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Set against the natural beauty of the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest, acclaimed author Cathy Lamb's latest novel tells the emotionally compelling story of one woman's life-changing discovery about her past... As a child, Evie Lindsay was unnerved by her premonitions. As an adult, they have become a simple fact of life—sometimes disruptive but also inescapable, much like her quirky, loveable family. Evie's mother, Poppy, and her aunts, Camellia and Iris, are well known on San Orcanita island for their free-spirited ways and elaborately decorated hats. Their floral shop and Evie's bookstore draw streams of visitors all summer long. This season promises to be extra busy: Evie's sister, Jules, is getting married on the island. As Jules plans her unconventional wedding, she arranges to do a DNA test with her mother, sister, and aunts, to see how much accepted lore about their heritage holds true. The results blow apart everything Evie has grown up believing about herself and her family. Spurred on by the revelations, Evie uncovers the real story of her past. But beyond her feelings of shock and betrayal, there are unexpected opportunities—to come to terms with a gift that has sometimes felt like a curse, to understand the secrets that surrounded her childhood, and to embrace the surprising new life that is waiting for her...

From the author of All About Evie, “a literary wonder of family, crime, and romance... Fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train will love this book” (BookTrib). When Natalie Shelton thinks back to how things were before the car accident, she remembers a great marriage. She and her husband, Zack, seem as strong and dependable together as the houses he builds. They live in Portland, Oregon, and Natalie is co-owner of a successful accounting firm. They're happy, she's almost sure of it. Yet as Natalie lies trapped in a coma, unable to communicate though aware of everything around her, she realizes that her husband is hiding something. Zack has always been reticent about his past, which she attributed to an unhappy childhood. Now the strange calls he's receiving, the apologies when he thinks she can't hear him, and her fragmented memories from the morning of the accident suggest a deeper secret. When she finally awakens, Natalie is determined to find out the truth. Sorting through clues as her brain heals, she realizes she has a rare opportunity—to reexamine the life she's made and the man she's made it with. But as answers come to light, she faces surprising, heartrending decisions, as well as a danger that could upend her world once again, as Zack's past finally catches up with them... “Fast, suspenseful... an action-filled, unexpected resolution.”—Library Journal “Lamb opens her magnetic novel with a tantalizing glimpse of a mystery, and a feisty heroine to root for.”—Publishers Weekly

The discovery of a family cookbook changes the life of a beleaguered woman in this novel by the author of The Language of Sisters. Two years ago, Olivia Martindale left behind her Montana hometown and her husband, Jace, certain it was the best decision for both of them. Back temporarily to protect her almost-adopted daughters from their biological mother, she discovers an old, handwritten cookbook in the attic. Its pages are stained and torn, their edges scorched by flame. Some have been smeared by water... or tears. The recipes are written in different hands and in different languages. In between the pages are intriguing mementos, including a feather, a pressed rose, a charm, and unfamiliar photographs. Hoping the recipes will offer a window into her grandmother's closely guarded past, Olivia decides to make each dish, along with their favorite family cake recipes, and records her attempts. The result, like much of her life to date, involves a parade of near-disasters and chaotic appearances by her doctor mother, her blunt grandma, her short-tempered sister, and Olivia's two hilarious daughters. The project is messy, real—and an unintended hit with viewers. Even more surprising is the family history Olivia is uncovering, and her own reemerging ties to Montana, and to Jace. Generations of women have shared these recipes, offering strength and nourishment to each other and their loved ones. Now it's Olivia's turn to find healing—and determine where her home and her heart truly belong.Praise for Cathy Lamb“This finely pitched family melodrama is balanced with enough gallows humor and idiosyncratic characters to make it positively irresistible.” —Publishers Weekly on Henry's Sisters

A Montana B&B owner butts heads with a confident millionaire in this gentle Christmas romance story by the author of Julia's Chocolates. Some people careen through life trailing chaos in their wake. Others get to pick up the pieces. Meredith Ghirlandaio is generally in the latter category, especially when it comes to her irresponsible sister, Leia. Leia's latest move: abandoning her two children while she runs off to rediscover herself. Meredith immediately steps up, bringing rebellious Sarah and withdrawn Jacob back to her hometown of Telena, Montana, where she opens a B&B. Despite the “Merry Meredith” nickname she earns from her guests, she's too wary—and too busy—to get involved with any man. Especially one like handsome, self-assured Logan Taylor. But Logan's not easy to shake, and makes it plain that he's drawn to everything about Meredith—her tough talk and her cowboy hats, her softness and her strength. Roped into chairing the Telena Christmas concert, Meredith brings townsfolk of all ages together to share stories, talents, and rehearsal potluck dinners. Little by little she's opening up too. And in between navigating the lessons of the past and acknowledging her own hopes for holidays yet to come, she's learning that all the gifts she really needs are right there, waiting—if only she'll claim them.Previously published in Holiday Magic“Lamb's funny, feisty Meredith, waitress in a Montana town, finds her aloofness tested by millionaire Taylor Logan in the bittersweet and tender “A Very Merry Christmas.”“ —Publishers Weekly

