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The Why of Things
by Elizabeth Hartley WinthropFrom the critically acclaimed and "bitingly intelligent" (The New York Times Book Review) author of December comes a buoyant and beautiful new novel about a family struggling in the aftermath of a suicide.Since her seventeen-year-old daughter's suicide less than a year ago, Joan Jacobs has been working to keep her once tight-knit family from coming apart. Now, arriving one June evening at their summer home in Massachusetts, she and her husband, Anders, and their two younger daughters stumble across another tragedy: a pickup truck has, inexplicably, driven straight into a quarry in their backyard. Within hours, divers drag up the body of a young local man, James Favazza. As the Jacobs learn more about the events that led up to that fateful evening, each member of the family becomes increasingly tangled in the emotional threads of James's life and death: fifteen-year-old Eve grows obsessed with proving that James's death wasn't an accident, though the police refuse to consider this; Anders finds himself forced to face his own deepest fears; and seven-year-old Eloise unwittingly adopts James's orphaned dog, all while Joan herself becomes increasingly fixated on James's mother, a stranger whose loss so closely mirrors her own. Widely beloved for her evocative prose and uncommon emotional insight, Elizabeth Winthrop is at her most impressive in this sharply drawn masterpiece--a powerful, riveting story that explores the complexities of grief and the small triumphs that can bring unexpected healing.
The Why of Things: A Novel
by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop"A fast-paced, entertaining summer read" (People), The Why of Things is a "keenly observed" and "richly drawn" (The New York Times) novel about a family fighting towards hope in the wake of a terrible tragedy.Since the loss of her seventeen-year-old daughter less than a year ago, Joan Jacobs has struggled to keep her tight-knit family from coming apart. But Joan and Anders, her husband, are unable to snap back into the familiarity and warmth they so desperately need, both for themselves and for their surviving daughters, Eve and Eloise. The family flees to their summer home in search of peace and renewal, only to encounter an eerily similar tragedy when a pickup truck drives into the quarry in their backyard killing a young local named James Favazza. As the Jacobs family learns more about the inexplicable events that preceded that fateful evening, each of them becomes increasingly tangled in the emotional threads of James's story: fifteen-year-old Eve is determined to solve, on her own, the mystery of his death; Anders finds himself facing his own deepest fears; and seven-year-old Eloise unwittingly adopts James's orphaned dog. For her part, Joan becomes increasingly fixated on James's mother, a stranger whose sudden loss so closely mirrors her own. With an urgent, beautiful intimacy that her fans have come to expect from this "bitingly intelligent writer" (The New York Times), Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop delivers here a powerful, buoyant novel that explores the complexities of family relationships and the small triumphs that can bring unexpected healing. The Why of Things is a wise, empathetic, and exquisitely heartfelt story about the strength of family bonds. It is an unforgettable and searing tour de force.
The Wicked Lord Rasenby
by Marguerite KayeA young woman’s plan to protect her sister forces her to go up against a notorious rake in this Regency romance.The Honorable Clarissa Warrington despairs when her beautiful, foolish sister becomes the latest female to set her cap at the ton’s most notorious rake. For Amelia’s sake, Clarissa must act fast . . .The devastatingly attractive and wealthy Kit, Lord Rasenby, is bored. London society holds little excitement for him, so the incurable womanizer is tempted by a most unusual offer. If he can provide the intriguing Clarissa with the adventure of a lifetime, she will provide him with—herself!No self-respecting rake could turn such an offer down!
The Wicked Sister: The gripping thriller with a killer twist
by Karen Dionne'The Wicked Sister is massively thrilling and altogether unputdownable' KARIN SLAUGHTERA startling novel of psychological suspense, as two generations of sisters try to unravel their tangled relationships between nature and nurture, guilt and betrayal, love and evil.You have been cut off from society for fifteen years, shut away in a mental hospital as punishment for the terrible thing you did when you were a child.But what if nothing about your past is as it seems?For a decade and a half, Rachel Cunningham has chosen to lock herself away in a psychiatric facility, tortured by gaps in her memory and the certainty that she is responsible for her parents' deaths. But when she learns new details about their murders, Rachel returns, in a quest for answers, to the place where she once felt safest: her family's sprawling log cabin in the remote forests of Michigan.As Rachel begins to uncover what really happened on the day her parents were murdered, she learns - as her mother did years earlier - that home can be a place of unspeakable evil, and that the bond she shares with her sister might be the most poisonous of all...
