Storm Dog

Whip-smart Ariel doesn’t fit in. Only in the winds of the Blue Ridge Mountains and spring storms that mirror the unhappiness she feels at home.

Her brother understands her, but he’s in Afghanistan. Her father hasn't been the same since George deployed. Her mother focuses on Ariel’s gorgeous sister. When Gloria is selected to be an Apple Blossom Parade princess, Ariel feels even more the outsider and takes to the hills.

There, during a raging storm, Ariel finds a lost dog who leads her to the safety of a cabin and Sergeant Josie, a former Army K-9 handler. Together—with music, dog-dancing, and a storm-child-crazy plan—the three outcasts find themselves.

In this whimsical tale of self-discovery, L. M. Elliott captures the flavor of Virginia’s hunt country and Appalachia, while exploring definitions of beauty and belonging. Storm Dog will make readers proud to dance to their own rhythms.

Can a girl who feels invisible, a veteran haunted by her past, and a dog afraid of his own shadow find the courage to take center stage?

• A Coming of Age Story: Ariel has always been the “storm child” in her family, but finding a lost dog in the Blue Ridge Mountains might be her chance to finally discover her own rhythm.
• Military Family Drama: With her beloved brother deployed to Afghanistan and her veteran father withdrawn, Ariel navigates the complexities of a family under unspoken stress.
• An Animal Rescue Mission: The German Shepherd Ariel finds isn't just lost—he might be a former military K-9, and healing his trauma is a mission she has to accept.
• Finding Your Voice: Through the unexpected joy of dog dancing, Ariel and her new friends hatch a crazy plan to crash the town parade and show everyone what it truly means to be beautiful.