The Eclipse Dancer

by Laura Koerber

Honorable Mention 2018 Reader Views Literary Awards

"The storyline is simple in that it is easy to follow, yet intricate as layers unwind with a seamless, melodic flow. And, while the author excels at getting inside the heart and soul of her readers, the connection
garnered by what remains unsaid is remarkable. The writing is descriptive and artistic, without being flowery or overdone, and leaving just enough room to incorporate snippets of one’s own imagination. Some things are just not taught and Koerber’s writing is one of those things–she has a gift. " Reader Views

Andy thought of flying. She imagined the air under her arms, her hair lifting and floating. She felt her heartbeat separate from the faraway beat and form its own rhythm: light, quick, a dancing thrum. When she opened her eyes, her yard was dusky and her mood had lightened. Andy let her gaze drift across the darkening landscape and her heart filled with exultation. She raised her arms, fanned out her fingers, and arched her feet until she was on her toes. The light exploded into a ring of fire in a black sky: total eclipse. She gently rose up into the warm, dark air and began to dance.

Genres: Fantasy, Magical Realism

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

I live on a island in the Puget Sound with my husband and my dogs. I am a retired teacher, presently doing in -home care for disabled people while volunteering at a dog rescue

My degree is in art, and I am a painter, graphic artist, and ceramic sculptor. The writing started about five years ago, a surprise to me and everyone who knows me, since I had never written anything before.

The review for my first book in Kirkus Review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...


I think I learned to write by reading. I am a voracious omnivore of books.

Reviews

[J.P. Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to be truthful here for a moment and apologize to the author for my tardiness in reviewing this latest work of hers. I forgot I had it. With moving to a new city and starting a new job taking up most of my time this work of hers just ended up in my downloads on my computer metaphorically, 'collecting dust.'
When I ran across it yesterday while searching for something else, I knew I had to appease my own sense of respect to the craft and read this as I had said I would.
I am so very glad I did. I have read much of this authors work in the past, and for one reason or another each one has left an indelible impression with me. As she does write in both fiction and non-fiction, at times I have a bit of a time deciding which I prefer from her more. Being a non-fiction writer myself I tend to lean towards that genre, yet this work has left me wondering again.
Ms. Koerber indeed has a gift for both. The descriptive nature of this work for me, was so compelling and forthright. At times I truly felt I was a part of the story, I was completely immersed in the writing which I will say does not happen often. A magical story that I found steeped in olde traditions, whether it actually was or not, is something else all together.
Highly recommended for anyone wishing to lose themselves on a rainy afternoon as I have.
And the ending....well I shall not spoil that for the rest of you.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

The Eclipse Dancer by Laura Koerber is, as I expected, another original story with plenty of thought provoking content. Ms. Koerber weaves magical realism with deft fingers, bringing complete believability to her work.
Andy has been through a lot in her life, and while nursing her dying mother, begins to reflect back on her life- telling her story which flashes back between the past and present, telling of the circle of life, the mother/daughter relationship, thought provoking details, melancholy/sad/emotive moments, sensitive topics, death/dying, choices, mysteries of life, and a little magic. The story is told with rich detail and descriptions, bringing everything to life before my eyes. It was like watching a movie play out on the screen.
Ms. Koerber has a lyrical, poetic feel to her writing which also adds to the atmosphere of her work, and making it very easy to read.
Another captivating story from this clever writer!

Thank you, Laura Koerber!

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andy is a woman with a secret, she is fifty two and is half fairy and has had to return to her childhood home to care for her mother, they never had the easiest relationship, but now between the cancer and the dementia, Andy’s mother is dying and is a shell of her past self and is still living in a memorial to the past in her trailer on Iowa. Everything has changed since Andy left home as a young woman, barely of the age to live on her own, but when the total eclipse of the sun comes around, she harks back to a time when life was much more simple, a time when all she had to to was dance and make sure nobody was watching, a time of memories and the emotions tied to them.

