“The magic of life is in the surprises no one ever sees coming.”

When the Skies Cry by Steve N. Lee, Book 2 of the “Books for Dog Lovers” series, is a poignant novel showing the power of a dog’s love and loyalty.

Harley, a handsome black and white support dog, served his master well. The two were inseparable. When his master dies, Harley is confused and miserable. As he wanders around town, he doesn’t know what to do, where to go. Fighting cold and hunger, he can’t survive much longer.

Rachel, a single mom, is having a tough time. Wes, her eleven year-old autistic son and the center of her life, is withdrawing into his own world. Wes can’t tolerate being touched and he’s getting more difficult to handle each day. Rachel, divorced, is trying to eke out a living as an illustrator, something she can do at home so she can be with her son.

On an outing to the park, Rachel and Wes encounter Harley as he’s being tormented by a group of teenage boys. She steps in and rescues the poor dog. But now what? She can’t leave him in the cold or at the mercy of these mean boys. She takes him home. To her surprise and Wes’s joy, they find the dog is amazingly smart. Someone is missing a valuable dog and Rachel feels she must make an effort to contact his owner. But then, what about Wes? He’s already fallen in love with this smart, affectionate dog.

When the Skies Cry is an excellent read, but more than that, it shows the value of a dog’s love. A trained support dog is a priceless companion and one to be cherished. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves dogs–from teens to senior citizens.