The Wicked Sister: The gripping thriller with a killer twist
by Karen Dionne'One of the best thrillers I've ever read, I stayed up til 3am to finish this novel. I was utterly engrossed by it' Rebecca'The Wicked Sister pulls you in from the first page and takes you on a gripping suspense-filled ride that has so many twist and turns' Kelly'The twists were shocking... All that I want and more from a psychological thriller' ElizabethShe thought she'd buried her past. But what if it's been hunting her this whole time?From the bestselling and award-winning author Karen Dionne comes a startling novel of psychological suspense as two generations of sisters try to unravel their tangled relationships between nature and nurture, guilt and betrayal, love and evil.You have been cut off from society for fifteen years, shut away in a mental hospital in self-imposed exile as punishment for the terrible thing you did when you were a child.But what if nothing about your past is as it seems?And if you didn't accidentally shoot and kill your mother, then whoever did is still out there. Waiting for you.For a decade and a half, Rachel Cunningham has chosen to lock herself away in a psychiatric facility, tortured by gaps in her memory and the certainty that she is responsible for her parents' deaths. But when she learns new details about their murders, Rachel returns, in a quest for answers, to the place where she once felt safest: her family's sprawling log cabin in the remote forests of Michigan.As Rachel begins to uncover what really happened on the day her parents were murdered, she learns - as her mother did years earlier - that home can be a place of unspeakable evil, and that the bond she shares with her sister might be the most poisonous of all.
The Wicked Stepdog
by Carol Lea BenjaminHad anyone ever asked Louise Branford if her parents should get divorced, or is anyone asking her now if her father should remarry? Certainly not. And to make matters worse, Louise has to cope with her stepmother's klutz of a dog. How Louise deals with a father who suddenly closes his door at night, a mother who's a soap opera star, a stepmother who wears black basketball sneakers, and a Golden Retriever who prefers her breakfast to his own--along with the normal concerns of most twelve-year-olds (like a certain eighth-grader with the initials R. B.)--all make Louise Branford a heroine of a very special kind. Carol Lea Benjamin has written a sensitive, perceptive, and very funny novel about a restructured family--and about the pains and pleasures of growing up.
The Wide Circumference of Love: A Novel
by Marita Golden2018 NAACP Image Award Nominee An NPR Best Book of 2017 From acclaimed author Marita Golden comes a moving African-American family drama of love and devotion in the face of Alzheimer’s disease.You just can’t plan for this kind of thing.Diane Tate certainly hasn’t. She never expected to slowly lose her talented husband to the debilitating effects of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. As a respected family court judge, she’s spent her life making tough calls, but when her sixty-eight-year-old husband’s health worsens and Diane is forced to move him into an assisted living facility, it seems her world is spinning out of control.As Gregory’s memory wavers and fades, Diane and her children must reexamine their connection to the man he once was-and learn to love the man he has become. For Diane’ daughter Lauren, it means honoring her father by following in his footsteps as a successful architect. For her son Sean, it means finding a way to repair the strained relationship with his father before it’s too late. Supporting her children in a changing landscape, Diane remains resolute in her goal to keep her family together-until her husband finds love with another resident of the facility. Suddenly faced with an uncertain future, Diane must choose a new path-and discover her own capacity for love.
The Wide House: A Novel
by Taylor CaldwellAn &“intimately limned&” saga of passion and greed in the decade before the Civil War—from the New York Times–bestselling author of Captains and the Kings (Kirkus Reviews).The Wide House is the story of two cousins from Ireland: Stuart Coleman, a shopkeeper who dreams of building a big white house and raising a family, and Janie Cauder, a young widow with four children, only one of whom she truly adores. When Janie arrives in Grandeville, New York, the two begin a surprising romance—but happiness is not to be their fate. Driven by ambition and haunted by self-doubt, Stuart spurns Janie for the beautiful daughter of a business rival. Janie, meanwhile, takes her disappointment out on her children and pursues new romantic opportunities—to diminishing returns. As the national mood turns increasingly antagonistic to outsiders, Stuart and Janie&’s inability to love will leave a bitter mark on their lives, and on generations to come. A richly detailed portrait of a fascinating time in American history, The Wide House is a masterwork from an author whose &“sheer power&” has captivated millions of readers all over the world (The New York Times).
