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Dancing with the Sun
From the bestselling author of Wish Me Home comes a heart-racing tale of resilience and hope.
When Sadie Harlan visits her daughter, Lauren, at her summer internship in Yosemite National Park, it seems like the perfect way to forget about her empty nest and failing marriage back home. But when the two women get lost on what’s meant to be a short hike, they suddenly find themselves fighting for their lives.
As they search for food, water, and civilization, they battle injury, exhaustion, and natural predators. Sadie, however, is assaulted by more than just the unforgiving elements. She lost her first child years earlier in a tragic accident, and in her sorrow, she’s pushed everyone away—including her husband. Now, Sadie must face her past through a journey of love, loss, and learning to forgive herself if she and Lauren are to stand a chance at getting out of Yosemite alive. Will a mother’s courage be enough to save them both?
When Sadie Harlan visits her daughter, Lauren, at her summer internship in Yosemite National Park, it seems like the perfect way to forget about her empty nest and failing marriage back home. But when the two women get lost on what’s meant to be a short hike, they suddenly find themselves fighting for their lives.
As they search for food, water, and civilization, they battle injury, exhaustion, and natural predators. Sadie, however, is assaulted by more than just the unforgiving elements. She lost her first child years earlier in a tragic accident, and in her sorrow, she’s pushed everyone away—including her husband. Now, Sadie must face her past through a journey of love, loss, and learning to forgive herself if she and Lauren are to stand a chance at getting out of Yosemite alive. Will a mother’s courage be enough to save them both?
7 pages, Audiobook
First published November 27, 2018
4140 people are currently reading
2865 people want to read
About the author
Kay Bratt
55 books2,077 followersWriter, Rescuer, Wanderer
Kay Bratt is the powerhouse author behind 40 internationally bestselling books that span genres from mystery and women’s fiction to memoir and historical fiction. Her books are renowned for delivering an emotional wallop wrapped in gripping storylines. Her Hart's Ridge small-town mystery series earned her the coveted title of Amazon All Star Author and continues to be one of her most successful projects out of her more than two million books sold around the world.
Kay's literary works have sparked lively book club discussions wide-reaching, with her works translated into multiple languages, including German, Korean, Chinese, Hungarian, Czech, and Estonian.
Beyond her writing, Kay passionately dedicates herself to rescue missions, championing animal welfare as the former Director of Advocacy for Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas. She considers herself a lifelong advocate for children, having volunteered extensively in a Chinese orphanage and supported nonprofit organizations like An Orphan's Wish (AOW), Pearl River Outreach, and Love Without Boundaries.
In the USA, Kay served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Georgia, as well as spearheaded numerous outreach programs for underprivileged kids in South Carolina. Most recently Kay spent a year volunteering as a Hospice volunteer.
As a wanderlust-driven soul, Kay has called nearly three dozen different homes on two continents her own. Her globetrotting adventures have taken her to captivating destinations across Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, the Philippines, Central America, the Bahamas, and Australia. Today, she and her soulmate of more than 30 years find their sanctuary in St. Augustine, Florida.
Described as southern, spicy, and a touch sassy, Kay loves to share her life's antics with the Bratt Pack on social media. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the fun and buckle up for the ride of a lifetime. Explore her popular catalog of published works at Kay Bratt Dot-Com and never miss a new release (or her latest Bratt Pack drama) by signing up for her monthly email newsletter. For more information, visit www.kaybratt.com.
Kay Bratt is the powerhouse author behind 40 internationally bestselling books that span genres from mystery and women’s fiction to memoir and historical fiction. Her books are renowned for delivering an emotional wallop wrapped in gripping storylines. Her Hart's Ridge small-town mystery series earned her the coveted title of Amazon All Star Author and continues to be one of her most successful projects out of her more than two million books sold around the world.
Kay's literary works have sparked lively book club discussions wide-reaching, with her works translated into multiple languages, including German, Korean, Chinese, Hungarian, Czech, and Estonian.
Beyond her writing, Kay passionately dedicates herself to rescue missions, championing animal welfare as the former Director of Advocacy for Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas. She considers herself a lifelong advocate for children, having volunteered extensively in a Chinese orphanage and supported nonprofit organizations like An Orphan's Wish (AOW), Pearl River Outreach, and Love Without Boundaries.
In the USA, Kay served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Georgia, as well as spearheaded numerous outreach programs for underprivileged kids in South Carolina. Most recently Kay spent a year volunteering as a Hospice volunteer.
As a wanderlust-driven soul, Kay has called nearly three dozen different homes on two continents her own. Her globetrotting adventures have taken her to captivating destinations across Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, the Philippines, Central America, the Bahamas, and Australia. Today, she and her soulmate of more than 30 years find their sanctuary in St. Augustine, Florida.
Described as southern, spicy, and a touch sassy, Kay loves to share her life's antics with the Bratt Pack on social media. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the fun and buckle up for the ride of a lifetime. Explore her popular catalog of published works at Kay Bratt Dot-Com and never miss a new release (or her latest Bratt Pack drama) by signing up for her monthly email newsletter. For more information, visit www.kaybratt.com.
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October 21, 2018
The most painful goodbyes are the ones left unspoken, and especially, the ones left unanswered.
Sadie Harlan now moves about her life with leadened feet. Even years after the accident, she has never come to terms with the loss of her young son, Jacob. Every breath taken in and released is a struggle....an emotional burden that she can't seem to put down. Like so many of us, engulfing grief is self-interpreted as a means to honor the dead.
Even a long-standing marriage can suffer under the weight of a shared loss. Silence seems to cover the pain. Burrowing down becomes a protective mechanism at quite the cost. Sadie's husband, Tom, now takes to the road. His fishing cabin becomes his sanctuary.
After days of hibernating, Sadie decides to visit their daughter, Lauren, at college in California. No phone call. Just show up. Lauren encourages her mother to take a short hike with her in Yosemite National Park. Just to the lake and back. No pressure. Just fresh air and movement.
Both mother and daughter are ill-prepared for what awaits them. Unexpected challenges will elbow up and faulty decisions will cause weakened responses at half-mast. Putting one foot in front of the other on a daily basis in grief is quite the undertaking. Magnify that with contending with the brutality of Mother Nature under befuddled circumstances.
Kay Bratt presents a mother/daughter day of reckoning. She provides just enough backstories to set the tone and to establish the "how-did-we-ever-get-to-this-point" underpinings. The sharp ended dialogue reveals how life has moved on for one, but not for the other.
