Port in a Storm

Sinners #8

by Rhys Ford

San Francisco SWAT Lieutenant Connor Morgan and Crossroads Gin drummer Forest Ackerman make an odd couple. Connor, an Irish-born cop from a tight-knit family, never imagined he’d find his happily-ever-after with a raised-on-the-streets musician, but Forest had the gentlest soul he’d ever met. After a long, hard road of heartbreak, murder, and trouble, they fell hard in love and married. Then Fate intervenes and throws their lives into a chaos neither one of them is prepared for. During a brutal SWAT raid, Connor stumbles on Tate, an abused, vulnerable little boy caught in a shoot-out with his father’s drug-running gang. As heavy fire riddles the walls, an injured Connor rescues Tate from the fray… only to be struck numb when a caseworker pries a sobbing Tate from his arms. Scarred from his own childhood experiences, Forest doubts he can be a good enough father, but Connor assures him they can give Tate what he needs and more. Soon they are on an insane ride where trust and affection are hard-earned, especially when coming from a little boy raised in society’s filthiest gutters. Facing down every challenge thrown their way, they battle to give Tate what Connor treasures and Forest never had—a family to call his own.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Family, Musicians, LGBT, Crime

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 23, 2024

About the author

Rhys Ford is an award-winning author with several long-running LGBT+ mystery, thriller, paranormal, and urban fantasy series and is a two-time LAMBDA finalist and a multiple Gold and Silver Medalist by the Florida Authors and Publishers President’s Book Awards. She is published by Dreamspinner Press, DSP Publications and Rogue Firebird Press.

She shares the house with Harley, a gray tuxedo with a flower on her face, Badger, a disgruntled former alley cat, and Gojira, a mercurial Tabico as well as a ginger cairn terrorist named Gus. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird named Tengu and enjoys murdering make-believe people.

Reviews

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Sinners books so I was thrilled to get an early copy of the story at GRL. Sadly, this story was very uneven for me.

There were some wonderful and touching moments with Forrest, Con, and Tate, the boy Con saves and then they foster. Of course, it's always great to have Miki and the rest of the gang make appearances. But some dialogue felt forced and contrived clearly to make a point to the reader, and there was more telling instead of showing for some parts. I thought this would be a very emotional story, especially considering Forrest's past, but there was too much that felt missing in the story for me I just felt a bit detached.

While this may actually be the end of the series, it still seems there is potential for a new spin-off or telling someone else's story.

[Meep · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I read through flu. Headache, wheezes, abject misery. That would certainly colour my take.

It was nice revisiting the Morgans but the story didn't have as much impact as I thought events should.

Too brief a glimpse of Donal, backbone of the family. I love Donal. Bridgit also appeared only briefly and muted.

There were various CPS people but no focus. I don't know, it felt the fight was in another room, so the emotional conclusion that should have been a tearjerker somehow just felt neat, I wasn't as invested as I should have been.

Their foster (and I've forgotten his name) goes from scared to having hundreds of friends. While there's heartbreaking touches, too much was offpage. We didn't really get to know him.

As much as I love this series I'm more for dogs than kids so perhaps this book was never destined to work for me.

[Lisa A. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat!! This is the book fans didn’t know they would be given. Rhys Ford has given us the next chapter in the Sinner’s series. It's a deep dive into the lives of Forest Ackerman and Connor Morgan, husbands brought together years before and living their best life. Most of the Morgan clan and Crossroads Gin band members make an appearance too, making this book even more special. As for this installment, it's the next adventure in Forest and Connor’s story. It follows the events of Connor meeting a young boy under horrible circumstances and whether or not they can give him a family of his own.

