Dawn Reno Langley

This was an interesting, multi-faceted tale, with boundaries tested and crossed, and major upheavals in the lives of all the characters. I thought Dawn did a great job with the descriptions, but at times it felt kind of like an info dump when many of the characters were described almost at once. The story itself is compelling, very much driven by the characters. Cotton is an interesting character, and crosses the boundaries that are meant to exist between therapist and client with a kind of desperation, that speaks to her own trauma regarding the loss of a previous client. Her need to save the Prescotts is what really drew me in, and made me want to see not only how far she would go, but if she would succeed. I appreciate how different each member of the Prescott family is, they're not cookie cutter by any means. If you enjoy psychological fiction crossed with literary fiction, then you should absolutely grab this!… (más)

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Spoiler alert, sort of. Also the book has heavy references to suicide. Light references to neglect and violence.

Analyzing the Prescotts is an interesting novel. I think my review will be split between the author and the novel. The author is clearly talented. I enjoyed the writing style, word usage, and overall book structure. Following the characters was easy due to the fixed viewpoint narrative and the character development. I enjoyed the premise of the novel: how might it look to have a family altered by a transitioning family member? The family is complex, as many are, and their stories are interesting. The story does decently with providing multiple viewpoints in the topic.

As for the novel. I'll start from the end and work my way backwards. The ending to this novel was a bit didactic. It was preachy, simple, and felt like it should be summarized in a tweet than squeezed into the end of this novel.

The main character, Dr. Barnes, is a walking red flag of dangerous therapy. The book, in a way, glorifies her absolutely inappropriate behavior with the ending because she did the thing she promised she would do. Save them. I know this part is going to fit well into "sometimes what society thinks is acceptable or not acceptable isn't reality and we should define acceptable ourselves" but we all know this is not acceptable behavior.

The transgender topic of the novel. I'll be honest that I think Hailey was not held accountable to the same standard as the other characters. She was not scrutinized as much for how her decisions impacted the family. How she did neglect her family for a few months. Shirked the responsibility of that life even if briefly. I appreciate the novel trying to give a voice to those in similar situations but it felt like the book revolved around "you must accept your dad is a woman". I know I'm simplifying a little but the mother was hyper analyzed for her depression (and resulting neglect) and Hailey got to leave her kids to find herself for a few months.

I think my final piece on the novel is about Dr. Barnes. Her back story did add context but her marriage felt irrelevant. My interpretation is we could not have context without the life because they intermingle. And humans are complicated and even the "best of us struggle". But the focus felt more on the sex than necessarily the meat and potatoes of what's really happening. There was an attempt at depth that fell just shy. And I honestly could never get over her unprofessional behavior. Kudos to the author for writing the character so well to make me feel that way. But the ending cemented my initial feelings that the main character is not recovered enough to see patients.

So I'm conflicted. After the first few chapters I did get into the novel. I enjoyed the story of the Prescotts even with my above gripes. I appreciate the author's intention. And I enjoyed the writing style. This results in 3 stars. I will be looking out for their other novels to give them a try.… (más)

WOW! Dawn Reno Langley , Author of “The Mourning Parade” has written a captivating, intriguing, emotional and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this story are Fiction, with a trace of Historical Fiction. At times this novel reads as something one would see in a National Geographic Magazine, or program. The author used amazing detailed and vivid descriptions. The timeline of the story is mostly in the present and goes to the past only when it pertains to the characters or events. The story takes place mostly an elephant sanctuary in Thailand.

The authors describe her characters as complex and complicated. Veterinarian Natalie DeAngela is tormented after her two sons are killed in a school shooting, Natalie heads to Thailand to volunteer with abused and sick elephants in a special sanctuary. Natalie wants to escape from her tormented dreams. Little does she realize how difficult this job will be for her. One of the senior Veterinarians dislikes Natalie, The customs and weather in this country are difficult to handle.

One of the elephants, Sophie has been severly abused and has a severe infection in her leg. Sophie does not trust anyone, especially men, and can be dangerous. Natalie somehow makes it her mission to save Sophie. Natalie wants to win the elephants trust, and spends nights sleeping near her, and singing to her. She is almost like an elephant-whisperer. The other Veterinarian wants to put Sophie down because she can be unpredicatable and dangerous to people and the other elephants. How can Natalie work miracles?

There is poaching nearby and political unrest, and it is extremely dangerous. There are twist and turns.

I appreciated the symbolism of broken people and abused animals, and the traumas they have endured. The author discusses the importance of self worth and finding oneself, and kindness.

I would recommend this novel to those readers, who enjoy a serious and riveting read.… (más)

I was lucky enough to win a copy if this heartbreaking and hopeful novel in a contest from Amberjack Publishing. I entered based on its title and cover art without knowing what it was really about.

Set in contemporary time, Natalie has thriving veterinarian clinic in North Carolina, specializing in horses. Life’s been rough. Real rough. Although it’s not a major plot point, it’s important that the reader know that her husband, Parker, walked out on her and their two sons. No more contact; only silence.

Then the crushing blow hits. Both, yes both, of Natalie’s sons are killed in a school shooting. Hats off to author Langely for not going into gory details about the event. Natalie can’t eat, can’t sleep, can barely function. Parker didn’t even bother to come to his sons’ funeral. The first-year anniversary is swiftly approaching. Natalie isn’t sure that she can handle it.

At a veterinarian conference, Natalie hears Andrew Graham talk about his work at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Against her parents’ advice, Natalie volunteers to spend a year at the sanctuary.

Trouble begins almost the moment she arrives. The head vet, Dr. Peter Hatcher, hates her the moment he lays eyes on her. Although she suffers from PTSD, Natalie stays strong and pushes forward. As she is learning her way around she is drawn to a large female, Sophie.

Sophie also suffers from PTSD and has a nasty, nasty leg wound that won’t seem to heal. When Sophie injures one of the compounds many dogs, Hatcher wants to put her down. But Natalie interferes, talking with Andrew about some rehab methods she has used back in the States.

Hatcher tries to sabotage her efforts, but Natalie refuses to buckle under. Instead the Natalie and Sophie become BFFs. But grab a hankie, if the ending wasn’t so hopeful, it would be too hard.

I learned a lot about elephants: their spines aren’t designed to carry a lot of weight, their foot pads are super sensitive, and their eating habits. Sophie does love to eat!

I loved The Mourning Parade, and it receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.… (más)