Review: Playing for the Save

Playing for the Save by Rachelle Ayala
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is the fourth book in the series. I have not read every book in the series yet. I had no problem with reading this out of order. My experience with the series is that though the books are connected each can be read as a stand alone.
This book touched me deeply. I have grandsons who are on the spectrum. I had custody of one. The author worked very hard to present an accurate picture of what autism can be like. Autism can be different for every person on the spectrum which makes it an extremely difficult subject to write about. I commend the author for her decision to tackle it. Autism is on the rise but whether that is because there are more cases or because there is more awareness is up for debate. My personal opinion is that it is a combination of the two. Ms Ayala, in choosing to write a story where autism is included, helps greatly with awareness. That she chose to make it central to the plot and took pains to make it as accurate as she could, helps greatly with understanding. I am deeply grateful she treated this subject with the attention and care that she did.
Ms Ayala wrote an important story that is heartbreaking yet heartwarming. Reading it will take you on an emotional roller coaster where you will laugh, cry, cheer and boo. You will feel happiness, despair, anger and, above all, hope because hope shines through every page. Those of us who have lived with autism, or are living with it, know it is love and hope that carries us through the bad moments. Understanding from family, friends and especially strangers can change a bad day into a bad moment and leave us feeling supported instead of alone. The story is the story of two people with very real problems who fight for love. It is also the story of a family fighting for love, understanding and acceptance. In my mind, it is one of the most important stories you may read.

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Review: A Ghostly Murder

A Ghostly Murder by Tonya Kappes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Things are heating up in Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Is someone out to get Granny? With the election over you wouldn't think so. But strange things are happening and it is looking like Granny is involved. And what is going on with Emma Lee and Jack Henry? Will their romance survive? Tonya Kappes has written another winner in the Ghostly Southern Mystery series. This series is so entertaining to read you don't notice the time flying by! You don't have to read them in order but it is more fun if you do. They are fast reads and, if you haven't read any of them, I recommend a weekend of binge reading.

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