As the almost forgotten memories come flooding back the more time she spends in the trailer, the more regret and pain she feels for her family and for herself, she reminisces about her relationships with her mother and brother, how her life was dysfunctional and full of secrets from the time she made her Barbie doll walk through the long grass as if on an adventure, walking into town with her older brother Danny, times she spent with her friends when she had them and a birthday present which awoke strange and confusing thoughts swirling around her mind. She thinks of all the times she felt ashamed, from the snapshots of her life she can barely remember to full vivid recollections. One thing she cannot remember however, is her mother telling her anything about her father, she learned all that from an Auntie Alana who she met at the age of thirteen amid a tumultuous period when all she wanted was to feel like she belonged and this new found relative gave her just that, with stories of fairies and the past with lessons for the future weaved within them. For once, all Andy’s questions were being answered and a whole new world and experiences were opened up to her, including flying and the dances, the things which set her apart, yet at the same time joined her to something beautiful.

However, not all Andy’s memories are positive ones, the memories of loss, death and loneliness also plague both her waking hours and her dreams, memories of Kenshi the boy who lived with Alana and who taught her about flying and stealing, her neighbor Mr Toliver who knew about the fairies, but kept their secret and told stories of his own family, Hairy the dog whom she rescued from a puppy farm and kept as a pet and the rest of the fairies she met over time, her family and the father of her daughter who left them behind. Can a childhood be overcome, or is change something which can only be brought about if the lessons are learned? How do love, loss, loneliness and joy translate over time and would you change anything if you could go back in time? These are some of the things this story makes you think about as you become immersed in learning about Andy and her life through her memories and experiences.

[Barbara Bamberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Eclipse Dancer
Laura Koerber

In this magically real novel, a sixty-something female examines her life and her heritage as a mixed species creature – half human, half fairy.

Andy is sixty-five, still living in the central Iowa farm region where she was born, and still with her mother, Cindy, who is slowly perishing from cancer, dementia and the lack of the booze she loved so well. Andy’s days would be tough but for her love of nature and her prodigious memory of past events. On the day the book opens, she is awaiting a total eclipse; at its peak, she will dance – and fly. Her birth was the result of a drunken spree in which Cindy invited the passions of a mysterious young man, who, as Andy later imagines, “could make himself glow so that no one could take their eyes off him.” Growing up fatherless, with an alcoholic mother and a half-brother whom she resented, Andy’s story could have been grim. But when she was thirteen she encountered Kenshi, a boy with sticks for hair, who took her to Alana, a strangely attractive old woman living in a secluded part of a deep forest that, logically, did not exist. Alana told her about her father—a jiibay or spirit being—and introduced her to fairies and to Andy’s own magic powers; she could dance, fly, and possibly employ her glamour—the ability to charm others to get her way.

Andy comes to understand that these spirits live parallel to humans, generally unknown. At first they co-existed in harmony with Native Americans. But when the pioneers came, things changed. They wanted things their way, and ran the jiibay off just like they got rid of unwanted animals and plants. Sometimes a jiibay would mix with humans and produce half-breed offspring who could blend by becoming carnies, gypsies or preachers. Ultimately, her jiibay traits will provide lessons of forgiveness and acceptance as Andy contemplates the years ahead.

Laura Koerber is an artist and writer whose wonderful way with words makes possible the enchanting, cinematic scenarios that permeate this charming tale. She has written in this fantasy vein previously, and is also the author of The Dog Thief and Other Stories (written under the pen name Jill Kearney), listed as one of the One Hundred Best Indy Books of 2015 by Kirkus Review. Her love for animals is also evident in The Eclipse Dancer as Andy has special furry companions and is the caretaker of a herd of cats who followed her home from Alana’s hideaway. Koerber’s imagination is revealed as vast and far-flung as she delves into the mind of her sensitive, likable mixed-species protagonist.

The Eclipse Dancer embodies both the childlike impulses and action-filled story line that appeal to a youthful readership and also the quiet contemplation and reminiscence that will touch the heart of an older, wiser audience.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Yay, sun! Go moon! Eclipse, eclipse, eclipse now!’

Pacific Northwest author Laura Koerber has penned four books in her retirement on an island with her husband and her two dogs. She is an animal advocate, works with dog rescue, cares for disabled people, is a political activist, and, of course, an author – her books The Listener's Tale, I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found, Limbo and now The Eclipse Dancer written in the genre of magical realism and fantasy.

