New Releases by Lisa Wingate

Par l'autrice du best-seller Les Enfants du fleuve : l'histoire de femmes qui, d'un siècle à l'autre, luttent pour protéger les enfants et les terres de l'avidité et de la cruauté des hommes. 1990. À peine arrivée au nouveau parc national de Horsethief Trail, Valerie, garde forestière, doit gérer les controverses locales, la disparition d'une adolescente et la découverte d'un mystérieux site funéraire. Dans sa quête de vérité, elle va se heurter à l'histoire tragique de cette terre en plongeant dans un passé meurtrier que beaucoup cherchent à oublier... 1909. Olive, onze ans, sait que son beau-père représente une menace pour les deux jeunes autochtones placées chez eux. Lorsque l'aînée disparaît, Ollie s'enfuit dans les bois avec Nessa, six ans. Ensemble, elles entament la périlleuse traversée d'un territoire peuplé de hors-la-loi. En chemin, Ollie et Nessa se joignent à d'autres enfants en fuite qui luttent pour conserver leur avance sur ceux qui veulent les exploiter... ou pire encore.

USA TODAY AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER • “Wingate’s stellar latest explores a centuries-long legacy of missing child cases. . . . Her portrayal of the region’s history, culture, and landscape enthralls. Wingate is at the top of her game.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours comes “a sweeping tale about little known history” (People). 1990. Law enforcement ranger Valerie Boren-Odell arrives at Horsethief Trail National Park seeking a quiet place to raise her son. But no sooner has Valerie reported for duty than a teenage hiker goes missing and the long-hidden burial site of three children is discovered in a cave. Val’s quest to uncover the truth wins an ally among the Choctaw Nation’s Tribal Police but soon collides with the deadly legacy of the land itself. 1909. Eleven-year-old Olive Radley knows that her stepfather is a threat to the two Choctaw girls boarded in their home. When the older girl disappears, Ollie flees, taking six-year-old Nessa with her. Together they begin a perilous journey to the remote Winding Stair Mountains, the territory of outlaws, treasure hunters, and desperate men. Along the way, they form an unlikely band with other children struggling to get by on their own. In this gripping novel, Lisa Wingate traces the story of children abandoned by the law and the battle to see justice done. Amid times of deep conflict over who owns the land and its riches, Ollie and Val each leave behind one life in search of another.

”Det här är lite Toni Morrison blandat med Huckleberry Finn. ... det blir en odyssé genom USA.” Jenny Lindh i Nyhetsmorgon, TV4 Efterlängtad historisk roman av författaren till Innan ni tog oss. I den turbulenta tiden efter det amerikanska inbördeskriget ger sig 18-åriga Hannie ut på en farofylld resa för att hitta sin mor och de åtta syskon som alla fördes bort av slavhandlare. Hennes dyrbaraste ägodel är tre blå glaspärlor som hon fick av sin mormor som ett kännetecken. Drömmen är att familjen en dag ska återförenas och att pärlhalsbandet ska bli komplett igen. 1987 börjar Benny Silva arbeta i en skola i en fattig stad i Louisiana. Både elever och föräldrar saknar framtidshopp och har tappat kontakten med sina rötter. Men en dag hittar Benny en hundra år gammal bok som kommer att förändra allt. "En riktigt härlig sydstatsroman berättad i två tidsplan ... både en historisk skildring som bygger på verkliga händelser, en äventyrsroman och naturligtvis en kärlekshistoria. Här finns både drag från Borta med vinden och Huckleberry Finn. /.../ jag kunde inte släppa boken." Karlstads-Tidningen "Åh, vilken berättelse. Jag älskade ju Innan de tog oss, men aldrig kunde jag tro att författaren skulle skriva en ny bok som tog mig med storm. /.../ Författaren lyckas få till magin så att jag färdas genom både tid och rum och allt blir verkligt. Jag kan inte slita mig från berättelsen förrän den är slut och då känns det konstigt att lämna bokens miljöer. Vilken fin läsupplevelse!" Boktokig

