Dragonfly Summer

Life can change in the blink of an eye.

Dani wants nothing more than to keep teaching the sweet children she loves in the special ed classroom at the elementary school, but with her mental health deteriorating at an alarming rate, that dream seems out of reach. And when she accepts her teenage sister's emotional plea to travel across the country to visit, Dani knows the secrets and nightmares she left behind are lurking around the corner, threatening to consume her.

Tom Lavine recently left prison after a decades-long stint, and he doesn't know where—or if—his aging self fits into this world anymore. God's forgiveness is one thing, but society doesn't look kindly upon people like him. When a former cellmate reaches out to Tom to let him know he recently discovered a grave marker carved with a familiar name, Tom knows he must make the long trek to visit the cemetery to find closure. Maybe confirming he really is the monster everyone thinks he is will finally put to rest the crazy idea his chaplain planted in his mind about applying to ministry school someday.

When Dani and Tom meet on the train, they forge an unlikely friendship and help each other navigate the day-to-day logistics of cross-country travel while opening up about the lingering pain of past mistakes. Long-held beliefs are challenged as they discuss their individual issues, worries, and the devastating moments that changed them forever. And just when healing seems within reach, both lives are upended when Dani and Tom come face-to-face with their greatest fears.

Fans of Lisa Wingate, Sara Brunsvold, Amanda Cox, and Katie Powner will also enjoy the true-to-life characters and faith-driven stories written by Valerie Howard. Available in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats. Audiobook coming soon!

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Endorsements:

“I’m a sucker for contemporary stories that feature unlikely friendships, so I was delighted to read Valerie Howard’s book Dragonfly Summer. I loved how the journey both main characters had to take and the lesson they each had to learn were made richer and more life-changing as a result of the characters’ lives intertwining. I also appreciated the unflinching honesty with which Howard depicted her characters’ struggles. This well-written, well-paced story is resonant and thought-provoking, and I highly recommend it to readers who love books such as The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox and The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold.”
-Katie Powner, Christy Award-winning author of Birds on a Wire

“Dragonfly Summer is a brave and vulnerable look at the different types of struggles that want us to believe there's no hope of overcoming them. Yet, it's also a resilient battle cry of deliverance and healing from shame and mental health disorders, through two characters who embark on a hard but holy journey. With a relatable cast, deep themes, and a faith-filled narrative, Dragonfly Summer is the perfect read for anyone who's feeling lost and needs some fresh hope.”
-Caitlin Miller, award-winning author of The Memories We Painted and Our Yellow Tape Letters

“Valerie Howard's books never fail to look true-to-life situations in the eye, and Dragonfly Summer is no exception. Mental health issues abound in today's world, and we need good Christian Fiction that addresses it. Through the eyes of a Christian and a non-Christian, this book peers into the daily struggle to think Biblically. Not just about God but about ourselves. Especially if you know someone who experiences OCD, this book provides helpful insight and encouragement to reject unhelpful and untrue thoughts.”
- D.T. Powell, Author of With Mercy’s Eyes

Editorial Review:

"Dragonfly Summer is a unique friendship story that beautifully illustrates the redemptive power of reaching out for help in our darkest moments and the healing found in reaching out in compassion in the midst of our own brokenness."
- Bethany Fehr, Editor