If you haven't read the entire series, you can still enjoy this book as long as you've read Tequila Mockingbird (Sinner's Book 3--Connor and Forest's story). For those familiar with the Sinners series, the setting appears to be a year or two after Book 7. Forest is still happily drumming for Crossroads Gin, while Connor is still commanding a San Francisco SWAT team. After Connor rescues a young boy during a SWAT raid, he can’t get the boy out of his mind, even as weeks pass. He asks Forest if he’s willing to foster a young Tate, knowing it won’t be easy. Though both had discussed wanting children at some point, this scenario wasn't one they had planned for. Plus, Forest struggles with wondering if he’s even capable of being the parent any traumatized child deserves, considering his own tragic and painful childhood. We definitely get a deeper sense of the struggles Forest experienced as a child while he bounced between the foster care system and his cruel, neglectful mother.

Meanwhile, Connor juggles the challenges of work, family, and the frustrations of the foster care system while trying to support Forest’s fears and deep-held pain. He understands the situation will dredge up all sorts of trauma from Forest's past. Fortunately, Connor is still the strong, steady, supportive, loving son/husband/friend we all want in life, making sure Forest knows their relationship comes first, whatever happens with Tate. This is one of my favorite parts of the story. Tequila Mockingbird ended with Forest and Connor happy in love, committed to one another and their future. Subsequent books showed us a bit more of how their life and future unfolds. However, Forest's past is still a living, breathing part of him, and it would have been unrealistic to think such trauma had disappeared now that he was happy and in love, with a new "found family" of Morgans and band members. I'm glad Rhys reminded us how much Forest has survived, making his past another character in the story. Tate’s situation would understandably dredge up painful memories for anyone who had survived a similar childhood.

Overall, the story is gritty, emotional, and full of ups and downs. It provides real-life scenarios, grabbing you by the throat and making you invested in the journey. There were times I laughed, cried, screamed at my Kindle, and also celebrated---though not necessarily in that order. Anyone familiar with Rhys Ford's books will be right at home, invested from start to finish, as if you are another member of the family or band. She did not disappoint, and I didn’t want the story to end.

As for the writing, the author once again painted a picture I could see and feel, no matter the chapter or characters in a scene. I always find myself immersed in the details. Her character’s emotions seem bigger, the tastes and smell of foods come alive, and the joy and pain hits you with a visceral gut-punch. Her words flow and blend together such that you forget you’re reading a book instead of visiting real people in their living room. Her dialogue is at times fun, witty, blunt, and heartfelt. She treats the storyline as a living entity, with all of the good, bad, and ugly aspects of life. She doesn’t dole out cheesy conversations, and she never takes the easy way out of her character’s problems. She gives us a story too many have traveled in their own lives, while keeping true to her characters’ history, emotions, and strong sense of family and friendship. There are few authors who can infuse a reader with the same trepidation, fear, sadness, joy, anger, and excitement felt by her characters....and she once again does it brilliantly.

If this is the last glimpse we get of Rhys’s Sinner’s universe, I consider myself honored to have read the Sinner’s series from start to finish. I’ve encountered few authors who could pull me into a world where I didn’t want to leave. The book hangover is real and heavy, but I’m still glad I went along for the ride to visit with these friends and the Morgan family one more time.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entire series has been so good to read and this is another good addition.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Port in a Storm (Sinners 8)
By Rhys Ford
Published by Dreamspinner Press, 2024
Five stars

Feels like forever since I got to read a Rhys Ford book – and this being the 8th installment of the Sinner’s Gin series, which explores the intersection of a rock band with a messy history and a big family of Irish American policemen.

This story has a special emotional hit, focusing as it does on SWAT team member Connor Morgan rescuing a terrified eight-year-old from a drug bust gone sour. Connor is haunted by the memory of the little boy’s eyes, and he finally talks with his husband, Crossroad’s Gin drummer Forest Ackerman (whose own story was told in book 3 of this series). Together they chart the unlikely path of finding that lost boy in the Child Protective Services system and bringing him into their home.

As always with Rhys Ford, scenes of emotional tenderness are contrasted with violence and the failure of society to protect its most vulnerable. Ford’s gift with words, and her skill with characters, makes this a rich, heady ride that surely provoked tears in this reader more than once. The Morgan clan continues to be the impossible dream of families, benefitting all the lost souls who come within their gravitational pull.