A family of Russian refugees juggle their haunting past with their challenging present in this novel by the author of My Very Best Friend. Sometimes Toni Kozlovsky and her sisters know what each other is thinking, just when they need it most. Since Toni, Valerie, and Ellie were little girls growing up in Communist Russia, their parents have insisted it's simply further proof that the Kozlovskys are special and different. Now a reporter, Toni lives on a yellow tugboat on Oregon's Willamette River. As far as her parents are concerned, the pain of their old life and their dangerous escape should remain buried in the Moscow they left behind, as should the mysterious past of their adopted brother, Dmitry. But lately, Toni's talent for putting on a smile isn't enough to keep memories at bay. Valerie, a prosecuting attorney, wages constant war against the wrongs she could do nothing about as a child. Youngest sister Ellie is engaged to marry an Italian, breaking her mother's heart in the process. Toni fears she's about to lose her home, while the hard-edged DEA agent down the dock keeps trying to break through her reserve. Meanwhile, beneath the culture clashes and endearing quirks within her huge, noisy, loving family are deeper secrets that Toni has sworn to keep—even from the one person she longs to help most...“Lamb... draws readers into the embrace of Toni's eccentric and loud extended family, who inject regular bouts of humor into the story while their love for one another is palpable.... The joy of this intricate story is following these characters and their warm and compelling development... ” —Library Journal

A poignant novel of two women whose childhood friendship transforms to a journey of discovery—from the acclaimed author of All About Evie. Charlotte Mackintosh is an internationally known bestselling romance writer who has no love life and remains a mystery to her fans. In fact, she has little in her life besides her work, her pampered cats, and her secluded home off the coast of Washington. And then there is her very best friend, Bridget, who lives in Scotland, where Charlotte lived until she was fifteen. Bridget, whom Charlotte hasn't seen in twenty years, but continues to write to—though the replies have stopped. Hurt by the silence, an opportunity arises to find answers—and maybe much more. Charlotte must finally return to Scotland to sell her late father's cottage. It was his tragic death when Charlotte was fifteen that began her growing isolation, and the task is fraught with memories. But her plans are slowed when she's confronted with the beautiful but neglected house, the irresistible garden—and Toran, Bridget's brother. Capable and kind, Toran has the answers Charlotte seeks. And as she is drawn deeper into the community she thought she'd left behind, Charlotte learns not only more about her dear friend, but about herself—and discovers a new and unexpected path. “[A] poignant, funny and winsome novel... Witty, wise and wonderful, My Very Best Friend is another winner for me.”—Book'd Out “An epic story of love and loss... satisfying and heartfelt.”—Compass Book Ratings

After her husband's betrayal, an artist tries to reinvent herself in small-town Oregon in this novel by the author of If You Could See What I See. Grenadine Scotch Wild has only vague memories of the parents she last saw when she was six years old. But she's never forgotten their final, panicked words to her, urging Grenadine to run. The mystery of their disappearance is just one more frayed strand in a life that has lately begun to unravel completely. One year into her rocky marriage to Covey, a well-known investor, he's arrested for fraud and embezzlement. And Grenadine, now a successful collage artist and painter, is facing jail time despite her innocence. With Covey refusing to exonerate her unless she comes back to him, Grenadine once again takes the advice given to her so long ago: she runs. Hiding out in a mountain town in central Oregon until the trial, she finds work as a bartender and as assistant to a furniture-maker who is busy rebuilding his own life. But even far from everything she knew, Grenadine is granted a rare chance, as potentially liberating as it is terrifying—to face down her past, her fears, and live a life as beautiful and colorful as one of her paintings...“[Cathy Lamb] kept me up half the night. I could not put her latest novel, What I Remember Most, down!” —USA Today–bestselling author of Under the Southern Sky

