Colleen recommends "The Warm Hands of Ghosts"

This adult historical fiction title effortlessly weaves an eerie undertone of magical realism amongst a somber tale of grief, loss, and finding strength to go on.  

The Warm Hands of Ghosts tells the stories of Laura Iven, a wounded and discharged field nurse, and her brother who she left behind, Freddie. Laura has survived the horrors of war as well as a recent tragedy at home. Before she can recover, she receives word that her brother has died in combat. But Laura is convinced that something is amiss and sets off to find out the truth.

Once her story is underway, we are introduced to Freddie from his point of view. Freddie Iven finds himself trapped on the battlefield with another wounded soldier. But is this soldier an ally or enemy? Can they make it out alive? If they do, where can they even go?

Against all odds, they manage to escape killing fields and find solace in an abandoned mansion. But all is not quite as it seems for them, either.  

Laura and Freddie fight to reunite with one another as they overcome physical obstacles, fight psychological battles, and traverse treacherous war-torn lands. But are they headed towards one another, or have their paths already passed in time and space?

Meghan recommends "The Road to Tender Hearts"

The Road to Tender Hearts opens in a nursing home, where the resident cat can predict who will be next to die. Turns out no one wants to cuddle with a cat who may be the grim reaper. After getting kicked out, the cat makes his way through Pond View, Massachusetts, and leads us to PJ Halliday, a former mailman, a drunk, and a lottery winner whose generous spirit and cheerful manner have endeared him to the townsfolk. He’s even on good terms with his ex-wife and her new beau. He’s on not-so-good terms with his daughter, but when he unexpectedly becomes guardian to two young kids, she agrees to accompany him, and the kids, and the cat across the country on a road trip to the Tender Hearts Retirement Home, where PJ plans to surprise his recently widowed high school crush. 

I found this book laugh out loud funny, mostly thanks to the very precocious kids, Luna and Ollie. There is also a lot of death and heavy themes, but the story never loses its heart and will have you rooting for each of these characters throughout the book. 

From a starred review at Kirkus: “A beautiful reminder that the world is full of tragedy, but life-changing joy and connection might be just around the corner.”

For fans of the film Little Miss Sunshine or Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. Available as a book, eBook or eAudio.