[Tory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

A delightful visit with the Morgan clan and the boys of Crossroads Gin! Connor and Forest take in a child who needs them. Great story, with some of my favorite characters by Rhys Ford..

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connor and Forest are adorable in this story. I loved Connor and how he couldn't just get the child he'd saved in the drug raid out of his head. You just knew that he was going to want to bring him home. With everything that Forest and Mikki had gone through in the foster system themselves there was no way, no matter how scary it was, that these two were going to abandon a child to the system if they could do something about it. I loved how much they cared and how committed the entire family, and the band was to supporting them in bringing the boy home. This was touching and sweet. I loved being back with all of these guys. Just a lovely story.

[Edga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, Rhys Ford has her own style of writing which she's kept throughout the years. I love the emotion and poignancy of her books, her descriptive writing is dead-on. The Sinners stories, are amongst my favourites. I awaited this much-awaited arrival of another Sinners book with extreme excitement. It's a great read, finished in one sitting, Cameron and Forrest, taking the central roles, come across as loving and as close as ever. All of the usual suspects are there, Miki (my personal favourite), proves himself to be a true 'brother' to Forrest. Their interactions were among my favourite parts of the book. The story as a whole, is poignant, clever and full of family warmth. The situation is believable, (I've seen this sort of thing happen), a very young and damaged little boy pulls at the heart strings, and faces disappointment after disappointment, before he finds his people, and, of course, Dude the dog, who plays a large part in the story. Cameron, Forrest, and the rest of the gang are there for Tate, fighting for and showing him their love and unconditional support. I adored the ending, the sense of overcoming odds and the reinforcement of relationships between lovers and family was strong. The ending was also so positive, the joy of Tate running wild in Ireland, part of the Morgan family, was so well written, it made me smile, especially with the addition of Gaige, the terrier. You can't really read this as a standalone, to appreciate it you need to read the whole series, staring with Sinner's Gin. I would recommend to all those who like books with old fashioned family loyalty and love throughout.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC but this review is my honest opinion. I am a huge fan of the Sinner’s Series. Rhys Ford has created a world and a family born and found that I hate to leave. I have been moved by each story with the love and friendship of this group of men threaded throughout. This latest in the series hit differently. Rhys Ford writes about trauma but not in a sensationalized or gratuitous way. This book with the life of a child as a main plot resonated with me in such a way I know I will be thinking about this book for a long time. Connor and Forrest make the huge step to foster a small boy that Conner saved in a SWAT raid and felt drawn too. Yes he was motivated by hating the childhood Forest lived through but it became so much more. Tate needed them and they needed Tate. To see their family struggle and win was heartbreaking and beautiful. The love of family is everything and a family that chooses each other is extra precious. They were so supported in this by the Morgan Clan and the Band. Glimpses of our other favorite couples were given and the continuing love story of Conner and Forrest was a joy. They were tested and rose to the challenge. I want to thank Rhys Ford for a love letter to family and opening our eyes to how much people like this are needed by children at risk in a system that does not always do right by them. This book will move you, make you laugh and cry which makes it an absolute must read!

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

San Francisco SWAT Lieutenant Connor Morgan and Crossroads Gin drummer Forest Ackerman are the main couple in this story but all the characters from the previous books show up. This is a wonderful story that I really enjoyed. While on a raid, Conner is shot trying to protect an abused boy named Tate. When Tate is taken from him and place in the care of social workers, something resonated within Conner about Tate. When Conner suggests fostering Tate, it throws Forest into a tailspin. Forest did not have an easy path in life. He doubts his ability to nurture a child. In reality, his experiences growing up are essential in their ability to communicate and relate to Tate. This is their story. I felt a lot of different emotions while reading this book. The fact that I was so mad and angry at people who were using their positions to cause pain and grief only because they were playing petty politics shows just how well this book is written. I really enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jambrea Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a rollercoaster of a book. I love revisiting Sinners. Forrest and Conner are such wonderful characters. The end of this story was fabulous, but I am not surprised. I loved seeing all the cast of characters come out and the addition of Tate. I really hope that we get some in the future stories to see how Tate is doing.