“The perfect stocking stuffer read... A great combination of romance, mystery, longing, love, and ultimately the feelings brought on by Christmas.” —KT Book Reviews“It's that time of year when the world falls in love...”Join four of your favorite authors for tales of Christmas romance to remember forever.“Under the Mistletoe” by Lisa JacksonMegan Johnson's marriage is over—or so she thinks. When her husband Chris lands in the hospital, she remembers the unexpected joy of their first Christmas together...“A Ranger for Christmas” by Mary BurtonThe holidays bring painful memories for history professor Marisa Thompson. But agreeing to help Texas Ranger Lucas Cooper solve a case presents her with more than a distraction...“A Southern Christmas” by Mary CarterReporter Danielle Bright is heading home to write about Christmas down south—and possibly win back her ex. But Sawyer, the sexy photographer, is determined to jingle her bells...“Christmas in Montana” by Cathy LambFamily is where you go after quitting your job, but Laurel Kelly isn't prepared for the changes at home in Montana—or the fact that her high school boyfriend now owns the family land...“If you're looking for a holiday read with interesting plots, likeable characters and satisfying conclusions, this is the collection for you.” —Blogcritics

New York Times BestsellerCurl up by the Yuletide with these heartwarming stories that add a touch of wonder to your holidays...'Comfort and Joy'by Fern MichaelsEver since Angie Bradford took over her mother's gift wrap business in the Eagle Department Store, she and handsome store chief Josh Eagle have been at odds. When Josh threatens to give up on the business and move to London, and a devastating storm may destroy their Christmas season, Angie never expects help to come in the form of a holiday miracle...'A High-Kicking Christmas'by Marie BostwickAfter ten years as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall, Kendra Erickson needs a break from Christmas. But when an injury lands her in small-town Vermont where she finds herself directing the local holiday pageant alongside the charming new pastor, Kendra reconsiders her views on life, love--and the most romantic season of all...'Suzanna's Stockings'by Cathy LambWhen an accident lands Suzanna Everts in the hospital for Christmas this year, she'll need a little magic to save the holiday season. Enter sexy, but Scrooge-like, land developer Jack Benson to the rescue, proving to Suzanna that the best gifts are those that take you completely by surprise...'Family Blessings'by Deborah J. WolfTired of dealing with her squabbling family, Kacey would rather not be home for the holidays. But Christmas memories hold a special power that is enough to remind a family of the blessings they share--and awaken Kacey to the promise of new love...

Old flames reignite and new passions burn when lovers follow their hearts back to the place they once called home...'Whale Island'by Cathy Lamb Family secrets and imposing friends are making Chalese feel like an outsider in her very own home on beautiful Whale Island. But it's only when a shocking revelation makes her feel truly lost that she opens her heart to the possibilities the past offers--including a chance at love with the last man she expected...'Queen Of Hearts'by Judy Duarte Her high school reunion is coming up, and advice columnist Jenn Kramer couldn't be dreading it more--until she lays eyes on Marcos. Jenn hardly noticed him when they were kids, but now he's all grown up... and how deliciously he's changed...'The Honeymoon House'by Mary Carter It doesn't get more romantic than Andy Beck's cottage on Martha's Vineyard. But love is the last thing on his mind--he just wants to get the cottage ready for his best friend's honeymoon. At least that's the plan, until he finds the gorgeous Maid of Honor ransacking his house--in the most irresistible way...'The Marrying Kind'by #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber High school sweethearts Katie and Jason haven't seen each other in ten years--and now she's walked back into his life. With one look, the love they shared comes flooding back--only now the odds seem stacked against them. But when something's meant to be, all bets are off...

A widow finds solace working in her family's lingerie shop in this heartwarming novel by the author of A Different Kind of Normal. For decades, the women in Meggie O'Rourke's family have run Lace, Satin, and Baubles, a lingerie business that specializes in creations as exquisitely pretty as they are practical. The dynamic in Meggie's family, however, is perpetually dysfunctional. In fact, if Meggie weren't being summoned back to Portland, Oregon, by her grandmother, she'd be inclined to stay away all together. Since her husband's death a year ago, Meggie's emotions have been in constant flux, and so has her career as a documentary filmmaker. Finding ways to keep the family business afloat—and dealing with her squabbling sister and cousin—will at least give her a temporary focus. To draw customers to their website, Meggie decides to interview relatives and employees about their first bras and favorite lingerie. She envisions something flip and funny, but the confessions that emerge are unexpectedly poignant. There are stories of first loves and aching regrets, passionate mistakes and surprising rendezvous. And as the revelations illuminate her family's past, Meggie begins to find her own way forward. With warmth and unflinching humor, If You Could See What I See explores the tender truths we keep close—and what can happen when we find the courage to bare them to the world.Praise for Cathy Lamb“This finely pitched family melodrama is balanced with enough gallows humor and idiosyncratic characters to make it positively irresistible.” —Publishers Weekly on Henry's Sisters

