By Susan Stoker
I read/listened to Protecting the Future after I finished Shelter for Penelope. Well. I still can’t get over the fact that Susan Stoker writes stories that manage to keep her readers on their toes, making us feel like we are right there alongside the characters, feeling every emotion they go through on each of their journeys!
A bonus is the narration of Stella Bloom. I always look forward to listening to Susan Stoker’s books especially when I know it is Ms. Bloom who will be doing the audio recording. Perfect!
A motto attributed to the elite United States Army Rangers and embodied in the “Soldier’s Creed” has the following lines:
I am an American Soldier.
I am a warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
“No man left behind” is a recurring theme in all of Susan Stoker’s books. Time and again, in different situations, she reminds her readers that no one—however and whatever the circumstance—should ever be left behind. Especially in times of need.
The story of Penelope being rescued, of her brother not giving up on her even when the world seems to have done so, paints a stark contrast to what is happening in the world today.
Too many poor and dying. Mental illness on the rise. Suicides. And yes, let us not forget the elephant in everyone’s mind, climate change.
Of course, we cannot solve everyone’s problems. We have our own. We have our daily lives to contend with, mouths to feed, bills to pay, etc., etc. But…
It takes only one, yes? If we can only reach out to one person, then maybe that is enough.
Just reach out. Cash does not even have to get into the picture. Reaching out does not have to be costly. Just a bit of time, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on—these are enough.
Time costs money, you say?
How about that one second it takes to smile at someone who just needed a sign that all will be alright in his world?
How about that one second where you let a harried mom bypass you in line so that she can sit her crying toddler down?
A second is all it takes to make everything right in someone else’s world. To the men and women in Susan Stoker’s world, a second means everything. A second, to them, means never leaving anyone behind, never quitting, never accepting defeat.
They will do everything in their power to make everything right in the world, and so should we, in however way we can.
Bitch N Books 
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