Such a great addition to the Sinner's series and a must read.

[farmwifetwo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ford writes over the top m/m RS. The characters are well done, the rest of it can get a bit ridiculous. This one is more of a long epilogue without the ridiculous. There's stuff, but expected stuff.
So not a stand alone. It is available on KU

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Port in a Storm, the long-awaited final book in the utterly awesome Sinners series combines coda and confirmation into one beautiful if sometimes heartbreaking package, coming full circle halfway around the world to end where it all began. With a dog named ‘Dude’.

We first met the Morgan Family and the members of Crossroads Gin back in 2012, in Sinner’s Gin – although I personally didn’t discover the series until five years later after falling in love with the author’s characters and work through her Cole McGinnis series.

Either way, it’s been a long road, getting from there to here. But here we are just the same.

As this story opens, it seems as if the current generation of the Irish-American, mostly SFPD cops of the Morgan family have found their various happy ever afters, often by pairing up with one of the members of Miki St. John’s resurrected band, Crossroads Gin.

That’s certainly true for Kane Morgan and Miki himself, whose meeting, facilitated by a dog that neither of them has ever fully admitted is theirs – honestly they are his, anyway – kicked off the entire series back in that first story.

But SFPD SWAT Lieutenant Connor Morgan and the band’s drummer Forest Ackerman, as happy as they are together – and they most definitely are – discover that there’s a child-shaped hole in their lives that they need to fill with Tate Robinson, a seven-year-old boy that Connor rescues in the midst of a drug raid.

A raid that was intended to net the major drug cooker listed as ‘father’ on Tate’s birth certificate.

Connor’s team may have come up empty-handed as far as the drugs or their maker were concerned, but left with a heart full of the need to get one desperate child out of the foster care system that still gives his husband Forest so many nightmares.

The battle in Port in Storm isn’t the Morgan family’s usual fight against criminals and drug dealers nor is it an attempt to break up or break down the band or any of its members. Instead it’s the battle against an overworked – at best – foster care system that seems to be more about ticking off boxes and protecting bureaucrat’s asses than it is about making the right decision for a young child even though that right decision has been handed to them on a silver platter.

Escape Rating A-: Those of us who are fans of the Sinners series were pretty convinced that book six, Sin and Tonic, was the ending – a happy ending that all the characters had earned and deserved – especially Dude.

And that the short story collection, ‘Nother Sip of Gin, was basically lagniappe. A lovely treat, a bit of a filling in of the corners, a chance to visit with old and dear friends one last time.

Until this. Until Port in a Storm and this nearly heartbreaking but ultimately just happily teary story that confirms that happy ending for everyone and ties it up with a really marvelous bow. Even better because we weren’t expecting it so we’re all crying a bit that it’s over but smiling because it happened.

(In other words, treat the above as a huge hint not to start here OR with either ‘Nother Sip of Gin or Sin and Tonic, because these are the endings. Start with Sinner’s Gin and settle in for a fantastic read!)

The actual story in Port in a Storm – is about just that. About a young boy finding his very own port in own storm with a badass cop and a rockstar drummer who also happens to be a foster care survivor himself. It’s about Tate Robinson finding the best home he could ever have found, with two men who have stepped up to be his dads in every single way, backed by friends and families who will help them figure out how to be dads and help Tate himself figure out how to love and trust again in spite of everything he’s been through.

That the social worker and agent of the system who does her damndest to break up their family is an avatar for Dolores Umbridge – complete with pink suits and simpering non-smiles – says all that needs to be said about how wrong the system was in this case and how right Connor, Forest and their whole entire family are for Tate.

And I’ll admit I wish we got just a bit more explanation of why and how she got involved and was so determined to break their family apart. But that was the only tiny niggle in one whole, entire, utterly marvelous wrap to a terrific series. So I’m left being just thrilled that we got to see everyone’s HEA confirmed and with bells on.

And that’s awesome – but maybe it’s time to go back and read the whole saga from the very beginning. Because that would be awesome too!