Bratt's storyline, at times, hovers over the concept of "heartwarming". The final chapters seem to wrap up with tightly drawn string. That's never the case for many suffering loss out there. But, perhaps, Bratt's open and honest revisiting pain can be a source of release for many readers. You can never heal what you don't acknowledge.......
I received a copy of Dancing with the Sun through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Kay Bratt for the opportunity.
Sadie Harlan now moves about her life with leadened feet. Even years after the accident, she has never come to terms with the loss of her young son, Jacob. Every breath taken in and released is a struggle....an emotional burden that she can't seem to put down. Like so many of us, engulfing grief is self-interpreted as a means to honor the dead.
Even a long-standing marriage can suffer under the weight of a shared loss. Silence seems to cover the pain. Burrowing down becomes a protective mechanism at quite the cost. Sadie's husband, Tom, now takes to the road. His fishing cabin becomes his sanctuary.
After days of hibernating, Sadie decides to visit their daughter, Lauren, at college in California. No phone call. Just show up. Lauren encourages her mother to take a short hike with her in Yosemite National Park. Just to the lake and back. No pressure. Just fresh air and movement.
Both mother and daughter are ill-prepared for what awaits them. Unexpected challenges will elbow up and faulty decisions will cause weakened responses at half-mast. Putting one foot in front of the other on a daily basis in grief is quite the undertaking. Magnify that with contending with the brutality of Mother Nature under befuddled circumstances.
Kay Bratt presents a mother/daughter day of reckoning. She provides just enough backstories to set the tone and to establish the "how-did-we-ever-get-to-this-point" underpinings. The sharp ended dialogue reveals how life has moved on for one, but not for the other.
Bratt's storyline, at times, hovers over the concept of "heartwarming". The final chapters seem to wrap up with tightly drawn string. That's never the case for many suffering loss out there. But, perhaps, Bratt's open and honest revisiting pain can be a source of release for many readers. You can never heal what you don't acknowledge.......
I received a copy of Dancing with the Sun through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Kay Bratt for the opportunity.
November 1, 2018
I think one of my worst fears is being lost in the wilderness, I am so ill equipped as I’m not the outdoorsy type at all and I’m sure I would have a panic attack. Bratt taps into that fear in this novel and takes both the characters and the reader on an unforgettable journey that shook me to my core.
Sadie and Lauren share a typical mother and daughter bond, the kind where things aren’t always easy and there is plenty of strife. With Lauren in college now Sadie is feeling the loss of her child and Lauren is trying to break free, gain independence and grow into a mature adult. I felt so much empathy for Sadie as a mom, she just wants to protect her daughter and being lost in a national park makes this difficult to say the least. Both women were extremely well developed and both undergo a pretty serious transformation throughout the book which is always a pleasure to witness.
There were so many great themes here, it explored the love between a mother and daughter, loss, grief and how to find inner strength when you’re just beyond hope. It was so beautifully and was a true story of survival and relentless resilience in the face of extreme adversity.
Dancing With the Sun in three words: Inspired, Poignant and Emotional.
Sadie and Lauren share a typical mother and daughter bond, the kind where things aren’t always easy and there is plenty of strife. With Lauren in college now Sadie is feeling the loss of her child and Lauren is trying to break free, gain independence and grow into a mature adult. I felt so much empathy for Sadie as a mom, she just wants to protect her daughter and being lost in a national park makes this difficult to say the least. Both women were extremely well developed and both undergo a pretty serious transformation throughout the book which is always a pleasure to witness.
There were so many great themes here, it explored the love between a mother and daughter, loss, grief and how to find inner strength when you’re just beyond hope. It was so beautifully and was a true story of survival and relentless resilience in the face of extreme adversity.
Dancing With the Sun in three words: Inspired, Poignant and Emotional.
July 5, 2018
DANCING WITH THE SUN is an evocative story of emotional and physical survival in the harshest of terrains. Sadie Harlan is lost in the solitude of grief when she and her daughter go missing in Yosemite. Away from the distractions of the world and the past, Sadie must put aside self doubt and guilt to focus on keeping her daughter alive. What evolves is a remarkable journey through loss to find forgiveness, acceptance, healing, and love. This unique novel packs a powerful punch.
April 8, 2019
Idiot’s Hiking Guide
Although I usually like this author, I found this book to be ridiculous. Reading fiction is a willing suspension of disbelief but this book was bordering on preposterous.
We are asked to believe a national park intern, nearing the end of that internship knew nothing about hiking. Although she had completed a survival workshop as part of that internship, she broke every rule in the book or was almost completely ignorant about the most basic of concepts like water. She was the camper, with her dad, but mom, the non-camper, was the one trying to start a fire.
The mom’s conclusions were so erroneous as to be laughable. She knew drinking from a stream was dangerous.
“Sadie didn’t think they should drink from one anyway, considering that some hikers probably urinated upstream.” Yeah that is why... NOT.
She was traumatized by the thought of killing a worm to use as a bait for fishing. What did she think she was going to do with a fish if she caught one, eat it alive? Ridiculous!
“And how did one go about killing a worm? Pinch its head off? Smash it with a rock? Sadie would rather let it die of natural causes. Like from being eaten by a big fish. Then she wasn’t completely responsible.”
She wanted to be responsible for her daughter but not if it meant killing a worm? The whole story starts off because she can’t find her husband’s slippers and that convinces her that the slippers are missing because he is having an affair. She decides she must divorce him now and takes the next flight across the country to tell her daughter. The story starts off ridiculous and just gets worse from Chapter 1 to the Epilogue.
Survival of the fittest made me hoping for the demise of these idiots. It was a tortuous read, in which I never cared about the characters. I was just disgusted by their stupidity. If I hadn’t been sick and confined to bed, I never would have finished the book.
Although I usually like this author, I found this book to be ridiculous. Reading fiction is a willing suspension of disbelief but this book was bordering on preposterous.
We are asked to believe a national park intern, nearing the end of that internship knew nothing about hiking. Although she had completed a survival workshop as part of that internship, she broke every rule in the book or was almost completely ignorant about the most basic of concepts like water. She was the camper, with her dad, but mom, the non-camper, was the one trying to start a fire.
The mom’s conclusions were so erroneous as to be laughable. She knew drinking from a stream was dangerous.
“Sadie didn’t think they should drink from one anyway, considering that some hikers probably urinated upstream.” Yeah that is why... NOT.
She was traumatized by the thought of killing a worm to use as a bait for fishing. What did she think she was going to do with a fish if she caught one, eat it alive? Ridiculous!