From the first words of her book Laura transports us to a different plane: ’Andy was surrounded by darkness and smoke. The smoke came from her cigarette. She held the butt up in front of her face and exhaled, the smoke making lazy spirals up and out into the warm, thick summer air There was no one to watch her no one to tell her that smoking would kill her, No need for her to reply, “Not dead yet.” The darkness was the result of her eclipse glasses. Outside the tiny domain of the glasses, the day was glowing with light. Sunlight lay heavy and yellow on the grass, flickered silver-green on the leaves of the oak trees along the property line, and burned hot and white on the gravel of the driveway. The sun itself was a harshly glaring orb in a radiantly blue sky. But not to her. She was viewing the sun through her personal darkness and her smoke screen. She tipped the glasses up and checked her watch. About forty-five minutes until full eclipse. She was out early….’

Poetic and creating a space into which we all would love to seek, Laura’s story is a gem – an exploration of the mysteries of the cycle of life, our responses, the spectre of death, the universals the bind us all. The story outline provides the stage – ‘Andy thought of flying. She imagined the air under her arms, her hair lifting and floating. She felt her heartbeat separate from the faraway beat and form its own rhythm: light, quick, a dancing thrum. When she opened her eyes, her yard was dusky and her mood had lightened. She let her gaze drift across the darkening landscape. Andy’s heart filled with exultation. She raised her arms, fanned out her fingers, and arched her feet until she was on her toes. She was assaulted by memories. Her mother was dying, and Danny had been dead for years. Her daughter was in Minneapolis, and Alana was up in the North Woods someplace. All of her childhood friends—the fairies, Hairy, Mr. Tolliver, and Kenshi—were gone. Is it true that childhood is never overcome? “I have changed,” she whispered. The light exploded into a ring of fire in a black sky: total eclipse. She gently rose up into the warm, dark air and began to dance.’

It would not be inappropriate to say Laura Koerber is a writer’s writer, but that praise must somehow include the artistry of her communication with her reader. Brilliant!

[Bronson Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to be in the right headspace to read a book like Laura Koerber's 'The Eclipse Dancer.' A book that is ostensibly about caring for someone at the end-of-life, Koerber's work is both sad and uplifting, but the benefit is that it is so beautifully written that it does not fall into a kind of murky, depression porn that many of these books do.

Koerber's prose style is lyrical and beautiful without being overtly flowery. She manages to balance not just the many difficult passages of abuse and sadness with the fantastical, but her use of language is a testament to her ability as a writer. She finds a way to be honest and open without slipping into saccharine sentimentalism.

That's not to say the novel isn't filled with bluntly realistic imagery and situations from a dysfunctional upbringing, but the book somehow manages to balance it out. 'The Eclipse Dancer' bounces back-and-forth between present-day reality and flashbacks, as Andy cares for her ailing mother, and there's also an element of magical realism mixed in, as well.

As the novel peels away the layers of Andy's relationship with her mom, you get more of a sense of how complicated it is. This is no 1950s sitcom. Not only is Cindy an alcoholic, she's abusive, too, and it's heartbreaking to see a child care for a mother who never really cared for her.

The introduction of the fantasy lying just beneath the surface of the novel comes at just the right time, and it is a necessary break from the relentless sadness of the rest of the book. Without something to offset the grim reality of death and dying--which hangs over the book like a dark cloud--it would be difficult to finish, indeed.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eclipse Dancer, by Laura Koerber, is a story that blends reality with fantasy. Not for the faint of heart, it begins with a dismal picture of a woman who is taking care of her alcoholic mother who is suffering, both physically and mentally - during her last days. But this is a novel that has moments of beauty within the darkness, and gives not only an intriguing account of fairy life - but also a close look at the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.

Through flashbacks throughout the story, readers find out the history of protagonist Andy - who grew up with her mother and half-brother. Andy’s father, who left long ago - was a fairy. Her childhood was often not a happy one, with a mother who drank and cycled through boyfriends while either disparaging or ignoring her. Andy’s life changed, though - when she met a woman and a boy in the woods - both with fairy heritage, who tell her about her father and introduce her to the fae way of life.

Koerber’s writing shines when describing nature & fantastical elements, but ultimately the strength of this story lies in the protagonist’s perseverance and the depiction of real, flawed relationships. At the novel’s end, readers are left with the feeling that although not all was lost, Andy was deeply changed by the events in her life and the decisions that her mother, her daughter - and most importantly - she made.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!

