A Sundog Moment, A Novel of Hope
by Sharon Baldacci

Available for $9.31 at Amazon.com (see link below)

Reviewed by LizOP
MSWorld Book Reviewer

When I first saw Sharon Baldacci, we were both in the midst of a crowd at the NMSS 2007 Conference. She looked a bit tired and there was nowhere to sit. I was seated in my power chair. Then I saw this remarkable pin she was wearing and commented to her. Our conversation grew longer and when I learned she had a book, I got my camera ready and snapped the photo above. She and I hit it off immediately and talked at least an hour.

She said she would send her book to me, as we exchanged cards. I couldn't wait to read it and when it arrived and I was reading, the remembrance of our conversation flashed in my mind. I slowed down and read more thoughtfully looking for the meaning of a Sundog Moment. I didn't want the book to end. I know I like a book when I come to the last few chapters and read very slowly.

The main character, Elizabeth, lives a contented life as a wife, mother, daughter and friend. With the diagnosis of MS, she and her world change but she has the fairly typical remission after her diagnosis and keeps thinking she will be just fine.

When her MS begins to be a constant in her life, she begins to view her life and roles differently. As her husband over protects her and her mother tries to control her life, she reaches out to those who might really understand what she is going through. She finds this in the Northern Neck Neuromuscular Support Group.

Her adventures with this group echo what happens with some groups looking for answers as they dabble in the use of marijuana and lose a member to suicide. Elizabeth has an experience with the law and her husband is lost trying to understand what she is doing with her life.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth is searching through her faith and after hearing a particular sermon on sundogs, she holds her hope of seeing a sundog at some point in her life and that it will make all the difference. A sundog refers to the rainbowlike weather phenomenon in the sky that supposedly means change is coming.

The author knows about MS, having been diagnosed in the 1980s, and uses her knowledge to spin fiction that we can relate to as a woman with MS or as a spouse, mother or friend of a woman with MS.

Does Elizabeth see her sundog? Do she and her husband and family find their way? Well, when you read the book you will know. When you realize this is her first novel, you will most likely agree that you want Sharon to write her next book and soon.

Keep looking at the sky for your sundog. It will happen when you least expect it.




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