The Wide Starlight
by Nicole LesperanceThe Hazel Wood meets The Astonishing Color of After in this dreamy, atmospheric novel that follows sixteen-year-old Eli as she tries to remember what truly happened the night her mother disappeared off a frozen fjord in Norway under the Northern Lights.Never whistle at the Northern Lights, the legend goes, or they'll sweep down from the sky and carry you away.Sixteen-year-old Eline Davis knows it's true. She was there ten years ago, on a frozen fjord in Svalbard, Norway, the night her mother whistled at the lights and then vanished. Now, Eli lives an ordinary life with her dad on Cape Cod. But when the Northern Lights are visible over the Cape for just one night, she can't resist the possibility of seeing her mother again. So she whistles--and it works. Her mother appears, with snowy hair, frosty fingertips and a hazy story of where she's been all these years. And she doesn't return alone.Along with Eli's mother's reappearance come strange, impossible things. Narwhals swimming in Cape Cod Bay, meteorites landing in Eli's yard, and three shadowy princesses with ominous messages. It's all too much, too fast, and Eli pushes her mother away. She disappears again--but this time, she leaves behind a note that will send Eli on a journey across continents, to the northern tip of the world: Find me where I left you.
The Wide Window: The Bad Beginning; The Reptile Room; The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events #3)
by Lemony Snicket Brett Helquist Michael Kupperman<P>Dear Reader, <P>If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know this: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted, but their lives, I am sorry to say, are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched, and this one may be the worst of them all. <P>If you haven't got the stomach for a story that includes a hurricane, a signalling device, hungry leeches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain, and a doll named Pretty Penny, then this book will probably fill you with despair. <P>I will continue to record these tragic tales, for that is what I do. You, however, should decide for yourself whether you can possibly endure this miserable story. <P>With all due respect, <P>Lemony Snicket
The Wide World: An epic novel of family fortune, twisted secrets and love - the first volume in THE GLORIOUS YEARS series
by Pierre LemaitreFrom Beirut in 1948, to Saigon and Paris, this is the story of the Pelletier family, rich with corruption, death, blackmail - and murder. The first volume of THE GLORIOUS YEARS series, translated by Frank Wynne'Literature with conviction; a furious talent' L'ObsBeirut, 1948. The Pelletier family returns... The Pelletiers are a prominent French family living in Beirut. The patriarch, Louis, has built a successful business manufacturing and exporting artisanal soaps. He hoped to pass the business on to his eldest son, Jean, but Jean doesn't have the sharpness or aptitude for such an enterprise. After nearly running the company into the ground, Jean marries a money-grubbing young woman who quickly makes him miserable, and they emigrate to Paris. But there's another reason Jean must leave - he has committed a terrible crime...His brother, Etienne, travels to Saigon, where he soon uncovers irregularities in the local currency office and begins investigating what he believes is a scheme to channel smuggled goods and cash to the Viet Minh. It is evidence that presents a real threat to his own life.François, the middle Pelletier brother, has gone to Paris, ostensibly to study, but finds himself working as a journalist. His career flies when he reports on the brutal murder of an actress in a cinema ladies' room. It seems a serial killer is on the loose.'You have the ingredients Balzac would have cooked with. And it is exactly those great 19th century novels that Lemaitre will remind you of' Sunday Times'Pierre Lemaitre skilfully captivates and stuns the reader' Le Figaro(P)2023 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
The Wide World: An epic novel of family fortune, twisted secrets and love - the first volume in THE GLORIOUS YEARS series
by Pierre Lemaitre'The Wide World is one of his best . . . Compellingly plotted, stuffed with great characters, thought-provokingly situated in history - honestly, what else do you want from a novel?' The Times'Literature with conviction; a furious talent' L'ObsThe first volume of THE GLORIOUS YEARS series, translated by Frank WynneBeirut, 1948. The Pelletier family returns... 