I enjoyed this book very much. Sometimes I felt a little confused, but for the most part I was able to follow along. I felt a very strong sadness throughout this whole book. Andy, was not granted a great childhood growing up, I did see flickers of fun here and there with her and Danny but for the most part it seemed like she wasn’t really acknowledged by her alcoholic mess of a mother. I think when she found Alana and Kenshi, things started looking up for her, it seemed she had a purpose, and then when she lost the both of them, she seemed to be coasting again. Throughout this journey with Andy, we meet many people that she was introduced to, see many deaths she has to cope with and how her life turned out as an adult. The magical element added to the story made it much more interesting At some points I thought this book may be a little too deep for me, but as I kept reading, I became more and more entranced in the writing style. I would definitely recommend giving this book a read.

[Valery · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eclipse Dancer by Laura Koerber is a fantastical mix of fantasy and the harsher aspects of reality. This is a rather gritty story as a daughter, Andy, is taking care of her alcoholic mother who is in her last days of life. That alone is difficult enough, and gives a realistic edge to this book. This part examines the mother-daughter relationship quite nicely, with all of its turmoil and complexity. Along with that, the author includes the fairy life, and that is where the fantasy aspect takes shape, lending a magical tone to the book as well, certainly balancing out the more somber tone at times. Koerber has a wonderful talent when it comes to descriptive writing, pulling you in with her words, making you soak in their beauty. More importantly though is her ability to juxtapose complicated human relationships and the difficulties of life into that beautiful backdrop. Complex and simply poetic, this book is highly recommended for a memorable read.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book should have been a heavy mess of emotions, and at times it was, it didn’t kill me with the tears and sobbing mess that I had prepared myself for when I first sat down expecting to. I was both pleasantly surprised by this and sad as well. I didn’t know how to really process the feels that I was going through while reading this novel but I suppose that is how I feel most of the time I read novels penned by Miss Koerber. I will say this book could be read as a fairytale yes but really it is a wonderful read for the middle-age adult who is dealing with the task of how to process or change to caring for our parents or grandparents ets… we become the caregivers at this age and I think there were some really strong poignant points that I took away from reading this for sure. It was also a nice escape as well with a wonderful understory that was nice to escape into and follow along with. I look forward to seeing what else may come from Koerber in the future.

[Willow Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eclipse Dancer draws the reader into a world that is both gritty and magical. Coming to terms with her abusive mother’s death allows the main character, Andy, to revisit her grimy life growing up in her mother’s trailer surrounded by corn fields and poverty. There is an abundance of pain there but also some magical gifts that are a natural inheritance for Andy just as the ancient plains hidden beneath the corn fields are. This author is masterful at describing the natural and the supernatural world. I found myself wondering if these scenes, including the supernatural ones, were somewhat autobiographical because they felt so true. I would have liked a little stronger plot or structure as a foundation to the poetry of this book. It would fall more into the literary genre rather than commercial fantasy although it has a bit of a Charles deLint feeling. If you love beautiful language, atmosphere and magic, this book is for you.

[Lianne Probert · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eclipse Dancer by Laura Koerber is a story based on the gritty and harsh reality of Andy’s story so far, brought to life with elements of fantasy and fairytales.

Andy's real-life story is full of grittiness and a heavy dose of reality. It’s a sharp contrast to the fantasy element, and for me personally, it took a lot of getting used to. I became accustomed to the fantasy style of writing, but I didn’t always find it particularly enjoyable. I did enjoy the descriptive elements, of which there are many, particularly throughout the fantasy style of writing.
If you are looking for something a bit different to read, The Eclipse Dancer is a book I would recommend, its style might not be suited to all but it was refreshing to read a story that was different and challenged my usual reading style.

[G.J. Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: Eclipse Dancer by Laura Koerber
This novel by Laura Koerber is an amazing mixture of fantasy and contemporary, somewhat harsh, reality. The thought of reading such a book is not at all my usual choice of literature, but, having read one of her books before and enjoyed it, I looked forward to starting Eclipse Dancer. Ms Koerber has a magic all of her own when it comes to writing moments of fascinating, surreal intrigue combined with the touching complications that often revolve around family relationships.

