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Award-Winning Author Dawn Reno Langley Launches Two New Books That Confront Courage and Reinvention

Sep 7
2 min read

London, England, September 2026. Internationally published author Dawn Reno Langley, a native of Everett, Massachusetts, who graduated from Everett High School (EHS) in 1971, has released two major works this summer, The Sunflower: Book Two of The Art of Rivers, a sweeping historical novel set in 1960s Mississippi, and Love, Leashes & Letting Go, a deeply personal memoir of resilience, reinvention, and the unexpected ways animals help us heal. Together, these books showcase Langley’s signature blend of emotional depth, cinematic storytelling, and unflinching honesty.


Book cover The Sunflower by Dawn Reno Langley over sunset river, with 5-star review quotes and glowing tree reflections.

A novel of resistance, art, and hope: The Sunflower: Book Two of The Art of Rivers


Set against the violent backdrop of the American South during the Civil Rights era, The Sunflower is part two of a trilogy that follows an interracial couple whose marriage becomes a flashpoint for racial terror and community-led resistance. The novel illuminates women-driven defense networks, the power of art as activism, and the courage required to stand against systemic oppression.


Early readers have praised the book as “heartbreaking but beautiful,” “powerful and thought-provoking,” with “complex characters,” and destined to become “an unforgettable historical masterpiece,” positioning it as one of Langley’s most ambitious works to date.


A memoir of reinvention: Love, Leashes & Letting Go


In Love, Leashes & Letting Go, Langley turns inward, chronicling a journey through loss, self-discovery, and the profound companionship of animals. From the dog who sensed danger before she did to the moments of quiet clarity found in caregiving, travel, and rebuilding a life, the memoir offers a raw, hopeful portrait of choosing oneself after upheaval.


The book resonates with readers seeking authenticity, emotional truth, and stories that honor the messy, beautiful process of starting over. Reviewer Char Jones calls the book Langley’s “magnum opus.”


A unified creative vision


Though distinct in genre, both books explore social justice themes central to Langley’s body of work and open conversations about courage, the cost of silence, and the transformative power of art. Together, they mark a milestone year for an author known for crossing boundaries between fiction, memoir, and social commentary.


About the author


Dawn Reno Langley is an award-winning author of fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and children’s literature. Her work has appeared internationally and spans themes of social justice, personal reinvention, and the quiet heroism found in everyday lives. With a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fiction and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Interdisciplinary Studies, she credits the fellowships she received from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities for support in finishing her recent books. She is currently a nomad, traveling the world while caring for other people’s animals.


Media contact


For interviews, review copies, event requests, or international rights inquiries:

Dawn Reno Langley

WhatsApp: +1-919-349-1358

This article is published in collaboration with Brainz Magazine’s network of global experts, carefully selected to share real, valuable insights.

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