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A retired Ph.D. nurse, specializing in mental health, Shoni Davis lives in Boise, Idaho. She devoted much of her forty-year nursing career to working with women experiencing mental health and addiction issues. She learned as much from them about life as she hoped they learned from her.
Shoni is the mother of two grown daughters and five awesome grandkids. Quantum physics intrigues her. Don't ask her to repeat back what she just read—but the part about everything being possible she finds fascinating.
Esme is Shoni's debut novel.
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Esme by Shoni Davis is a novel that blends deep emotions with a touch of mysticism, drawing readers into Sam Parker’s journey of sacrifice, love, and destiny. A fortuneteller’s prophecy sets the tone, urging readers to brace for a tale shaped by fateful choices. The story addresses the challenges of life—mental illness, addiction, and family loyalty—realistically and effectively, as Sam’s retreat to the Pacific Northwest and his encounter with Esme, a black blood Roma, introduce a mix of hope and heartbreak.
The story introduces readers to Sam, Joanna, and Esme in five parts through the third-person omniscient POV. Davis's blend of spiritual and mystical elements adds intrigue and imagination to an otherwise grounded story as Sam struggles to balance fatherhood, a deteriorating marriage, and his dreams. The novel also tackles challenging issues like prejudice, bullying, abortion, and bigotry without becoming overbearing, letting readers process these themes organically through the characters' lives. The world-building is slow, but the character development is so engaging that you’ll want to stick with it. Whether you're drawn to Sam’s internal battles or fascinated by Esme’s mysterious connection to him, there’s no shortage of emotional depth. Esme is a story about choices and their consequences, about family, and the pull of destiny. It will have readers reflecting on the power of love and what it means to balance personal desire with loyalty to those we care about most. Esme by Shoni Davis is perfect for readers who enjoy deeply emotional stories with paranormal elements and relatable characters to cheer for.