Four bestselling authors “explore the topic of lost love and the magical qualities of unexpected second chances” in this pitch-perfect summer collection (Publishers Weekly). Golden sand, pounding surf, a sense of endless possibility—and four unforgettable stories of love, friendship, and starting over...“The Brass Ring” Lisa Jackson It's a beautiful June day, perfect for a wedding—until Shawna learns that her fiancé, Parker, has been involved in a car crash. Though his injuries heal, his memories of her are gone. Yet Shawna won't stop reaching to reclaim the love they once shared...“June's Lace” Cathy Lamb In her studio on the Oregon coast, June MacKenzie creates beautiful lace wedding dresses, with no intention of ever wearing one again herself. Then songwriter Reece rents the house next door—and sets out to change her mind...“Second Chance Sweethearts”Holly Chamberlin Thea Foss is putting a bad marriage behind her in the pretty vacation town of Ogunquit, Maine. But when her first love wanders into the local diner, he reminds Thea of the person she once was, and the life it's not too late to claim...“Carolina Summer”Rosalind Noonan A storm along North Carolina's Outer Banks strands Jane Doyle in a beautiful, remote town that soon feels a lot like home. And thanks to the local sheriff, she finds herself staying longer than she ever expected...

A knowing wink...a smile that tugs at the heartstrings...a mind-blowing kiss. In this unforgettable collection of stories, four women have a second chance to rekindle an old spark...The Apple Orchard by Cathy LambWhen an injury lands Allie Pelletier in the emergency room, she comes face-to-face with the only man she's ever truly loved--Dr. Jace Rios. But can Jace also mend their wounded past and show Allie they're destined to be together? A Kiss Before Midnight by Mary CarterRebecca Ryan has never forgotten the magical night she spent in New Orleans with musician Grant Dodge. Now twenty years later, Rebecca is reunited with Grant. Their attraction is as electric as ever--and they have more to catch up on than either imagined... Romeo & Juliet...And Jane by Elizabeth BassWhen veterinarian Jane Canfield's first love, Roy McGillum, returns to town, memories of their high school performance as Romeo and Juliet--and their real-life romance--come rushing back. And when Roy shows up at Jane's window, she'll have to decide if it's time for an encore... The Devil And Mr. Chocolate by Janet DaileyArt gallery owner Kitty Hamilton is newly engaged to a delicious Belgian chocolatier. But her artist ex-husband, Sebastian, is determined to sabotage her plans with an even more tempting indulgence--the irresistible chemistry they still share.

From acclaimed author Cathy Lamb comes a warm and poignant story about mothers and sons, family and forgiveness--and loving someone enough to let them be true to themselves...Jaden Bruxelle knows that life is precious. She sees it in her work as a hospice nurse, a job filled with compassion and humor even on the saddest days. And she sees it in Tate, the boy she has raised as her son ever since her sister gave him up at birth. Tate is seventeen, academically brilliant, funny, and loving. He's also a talented basketball player despite having been born with an abnormally large head--something Jaden's mother blames on a family curse. Jaden dismisses that as nonsense, just as she ignores the legends about witches and magic in the family. Over the years, Jaden has focused all her energy on her job and on sheltering Tate from the world. Tate, for his part, just wants to be a regular kid. Through his blog, he's slowly reaching out, finding his voice. He wants to try out for the Varsity basketball team. He wants his mom to focus on her own life for a change, maybe even date again. Jaden knows she needs to let go--of Tate, of her fears and anger, and of the responsibilities she uses as a shield. And through a series of unexpected events and revelations, she's about to learn how. Because as dear as life may be, its only real value comes when we are willing to live it fully, even if that means risking it all. Beautifully written, tender and true, A Different Kind of Normal is a story about embracing love and adventure, and learning to look ahead for the first time...