“And how did one go about killing a worm? Pinch its head off? Smash it with a rock? Sadie would rather let it die of natural causes. Like from being eaten by a big fish. Then she wasn’t completely responsible.”
She wanted to be responsible for her daughter but not if it meant killing a worm? The whole story starts off because she can’t find her husband’s slippers and that convinces her that the slippers are missing because he is having an affair. She decides she must divorce him now and takes the next flight across the country to tell her daughter. The story starts off ridiculous and just gets worse from Chapter 1 to the Epilogue.
Survival of the fittest made me hoping for the demise of these idiots. It was a tortuous read, in which I never cared about the characters. I was just disgusted by their stupidity. If I hadn’t been sick and confined to bed, I never would have finished the book.
December 2, 2018
Dancing with the Sun is book club gold, a mother-daughter story rife with danger and brimming with second chances and forgiveness. Highly recommended.
October 27, 2018
In Dancing With The Sun, Kay Bratt captures a mother-daughter relationship with an authenticity rarely seen in novels. Highly emotional, heartfelt, and bristling with tension on every page, this is a story not easily forgotten.
July 18, 2019
DANCING WITH THE SUN by Kay Bratt explores grief, survival, faith, renewal, and love in an exciting adventure at Yosemite National Park.
Read my review in color at my site, TheZestQuest.com.
Sadie’s husband is once again off camping, leaving her home alone. Not that she minds being alone. She seems to just exist these days, especially since her adopted daughter Lauren is away at college.
But this is the celebration of the day they brought Lauren home from China. Tom seems to be even more distant and she has no idea where he’s at. Plus, his favorite slippers and more than a normal amount of his clothes are gone. Has he moved out and on to someone else?
Sadie spontaneously books a flight to go see her daughter, who is interning in California at Yosemite National Park during college. She surprises her with a request to pick her up at the airport, not even considering that her daughter might have other plans. Will Lauren remember this is her special day?
Tom and Sadie were so in love when they started the adoption proceedings for Lauren. They knew instantly she was meant to be their daughter and would make them a happy family of four. During the long process of the adoption, they tragically lose their eleven-year-old son, Jacob, in a camping accident.
Sadie secretly blames Tom for their son’s death, almost as much as she blames herself. Tom urges her to seek counseling, but Sadie lives on in her grief, filling the years caring for their daughter.
When Sadie arrives in California, Lauren surprises her with a stop at Yosemite for a hike she insists they take. She has news for her mom and wants to tell her when they reach their destination. Sadie just wants her hotel and a shower to ease the aches of travel from her Fibromyalgia. Besides, she has avoided the outdoors since Jacob’s death.
Sadie begs Lauren to reconsider but she’s determined. She wants to share her news with her mom here. Sadie has news, too, but she’s sure Lauren isn’t going to like it. What child at any age appreciates hearing their parents are splitting up?
Lauren wins the argument and grabs her backpack, insisting they don’t need much for this short walk. Sadie grabs a bottle of water, her mace, and some gum. Little do they know that this little walk will change their lives forever.
Sadie holds on to her grief like armor. Although she loves her daughter and tried to make her life perfect, she never takes true joy from anything. Lauren grew up experiencing the outdoors with her dad. She loves both her parents but doesn’t really know her mom.
This little walk in the woods will test their endurance and their faith. In each other, as much as in God. As the two women try to survive an accident, they realize how much they have to live for – if only they can find their way out of the wilderness.
My thoughts and ramblings…
Last year was a tough year for me and books like this one got me through it. Unfortunately, my creative voice was held captive, struggling to remember what I read and then, what to say about it. I take my review promises seriously. I love the privilege of reading books prior to publication in order to spread the word to other readers. It’s my passion.
But sometimes life throws you lemons and you just have to figure out the easiest way to make lemonade. That was me last year as I struggled with chronic pancreatitis, enduring five trips to the emergency room. I had no idea what I was suffering from – it was diagnosed as food allergies, but the allergist couldn’t figure it out. Finally, I discovered it was margarine – something many restaurants use in their cooking.
I use butter or sunflower oil at home, sparingly, because I faced one acute episode of pancreatitis years ago, when a doctor overdosed me on calcium and I almost died. Unknowingly, I had an underlying illness called hyperparathyroidism that caused my calcium depletion the doctor tried to fix. Exploratory surgery healed me, but I’m still careful. Who knew that a pancreas could be enraged by margarine, or that restaurants use this processed food nightmare? I do now!
So, it was during one of these many episodes that I read this book the first time, and then promptly forgot to write any notes, or my final thoughts in order to write the review. I knew I loved it, but what to say? Which is why I read it again. And I loved it just as much, even though I knew how it would end.
The characters’ tension in dealing with being lost in the wilderness is some of the best part of the book. That says a lot that I enjoyed reading it again, when I knew all their answers to their problems. It was still exciting reliving it with them.
I’m rating this book as high as I can because there wasn’t anything that I didn’t like. It’s wilderness survival – my favorite theme. It has good emotion, even if it’s not a romance in the strictest terms. It is about relationships – Lauren’s mom and dad’s rocky marriage, as well as Lauren’s growing relationship with her boyfriend. But that’s not the focus. The mother/daughter growth was the highlight. Overcoming grief was a huge part of this book, so if you’re recovering yourself, tread lightly. It’s positive in the end, but it’s also heartrending.
The second time I read this, I realized how much I had in common with the characters. Like Lauren’s mom, I have Fibromyalgia. Like Lauren and Tom, I love the outdoors, plus hiking and camping. Sadie knows how her illness messes with activities like hiking, and I do, too. Although I haven’t let it stop me from doing everything I love, it does limit me from realizing my dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail.
I understand the pain Sadie feels and how she overcomes it to save herself and her daughter. I think it’s that same endurance and hope that has brought me through my health issues. Let alone the strength I’ve needed facing my husband’s stage four cancer diagnosis. We’re finally both headed to recovery, thank God!
Thanks to Barbara Claypole White for reviewing this book first, and putting this pretty cover in my face, so I’d pay attention. I get so many great book suggestions from Barbara, who also writes great books!
Kay Bratt writes stories that delve deep into her characters’ heart and soul. She made me cry both times I read this book, but it was a cathartic cry. Her special talent of taking what I think and feel, then putting it on paper, brings me great joy. I can feel the wilderness around me as if I’m there. That’s such a great gift to someone who has always dreamed of thru-hiking, knowing my body will never survive it.