Andy is a mature woman who is caring for her dying mother but has perpetual flashbacks to events that took place and dramatically changed her own life, together with strong influences upon her outlook and her attitude towards her mother. The discovery that Andy is a “mix”, a person who is half-human and half-fairy, is gradually revealed in such a powerful and beautiful way that even a doubting old cynic like me could accept it. There were some expressions in the book that demonstrated Koerber’s wonderful literary skill, which is one of the main reasons I enjoy her writing. For example this will stick in my mind for a long while: “She’d treated her childhood like a bad bruise. She didn’t touch what already hurt.”

The ending of the book brought tears to my eyes but, somehow, still was not dripping in obvious sentiment. The characters and their conversations were well drawn and believable. There was enough pace to keep me reading, even on those hot and sweaty days that Andy found so uncomfortable. I would recommend Eclipse Dancer to those readers who enjoy books about the dark and unspoken secrets that sometimes lie beneath the surface of a family’s history. Fantasy with an emotional touch of realism.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eclipse Dancer by Laura Koerber is a well written and realistic story. This book was nothing at all like I expected when I started reading. It was so much darker and intense that I had thought it would be, but that just made it much more compelling to read. Andy is such a relatable character – trying to come to terms with the death of her mother she takes us on a journey that has her looking back through her past.
This book is a brilliant mix of natural and supernatural. Everything was easy to imagine and it really was such an interesting read. I would definitely recommend reading this book and I would also recommend going into blind, just like I did, so you can be swept away on the journey even more.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eclipse Dancer by Laura Koerber is a story full of honesty, a bit of magical realism, and fantasy. I enjoyed the story and how the main character is not a young 20 something. She is a woman in her middle years and her life is shifting again from adult to caretaker. I got the feels while reading this and was able to relate to some of what the character was experiencing. I do not have a mother like Andy but still could relate to how relationships change as your life progresses. This story deals with a lot of hard truths but in an honest but thoughtful, relatable way. I like the bits of magic and fantasy brought in and thought it was helpful to the story. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eclipse Dancer by Laura Koerber. This is the story of Andy who is a 65 year old woman who still living at home with her mom. Her mom is dying from cancer, dementia and alcoholism! Andy has a love of nature that gets her thru each day. Andy is still trying to deal with having to shift from being the child to being a caregiver for a Mom who has never really cared for her. Andy has been verbally and physically abused by her mom for years and now she's having to take care of her. Andy has also just found out she is part fairy and is dealing with that whole new business. This is a very magical book but also very emotional. Its a point we are all going to face in our lives and it helps us to see how we might handle ourselves. Andy is a very smart, sad and magical person and this book will take you on her journey sad, fun, good and bad.

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really beautifully written story. It is an emotional journey looking back over someone's life. The author does an amazing job of writing about something magical and making it so realistic.

This is the story of Andy. While she is currently nursing her dying mother she reflects on her life and choices that she has made. You also learn about how certain events in her life shape how she is today and how she grew up. Its a very deep moving story that looks at relationship both good and bad and the effect this has on life. It also goes into details and thinks about the circle of life. From being young and enjoying life to growing old and eventually dying.

It's a emotional read through someone's memories that you can't stop.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel by Laura Koeber I have read and I was not disappointed. Koeber has a distinctive style that is unique within the science fiction fantasy genre. In "The Eclipse Dancer" we are invited into the world of a half-human/half-fairy being named Andy who still resides in the same central Iowa farm community she born into. Andy isn't a typical fairy, at 65 she still hasn't learned to fly and she still lives with her dying mother. What you will learn from this seemingly quiet and predictable story will amaze you. There is something wonderful and amazing about Andy and her tale in this story. You will be happy you spent some time with Koeber's book!

[Erica Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Laura Keorber and I will be seeking out more stories by her. Her plotline was uplifting. She put so much emotion in this book that I could feel the energy as I read the book. I felt the emotional roller coaster ride as I was turning the pages. The characters are fully developed and connectable. This story is about Andy and all her life. . I have followed Andy throughout her emotional journey of forgiveness and letting go. I have learned that letting go is a good thing for my health and to let my spirit fly high to keep myself grounded. I highly suggest this story. I will warn you to have a box of kleenex and enough time to read this in one sitting.