Louisiana 1875: I den turbulente tiden etter borgerkrigen legger den unge slavejenta Hannie ut på en farefull ferd mot Texas for å finne moren og de åtte søsknene som alle i sin tid ble bortført av slavehandlere og solgt videre. Hannie har tre blå glassperler fra bestemorens halskjede som hun vokter som en skatt. Perlene ble fordelt til søsken og søskenbarn sånn at de skulle ha et kjennetegn hvis det gikk mange år før de ble gjenforent. Målet er at en dag skal alle samles og perlekjedet bli komplett igjen. Louisiana 1987: Den nyutdannede læreren Benny Silva takker ja til å jobbe på en skole i en fattig, avsidesliggende by for å få nedbetalt studielånet. Hun er rystet over boforholdene til elevene, samtidig som hun med sin akademiske bakgrunn blir møtt med skepsis fra foreldrene. Men en dag finner hun en helt spesiell og over hundre år gammel bok som skal komme til å forandre alt.

Com mais de um milhão de exemplares vendidos nos EUA e baseado num escândalo real envolvendo o sequestro e a venda de crianças pobres para famílias ricas, Segredos de família é um romance fascinante e inspirador. Memphis, 1939. Rill Foss, de doze anos, e seus quatro irmãos mais novos vivem uma vida mágica com seus pais a bordo de um barco no rio Mississípi. A mãe está grávida do sexto filho e, ao sofrer complicações durante o parto, é levada às pressas para o hospital. Rill é encarregada de tomar conta dos irmãos, até que estranhos invadem o barco que as crianças chamavam de casa, arrancando-as de tudo o que lhes era familiar e jogando-as em um orfanato no Tennessee. À mercê da cruel diretora da instituição, uma mulher sem escrúpulos envolvida em um impiedoso esquema de tráfico de crianças, Rill luta para manter seus irmãos juntos num mundo perigoso e incerto. Aiken, Carolina do Sul, dias de hoje. Nascida em uma família rica e poderosa, Avery Stafford parecia ter tudo: uma carreira de sucesso como promotora, um noivo bonito e promissor, e uma luxuosa festa de casamento à vista. Quando ela retorna a sua cidade natal para ajudar o pai, um político influente que está às voltas com um escândalo de opinião pública e um grave problema de saúde, um encontro casual com uma senhora durante uma vista oficial a uma clínica geriátrica a faz seguir uma jornada pelo passado de sua família, um caminho que acabará revelando histórias enterradas e fazendo com que Avery repense as suas escolhas e tudo aquilo que considerava como a sua verdade. Best-seller em mais de vinte países e baseado em uma história real que fez com que milhares de famílias norte-americanas revissem suas origens e os segredos escondidos em seu passado, Segredos de família alterna passado e presente para mostrar o poder de duas mulheres fortes, dispostas a vencer todos os obstáculos para defender suas famílias e reinventar suas próprias vidas, ligadas por um vínculo muito mais intenso do que jamais poderiam imaginar.

Un roman poignant sur l'amour fraternel et le poids des secrets trop longtemps gardés. Peu importe les chemins empruntés, le coeur se souvient toujours d'où l'on vient. Memphis, 1939. Par une nuit pluvieuse, Rill Foss, douze ans, et ses quatre frère et sœurs sont enlevés par des inconnus. Emmenés loin de la péniche familiale et des bords du Mississippi, jetés dans un orphelinat, les enfants réalisent bien vite qu'ils ne reverront plus leurs parents. La mystérieuse Société des foyers d'accueil du Tennessee vient de sceller leur sort à tout jamais. Caroline du Sud, de nos jours. Avery Stafford, jeune avocate épanouie à qui tout semble sourire, est de retour dans la ville de son enfance. Lors d'une visite à sa grand-mère, cette dernière tient un discours étrange qui remet en cause toutes ses certitudes. Quelle est vraiment l'histoire de sa famille ? D'où vient-elle ? Troublée, Avery commence à enquêter... " L'un des meilleurs livres de l'année. À ne pas manquer. " The Huffington Post Un des best-sellers de 2017 selon The New York Times.