So, write-on Kay Bratt – I’ll keep dreaming of adventures through your books. DANCING WITH THE SUN is a beautiful journey through what makes us human. All our fears and emotion make us who we are, but we have to remember to dance with the sun. Maybe that’s why sunflowers are my favorite, and Kay Bratt is a new favorite new-to-me author.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. A digital advanced copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review. For another great book by Kay Bratt, read WISH ME HOME. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media.
Read my review in color at my site, TheZestQuest.com.
Sadie’s husband is once again off camping, leaving her home alone. Not that she minds being alone. She seems to just exist these days, especially since her adopted daughter Lauren is away at college.
But this is the celebration of the day they brought Lauren home from China. Tom seems to be even more distant and she has no idea where he’s at. Plus, his favorite slippers and more than a normal amount of his clothes are gone. Has he moved out and on to someone else?
Sadie spontaneously books a flight to go see her daughter, who is interning in California at Yosemite National Park during college. She surprises her with a request to pick her up at the airport, not even considering that her daughter might have other plans. Will Lauren remember this is her special day?
Tom and Sadie were so in love when they started the adoption proceedings for Lauren. They knew instantly she was meant to be their daughter and would make them a happy family of four. During the long process of the adoption, they tragically lose their eleven-year-old son, Jacob, in a camping accident.
Sadie secretly blames Tom for their son’s death, almost as much as she blames herself. Tom urges her to seek counseling, but Sadie lives on in her grief, filling the years caring for their daughter.
When Sadie arrives in California, Lauren surprises her with a stop at Yosemite for a hike she insists they take. She has news for her mom and wants to tell her when they reach their destination. Sadie just wants her hotel and a shower to ease the aches of travel from her Fibromyalgia. Besides, she has avoided the outdoors since Jacob’s death.
Sadie begs Lauren to reconsider but she’s determined. She wants to share her news with her mom here. Sadie has news, too, but she’s sure Lauren isn’t going to like it. What child at any age appreciates hearing their parents are splitting up?
Lauren wins the argument and grabs her backpack, insisting they don’t need much for this short walk. Sadie grabs a bottle of water, her mace, and some gum. Little do they know that this little walk will change their lives forever.
Sadie holds on to her grief like armor. Although she loves her daughter and tried to make her life perfect, she never takes true joy from anything. Lauren grew up experiencing the outdoors with her dad. She loves both her parents but doesn’t really know her mom.
This little walk in the woods will test their endurance and their faith. In each other, as much as in God. As the two women try to survive an accident, they realize how much they have to live for – if only they can find their way out of the wilderness.
My thoughts and ramblings…
Last year was a tough year for me and books like this one got me through it. Unfortunately, my creative voice was held captive, struggling to remember what I read and then, what to say about it. I take my review promises seriously. I love the privilege of reading books prior to publication in order to spread the word to other readers. It’s my passion.
But sometimes life throws you lemons and you just have to figure out the easiest way to make lemonade. That was me last year as I struggled with chronic pancreatitis, enduring five trips to the emergency room. I had no idea what I was suffering from – it was diagnosed as food allergies, but the allergist couldn’t figure it out. Finally, I discovered it was margarine – something many restaurants use in their cooking.
I use butter or sunflower oil at home, sparingly, because I faced one acute episode of pancreatitis years ago, when a doctor overdosed me on calcium and I almost died. Unknowingly, I had an underlying illness called hyperparathyroidism that caused my calcium depletion the doctor tried to fix. Exploratory surgery healed me, but I’m still careful. Who knew that a pancreas could be enraged by margarine, or that restaurants use this processed food nightmare? I do now!
So, it was during one of these many episodes that I read this book the first time, and then promptly forgot to write any notes, or my final thoughts in order to write the review. I knew I loved it, but what to say? Which is why I read it again. And I loved it just as much, even though I knew how it would end.
The characters’ tension in dealing with being lost in the wilderness is some of the best part of the book. That says a lot that I enjoyed reading it again, when I knew all their answers to their problems. It was still exciting reliving it with them.
I’m rating this book as high as I can because there wasn’t anything that I didn’t like. It’s wilderness survival – my favorite theme. It has good emotion, even if it’s not a romance in the strictest terms. It is about relationships – Lauren’s mom and dad’s rocky marriage, as well as Lauren’s growing relationship with her boyfriend. But that’s not the focus. The mother/daughter growth was the highlight. Overcoming grief was a huge part of this book, so if you’re recovering yourself, tread lightly. It’s positive in the end, but it’s also heartrending.
The second time I read this, I realized how much I had in common with the characters. Like Lauren’s mom, I have Fibromyalgia. Like Lauren and Tom, I love the outdoors, plus hiking and camping. Sadie knows how her illness messes with activities like hiking, and I do, too. Although I haven’t let it stop me from doing everything I love, it does limit me from realizing my dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail.
I understand the pain Sadie feels and how she overcomes it to save herself and her daughter. I think it’s that same endurance and hope that has brought me through my health issues. Let alone the strength I’ve needed facing my husband’s stage four cancer diagnosis. We’re finally both headed to recovery, thank God!
Thanks to Barbara Claypole White for reviewing this book first, and putting this pretty cover in my face, so I’d pay attention. I get so many great book suggestions from Barbara, who also writes great books!
Kay Bratt writes stories that delve deep into her characters’ heart and soul. She made me cry both times I read this book, but it was a cathartic cry. Her special talent of taking what I think and feel, then putting it on paper, brings me great joy. I can feel the wilderness around me as if I’m there. That’s such a great gift to someone who has always dreamed of thru-hiking, knowing my body will never survive it.
So, write-on Kay Bratt – I’ll keep dreaming of adventures through your books. DANCING WITH THE SUN is a beautiful journey through what makes us human. All our fears and emotion make us who we are, but we have to remember to dance with the sun. Maybe that’s why sunflowers are my favorite, and Kay Bratt is a new favorite new-to-me author.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. A digital advanced copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review. For another great book by Kay Bratt, read WISH ME HOME. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media.
July 7, 2018
Dancing with tears. Wow. This was my first book from this author, who I honestly picked up mostly based on the strength of the other books from her publisher (Lake Union). And yet again, yet another of their authors shows just how good the books they put out are. The book itself is laced with sorrow with a genuine amount of fear of survival once the main plot kicks in, and both the revelations about the past and the perils of the present are well paced. The sense of sorrow never really leaves, even at the end, but it does indeed have a fitting happy ending. I've definitely found a new author to get caught up on.
November 13, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishers and Kay Bratt for this beautiful book.
