Jane Frances Ruby has entertained and illuminated readers with her first young adult novel,
The Azurite Encounter
. Her sequel,
Voiceless Whispers
adds a dose of myth and folklore to the series.
Three years after her fateful high school field trip to the Grand Canyon, all is good with Desiree Sumner. Not so much for Taqa, the medicine man who helped her. Worn and battered by many years of serving his ancient hidden tribe in the Grand Canyon, He wants to retire. But first he must teach his skills of shamanism and herbal medicine to a successor.
His quest is hampered by a sick young grandniece, Shedi. When none of Taqa's remedies help her, Shedi's grandmother breaks tribal rules and leaves the canyon in search of modern medicine. Shedi follows her, making the situation worse.
While searching for Shedi in the South Rim Village, Taqa and his headstrong son, Naturale, run into Desiree. They discover that only she can cure Shedi. Despite Taqa's distrust of modern medicine and Naturale's distrust of Desiree, Shedi's treatment is permitted. But it risks tribal secrecy, Taqa's safety, and ultimately his retirement plans.