Mary Verdick Livres

Desperate after failing her ballet audition, Phoebe Fox embarks on a road trip with her great-aunt Weezy, leading to a passionate romance with Cody Moon at a hot springs resort. Their bliss is threatened by Cody's protective sister, Wynonna. As they continue to Denver, family secrets unfold, including Weezy's haunting past with a soldier from World War Two. The journey also reveals complexities in Phoebe's family dynamics, culminating in unexpected encounters and a mysterious white rose that brings closure. This poignant story explores love across generations.

Set against the backdrop of the exotic Southwest, the narrative explores the cultural clash between Liz Sawyer, an Eastern divorcee, and Clyde Hawkins, an Indian artist known as Eagle Feather. Their mutual attraction is challenged by ancient myths and the influence of Maria Valdez, Clyde's mentor, who adds complexity to their budding romance. As they navigate their differences, the story delves into themes of love, cultural identity, and the impact of tradition on personal relationships.

Set in a glamorous Connecticut community, the narrative follows Sally Grimes, an ambitious writer tasked with chronicling the life of actress Diane Fenwick. As she navigates her new surroundings, Sally encounters Diane's charming twins and an insightful dog named Rufus. Complicating her life is Ricardo, a handsome neighbor with a mysterious past linked to Diane. As Sally delves deeper into her project, she finds herself entangled in secrets and unexpected challenges that threaten her newfound stability and romance.

The story follows Meggie Dawson, who discovers a magical stick in her childhood that guides her through life. Deeply in love with her stepbrother Josh, their relationship is complicated when he becomes a Jesuit priest and moves to Africa. Heartbroken, Meggie marries Josh's best friend, Ben, and builds a family. After twenty-five years, Josh leaves the priesthood, seeking to rekindle his romance with Meggie, who faces a difficult choice. This captivating tale weaves themes of faith, love, and the influence of magic throughout their lives.

The protagonist grapples with lifelong guilt and the fear of confronting her family's past, which she believes has held her captive. As she begins to recall these memories, a sense of liberation washes over her, lifting a heavy burden. However, her emotional freedom is overshadowed by unresolved feelings for Max, which trigger intense sorrow and a profound sense of loss. The narrative delves into themes of guilt, emotional struggle, and the complexities of love, exploring the interplay between memory and healing.

Jenna Albertsen, a writer, has just won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction but can't find the thing she wants most, love. She is saddened that her stepfather, Ned Albertsen, who raised her and whom she adores, can't get his novel published. But she is also shocked to hear that her dear friend Maribeth has committed suicide because her husband has gotten someone pregnant and wants a divorce to marry the girl. She flies home for the funeral and is comforted by her old friend, Brian Bradshaw, who has just been released from the Army, due to wounds suffered in Alghanistan.