This story will take you on a journey of the soul. One you won’t soon forget. The love, loss, fear, sadness, emptiness, desperation, determination and much more. There are so many emotions in this story that you will do them all at once and each at it time. I’ve never read a book like this one. It touches on things that made my heart break and heal within minutes. The fear a mother has. The strength she has. The fears and the love. Above all the love. Losing a child is the ultimate pain. What would you do to keep from losing a second child? Sadie knew she had to do whatever it took to make sure Lauren was going to be ok. To ensure that she brought her out of this journey safe and alive. She knew she would never survive the loss of another child. The strength she had while battling the pain, the physical pain she lived with and the pain of the losses she had suffered with for so many years, was beyond comprehension. Her love for Lauren far outweighed the pain she felt. The hunger she felt and the thought of losing the love of her life.
They went through a lot and you will feel the pain they feel. The tears they shed in fear and in letting go of the past. Lauren helped her mother in ways that surprised Sadie. To let go of the pain, as much as a mother can, of the loss of her son so many years ago. The grief she held onto. She learned how to celebrate the child’s short life. And to forgive herself and her husband who she loved more than even she knew at this point. The love was there but the pain was greater. Tom was the love of Sadie’s life and she pushed him away for so long.
The thought of a love dying when it could have been so much stronger. Two people who need each other so much yet blame themselves for the greatest loss of their lives. Can they find their way back to each other or are they destine to be alone. To continue to grieve for each other and the child they lost. Can the daughter they adopted bring them back together through the love they both have for her.
I love when I see the part of a book that tells me why it has the title it has. I have two quotes that I loved: (1) It sounded remarkable if it were true. No wonder the boy had made her fall for him. Jetting her off to France. Watching flowers dancing with the sun. And (2) in the EPILOGUE: after a moment of silence and a few sniffles, Tom cut the seriousness by making them sway, as though they moved to music. Sadie smiled, happiness flooding through her as she realized that for the first time all together, they danced with the sun.
To me that was perfection at it’s best.
At the end is the From the author the story behind the story. A must read after you finish. It’s heartwarming and so touching and explains so much.
This book was truly a beautiful one. The characters are wonderful. You fall in love with them. The scenery is told so you feel like you are there. I felt the wind, rain, cold and love. The love is always the best part. Finding your way back where you belong.
It’s such a good book. Rarely do I find one that actually truly touches me like this one did. I’ve loved lots of books but this one was different. It was like nothing I have ever read before. The feelings, the descriptions. It was wonderful. I loved it from cover to cover. And what was written at the end was perfect and so touching. It is hard to find the right words to express but just know it’s my favorite book this year!! Hands down.
A big, huge, 5 stars for this wonderful book. I loved it from start to finish. Thank you Kay Bratt for writing such a beauty for us.
This story will take you on a journey of the soul. One you won’t soon forget. The love, loss, fear, sadness, emptiness, desperation, determination and much more. There are so many emotions in this story that you will do them all at once and each at it time. I’ve never read a book like this one. It touches on things that made my heart break and heal within minutes. The fear a mother has. The strength she has. The fears and the love. Above all the love. Losing a child is the ultimate pain. What would you do to keep from losing a second child? Sadie knew she had to do whatever it took to make sure Lauren was going to be ok. To ensure that she brought her out of this journey safe and alive. She knew she would never survive the loss of another child. The strength she had while battling the pain, the physical pain she lived with and the pain of the losses she had suffered with for so many years, was beyond comprehension. Her love for Lauren far outweighed the pain she felt. The hunger she felt and the thought of losing the love of her life.
They went through a lot and you will feel the pain they feel. The tears they shed in fear and in letting go of the past. Lauren helped her mother in ways that surprised Sadie. To let go of the pain, as much as a mother can, of the loss of her son so many years ago. The grief she held onto. She learned how to celebrate the child’s short life. And to forgive herself and her husband who she loved more than even she knew at this point. The love was there but the pain was greater. Tom was the love of Sadie’s life and she pushed him away for so long.
The thought of a love dying when it could have been so much stronger. Two people who need each other so much yet blame themselves for the greatest loss of their lives. Can they find their way back to each other or are they destine to be alone. To continue to grieve for each other and the child they lost. Can the daughter they adopted bring them back together through the love they both have for her.
I love when I see the part of a book that tells me why it has the title it has. I have two quotes that I loved: (1) It sounded remarkable if it were true. No wonder the boy had made her fall for him. Jetting her off to France. Watching flowers dancing with the sun. And (2) in the EPILOGUE: after a moment of silence and a few sniffles, Tom cut the seriousness by making them sway, as though they moved to music. Sadie smiled, happiness flooding through her as she realized that for the first time all together, they danced with the sun.
To me that was perfection at it’s best.
At the end is the From the author the story behind the story. A must read after you finish. It’s heartwarming and so touching and explains so much.
This book was truly a beautiful one. The characters are wonderful. You fall in love with them. The scenery is told so you feel like you are there. I felt the wind, rain, cold and love. The love is always the best part. Finding your way back where you belong.
It’s such a good book. Rarely do I find one that actually truly touches me like this one did. I’ve loved lots of books but this one was different. It was like nothing I have ever read before. The feelings, the descriptions. It was wonderful. I loved it from cover to cover. And what was written at the end was perfect and so touching. It is hard to find the right words to express but just know it’s my favorite book this year!! Hands down.
A big, huge, 5 stars for this wonderful book. I loved it from start to finish. Thank you Kay Bratt for writing such a beauty for us.
September 11, 2018
I absolutely loved this book!! It is written with such a profound understanding of a mothers all consuming grief over the loss of her child. This book is about so much more than grief though. It is a story of survival in the wilderness. It is about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children. It is heartfelt and at times, heartbreaking. It brought me to tears on several occasions. It is such a descriptive novel and I was there in the wild of Yosemite with Sadie and her adopted daughter, Lauren. I could taste their fear at times. The characters are richly developed and I felt like I knew them. This is a beautiful book and it should be a reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and keep dancing in the Sun. I highly recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union publishers for a copy of this book for review consideration.
September 8, 2018
Kay Bratt has such a wonderful gift to bring the reader emotionally into her stories. Dancing With the Sun took me into the harrowing journey with Sadie and her daughter Lauren. This was more than just a story of Sadie getting lost in the wilderness with her daughter...it was the story of Sadie finding her way out of the wilderness that her life had been for many years after the tragic loss of her son. Kay Bratt had me lost in the wilderness with these characters....the fear, the hopelessness, the intense anxiety of whether they would find their way out. Sadie had lost her way many years before and had kept her feelings hidden...or she thought she had. Her motherly instincts kicked in at protecting her daughter, no matter the cost, and had me rooting for them to find their way. Their "adventure" revealed many things that otherwise might have continued to be hidden.