In this deeply moving and wonderfully insightful novel, acclaimed author Cathy Lamb explores what can happen when one woman decides to reclaim her past-and her future-no matter where they lead...Madeline O'Shea tells people what to do with their lives. A renowned life coach, she inspires thousands of women through her thriving practice-exuding enviable confidence along with her stylish suits and sleek hair. But her confidence, just like her fashionable demeanor, is all a front. For decades, Madeline has lived in fear of her traumatic past becoming public. Now a reporter is reinvestigating the notorious crime that put Madeline's mother behind bars, threatening to destroy her elaborate façade. Only Madeline's sister, Annie, and their frail grandparents know about her childhood--but lately Madeline has reason to wonder if her grandparents also have a history they've been keeping from her. As the demons of the past swirl around her, a tough, handsome judge with a gentle heart is urging Madeline to have faith in him-and in herself. And as she allows her resistance to thaw, the pain she expects pales in comparison to the surprises headed straight to her door. With one bold, unprecedented move, Madeline O'Shea may just wake up out of the sadness and guilt that have kept her sleepwalking through life for so long-and discover that the worst thing that can happen is sometimes the very thing we desperately need. The First Day of the Rest of My Life is an eloquent and triumphant tale of a fierce act of love, a family's legacy, and one woman's awakening to her own power-with no secrets.....

Mistletoe, magic, twinkling lights, and stolen kisses... Experience all the wonders of the holiday season with these four irresistible stories...'Holiday Magic'by Fern MichaelsSki shop manager Stephanie Marshall is counting on a holiday bonus so she can put a down payment on a home for herself and her daughters. But her handsome boss, Eddie O'Brien, has his own Christmas wish--one that could lead to a lifetime of loving...'A Very Merry Christmas'by Cathy LambMeredith Ghirlandaio's to-do list is already overflowing, between keeping her B&B afloat, directing the town's holiday concert, and trying to avoid rancher Logan Taylor. Doesn't he know Meredith's through with men--even rugged, alpha, drop-dead-gorgeous men? Then again, some vows were meant to be broken...'A Very Maui Christmas'by Mary CarterTara Lane has the perfect plan to avoid another hellish family holiday--fly to Maui. Too bad her family decided to follow suit. But a laid-back handyman is about to prove you don't need snow to have a sparkling, sexy Christmas...'A Cedar Key Christmas'by Terri DuLong Single mom Josie Sullivan is proud of her young daughter, Orli, for helping local fisherman Mr. Al restore his crumbling home. And when Mr. Al's nephew, Ben, pays a visit, Josie realizes just how much Christmas magic one good deed can bring...

“An affecting portrait of one woman's heroic journey from tragedy to her own version of happiness” from the acclaimed author of All About Evie (Booklist).Two years and 170 pounds ago, Stevie Barrett was wheeled into an operating room for surgery that most likely saved her life. Since that day, a new Stevie has emerged, one who walks without wheezing, plants a garden for self-therapy, and builds and paints fantastical wooden chairs. At thirty-five, Stevie is the one thing she never thought she'd be: thin.But for everything that's changed, some things remain the same. Stevie's shyness refuses to melt away. She still can't look her gorgeous neighbor in the eye. The Portland law office where she works remains utterly dysfunctional, as does her family—the aunt, uncle, and cousins who took her in when she was a child. To top it off, her once supportive best friend clearly resents her weight loss. But as Stevie starts to uncover some surprising revelations—about who she is, who she wants to be, and how the old Stevie evolved in the first place—she realizes the most important part of her transformation may not be what she's lost, but the courage and confidence she's gathering, day by day.Praise for the novels of Cathy Lamb“A story of strength and reconciliation and change.” —The Sunday Oregonian“I loved this beguiling novel about love, friendship and the enchantment of really good chocolate.” —Luanne Rice, New York Times-bestselling author“Lamb is an awesome storyteller and moves seamlessly from the past to the present.” —RT Book Reviews

'I left my wedding dress hanging in a tree somewhere in North Dakota. I don't know why that particular tree appealed to me. Perhaps it was because it looked as if it had given up and died years ago and was still standing because it didn't know what else to do...'From the moment Julia Bennett leaves her abusive Boston fiance at the altar and her ugly wedding dress hanging from a tree, she knows she's driving away from the old Julia, but what she's driving toward is as messy and undefined as her own wounded soul. The old Julia dug her way out of a tortured, trailer park childhood with a monster of a mother. The new Julia will be found at her Aunt Lydia's rambling, hundred-year-old farmhouse outside Golden, Oregon. There, among uppity chickens and toilet bowl planters, Julia is welcomed by an eccentric, warm, and often wise clan of women, including a psychic, a minister's unhappy wife, an abused mother of four, and Aunt Lydia herself - a woman who is as fierce and independent as they come. Meeting once a week for drinks and the baring of souls, it becomes clear that every woman holds secrets that keep her from happiness. But what will it take for them to brave becoming their true selves?

