Monday, April 24, 2017

Review: Red-Tailed Hawk by Nancy Schoellkopf with Giveaway


RED-TAILED HAWK
by Nancy Schoellkopf
Butterfly Tree Publishing
Contemporary




When Mariah Easter encounters a large hawk in her urban midtown neighborhood, her father Charlie is concerned. He can see a wild and mystical path opening before his daughter, a path he himself would never be able to resist. The hawk soon reappears: engraved with its twin on a golden thimble that has been an Easter family heirloom for generations. After the thimble is stolen at a funeral reception, Mariah and her mother Samantha set off on a road trip to find it, a journey that will bring healing to the grieving family and change Mariah's life forever.

Red-tailed Hawk is a coming of age story, the tale of a young woman's quest to discover the source of her own longing and to understand the mystical legacy of her family.

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MY TIDBITS

With a touch of magic and spirituality, this tale accompanies a family on a patient journey of personal growth, secrets and a touch of romance.

When Mariah's father passes away, she receives a thimble engraved with two red-tailed hawks. A woman, who no one recognizes, steals the thimble on the day of the funeral and a hunt which leads Mariah's family across the country, begins.

This is the second book in the Easter family's series, and although I did read the first one, it is not necessary to have read it before opening this one. In other words, it can be read as a stand alone.

Around twenty years have passes since the Easters came together, but this story slides effortlessly into place despite the time lapse. There are quite a few descriptions in the beginning, which make for a slow read at first, but it soon picks up. Most of the story centers around Mariah, the seventeen-year-old daughter, who after learning several secrets, is on a journey of self-discovery. Her behaviors and attitudes come across very naturally. She has a strong sense of spirituality, but this fits in well with that of her parents.

The other characters do not get lost in the flow, but pull along with their own problems, concerns and development. They interweave nicely with Mariah and add enriching layers and insights. I especially enjoyed the words of wisdom, which pepper the dialogue like little treats which can be taken along and stored away.

The pacing, although not always fast, holds steady the entire way through and allows the characters to unfold completely. Love, warmth and support shine through as the family works and melds together. There were moments when a little more description could have filtered in as they traveled across the country, but generally, it was no problem to slide into their world and hope they found the answers they needed.

Readers who enjoy self-growth, discovery, and a gentle spirituality are sure to enjoy the Easters' journey.

And here she is. . .

Nancy Schoellkopf is the author of Yellow-billed Magpie, the first in her Easter Family series. Nancy has been telling stories and writing poems for many lifetimes. It goes without saying that she'd need a second income, so this time around she has happily taught amazing children in special education classes in two urban school districts in Sacramento, California. A full time writer now, she enjoys lavishing attention on her cats, her garden, and her intriguing circle of family and friends.

​Connect with the author:    Website  ~   Twitter  ~   Facebook








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2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you for your wonderful review! I'm very grateful to have Red-Tailed Hawk featured on your blog!

cleemckenzie said...

I love to watch our Red Tailed Hawks circling, hunting. This mystical one has captured my imagination.