El libro que ha arrasado por sorpresa en las listas de Estados Unidos, basado en el impactante caso de niños robados que conmocionó al país. Aunque la vida nos lleve por diferentes caminos, el corazón siempre recuerda a dónde pertenece. Memphis, 1939 Rill Foss y sus cuatro hermanos pequeños disfrutan de una infancia mágica en su casa-barco en el Misisipi. Hasta que una noche de tormenta sus padres tienen que correr al hospital y unos desconocidos llegan para llevárselos a la fuerza al orfanato. Aunque les aseguran que su estancia allí será solo temporal, Rill pronto se dará cuenta de la terrible verdad. Y de que tendrá que luchar con todas sus fuerzas para mantener juntos a sus hermanos en un mundo de crueldad e incertidumbre. Aiken, Carolina del Sur, en la actualidad Avery Stafford ha vivido una vida de riqueza y privilegio, tiene una exitosa carrera política y pronto va a casarse con su encantador prometido. Pero un encuentro fortuito suscita dolorosas preguntas que la empujan a investigar en la historia oculta de su familia... y a destapar secretos que pueden llevarla a la destrucción o la redención. Una conmovedora novela inspirada en el escándalo real de la organización de adopciones que durante treinta años secuestró y vendió niños desfavorecidos a familias acomodadas por todo el país. ** En los primeros puestos de USA Today, Amazon y The New York Times. ** Mejor novela histórica del año para los lectores de Goodreads. La crítica ha dicho... «Uno de los mejores libros del año... Es imposible no dejarte atrapar por esta novela prácticamente perfecta. Se lleva tu corazón desde la primera página.» The Huffington Post «Una novela fantástica.» Publishers Weekly «La historia de una familia perdida y encontrada... Un relato cautivador y muy emotivo sobre el amor fraternal y el peso de los secretos.» People «Con seguridad este va a ser uno de los libros más apasionantes de este año... Wingate es una maestra en el arte de contar historias.» Parade «Una historia sincera y genuina.» Historical Novels Review «De cuando en cuando encuentro una novela que me enamora, y Antes de que llegaras de Lisa Wingate es uno de esos libros... Tomen nota: esta puede ser la mejor novela del año.» Shreveport Times «Una historia compleja y que invita a pensar sobre dos familias separadas por dos generaciones... Basada en un famoso escándalo real.» Library Journal

Gennem tredive år kidnappede børnehjemsforstanderinden Georgia Tann fattige børn fra Sydstaterne og solgte dem til rige familier i hele USA. Inden vi blev jeres er en gribende roman baseret på denne skæbnesvangre og virkelige historie og er en bog til alle, der elskede Sarahs nøgle og Pigen uden navn. En stormfuld aften i 1939 efterlades den tolvårige Rill Foss og hendes fire små søskende alene på familiens husbåd på Mississippi-floden, da deres mor i al hast må fragtes til hospitalet. Næste morgen dukker et par politibetjente op og tvinger børnene til at tage med sig. De forsikrer dem om, at de nok skal blive genforenet med deres forældre, men i stedet for havner de på et usselt børnehjem, hvor Rill må kæmpe for at holde søskendeflokken samlet. Godt 75 år senere kaldes Avery Stafford hjem til South Carolina, da hendes far har brug for at have hende ved sin side, mens han fører valgkamp som senator. Under et besøg på et lokalt plejehjem møder Avery en ældre dame, der er fast overbevist om, at hun kender hende, og Avery tvinges til at grave i sin egen families fortid for at finde ud af, om der virkelig er en forbindelse eller ej. Pressen skriver: »... spændende og gribende slægtshistorie ...« **** – Nordjyske »... en pageturner.« **** – Bogrummet.dk »Lisa Wingate er en fantastisk fortæller, der med ’Inden vi blev jeres’ har skrevet en hjerteskærende og uforglemmelig skæbnefortælling om en sort periode i adoptionens historie.« – Litteratursiden »Læs den – en roman der går ind under huden.« – Ugeavisen Ringkøbing »Lisa Wingate har begået en brutal og hjerteskærende roman ...« – Litfix

Eine Familie, vier Schwestern. Ein Unglück, das sie für immer trennt. Eine Liebe, die sie auf ewig eint. Der bewegende SPIEGEL-Bestseller, inspiriert von einer wahren Geschichte. Für Avery hat das Leben keine Geheimnisse. Bis sie auf May trifft. Die 90-Jährige erkennt ihr Libellenarmband, ein Erbstück, und besitzt auch ein Foto von Averys Großmutter. Was hat diese Frau mit ihrer Familie zu tun? Bald stößt Avery auf ein Geheimnis, das sie zurück in ein dunkles Kapitel der Geschichte führt ... Memphis, 1939: Die junge Rill lebt mit ihren Eltern und Geschwistern in einem Hausboot auf dem Mississippi. Als die Kinder eines Tages allein sind, werden sie in ein Waisenhaus verschleppt. Rill hat ihren Eltern versprochen, auf ihre Geschwister aufzupassen. Ein Versprechen, das sie nicht brechen will, ihr aber mehr abverlangt, als sie geben kann ...