Originally published at Reading Reality

[Elithanathile]

Charging $10 for a 187 page book is the peak of insanity, gall, audacity, and sheer entitlement!!! Increasing the price while decreasing tangible output is absurd and is a sure way to lose dedicated readers!! Price increases are a fact of life, I totally get it, I totally accept it, and will generally totally pay the price - BUT, increasing the price, ethically, requires value added!! This scenario makes it appear like there is none here!! I expect to get what I am paying for, meaning if you increase the price, you better fucking increase the word-count/page-count (and NOT by manipulating the formatting so it looks like the book is longer but isn't really, which is why I emphasize WORD-COUNT which would increase page-count)!! This author is pretty great at the formatting aspect as her pages are PACKED, but again, if a book is higher in price, I expect that the book also be longer, thicker, bigger!!! You (the author) want MORE?!!? No problem, under the explicit condition that you give ME (the reader) MORE!!! As it stands, paying more to get less [leaving a reader feeling shafted] is a massive, definitive, adamant, indefinite, vehement "NOPE, NUH-UH, ABSOLUTELY NOT, NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN" for me!!! So this will be an absolute PASS!!!
This is a personal thought on a private page!!!

[Diane Dannenfeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really heartwarming read. We have Connor going on a raid & finding Tate who has had a horrible upbringing thus far. In addition, Connor is injured during that raid & while they tend to him, Tate is taken away. I loved that he & Forest had a conversation about possibly fostering Tate, Connor just didn't run over him & say this is what we are going to do and deal with it. Forest had so much self-doubt because of his own upbringing. Getting Tate to trust them was not an easy road, but he starts to believe & then something happens. When that happens, we see the might of the entire Morgan clan, as well as their friends, who is found family, come together to right what went wrong. As always, Ms. Ford pulls out all the feels. I do not recommend reading this book as a stand-a-lone as you will get more enjoyment reading the entire series.

I received a copy a copy of this book from the Author, and this is my honest opinion.

[Justjeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect port in a Storm.

I wish I could give this 6 stars. It's absolutely worth them.

Be prepared as you will happy cry, sad cry, angry cry, and absolute joy cry... that is Port in a Storm.
Dammit, but Rhys can make me feel.

I was commenting to a friend of mine today about how much I love t.he Morgan family as they act as a palette against which Rhys show not only how love works, but that love has many more forms than just the romantic.

I wish every child in "The System" had access to the extended Morgan family but sadly that is not the case. Even here, in Port, Rhys doesn't just wavr a magiv wand and everything is fixed perfect: the happy ending, while worked for, is also realistic in that the vagaries of the System and luck are as impactful on the outcome as Forest and Connor demonstrating they'd be good candidates for fostering a child.

And, because Rhys truly loves us, the ending is chef's kiss perfect.

[Zane Kage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to find out about this book and even more excited to revisit the Sinners/Crossroad Gin/Morgan clan. Once again, Rhys Ford has written a beautiful story that had me running the gamut on emotions. I smiled, laughed, cried sad and happy tears. It was deeply fulfilling to see Forest truly find himself, to see him and Connor start to build their future. As always, the Morgan family is a warm hug on a cold day, and little Tate 100% stole the show. A wonderful read with all the feels that is going straight to the reread pile.

It was an absolute joy to be back in this world. Huge thanks to this author for writing the sequel/conclusion I didn't know I needed. This book is a prime example of why she is an auto-buy for me. Welcome back, Rhys. You were missed.

***ARC FOR REVIEW***

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excited to revisit the Morgan clan

This story is both heartbreaking, and powerfully uplifting. The Morgan clan has so much love to give, and when they band together, they become an unstoppable force.
I also was happy to see Miki, where he has evolved to, and how he's doing lately. Forrest not only has the fierce Morgans at his back, but the love and support of his brothers in the band.

Tate captured my heart. I want to wrap him up in my arms, and give him all the love here deserves.

Forest and Connor are a joy to read. It's been a long road for both of them, and it's heartwarming to feel the strength of Connor, and a peak into Forrests loving soul. Thank you Rhys Ford for catching us up with my favorite group of characters.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited about this book .... but unfortunately it was not what I expected or on the level I am used to from Rhys Ford..