'Over the years, the annual Pelletier family pilgrimage down the avenue des Françaishad known many variations, but never before had it taken on the air of a funeral cortège...'The Pelletiers are a hugely prominent French family living in Beirut. Louis Pelletier has spent years building his soap business, dominating the manufacturing market. Now, he wants to pass on the leadership, but choosing which son to takeover from him is proving challenging.Jean, the eldest, has no such acumen for managing the enterprise and seems a hopeless and weak option. His wife, though, has superior ambitions, and eager to flee the familial bonds for other reasons, Jean agrees to an escape to France.Etienne Pelletier, younger and a gentle soul, is trained in accounts, and leaves home for Saigon to find love. There, he uncovers a well-established scheme to channel smuggled goods and cash to the Viet Minh. It is dangerous evidence that presents a real threat not only to officials in high places, but to his own life.François, the middle Pelletier brother, persuades his father to let him travel to Paris, where he becomes a journalist. His career flies when he reports on the brutal murder of an actress, and realises a serial killer is on the loose, one who may be closer than anyone realises.'You have the ingredients Balzac would have cooked with. And it is exactly those great 19th century novels that Lemaitre will remind you of' Sunday Times'Pierre Lemaitre skilfully captivates and stuns the reader' Le Figaro
The Widow Ginger: A heart-warming and upliftingly funny saga from the East End
by Pip GrangerPerfect for fans of Donna Douglas and Nancy Revell, a feel-good, colourful and comic saga set in post war London from Sunday Times bestseller Pip Granger. "Packed with sharp authentic detail, this tale told through a child's eyes brings to life a colourful world of great characters from a bygone age." -- HOME & COUNTRY"Loved this book. Could not put it down, read it in two sittings..." -- ***** Reader review"I enjoyed every minute of it and was sad when I finished it..." -- ***** Reader review***********************************ALL WAS CALM AND NORMAL...UNTIL A STRANGER CAME INTO TOWN...1954, Soho, London. Rosie, and her beloved Auntie Maggie are opening up their café in Old Compton Street for Uncle Bert's breakfast special when the Widow Ginger comes to call.The Widow Ginger, an ex-GI with ice-cold blue eyes, is especially scary. He has unfinished business with Uncle Bert- business that includes being cheated on his share of a 'liberated' lorry-load of guns and explosives during the War - and he intends to make sure he now gets paid in full.And this isn't all: the lovely Luigi appears to be suffering from a severe case of unrequited lust; Bert and the local Mafioso Maltese Joe have had an acrimonious falling-out; and, most worrying of all, Rosie's best friend Jenny has begun to keel over mysteriously in the school playground....The Widow Ginger continues Rosie's story (started in Not All Tarts Are Apples) and paints a picture of 1950s Soho so authentic you feel as though you are there...
The Widow of Wall Street: A Novel
by Randy Susan MeyersA provocative new novel by bestselling author Randy Susan Meyers about the seemingly blind love of a wife for her husband as he conquers Wall Street, and her extraordinary, perhaps foolish, loyalty during his precipitous fall.Phoebe recognizes fire in Jake Pierce’s belly from the moment they meet as teenagers. As he creates a financial dynasty, she trusts him without hesitation—unaware his hunger for success hides a dark talent for deception. When Phoebe learns her husband’s triumph and vast reach rests on an elaborate Ponzi scheme her world unravels. As Jake’s crime is uncovered, the world obsesses about Phoebe. Did she know her life was fabricated by fraud? Was she his accomplice? While Jake is trapped in the web of his deceit, Phoebe is caught in an unbearable choice. Her children refuse to see her if she remains at their father’s side, but abandoning him feels cruel and impossible. From penthouse to prison, with tragic consequences rippling well beyond Wall Street, Randy Susan Meyers’s latest novel exposes a woman struggling to survive and then redefine her life as her world crumbles.
The Widow's Children: A Novel
by Paula Fox"Chekhovian. . . . Every line of Fox's story, every gesture of her characters, is alive and surprising."—Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, New York Times On the eve of their trip to Africa, Laura Maldonada Clapper and her husband, Desmond, sit in a New York City hotel room, drinking scotch-and-sodas and awaiting the arrival of three friends: Clara Hansen, Laura's timid, brow-beaten daughter from a previous marriage; Carlos, Laura's flamboyant and charming brother; and Peter Rice, a melancholy editor whom Laura hasn't seen for over a year. But what begins as a bon voyage party soon parlays into a bitter, claustrophobic clash of family resentment. From the hotel room to the tony restaurant to which the five embark, Laura presides over the escalating innuendo and hostility with imperial cruelty, for she is hiding the knowledge that her mother, the family matriarch, has died of a heart attack that morning. A novel as intense as it is unerringly observed, The Widow's Children is another revelation of the storyteller's art from the incomparable Paula Fox.