Kinderen van de rivier van Lisa Wingate is een aangrijpende New York Times bestseller, gebaseerd op een waargebeurd verhaal over een weeshuis. Memphis, 1939. De twaalfjarige Rill leidt met haar broertje en zusjes een zorgeloos leven op een woonboot aan de Mississippi. Dan slaat het noodlot toe: de kinderen worden ontvoerd en komen terecht in een weeshuis. Daar zijn ze overgeleverd aan de grillen van een wrede directrice. De jonge Rill doet er alles aan om haar broertje en zusjes bij elkaar te houden. South Carolina, heden. De rijke Avery Stafford leidt een geweldig leven. Een toevallige ontmoeting dwingt haar om haar familiegeschiedenis onder de loep te nemen, er blijkt meer verzwegen te zijn dan ze ooit had kunnen vermoeden. Kinderen van de rivier van Lisa Wingate is gebaseerd op het waargebeurde verhaal van weeshuisdirecteur Georgia Tann, die kinderen uit arme gezinnen ontvoerde en verkocht aan rijke families. 'Dit boek mag je niet missen.'– The Huffington Post

Quando Iola Anne Poole, un’anziana signora dell’isola di Hatteras, muore nel letto della sua abitazione, Tandi Jo Reese viene incaricata di risistemare la casa della defunta che è anche proprietaria del cottage in cui lei abita. In fuga da un matrimonio oppressivo e da un passato tormentato che continua a perseguitare anche il suo presente, Tandi è scappata insieme ai suoi due bambini e ora vive di fronte alla splendida e sontuosa villa vittoriana della signora Poole. Anche se le due donne non si sono mai conosciute, è stata proprio Tandi a ritrovarla, ormai morta, nel suo letto. E da quel momento inizia per lei un viaggio spirituale alla scoperta di quella strana casa, dei segreti che racchiude e, infine, di sé stessa. Il rinvenimento di ottantuno scatole minuziosamente decorate, ognuna delle quali rappresenta un anno della vita di Iola, le svelerà lo straordinario percorso di una donna vissuta nell’ombra: pensieri, desideri, speranze e paure di una personalità complessa, annotati su fortuiti pezzi di carta. E la lezione finale contenuta nell’ultima scatola avrà forse l’effetto di cambiare l’esistenza di Tandi per sempre… Una storia di rinascita e speranza guidata dal potere unico e invincibile dell’amore e della fede.

La levigata esistenza di Avery Stafford, procuratore federale nella Carolina del Sud, si circonda da sempre dei privilegi che appartengono alla ricchezza economica, alle eccellenti relazioni, alla soddisfazione che dà una professione prestigiosa. Il suo fidanzato presto le chiederà, per come sono messe le cose, di sposarla. Niente male. Ma l'incontro inatteso con una donna ricoverata, come la nonna, in un istituto, un incontro che una persona più superficiale di lei avrebbe relegato nel quaderno delle situazioni spiacevoli (da dimenticare prima possibile), le punge il cuore. Un piccolo dettaglio, un perturbamento che le rimane incollato addosso. Chi era quella donna? cosa voleva dirle? Perché ora Avery non riesce a togliersi quella sensazione di un mondo parallelo che lei non ha, o forse non ha voluto mai intuire. E qui è necessario fare un passo indietro. Memphis, 1939. La dodicenne Rill Foss e i suoi quattro fratelli più piccoli vengono strappati alla loro vita magica a bordo di un battello sul Mississippi. È bastato che i genitori si allontanassero per una notte. Rapiti e condotti in un orfanotrofio del Tennessee, i bambini Foss sperano che i genitori vengano a salvarli ma la realtà è ben più cruda. La prospettiva è quella di essere venduti a ricche famiglie che non hanno figli e, tramite la crudele direttrice, così accadrà. Come potrà succedere che questa drammatica vicenda trovi dolorosamente la sua strada verso la coscienza di Avery e, dopo più di mezzo secolo, le apra gli occhi su un segreto che la sua famiglia ha nascosto da lungo tempo? Il cuore non dimentica mai il luogo a cui apparteniamo e per trovare il coraggio di amare occorre intraprendere quel viaggio.

