by Meghan Daum (2003)
A lifestyle correspondent for a New York morning television program, Lucinda Trout is tired of reporting on thong underwear, so she heads to the Midwest. There she begins a series of dispatches called "The Quality of Life Report." The reports are intended to feed city slickers' appetites for anecdotes about a simpler life. But as Lucinda finds out, the heartland isn't quite the paradise it seems.
(by) Beryl Bainbridge
Beryl Bainbridge's evocation of childhood in a rundown northern holiday resort. An explosive shocker about little girls . . . here is the horror of child's play mixed with erotic manipulation and evil possession. "A highly plotted horror tale that ranks with the celebrated thrillers of corrupt childhood."—New York Times Book Review
Carrie Elks
Can the one who broke your heart be the one to heal it? On New Year's Eve, 1999, Hanna and Richard meet. She is a born and bred Londoner with plans for a career in journalism. He is the son of a wealthy New Yorker and destined for Wall Street. As Hanna and Richard go back to their own worlds they keep in touch, and when Hanna has her heart broken it's Richard she turns to. They reunite and fall deeply, madly in love. But they can't possibly imagine the ways their love will be tested. Fifteen years after they first meet, neither can bear to hear the other's name spoken. Then one day Hanna walks into Richard's office and reveals a shocking secret. Richard must decide if he can forgive her. And both need to choose whether to take a second chance on happiness, or if their love is beyond repair?
Nora Roberts
Unfinished business: Vanessa Sexton returns to her home town to sort out her life, only to be confused by the presence of her first love Brady Tucker. Local hero: Single mother Hester Wallace reluctantly begins to care about comic book creator Mitch Dempsey.
Helen Lacey
"Financier Grace Preston did fourteen-hour days in New York City. She didn't do small towns in Australia. Not since she'd fled almost twenty years ago. But when a personal trauma sent her home--with a secret she couldn't reveal--the last person she needed was her first love. Local cop Cameron Jakowski had loved Grace for most of his life. But he wanted marriage and family and she didn't. He was small town, while she was big city--and lived half a world away. But for now she was right here--a walking, talking temptation. One he managed to avoid ... until he made one mistake. He kissed her. And reawakened the passion that could change their lives ... forever"--Publisher.