The Widow's Choice: The gripping new historical drama from the author of the bestselling Shipyard Girls series
by Nancy Revell'An epic follow-up to the bestselling Shipyard Girls series' Peterborough Telegraph______________________From the Shipyards of Sunderland to Lady of the Manor . . .1949, County Durham.When Angie marries her sweetheart Quentin and moves into Cuthford Manor to begin their new life together, she feels like the luckiest woman in the world.But Quentin falls victim to a tragic accident and Angie's life is left devastated. Now, along with the prospect of rebuilding her life, she is faced with an impossible choice that will have far-reaching consequences for herself and those she loves most.Angie will need to draw on the help of her family, the community of Cuthford Manor and her old friends from the shipyards if she is to find happiness again._________________________Readers love The Widow's Choice:'This was so worth waiting for''An unforgettable story''Nancy is a fantastic storyteller''A great read and a superb writer''Everything I expected and more''This book held me from beginning to end''So looking forward to the next one''Wow. What an amazing read!''Just brilliant!'Praise for Nancy Revell:'Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart' Northern Echo'Stirring and heartfelt storytelling' Peterborough Evening Telegraph‘A well-written story with vivid characters’ Anna Jacobs‘An uplifting read with a very satisfying conclusion’ Rosie Goodwin**Nancy Revell's next book, The Mother's Secret, is available to pre-order now!**
The Widow's Promise: The Families of Fairley Terrace Sagas 4
by Jennie FeltonThe powerful new saga from Jennie Felton, in her Families of Fairley Terrace series, in the grand tradition of Katie Flynn, Dilly Court, Maggie Hope and Josephine Cox, of secrets, romance, drama and triumph in the wake of a bitter tragedy.She'd do anything to keep her children safe...Carina Talbot's life is shattered when her beloved husband Robert is found dead in mysterious circumstances. Suddenly she must take on sole responsibility for their two young children and find a way to continue running the farm which was Robert's pride and joy - not to mention prevent Sally, her beautiful and headstrong sister-in-law, from making choices that will affect them all.Help comes in the form of two new men in her life: local landowner Lord Cal Melbrook, a scarred war hero whose surly temperament seemingly masks a generous heart, and a mysterious stranger who claims to have been friends with Robert and offers a much-needed hand on the farm. But can Carina truly trust the motives of either man? And, as a woman alone, can she keep her vow to protect her children from further tragedy? 'With a strong heroine like Carina Talbot, you can't go wrong with this absorbing novel... I'd never read any of Jennie Felton's novels before but really liked the way she brings a sense of time and place and introduces us to totally believable characters' GoodReads reviewerDon't miss the rest of the Families of Fairley Terrace series, which began with Maggie's story in All The Dark Secrets and continued with Lucy's story in The Miner's Daughter, and Edie's story in The Girl Below Stairs.
The Widow's Promise: The fourth captivating saga in the beloved Families of Fairley Terrace series (The Families of Fairley Terrace #4)
by Jennie FeltonThe captivating fourth book in the beloved classic series from 'one of the nation's favourite saga author' (Lancashire Post) in the grand tradition of Katie Flynn, Dilly Court and Josephine Cox.Jennie's heartwarming and heartrending sagas are richly praised!'Jennie Felton knows how to tell a cracking story and keep the reader gripped... if you enjoy reading books in the style of Catherine Cookson then this one is for you' Books With Wine and Chocolate'Another superbly woven and character-rich story from a saga author who writes from the heart' Peterborough Telegraph'Packed full of Jennie's signature strong heroines, this book will keep you guessing' MNR JournalShe'd do anything to keep her children safe...Carina Talbot's life is shattered when her beloved husband Robert is found dead in mysterious circumstances. Suddenly she must take on sole responsibility for their two young children and find a way to continue running the farm which was Robert's pride and joy - not to mention prevent Sally, her beautiful and headstrong sister-in-law, from making choices that will affect them all.Help comes in the form of two new men in her life: local landowner Lord Cal Melbrook, a scarred war hero whose surly temperament seemingly masks a generous heart, and a mysterious stranger who claims to have been friends with Robert and offers a much-needed hand on the farm. But can Carina truly trust the motives of either man? And, as a woman alone, can she keep her vow to protect her children from further tragedy?'With a strong heroine like Carina Talbot, you can't go wrong with this absorbing novel... I'd never read any of Jennie Felton's novels before but really liked the way she brings a sense of time and place and introduces us to totally believable characters' GoodReads reviewerDon't miss Jennie's the rest Families of Fairley Terrace series, which begins with Maggie's story in All The Dark Secrets and continues with Lucy's story in The Miner's Daughter, Edie's story in The Girl Below Stairs, Carina's story in The Widow's Promise and Laurel's story in The Sister's Secret.Plus look out for Jennie's page-turning standalones - The Stolen Child, A Mother's Sacrifice and The Smuggler's Girl - coming soon!