THE BLOCKBUSTER HIT—Over two million copies sold! A New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller “Poignant, engrossing.”—People • “Lisa Wingate takes an almost unthinkable chapter in our nation’s history and weaves a tale of enduring power.”—Paula McLain Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty. Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption. Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong. Publishers Weekly’s #3 Longest-Running Bestseller of 2017 • Winner of the Southern Book Prize • If All Arkansas Read the Same Book Selection This edition includes a new essay by the author about shantyboat life.

From the #1 New York Times author of Before We Were Yours! I want to be like this stretch of freshly cleared shore. At times I think, I'm ready. Let the waves wash over me. But then I catch myself running from the tide just before it happens . . . New York editor Jen Gibbs knew when she bought Evan Hall's next blockbuster book, it would change her career. She didn't know it would change her life. But after being sent along on the European book tour, at Evan's request, she has made a promise she's not sure she can keep—she's crossed professional lines and accepted Evan's surprising engagement proposal. Now she's scared to death. In Jen's family, marriage represents the death of every dream a woman holds for herself. Can the revelation of her mother's long-held secret open the doors to Jen's future and change her beliefs about life and love?

" Not since To Kill a Mockingbird has a story impacted me like this. " – COLLEEN COBLE, USA Today bestselling author of Seagrass Pier "Wingate is, quite simply, a master storyteller. Her story-within-a-story, penned with a fine, expressive style, will captivate writers and nonwriters alike." – Booklist Successful New York editor, Jen Gibbs, is at the top of her game with her new position at Vida House Publishing – until a mysterious manuscript from an old slush pile appears on her desk. Turning the pages, Jen finds herself drawn into the life of Sarra, a mixed-race Melungeon girl trapped by dangerous men in the turn of the century Appalachia. A risky hunch may lead to T he Story Keeper's hidden origins and its unknown author, but when the trail turns toward the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place Jen thought she'd left behind forever, the price of a blockbuster next book deal may be higher than she's willing to pay. A beautifully written contemporary novel with hints of romance Themes of forgiveness, family, returning home, and navigating brokenness Includes discussion questions for book clubs

With love and loss tangled together, how was she to know where her life would lead? Allie Kirkland has always heard the call of her father's unfinished destiny. When she's offered a production assistant's job on a docudrama filming in the hills near Moses Lake, Texas, the dream of following in her director-father's footsteps suddenly seems within reach. The reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement of Wildwood is a first step into the film industry. A summer on set in the wilderness is a small price to pay for a dream. But in 1861, the real Wildwood held dangerous realities. Town founder Harland Delavan held helpless residents, including young Irish schoolteacher Bonnie Rose, in an iron grip. Mysterious disappearances led to myths and legends still retold in the region's folk songs. Eventually, the entire site was found abandoned. When filming begins, strange connections surface between Allie and the teacher who disappeared over a century ago, and everyone in Wildwood--including Blake Fulton, Allie's handsome neighbor on the film set--seems to be hiding secrets. Allie doesn't know whom she can trust. If she can't find the answers in time, history may repeat itself...with the most unthinkable results.

Eigentlich hatte Heather Hampton nicht vor, jemals nach Moses Lake zurückzukehren. Doch ihr erstes eigenes Grossprojekt lässt der ambitionierten Architektin keine andere Wahl. Sie muss in ihrer Heimatstadt den Verkauf ihres alten Familienbesitzes vorantreiben. Leider machen ihr ihre exzentrische Mutter und ihr unzuverlässiger Bruder einen Strich durch die Rechnung. Und auch der attraktive Bankier Blaine Underhill stellt sich ihrem Projekt in den Weg. Nach und nach entdeckt Heather, dass ihre Familie und ihr Besitz lange verschüttete Geheimnisse bergen. Kann es sein, dass alles ganz anders ist, als sie immer dachte? Irgendwie muss sie die Wahrheit ans Licht bringen, ehe sie alles verliert, wofür sie gearbeitet und was sie am Ufer des Moses Lake gefunden hat.

