what was going to happen, you would cringe just knowing what the finals words of the prologue were going to be.   This is how powerful Carson sets the stage for Mack and his life.

Mack finds many ways to make life work for him.  He has help from Buck, Irish and Father O’Brien building him a strong support system and ways of encouraging his growth from becoming a “spoiled rotten brat.” Street smart and headed down the path of a life of crime, Mack’s aunt Irish rescues him. Irish begins to build opportunities for Mack to become fearless, rich and a formidable, well respected man.  Irish sets him out on his path to become an elite member of the Black Ops followed by enrolling at Harvard thus cementing his future.  However, Mack deviates from this path and finds himself living simply and happily.

Life is disappointing for Mack as he finds himself nearly destitute and with thousands of dollars of debt hanging over his head and losing his inheritance and home that he had come to love.  This is where the true adventure begins. The training he received as a younger man and his values that were drilled in him, he finds a way to make life grander and take care of his friends.

Carson delivers a powerful adventure that allows one to see the world from a different point of view.  The descriptions were extraordinarily vivid and rich in detail.  The plot line was fully developed.  Carson departs from the stereotypical good guy and shows that even the good guy might be slightly tainted.  Tainted or not, Mack is an underdog who overcomes obstacles and triumphs.  Carson takes what might be an expected path and throws in a few twists and turns, leaving the reader “not seeing the outcome” ahead of time.

Carson builds each character skillfully allowing for connections between the reader and the characters to grow while immersing the reader fully into the novel.

“Mack sat on the side of the bed, staring at the blank wall until he heard the wheelhouse door close. He stood up and looked outside at the darkness. Did I just dodge a bullet or what?”  Mack’s last thoughts demonstrate that his adventure is not over.  He’s been lucky so far, but will his luck hold out with his latest dangerous situation?  Will he once again lose his chance at “happiness?”

I cannot wait to read the next in this trilogy series.  An excellent novel for those who enjoy adventure, coming of age and military reads.  Carson successfully delivers a strong, excellently written novel.  I expect the next to be equally strong.

As a 2015 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree, WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star rating and looks forward to the next installment.

To purchase from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-After-Wind-Jim-Carson-ebook/dp/B00PPPHVY8/

Additional Comments:

I too enjoyed this book and found it excellent. I just wanted to add my comments.  Email by Joye Thetforde

 

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South of The Burnt Rocks West of the Moon by G.J. Berger

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.  A B.R.A.G. MEDALLION HONOREE

South of the Burnt Rocks West of the Moon is a story of historical fiction set during the Roman era in Iberia and vividly portrays the Roman’s vile and hostile methods of conquering and ruling.  While some authors choose to portray the Roman’s in a romantic manner, G.J. Berger does not.

A young and innocent 11 year-old Lavena, daughter of the village leader, witnesses the horrific death of an elderly farmer by the brutal hands of a Roman soldier.  This was just the beginning of Roman brutality in Iberia and for Lavena.

A few years later, the Roman army is seeking out gold, slaves and women for their use and monetary gain destroying and killing.  Forced to flee her home by attacking Romans, Lavena becomes the Iberian-Celtic she-warrior that legends are made. Lavena becomes a one woman army making a stand against the cruel and mighty Romans that killed her family and friends and destroyed her home.

“Gracchus looked at the armed men standing at the tent flap.  They seemed to nod gently.  They too had been spooked by unseen ghosts cutting down soldiers …”

Like locusts, the Roman army is a plague on all villages.  Seeking help, Lavena fines one village that knows of her father.  Hoping to band together, Lavena remains.  During the night the village is attacked by a small contingency of Roman soldiers leaving all village adult males dead and their women vulnerable.  Lavena steps into leadership role easily and becomes the she-warrior that Romans come to fear in the months ahead.

“Never has our land had such a warrior.”

Leading a small army of 5, Lavena begins her crusade of picking the Roman army off – one soldier at a time.  Cunning and wit allows Lavena and her small band of warriors to make the Romans take notice and build a strong ally among the Iberian villages for the final battle.

Berger builds on lust, greed and desires of an empire that is infamous thus creating a strong story line.   Berger has impeccable character development connecting the reader to all characters both main and minor.   I found Lavena to be fascinating and very personable.  Even with Marcus, a roman soldier, I connected to his pain of having his faith and belief ripped away and his need to find something or someone to believe in.

This book will have you looking at women differently, seeing their strength and resiliency.  The writing style is fresh and direct but not overwhelming.   This author and book is a B.R.A.G. Medallion honoree.

WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star review.

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