The Extraordinary Dreams of Cynthia Peabody

"The narration is emotional, descriptive, and colorful. Every scene is intricately detailed. The world-building is flawless. But it's the characters which make The Extraordinary Dreams of Cynthia Peabody an unputdownable read." N.N. Light's Book Heaven 5+++ stars

Mysterious portals, inexplicable abilities, intergenerational friendship, and a reluctant hero who just might be off her trolley!

Cynthia Peabody can't sleep. Recently widowed, her future seems a dreary blur. While practicing meditation techniques to fight insomnia, she discovers a mysterious portal in her backyard through which her dreams are shockingly realistic. 

She runs to her neighbor for help after a dream about a dog leads to a real dog in her yard. The next-door teen offers to be the dog walker and a surprising friendship develops. Juniper's natural sincerity influences Cynthia to reevaluate her grumpiness.

While dealing with complicated grief along with her life turning toward the supernatural, Cynthia's doctor's report brings lousy news. What else can go wrong? She's desperate for answers.

Pouring out her heart to her husband's memory, she fears the only logical explanation is that she's gone mad. But people in her hometown need help, especially a certain teenager from next door. Wishing she'd had someone looking out for her when she was young, Cynthia will do whatever it takes to protect the vulnerable, even if it means risking her life.

*Potential triggers for #MeToo and miscarriage.

"A sincere and sometimes gritty tale of a long-lived life" Lynne

5 stars:
"--if this story leaves you with anything, it's the gentle reminder that being a little kinder, a little braver, or a little more present in someone else's life might be the closest thing any of us get to being extraordinary. I finished with happy tears in my eyes." C. Shields (Goodreads)