When Iola Anne Poole, an old-timer on Hatteras Island, passes away in her bed at ninety-one, the struggling young mother in her rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, finds eighty-one carefully decorated prayer boxes, one for each year, spanning from Iola's youth to her last days. Hidden in the boxes is the story of a lifetime, written on random bits of paper.

"Lisa Wingate writes with depth and warmth, joy and wit."--Debbie Macomber Heather Hampton returns to Moses Lake, Texas, to help facilitate the sale of a family farm as part of a planned industrial plant that will provide the area with much-needed jobs. Heather's future fiance has brokered the deal, and Heather is in line to do her first large-scale architectural design--if the deal goes through. But the currents of Moses Lake have a way of taking visitors on unexpected journeys. What was intended to be a quick trip suddenly morphs into Valentine's week--with Blaine Underhill, the handsome banker who just happens to be opposing Heather's project. Spending the holiday in an ex-funeral parlor seems like a nightmare, but Heather slowly finds herself being drawn into the area's history, hope, and heart.

“A story beautifully told, with richly drawn characters that will...make you want to laugh and cry”* from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends and Before We Were Yours. All her life, Epiphany Salerno has been tossed like a dandelion seed on the wind. Now, at sixteen, she must move to the low-rent side of Blue Sky Hill and work where she's not wanted: in an upscale home on The Hill. J. Norman Alvord's daughter has hired a teenager to stay with him in the afternoons. Widowed and suffering from heart trouble, Norman wants to be left alone. But in Epie's presence, Norman discovers a mystery. Deep in his mind lie memories of another house, another life, and a woman who saved him. As summer comes to Blue Sky Hill, two residents from different worlds will journey through a turbulent past, and find that with an unexpected road trip through sleepy Southern towns comes life-changing friendship...and clues to a family secret hidden for a lifetime. Winner of the 2012 Carol Award for Women's Fiction from the American Christian Fiction Writers

National bestselling author Lisa Wingate returns with an uplifting novel set in Blue Sky Hill, where unexpected challenges and new relationships give deeper meanings to "home". When Tam Lambert learns that her family's upscale home is in foreclosure, the life she's known is forever changed. Tam and her family must move to a changing Dallas neighborhood called Blue Sky Hill... New resident Shasta Williams knows nothing of real estate schemes when she and her husband purchase a home in Blue Sky Hill. To her it's the perfect place to raise her children. Better yet is getting to know Tam, who lives next door. When neighbors realize that a corrupt deal could force them from their homes, friendships and loyalties are tested. Over the span of one summer, two young women discover the strength and maturity to do the impossible. They find that even in Blue Sky Hill, life-altering relationships and amazing possibilities can begin to blossom...

Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots in any one place--and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence. And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daily has always been a place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta has cooked up a scheme.

From the author of A Month of Summer, an inspiring new novel in the Blue Sky Hill series about one woman's effect on a struggling Dallas neighborhood. With her adopted son missing and the rest of her family increasingly estranged, Sandra Kaye Darden is drawn to the little pink house where her Uncle Poppy once provided security. What begins for Sandra as a simple painting project, meant to prepare the house for sale, becomes a secret venture that eventually changes everything. Cass Blue is having trouble keeping food on the table since she ditched foster care. When Sandra Kaye shows up with lunch one day, Cass has no way of knowing that the meeting will lead to the creation of a place of refuge that could reunite a divided community. In this moving story of second chances, two unlikely allies realize their ability to make a difference...and the power of what becomes known as the Summer Kitchen to nourish the soul.

An ordinary summer brings about an extraordinary change of heart in the first novel in the Blue Sky Hill series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends and Before We Were Yours. Changes aren’t in Rebecca Macklin’s plans when she receives a long-distance call from the Dallas police. Her aging father has been found repeatedly wandering the city streets alone, and his wife has suffered a serious illness and landed in a nursing home. Despite the demands of the busy LA legal practice Rebecca shares with her husband, she must put aside old resentments and return to her childhood home. When Hanna Beth Parker hears about the arrival of her stepdaughter, Rebecca, who has stayed away for decades, she knows something is terribly wrong. Suddenly, the last person she’d ever turn to for help is the only one she can count on. But forging a relationship with Rebecca will require awakening old ghosts. In this moving story of separation and forgiveness, two women will unravel the betrayals of the past, examine the yearnings of the heart, and discover the truest meaning of family.