[Carol Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Laura Koerber and an intriguing mix of fantasy and harsh reality. In the fantasy genre, a living, breathing world is as important as compelling characters. If I can suspend my disbelief for a moment and you can paint a world for me that remains convincing I am transported. Laura Koerber did this but more she painted a dance between the past, the present and glimpses into the future. The Eclipse Dancer, Andy, moves poignantly through this world fingers trailing gently through a celebration of life, a foreboding and memorialisation of death, a tracing of connectiveness and alienation. Laura has choreographed a sequence of movements, in bringing Andy's life story to the pages of this book that has aesthetic and often symbolic value. It is both strangely sad and uplifting. Well done. I was captivated and will be seeking out more books by this author.

[Erica S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and lyrical, The Eclipse Dancer is a pleasure to read. It is the story of Andy's life, her family, her magic, and herself. Her memories come to life in vivid detail, lush and filled with the emotions, loves, regrets, and yearnings. Her rememberings weave together into the tapestry of her life in a heartwarming way. The writing is intimate and charged with emotion; I could feel the cool night air on her skin, and the sway of her hips as she danced. This is a lovely story, I would recommend you sink into a comfy chair and let it whisk you away.

[Bob Blanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical book about coming to terms with life.

This book is beautifully written, the prose brings you into Andy’s life and let you feel her emotions. The book is about growing up as much as it is about the fantasy that life has. How a young girl made a better life for herself than the disaster that was her mother’s life. And yes, there be fairies in them thar woods.

Give it a read, you won’t regret it. There is a little Andy in of all of us.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Koerber gives us The Eclipse Dancer which is a paranormal fantasy tale. I have read several of Laura’s books before and she is an emotive writer with different genres. This magical tale is vividly rich in its telling and I found myself easily entrenched in the world in which had been created. With its intricate layers finely woven the lead to an easy and a seamless flow but the ending felt a little rushed.

[Lydia Pelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an incredible read. It will have you captivated in its pages. Koerber brings everything to the table in this story. It deals with real emotions and real struggles between family members. It hits closer to home than I was expecting. It adds a bit of magic whimsical into the real world. I loved the past and present moments bringing the story together. I loved this story and could not recommend it more.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Eclipse Dancer is a beautiful story about the life of Andy. The story takes place in present day, with Andy remembering her childhood--the fairies, her friends, her pet, her life. This book features lovely, developed characters, a magical atmosphere, intertwined with tragic events. The Eclipse Dancer is different from any other book I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Laura Koerver develops a breath taking environment for a very well written story! Great 5 star read!

[William Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eclipse Dancer by Laura Koeber is at its heart the story of main character Andy and the relationship between her abusive and alcoholic mother Cindy.

The novel is full of wonderful and intricate descriptions, although sometimes certain passages do veer into the too flowery for me.

Although very well-written, I found Eclipse Dancer started slow, but really picked up when the fantasy, fairy elements became apparent.

The story was a sad but honest read, both fantastical and realistic. Andy was a complex and extremely likeable character that readers will just want to root for.

I’d recommend it to any fans of light fantasy and coming-of-age stories, as well as fans of Holly Black.

[Angela Packard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not like the books I would normally read and I found it to be quite enjoyable. While nursing her sick mother, she ponders on reflections of her own life. As I get older, my mother ages, and my kids are grown, I do a lot of the same. We are all different in our own ways, but this book reminded me that we are also all the same. Very well written and am glad I picked this up!

[Lorralei Hoerner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. Andy is half human and half fairy, and the story goes between caring for her dying mother and going back to her childhood days. Parts of the story were hard to follow for me when going back and forth, but overall, the story flowed all together. My heart goes out to Andy as she deals with many loses in her life. This story is magical and a good read relaxing day.

[Margaret Both · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very thought provoking book. A very interesting glimpse into a young woman’s mind and world. Sadness, despair, happiness, regrets and even love are woven throughout. Sometimes kindness needs to win out over being right. So much misery is caused by alcoholism that is passed down through generations.
Many thanks to Laura Koerber for the complimentary copy of her book Eclipse Dancer via Voracious Readers Only.

[Jerricka]

This book was awesome. It was a great mix of fantasy and reality. I was captivated from the very beginning. The relationship between the relationships described within the pages really stood out to me. I related to this book on so many levels. I went through some much needed tears while reading this. I am truly a fan.