Happiness Key
MIRA
July 2010
On Sale: June 29, 2010
Featuring: Janya Kapur; Tracy Deloche; Wanda Gray
400 pages ISBN: 0778327701 EAN: 9780778327707 Paperback Add to Wish List
Join five women connected only by their growing friendship
and the road that runs like a lifeline between their
cottages in a run-down Florida development called Happiness
Key.
Tracy Deloche finally gets a
chance to swap business for a romantic evening with Marsh
Egan, but dinner goes cold when she spots her ex-husband
prowling outside her cottage. CJ is supposed to be in prison
and out of her life for good. Exactly what is this
modern-day pirate seeking and what will it mean for Tracy's
future?
Janya Kapur envies every
pregnant woman she sees, but Rishi, her husband, is suddenly
reluctant to talk about children. Is he disappointed in her
inability to conceive? Their marriage was a contract between
strangers. Can they ever hope for anything
more?
Waitress Wanda Gray loses her
job after new owners turn the Dancing Shrimp into a tapas
bar. Wise neighbor Alice Brooks's
suggestion that Wanda start her own business seems like a
brilliant solution, until Wanda starts Pie War I with the
owners of the local bakery.
When the empty cottage at
Happiness Key is rented by single mother Dana
Turner, everything seems perfect. With Alice
volunteering to watch Dana's daughter while she works and
Wanda's offer of a job, this spit of Florida Gulf Coast land
should be a fortunate harbor for a mother and daughter who
have moved far too often. Except for Dana's shocking
secret.
As the women of Happiness Key struggle to
discover the truth in time to help their new neighbor, their
only weapon is friendship. But will friendship be enough?
I don't recall ever reading a novel that dealt with friendship. Most such books are sort of advice type books or poetry. But I find an idea like yours intriguing. Friends are such an important part of life. Just think how terrible life would be without friends. (Gladys Paradowski 1:05am July 15, 2010)
Too funny . . . I've been asked to guest blog here in a couple days, and I wanted to check and see what other writers were blogging about. Who do I see first but you, Emilie! And a post about friendship. A perfect morning pick-me-up. (Casey Daniels 9:37am July 15, 2010)
these books sound great. Put them on my list for my next order. thank you (Barbara Studer 10:45am July 15, 2010)
Hi Emilie, I love the idea of a "girlfriend" book. It is so important to have a strong friendship to help one through the tough times. Your books sounds great. (Robin McKay 11:40am July 15, 2010)
It sounds like you like to write about life I know that my girlfriends are close and help one another through all kinds of things and love like sisters. Your book sounds great (Vickie Hightower 11:58am July 15, 2010)
Ms. Emilie -- I have read all of your books, and especially loved the last two. Your characters, especially Wanda, were so vivid I feel like I should send them Christmas cards. You are so very gifted and have given me hours of pleasure. Loved Tracy's slide from the "penthouse to the outhouse" -- laughed so much, but then there were some "tissue moments" also.
Just keep up the good work and please let us know who is going to move into that vacant apartment! (Betty Cox 12:01pm July 15, 2010)
I picked up "Happiness Key" last week or so (thank you for that lovely coupon, by the way!), but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I plan on getting "Fortunate Harbor" soon. I hadn't known about the fried oysters, though. That just might be a deal-breaker!! Just kidding, I just can't stand oysters, and me half-Mississippi Gulf Coast!
I've read a couple of your previous books (in the quilting series), and they have kept me coming back to your work. Your feel for the difficulties between generations is phenomenal!!
Later,
Lynn (Lynn Rettig 12:11pm July 15, 2010)
I have different likes and dislikes. In my various 'lives' I have friends. But, I have found that friends from my work life and friends from my exercise live may not fit well together. It is similar to your question about adding a new member to the mix. In fact, I was just thinking that it was like our family holidays used to be. Because of divorces in the in-law crew we ended up having three of every holiday! (Karin Tillotson 12:31pm July 15, 2010)
Friends are important. We don't realize just how much until we loose them or are too far away to be with them much. When you live in a place where you are considered an outsider and excluded, the friendships, even casual ones, you once took for granted take on a very different import. Treasure your friends, hopefully you'll never know how much you will miss them. (Patricia Barraclough 12:32pm July 15, 2010)
Friendships have a way of growing up with you and also you grow out of a few. When you start one, you never know which way it will evolve. I know that people who have known me in various decades of my life only know what I've revealed at the time, the rest is heresay. (Alyson Widen 1:59pm July 15, 2010)
What wonderful comments. For those of you who have read and enjoyed? Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and kind words. I have loved writing my "girlfriend beach books" and hate to loose them with this last and final one. Sunset Bridge, the conclusion, comes out next summer. (Emilie Richards 2:24pm July 15, 2010)
Loose them? (As in let them go?) Or lose them? You decide. :) (Emilie Richards 2:25pm July 15, 2010)
Lately I've discovered more than ever how important friendships are. I'll certainly be looking for both of these books. (Sigrun Schulz 6:38pm July 15, 2010)
This seems like a 'gentle' read. Deliciously so. (Mary Preston 6:57pm July 15, 2010)
I have friends from different times in my life and different places. They don't mix well. I love my friends! (Brenda Rupp 11:20pm July 15, 2010)
These books sound great and different from the norm. Friends are like family sometimes hard to live with or be around but always in our hearts. (Darci Paice 2:03am July 16, 2010)
Usually they become series which I adore.
Sherryl Woods, Robyn Carr and Debbie Macomber write some very good ones. (Pat Lieberman 7:30am July 16, 2010)
Half my comments got cut - So in answer to your question - my parents.
I have read several books abound friends and I do love them. Woods, Carr and Macomber write some very good ones. (Pat Lieberman 7:31am July 16, 2010)
I would love to win these books; they look great. I too love to read books about friends. So nice to see the cameraderie. (Helen Livermore 6:11pm July 16, 2010)
I always gravitate towards the books about friendship. They tend to make you look at your own life at times -- at least they do for me. I still have friends from grade school whom I cherish dearly!! I'm very anxious to read your book and look into my heart once again. (Peggy Roberson 9:20pm July 17, 2010)
Friends are very important. You can often discuss things with them that you would never, ever talk about with your family. (Lisa Richards 10:18pm July 20, 2010)
Interesting book to read. (Gloria Walshver 9:00am August 20, 2010)
your book sounds great. Friendships are very important (Kathy Weber 12:23pm August 23, 2010)