The Widow's Promise: The fourth captivating saga in the beloved Families of Fairley Terrace series (The Families of Fairley Terrace #4)
by Jennie FeltonThe Widow's Promise is a powerful new saga from Jennie Felton, in her Families of Fairley Terrace series, in the grand tradition of Josephine Cox, Dilly Court, Maggie Hope and Rosie Goodwin of secrets, romance, drama and triumph in the wake of a bitter tragedy.She'd do anything to keep her children safe...Carina Talbot's life is shattered when her beloved husband Robert is found dead in mysterious circumstances. Suddenly she must take on sole responsibility for their two young children and find a way to continue running the farm which was Robert's pride and joy - not to mention prevent Sally, her beautiful and headstrong sister-in-law, from making choices that will affect them all.Help comes in the form of two new men in her life: local landowner Lord Cal Melbrook, a scarred war hero whose surly temperament seemingly masks a generous heart, and a mysterious stranger who claims to have been friends with Robert and offers a much-needed hand on the farm. But can Carina truly trust the motives of either man? And, as a woman alone, can she keep her vow to protect her children from further tragedy? Don't miss the rest of the Families of Fairley Terrace series, which began with Maggie's story in All The Dark Secrets and continued with Lucy's story in The Miner's Daughter, and Edie's story in The Girl Below Stairs.(P)2017 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
The Widow's Scandalous Affair (Mills And Boon Historical Ser. #1)
by Lucy AshfordA sharp-witted widow and her handsome rival go from sparring partners to scandalous lovers in this historical romance of eighteenth century England.London, 1794. Since discovering Raphael Lefevre, Marquis of Montpellier, danced with her to win a wager, cool beauty Lady Serena has openly criticized the rogue’s behavior. But their rivalry takes a shocking turn when the Marquis rescues Serena from a blackmailer?and kisses her!Now Serena’s forced to pretend they’re conducting a scandalous affair. But amidst the parties and balls Serena realizes that Raphael is not the dissolute rake he’d have society believe he is . . . and she’s in danger of falling for her enemy!
The Widow's Survival Guide: Living with Children After the Death of Your Spouse
by Charity Pimentel-Hyams“Charity offers hope and practical steps through the darkness and difficulty of grief into the light and new possibilities of life.” —The Reverend Tracy Fye WeatherhoggWithin The Widow’s Survival Guide, Charity Pimentel-Hyams, a widow at thirty-seven with children aged five, three, and one at the time of her husband’s tragic and unexpected death, takes women through the challenges and triumphs of young widowhood. Throughout The Widow’s Survival Guide, women learn:What to do directly after the death of their spouseHow to support themselves and handle grieving children, even when they’re falling apartWhat grief can look like and the symptoms it createsHow to create an action plan for day-to-day lifeStrategies to check in with their heart and stay connected to their lost loved one“A brave and deeply human account of embracing unbearable loss . . . powerful medicine for anyone suffering loss.” —Robin Winn, LMFT“A heartbreaking journey of myriad emotions, love, and loss. I found myself holding my breath through some of the painfully practical details and advice to widows. The love expressed in this book in tangible, honest and devastating.” —Ana-Maria Figueredo, author of The Secret Art of Selling Insurance“Just the right mix of practicality and existentialism . . . anticipates and normalizes the complex emotions associated with early widowhood.” —Megan Greenleaf, MD
The Widower
by Liesel LitzenburgerWhat if every life is connected to every other by a single thread? Under an apple tree, in a small town on the edge of a great lake, something is beginning. In a house on a hill above an orchard, a broken man stares out his window but doesn’t see the swaying branches or the summer sun. He sees only his wife’s face and feels again the dreadful sense of falling. Walking between the trees, a recently freed prisoner is learning how to live in the world again when he makes a discovery that will change many lives forever. Memories haunt Swanton Robey. The horrific accident that killed his young wife has taken all but his life, leaving him a prisoner of his injuries and his heart’s great loss. Floating through his days with dreams of the past and visions of what might have been, Swan watches the world through his high window but never ventures into it, gazing