I truly felt I was fighting to survive with Sadie and Lauren. This story is written from the heart and I felt it was very sensitive to the issues Kay Bratt included in this story. I enjoyed the story so very much and when I go out into the mountains and forests and see the light shining through the trees, I will be reminded to always be Dancing With the Sun
This passage in the book touched me:
"...I like to think that we don't really know why the sunflower moves the way it does. That some things in the universe are meant to remain a mystery. But the lesson I learned as I watched them and cataloged their progress is that through everything, good and bad, we should stand tall and follow the light. For our own growth."
I want to thank Kay Bratt, Lake Union Publishing, and Netgalley for the honor of reading this wonderful book. I gladly and happily recommend it. I have given it 5...YES READ IT and DANCE...stars.
I truly felt I was fighting to survive with Sadie and Lauren. This story is written from the heart and I felt it was very sensitive to the issues Kay Bratt included in this story. I enjoyed the story so very much and when I go out into the mountains and forests and see the light shining through the trees, I will be reminded to always be Dancing With the Sun
This passage in the book touched me:
"...I like to think that we don't really know why the sunflower moves the way it does. That some things in the universe are meant to remain a mystery. But the lesson I learned as I watched them and cataloged their progress is that through everything, good and bad, we should stand tall and follow the light. For our own growth."
I want to thank Kay Bratt, Lake Union Publishing, and Netgalley for the honor of reading this wonderful book. I gladly and happily recommend it. I have given it 5...YES READ IT and DANCE...stars.
November 15, 2018
image_563998594538461Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “Dancing With the Sun” by Kay Bratt
Kay Bratt, Author or “Dancing With the Sun” has written an inspirational, and emotional book filled with love, hope, and courage. The Genre for this novel is Fiction. The timeline of the story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her characters as complex and intriguing.
Sadie Harlan is grieving the loss of a child for many years. She keeps to herself, and also keeps herself from getting to close to people in her life. Her daughter Lauren thinks she always seems sad. Lauren is an intern at Yosemite National Park. Sadie decides to visit her daughter there.
At Lauren’s request they take a walk in the trails, and what starts as a quiet walk admiring the beauty of nature turns into a nightmare when they get lost. The both try to use their survival skills so they can be found. While at the mercy of the elements, both Sadie and Lauren have some intense conversations.
When Lauren’s leg gets hurt, Sadie promises she will protect her daughter at any cost. Will Sadie be able to keep that promise? I appreciate that the author discusses, family and emotional support, faith, hope and love. I would recommend this novel to any readers who enjoy an inspirational story of courage, compassion and love. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Kay Bratt, Author or “Dancing With the Sun” has written an inspirational, and emotional book filled with love, hope, and courage. The Genre for this novel is Fiction. The timeline of the story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her characters as complex and intriguing.
Sadie Harlan is grieving the loss of a child for many years. She keeps to herself, and also keeps herself from getting to close to people in her life. Her daughter Lauren thinks she always seems sad. Lauren is an intern at Yosemite National Park. Sadie decides to visit her daughter there.
At Lauren’s request they take a walk in the trails, and what starts as a quiet walk admiring the beauty of nature turns into a nightmare when they get lost. The both try to use their survival skills so they can be found. While at the mercy of the elements, both Sadie and Lauren have some intense conversations.
When Lauren’s leg gets hurt, Sadie promises she will protect her daughter at any cost. Will Sadie be able to keep that promise? I appreciate that the author discusses, family and emotional support, faith, hope and love. I would recommend this novel to any readers who enjoy an inspirational story of courage, compassion and love. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
August 7, 2018
As avid a reader as I am, and as much as I enjoy writing myself, I can not imagine I could ever have the ability to weave a story so beautiful. Very evidently a work involving both a lot of personal experience and tireless research, Kay Bratt has done it again. She has an amazing gift for telling stories that pull you in.
From the first book I read that was authored by her to this newest one, and having read all the others in between, she never fails to both deliver what I have come to expect and surprise me in that the endings in her works of fiction are not something you know from the beginning of the story is going to be the outcome.
For personal reasons, this was a very difficult book to read. Some of the emotions expressed are such that it has made me wonder if the author harbors a secret or if she has just done research so in depth that she can so adequately express what I like to say you can not know if you do not know - the loss of a child.
A story of brokenness, and facing and overcoming it, this is a great read for parents with an empty nest, parents with strained relationships and parents who have lost a child.
I cried as I could see myself there cheering at the end.
From the first book I read that was authored by her to this newest one, and having read all the others in between, she never fails to both deliver what I have come to expect and surprise me in that the endings in her works of fiction are not something you know from the beginning of the story is going to be the outcome.
For personal reasons, this was a very difficult book to read. Some of the emotions expressed are such that it has made me wonder if the author harbors a secret or if she has just done research so in depth that she can so adequately express what I like to say you can not know if you do not know - the loss of a child.
A story of brokenness, and facing and overcoming it, this is a great read for parents with an empty nest, parents with strained relationships and parents who have lost a child.
I cried as I could see myself there cheering at the end.
May 22, 2020
So so dumb.
November 15, 2018
image_563998594538461Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “Dancing With the Sun” by Kay Bratt
Kay Bratt, Author or “Dancing With the Sun” has written an inspirational, and emotional book filled with love, hope, and courage. The Genre for this novel is Fiction. The timeline of the story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her characters as complex and intriguing.
Sadie Harlan is grieving the loss of a child for many years. She keeps to herself, and also keeps herself from getting to close to people in her life. Her daughter Lauren thinks she always seems sad. Lauren is an intern at Yosemite National Park. Sadie decides to visit her daughter there.
At Lauren’s request they take a walk in the trails, and what starts as a quiet walk admiring the beauty of nature turns into a nightmare when they get lost. The both try to use their survival skills so they can be found. While at the mercy of the elements, both Sadie and Lauren have some intense conversations.
When Lauren’s leg gets hurt, Sadie promises she will protect her daughter at any cost. Will Sadie be able to keep that promise? I appreciate that the author discusses, family and emotional support, faith, hope and love. I would recommend this novel to any readers who enjoy an inspirational story of courage, compassion and love. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Kay Bratt, Author or “Dancing With the Sun” has written an inspirational, and emotional book filled with love, hope, and courage. The Genre for this novel is Fiction. The timeline of the story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her characters as complex and intriguing.