The communication between Connor and Forest was great and I loved how their relationship works

But Tate did not really fit in. I could not reconcile the frightened boy from the beginning with the very communicative and social boy he became within weeks.
We didn't get to see him fitting in or developing. Most of the time, he isn't even on scene.
That really disappointed me

All in all, it was a good read, just not what I expected

[Sammy Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really pulled at my heartstrings; it had me crying one minute and happy the next. This is just full of such heartfelt emotion and really touching moments.

During a drug raid, Connor comes upon Tate, a very scared and traumatised little boy. After he rescues him from the house, Connor can't forget the little boy, especially because he reminds him so much of Forest and Miki. After talking to Forest, they start the foster process.

The road is a hard one for Forest & Connor, but they have a great support system. From the get-go, they are both amazing with Tate and pull from their own experiences to help him. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but they truly love Tate and just want the best for him.

There were some moments in the last quarter that really broke me and got me so upset. I could feel their emotions flow off the page and into me, and my heart hurt for them. I'm just glad that they have the best people around them. They truly did everything they could to fight for Tate and their little family.

The side characters are all important parts of this family, even if certain people would rather avoid Morgan family Sunday get-togethers. Miki will never change, but he is so much better, and he has his husband, Kane, to run interference for him. Connor parents are absolutely amazing as always, and have the best advice and support. The family as a whole were amazing with Tate and pulled from their own experiences to help him, Forest and Connor.

The ending made me smile. I just really hope that this isn't the last we see of the Crossroads Gin guys and the Morgan clan.

[Sophie Smeenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long time no see!

It's a really long time since I read the books in this series. I've loved every word in them and I loved every word in this closing volume too! What an action-packed emotional roller coaster it was. I'm now starting book one, and collecting the audios also. Brilliant writing as always, Rhys!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhys Ford could write toilet tissue labels and I'd happily sit and read them all day. Luckily she doesn't! This is a Sinners tale and it's a great one. Connor and Forest find the perfect child they weren't looking for and it's wonderful. Now the rest of them need to do the same and then we can get a spinoff of Sinner spinoff. I'll never get tired of these men!

[Pam Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤩

This is a beautiful story. I loved being back with Connor and Forest, my favourite couple of the series. This is a look at life for them in their HEA and it’s a moving story with many of the Morgan clan making an appearance. Definitely shed a few tears! I’ve loved this whole series so much and so glad I took the time to read it. Highly recommend.

[Jennifer Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

This was such a wonderful story, at turns heartbreaking, yet also funny, it is classic Rhys Ford. Even in the darkest moments and memories love endures and heals. I love that Forrest and Connor opened their hearts to Tate and gave him a family.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sue.55

I loved this series and was very happy to have another story with Connor and Forest and the many Morgans. There are parts that made me cry some with sadness but some because it was just such a beautiful story. Was too short but 5 stars are not enough.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s lovely to be back!

Whew. I read this so fast that I am sure I missed some stuff…so re-reading it is! It is so nice to be With the Morgan’s again. This story about fostering and love is fabulous and a little heart breaking. Thank you!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this is quintessential Ford, and it made me laugh and cry (typical), so I'm-a call that a win. This one isn't as wild as earlier books in the series, but it's a good addition, a very Forest & Conner addition.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connor and Forest! Love them.

I was really happy for this story. I loved getting a continuation of this series and getting to see them settling into their happy ever after. This story was so sweet and tugged at my heart. I loved seeing the support from everyone as they work through things to do right by a boy that needs a family.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice addition to Sinners. The child was well written. But generally speaking, not my cuppa with so very much tell and not nearly enough show. Overly descriptive. Took me over a week to finish. Sinner's Gin and Whiskey & Wry will always be my favorites in this series.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and fulfilling

I knew Connor and Forest would make wonderful Dads and the proof is here. This book is not a stand-alone. You really have to start at the beginning of the journey for this to make sense but the heart strings will be tugged.