Kathy Otten has done an amazing job with this short story. It takes place during the civil war. It is a story about love, forgiveness, and finding your way home. I would love to read a whole book on this story. Steve Wojtas narrates this story and really brings it to life.

Wesley and Abby were in love before the war and to be married. Wesley was unable to save Abby's brother during a battle and blamed himself, On a chance meeting with Abby right before a battle, he learns that she does not blame him, that she still loves him and that they have a son together. While trying to save them he is shot. He is saved and Abby is there when he awakes. Wesley now just needs to forgive himself.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I loved the style of this story. It's very artificially told as a campfire tale, by an omnipotent narrator who keeps weaving all over the place. It's going for charming, and it hits it right now the nose. I think my favourite part was how little the narrator cared about a sense of place (people take long mule trips, then end up being late and hop on a bus), it's in no time and no country in the way a fairytale is, but more so because it's clearly told by a modern person, while at the same time it's clearly not about a real place, while at the same time, the sense of culture and place is incredibly strong. That was a lot of balls to have in the air on a first novel, and Lord caught them all, easily.

The story, without spoilers, is about god-like spirits quarrelling and involving humans as proxies, to some extent. It's more about the powerful manifestations of human qualities like opportunity and forbearance, in a somewhat metaphorical, and somewhat whimsical plea for both balance and compassion (I've been reading a lot of Le Guin, and this reminded me of the Taoism she employs). It's all very whimsical, and often surprisingly moving.

All that said, one of the sort of clown characters is someone with an eating disorder, and though the book noted that it was a mental health issue, it did so after it made him the butt of a lot of jokes for the first four or five chapters. It was... not my favourite part of the book.

I have enjoyed this series and looked forward to this book. I was not disappointed. Helen and Clary are lovable characters that we met in earlier stories. It takes place a few years after the last one. Helen learns about the unfairness in her world and wants to make a difference. Together with Clary, they help orphans as their love grows. Clary's secret past is an obstacle for him, and then all the danger around makes them choose what is most important to them. I highly recommend this story and the series.

I received a copy of this through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

═══════>>NEW THRILLER RELEASE<<═══════
ON Fire (An Ozzie Novak Thriller, Book 5) (Redemption Thriller Series 17) by John W. Mefford | Author
Rainmakers rule – but nothing influences another man more than two bullets in the back of the head. 

"Talk about a book that will set your nerves ON Fire! John W. Mefford has Ozzie wrapped up in so many layers that I'm not sure he'll come out the same as each layer is ripped off. I literally jumped up from my chair twice while reading." - Lynchburg Mama by Shelly Maynard

"Mefford really sucked me in with this story throwing in a few curve balls, explosions and gun fights to throw me off, and as we ride along with Ozzie piecing everything together we learn there is something far bigger going on." - reviews E Book Addicts

"Mefford does an amazing job keeping you involved and on the edge of your seat trying to figure out the mystery with him. Almost makes me want to do private investigating – just minus all the danger and pain Ozzie goes through!" - reviews Life as Leels

Get ON Fire now!
Kindle - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07847BLYM
Paperback - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943774331

Rainmakers rule – but nothing influences another man more than two bullets in the back of the head. 

A beautiful, ambitious woman is murdered. No one would have noticed if the person charged was anyone other than a lobbyist — one of the most powerful deal-makers in the world.

Ozzie is pulled into to help prove the egomaniac’s innocence. Early on, the evidence seems irrefutable…until it isn’t. Could who this man knows determine who lives and who dies?

Ozzie uncovers damaging information. His immediate reaction? Rage. The lobbyist had played a key role in helping destroy Ozzie’s old life. So how can Ozzie now help the man avoid a murder charge?

Forced to make a deal with the devil, Ozzie must determine how to out think the king of rainmakers. And that’s when Ozzie realizes this isn’t just a one-lane game. 

Ozzie flexes his own power of persuasion to fight through the haze of threats and outright danger. With everything on line, Ozzie’s instincts take him to the brink of death.

In the end, innocent people will die. Can Ozzie save his family from something he can’t see?

Read more on the #book, series and author here...
https://beckvalleybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/on-fire-ozzie-novak-thriller-book-5.html