Curl up with Cathy Lamb, an author you will come to cherish, as she makes you laugh, cry and reach for the chocolate. Ever since the Bommarito sisters were little girls their mother has written them a letter on pink paper when she has something especially important to tell them. And this time, the message is urgent and impossible to ignore, she requires open heart surgery, and Isabelle and her sisters are needed at home to run the family bakery and to take care of their brother, Henry, and ailing grandmother. Poignant, funny, and as irresistible as one of the Bommarito Bakery's delicious giant cupcakes, Henry's Sisters is a novel about family and forgiveness, about mothers and daughters, and about gaining the wisdom to look ahead while still holding tight to everything that matters most.

An emergency homecoming forces three sisters to deal with issues they'd rather ignore in this touching novel by the author of All About Evie. Ever since the Bommarito sisters were little girls, their mother, River, has written them a letter on pink paper when she has something especially important to impart. This time, the message is urgent—River requires open-heart surgery, and Isabelle and her sisters are needed at home to run the family bakery and care for their brother and ailing grandmother. Isabelle has worked hard to leave Trillium River, Oregon, behind as she travels the globe taking award-winning photographs. Still, she and her sisters, Cecilia, an outspoken kindergarten teacher, and Janie, a bestselling author, share a deep, loving bond. And all of them adore their brother, Henry, whose disabilities haven't stopped him from helping at the bakery and bringing good cheer to everyone in town. But going home again forces open the secrets and hurts the Bommaritos would rather keep tightly closed—Isabelle's fleeting relationships, Janie's obsessive compulsive disorder, and Cecilia's plans to get even with her cheating ex-husband. Now, working together, Isabelle and her sisters begin to find answers to questions they never knew existed, unexpected ways to salve their childhood wounds, and the courage to grasp surprising new chances at happiness. As irresistible as one of the Bommaritos'giant cupcakes, Henry's Sisters is a novel about family and forgiveness, mothers and daughters—and gaining the wisdom to look ahead while still holding onto everything that matters most.“This finely pitched family melodrama is balanced with enough gallows humor and idiosyncratic characters to make it positively irresistible.” —Publishers Weekly

I left my wedding dress hanging in a tree somewhere in North Dakota. I don't know why that particular tree appealed to me. Perhaps it was because it looked as if it had given up and died years ago and was still standing because it didn't know what else to do...In her deliciously funny, heartfelt, and moving debut, Cathy Lamb introduces some of the most wonderfully eccentric women since The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and The Secret Life of Bees, as she explores the many ways we find the road home. From the moment Julia Bennett leaves her abusive Boston fiancé at the altar and her ugly wedding dress hanging from a tree in South Dakota, she knows she's driving away from the old Julia, but what she's driving toward is as messy and undefined as her own wounded soul. The old Julia dug her way out of a tortured, trailer park childhood with a monster of a mother. The new Julia will be found at her Aunt Lydia's rambling, hundred-year-old farmhouse outside Golden, Oregon. There, among uppity chickens and toilet bowl planters, Julia is welcomed by an eccentric, warm, and often wise clan of women, including a psychic, a minister's unhappy wife, an abused mother of four, and Aunt Lydia herself--a woman who is as fierce and independent as they come. Meeting once a week for drinks and the baring of souls, it becomes clear that every woman holds secrets that keep her from happiness. But what will it take for them to brave becoming their true selves? For Julia, it's chocolate. All her life, baking has been her therapy and her refuge, a way to heal wounds and make friends. Nobody anywhere makes chocolates as good as Julia's, and now, chocolate just might change her life--and bring her love when she least expects it. But it can't keep her safe. As Julia gradually opens her heart to new life, new friendships, and a new man, the past is catching up to her. And this time, she will not be able to run but will have to face it head on. Filled with warmth, love, and truth, Julia's Chocolates is an unforgettable novel of hope and healing that explores the hurts we keep deep in our hearts, the love that liberates us, the courage that defines us, and the chocolate that just might take us there. Advance praise for Cathy Lamb and Julia's Chocolates'Julia's Chocolates is wise, tender, and very funny. In Julia Bennett, Cathy Lamb has created a deeply wonderful character, brave and true. I loved this beguiling novel about love, friendship, and the enchantment of really good chocolate.'--Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author