
by Cynthia Chow
Newlywed Pru Parke is happily settled in at Greenoak, the birthplace of her English mother. In this bucolic setting Pru is also working alongside her brother Simon, who only recently reunited with his American sister. Built-up tensions still simmer between them, as Pru can’t help but feel guilty for being raised by the parents who gave Simon up for adoption. Family ties and loyalty are at the core of Pru’s heart, and as a result she doesn’t hesitate to welcome her husband’s nephew Orlando, sent to visit due to the teenager’s Internet shenanigans.

by Cynthia Chow
It’s been a long year since her husband’s affair left Elliana Allbright humiliated and heartbroken in her hometown of Poppyville, California. Opening Scents & Nonsense, a customized perfume and aromatherapy store, has been instrumental in mending Ellie’s soul and finally allowing her to be happy again. Ellie loves nothing more than blending the perfect ingredients to soothe her customers’ souls and creating the exact fragrances guaranteed to fulfill their desires.

by Tom Sims
It was a grandpa day again. Grandpas are always on the hunt for the next big adventure. This day, I had a seven year old and a five year old with enough energy to rival a nuclear power plant and enough curiosity to fill a large city phone book with questions in six point type.

by Maria Ruiz
When I lived in Tracy, California for a few years, I had a lovely vegetable garden sprinkled with fruit trees, perched on top of one of the many hills that make up the county. The garden angled down the back yard, ending at a fence overlooking the whole dry, brown canyon.