Sadie Harlan is grieving the loss of a child for many years. She keeps to herself, and also keeps herself from getting to close to people in her life. Her daughter Lauren thinks she always seems sad. Lauren is an intern at Yosemite National Park. Sadie decides to visit her daughter there.
At Lauren’s request they take a walk in the trails, and what starts as a quiet walk admiring the beauty of nature turns into a nightmare when they get lost. The both try to use their survival skills so they can be found. While at the mercy of the elements, both Sadie and Lauren have some intense conversations.
When Lauren’s leg gets hurt, Sadie promises she will protect her daughter at any cost. Will Sadie be able to keep that promise? I appreciate that the author discusses, family and emotional support, faith, hope and love. I would recommend this novel to any readers who enjoy an inspirational story of courage, compassion and love. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
August 23, 2019
While the basic story of a mother/daughter getting lost on a mountain hike, struggling for survival works, I found Sadie, the mother, to be unbearable. Passive-aggressive, negative, self-indulgent and utterly unlikeable. Her daughter, Lauren, is a typical 20--year-old college student, and was excited to share a quick hike in the mountains nearby her college. Much like “ Gillian’s Island infamous “3-hour-tour”, things went awry. Sadie’s spur-of-the-moment cross-country flight flight to visit Lauren, without telling her, was the main reason for the lack of planning or preparation for the misadventure.
Of course, emotional issues were delved into while they were stuck in the wilderness, and happily resolved by the end of the book.
Of course, emotional issues were delved into while they were stuck in the wilderness, and happily resolved by the end of the book.
September 9, 2018
Dancing with the Sun had me on the edge of my seat wit the action....when I wasn't being moved by the touching struggle of a mother trying to become her own person again.
This was a book that I walked around with my nose in and ended up reading in one day! I was just bewitched by the story!
What a gift Kay Bratt has, to pull you into her story and bring your emotions to so many levels!
The writing is stellar, plot over the top and characters full and rich.
A must read! An absolute 5 stars rating!I
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
This was a book that I walked around with my nose in and ended up reading in one day! I was just bewitched by the story!
What a gift Kay Bratt has, to pull you into her story and bring your emotions to so many levels!
The writing is stellar, plot over the top and characters full and rich.
A must read! An absolute 5 stars rating!I
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
December 13, 2018
In Dancing With the Sun, Kay Bratt skillfully weaves together a tapestry that is rich in both texture and color. The story is heartbreaking and heart warming as it delves into the most painful experience a person can have (but I won't reveal it). It is a story of the unintended divide that can occur between parent and child or husband and wife when people go their separate ways in response to tragedy. But it also reveals the path to peace and reunification. Highly recommended.
Read
January 19, 2020Ok, so, I have a love/hate relationship with reading about places I know. I love it because of the memories it brings but I struggle when details aren't accurate. Then I have trouble concentrating on the actual story. For this reason, I am choosing not to rate this book.
January 18, 2020
There’s only so much disbelief that can be suspended before a book just becomes ridiculous. Good premise, but poorly executed.
September 28, 2021
A story about a mother and daughter who become lost in Yosemite national park. Good storyline, and very interesting.
August 19, 2024
Excellent read, was wishing there was more content. I did take a star because I felt like some of the content became predictable.
This is a story of grief and how each of us grieve differently. The space people require, families growing up and learning how to let things be. When Sadie and Tom lose their son, it’s like the world is crumbling. Their daughter Lauren was too young to understand and with Sadie being unable to grieve her loss she pushed them both away.Unable to feel love or give live, Sadie felt that it was her fault for their loss. A “gotcha day” trip to visit Lauren turns horribly wrong and leaves them lost in Yosemite for 2 days and 3 nights. But being with each other and away from civilization is exactly what Sadie and Lauren needed. Upon being reduced, Sadie comes to the realization that she was the one pushing everyone away. When finally rescued, Tom runs straight for her. He had been waiting for her to come back to him.
This books shows that even when dealing with grief, our loved ones are who we can fall on. No matter how hard we push they are there to catch us. Although loss of a loved one is incredibly difficult, they are never really gone. They are always with us.
This is a story of grief and how each of us grieve differently. The space people require, families growing up and learning how to let things be. When Sadie and Tom lose their son, it’s like the world is crumbling. Their daughter Lauren was too young to understand and with Sadie being unable to grieve her loss she pushed them both away.Unable to feel love or give live, Sadie felt that it was her fault for their loss. A “gotcha day” trip to visit Lauren turns horribly wrong and leaves them lost in Yosemite for 2 days and 3 nights. But being with each other and away from civilization is exactly what Sadie and Lauren needed. Upon being reduced, Sadie comes to the realization that she was the one pushing everyone away. When finally rescued, Tom runs straight for her. He had been waiting for her to come back to him.
This books shows that even when dealing with grief, our loved ones are who we can fall on. No matter how hard we push they are there to catch us. Although loss of a loved one is incredibly difficult, they are never really gone. They are always with us.
November 28, 2018
I read an advanced copy and I really loved it! Kay Bratt did it again with bringing me outside my normal genre of books. First with Wish Me Home now with Dancing With the Sun. I took my time reading this book because I didn't want it to end. The story is about a mother and daughters relationship and how far a mother would go for her child to keep them safe. Sadie, the mother, had a hard time letting go of this pain she felt every day for years. The pain she felt caused a wall to be built so she couldn't fully enjoy the joys and happiness with her husband and daughter. There was something that always held her back. When Sadie went to visit her daughter they were faced with difficulties that made Sadie slowly drop that wall and be there completely for her daughter. The story made me think of my two boys and the great lengths I would also go through to save and do whatever I have to for them. Don't take things for granted even the smallest of things. You never know when it'll be the last time. Thank you Kay for writing this book. I think this book will touch a lot of hearts.
December 9, 2021
Kay Bratt, loving author of Dancing With The Sun, I apologize for having taken so long to get to your beautiful story, and especially the After Story. Life got in my way. This is a phenomenal story of what begins with a Mom going to visit her daughter at college for a weekend. Lauren talks her Mother, Sadie into going on a short hike with her, for which neither of them are prepared. They become lost, and after great trials and tribulations, find more than they could have ever anticipated. Nearly starving, and dehydrated, the true emotions of a rough past are forced out of the Mom by her daughter, as they discover what really matters to both of them. The hurt that were experienced by Mom were not without the daughter's knowledge, and their relationship takes a 180 degree turn, as everything comes to the surface. Loss and pain are an enormous part of this book, but the healing of a family was monumental to me! Terrific depiction of what parents suffer through with their children, Kay! Thanks for such a gut-wrenching story!
