Heart's Desire: A Novel

When the death of her father leaves her mother in a state of shock, card shark Hallie Palmer – the fiery protagonist from BEGINNER’S LUCK and...more

When the death of her father leaves her mother in a state of shock, card shark Hallie Palmer – the fiery protagonist from BEGINNER’S LUCK and HEART’S DESIRE - returns home from college to bravely deal herself in as head of a chaotic household and care for her eight younger siblings. But even after the invasion of those well-meaning, casserole carrying purveyors of food and comfort – church ladies – Hallie’s in a downward spiral. Thank goodness for old friends like Bernard and Gil, now proud parents, who manage to keep Hallie afloat with good humor, brilliant organizational skills, and Judy Garland’s most quotable quotes. But things aren’t entirely peaceful once Bernard’s wise, willful, and delightfully outrageous mother Olivia is back from Europe with a big (and much younger) surprise. Through it all, Hallie discovers that life can indeed turn on a dime, and that every coin has two sides plus an edge. But just because beginner’s luck can’t last forever, it! doesn’t mean you’re out of the game.   less