This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
The Wings of Morning by Douglas Atwill is an engaging story with rock-solid characters and a vivid setting. The story features three men who are trying to make a living in Santa Fe after WWII. It begins one July evening in the year 1946, with the Summervilles and the Parchers having dinner and discussing fortunes related to the war. Owen Parcher is a man greatly affected by the war who moves to Santa Fe with Sims Summerville, his cousin. One is a painter whose dream is to capture the experience of war — the sounds and sights of it — on canvas, and the other is a gifted writer. While their families aren’t at ease with the move to the west, the two are determined to pursue their passion. They develop a strong friendship with Hank Garcia, a lawyer with an imposing girlfriend, Viona. With stiff competition and tackling difficult projects, can they succeed in a place that has become a sanctuary for artists?
This is a beautiful novel that explores the solitude of creative minds and develops characters that are often “walled away from most of the community with only the occasional interaction with their neighbors. It only lacked the monastery bells to call them to work and, later, to gather back in the house.” The author does a wonderful job of character development, creating characters that are genuinely human and that readers can relate to. Themes of family, art, friendship, blackmail, and love are expertly handled. The writing is impeccable, and while the plot doesn’t contain explosive moments, the author keeps it realistic and creates interactions that reflect the ordinary experiences of characters and their time. The setting is another strength that comes out in the writing. The Wings of Morning is an engaging story and Douglas Atwill does a wonderful job in exploring the soul of the artist.