November 18, 2018
Kay Bratt is an author who creates wonderfully rich, well-developed characters, and who has the ability to transport us mentally and emotionally wherever she wishes us to be.
In Dancing with the Sun Bratt tells the story of the Harlan family, Sadie, Tom, their adopted daughter Lauren, and Jacob, the son they lost when he was eleven. Sadie has been solemnly walking through life, mired in grief, since the death of her son decades ago. She feels that to move on is akin to forgetting him, and she can't bear the thought of that. Her stance has cost her dearly though - she and her husband seem to be leading separate lives and she is ready to ask him for a divorce. As the anniversary of her son's death approaches, Sadie decides to spend the day with their daughter, who, following her first year of college, is interning in Yosemite National Park.
When Sadie arrives, Lauren talks her into going for a short walk in the park so she can show her mother a beautiful lake. Though another hiker warns them of an unexpected change in the weather, Lauren is confident that they'll be able to walk to the lake and back before the storm comes. If only that were the case! Instead, the two women find themselves lost, in a drenching storm, with no food or water, and few supplies. Night is upon them before they know it.
Fighting the elements, injuries, illness, and encounters with wild animals, they must rely on each other, using everything they know and all the strength they have to survive. Their dire situation also forces them to come to terms with each other, the death of Jacob, and other events in the past where they have felt apart from each other.
Dancing with the Sun is a book about strength, resilience and the power of love. A very good read indeed, and one I highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
In Dancing with the Sun Bratt tells the story of the Harlan family, Sadie, Tom, their adopted daughter Lauren, and Jacob, the son they lost when he was eleven. Sadie has been solemnly walking through life, mired in grief, since the death of her son decades ago. She feels that to move on is akin to forgetting him, and she can't bear the thought of that. Her stance has cost her dearly though - she and her husband seem to be leading separate lives and she is ready to ask him for a divorce. As the anniversary of her son's death approaches, Sadie decides to spend the day with their daughter, who, following her first year of college, is interning in Yosemite National Park.
When Sadie arrives, Lauren talks her into going for a short walk in the park so she can show her mother a beautiful lake. Though another hiker warns them of an unexpected change in the weather, Lauren is confident that they'll be able to walk to the lake and back before the storm comes. If only that were the case! Instead, the two women find themselves lost, in a drenching storm, with no food or water, and few supplies. Night is upon them before they know it.
Fighting the elements, injuries, illness, and encounters with wild animals, they must rely on each other, using everything they know and all the strength they have to survive. Their dire situation also forces them to come to terms with each other, the death of Jacob, and other events in the past where they have felt apart from each other.
Dancing with the Sun is a book about strength, resilience and the power of love. A very good read indeed, and one I highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
December 10, 2018
I say it, and I'll say it again ... i love when Amazon gives ya an option to read or listen ... we have never traveled to Yosemite National Park ...it is on our must travel list for sure. Just a heads up when you travel or hike anywhere ...be sure that some one ...several folks know where you are going, always take water and some kind of food to keep up your strength and energy throughout the event. I think a lot of folks don't do the research the should before exercise events, if you are trying out something u have never done before ... be it hiking, biking, whatever it maybe ... u should always figure it all, have a plan, have an escape plan and be sure lots of folks know where u r and were u r doing these activities. be smart! I really did enjoy this listen. must read in my books. love that book cover, sometimes a nice serene view is all u do need!! will look forward to more from Kay Bratt very very soon. ( ;
May 18, 2019
Dancing with the Sun is a beautiful poignant novel of loss, bewilderment, soul-searching, fear, victories, love and family. How do you handle grief? Do you shut out those around pretending everything is fine or do you just find ways to keep moving forward? This story is full over adventure and wonder.
Kay Bratt has you running the gamut of emotions while reading this book. It’s beautiful and sad, wonderful and a bit scary. The incredible words and that give you visuals so you actually feel as you are part of the story is incredible.
I personally loved this book. From the imagery to the immense feelings this is truly a book that needs to and should be read. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
Thank #netgalley and #lakeunionpublishing for allowing me to read this book for a fair and honest review.
Kay Bratt has you running the gamut of emotions while reading this book. It’s beautiful and sad, wonderful and a bit scary. The incredible words and that give you visuals so you actually feel as you are part of the story is incredible.
I personally loved this book. From the imagery to the immense feelings this is truly a book that needs to and should be read. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
Thank #netgalley and #lakeunionpublishing for allowing me to read this book for a fair and honest review.
October 24, 2019
This is a great book. The relationship and interactions between the mother and daughter is realistic, and at times irritating. The further development of their relationship while on their adventure is inspiring, captivating and imperative for their future relationship. The story kept me emotionally involved. It is a "can't put it down" story. I loved the inclusion of the owl, and anticipated his importance and relevance from the very beginning. The imagery with the sunflowers is impressive. Dancing with the Sun is a perfect title; the references to it in several places was perfect! I totally enjoyed this book.
September 9, 2020
Another great read while driving using the Audible version of this novel. A nice family story about a grieving mother's road to recovery (from the tragic loss of her son drowned in a fishing accident). Mother and adopted daughter (now college-age) of Chinese descent get lost in a national forest, bonding as they face death threatening dangers of starvation, bear attacks, dehydration and hiking disasters. The story gets its strength both from the surface lost in the woods narrative and the in-depth emotional bonding between a daughter (held at arm's length due to the mother's grief over her son's death) as they are forced to face life-threatening dangers together. Needless to say, the story ends with their rescue, but don't miss the Epilogue that wraps up the family reunification with some lovely surprises.
Again, as with several other recent book readings, this is a nice Summer read, in my case enhanced by the voices playing out the story in this Audible version.
Again, as with several other recent book readings, this is a nice Summer read, in my case enhanced by the voices playing out the story in this Audible version.
September 24, 2018
What an incredible life journey! As I read I laughed, I cried, I cheered and I prayered for the beautiful characters of mother, broken but loving and daughter, confused but loving. As the mother of child lost too soon I identified with the broken spirit of Sadie and the ability to build a wall to protect one’s heart. Yet the ability to love the children that came after is so strong it does help to soften those walls. Lauren’s curiosity about the brother she never knew and her questions about her past were brought to life in such a way that the emotions were felt by the reader!
Kay Bratt’s ability to bring those details and emotions right off the page and into your live is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing that gift with readers like myself!
Kay Bratt’s ability to bring those details and emotions right off the page and into your live is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing that gift with readers like myself!
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