out over the apple orchard he owns but has abandoned, and beyond it, to the great and mysterious lake. Joseph Geewa has been a prisoner too, for a crime triggered by grief, ordained by fate. Now free after twenty years, he is trying to build a life among the living—an existence of simple beauty, of choices created through the kindness of others. Grace, his niece, is guiding him back to the world, even as she is drawn to Swan’s tragic isolation. Then, an astonishing discovery in Swan’s orchard suddenly forces the two men together and propels them on a journey of rescue and revelation that in turn might set them both free. InThe Widower, lives entwine in the most unexpected ways, bound together by accidents and twists of fate that can forever hold us one to another. Narrated in episodes that seamlessly join the past and present, this is a story about how individual histories influence present lives, about the value of compassion and the power of forgiveness. Weaving threads of love and mystery through every page, Liesel Litzenburger’s spare and lyrical novel follows the lives of unforgettable characters in a profound story of loss and redemption.
The Widower's Son: A Novel
by Alan SillitoeRaised by a career soldier, a working class Englishman tries to find his place—both in and out of uniform—in this compelling novel of love and war Charlie Scorton sees his best friend killed beside him in the mine, and resolves to join the army. His father throws him out for deserting the coal miner&’s life, but Charlie never looks back. For twenty-four years, he roams the empire, a king&’s soldier who is finally left with no choice but to come home. He has a child, his wife dies, and the old soldier dedicates himself to raising his boy. Charlie trains his son, William, to be an artilleryman from birth. William finds a home in the army, the sort he has always longed for, and makes his mark during World War II, performing heroically during the retreat at Dunkirk, risking his life to save thousands. But soon, he will be forced to answer the question his father never could: What does a soldier do when war is over? Alan Sillitoe, the bestselling author of The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner, examines where the fight ends and life begins for a soldier in this story of love and war, and the blurred lines between them.
The Widows of Wichita County
by Jodi ThomasA fan-favorite story of heartbreak, hope and the incredible power of female friendship from New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas, originally published in 2003.Randi Howard, Anna Montano, Meredith Allen, Helena Whitworth and Crystal Howard have absolutely nothing in common apart from their husbands’ work. They are all married to men who live to search for "black gold," men who are willing to exchange backbreaking work and long days for danger and excitement—and money. But on a blistering day in early autumn, a fiery explosion on a West Texas oil rig changes everything.In one brief moment, tragedy binds Randi, Anna, Meredith, Helena and Crystal closer together than they ever thought possible. As they gather at the hospital, waiting to learn who among them will have to bury her husband, they turn to one another for support. And so begins a journey of faith, of strength, of courage and of love.
The Widow’s Shillings (The Cavanah Family series)
by Libby AshworthLove, Lies, and Survival: The Unforgettable Conclusion to the Cavanagh Family series!Will Kitty and her family break free from the mills of Blackburn and seize their chance at a new life in America?–It’s been several years since Kitty Cavanagh’s life was turned upside down when her family made the perilous journey across the Irish Sea to Blackburn and she became a widow. After facing near destitution she’s finally making enough to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.Until, that is, the day she is out rag collecting and finds a bag of coins – coins that turn out to be counterfeit – and Kitty soon finds herself caught up in a police investigation. If found guilty, Kitty could end up losing everything she’s worked so hard to protect.Questioned by charming Constable Westwell, Kitty doesn't know if she can really trust him. Dare she open her heart to him? But will the truth damn, or save, her?–Readers love The Cavanah Family Series‘A really sad story but one of survival through the hard times. The determination of Kitty made a very enjoyable read’ 5 ***** Reader Review‘What a story, full of hardship for a family of Irish immigrants, proving that above all Family is everything, as it should be!’ 5 ***** Reader Review‘A wonderful story’ 5 ***** Reader Review