In this highly emotional, often sad story, Melinda's father, Stanley, is expected to die of cancer. At first, Melinda can't believe that her father is so sick, and she takes him back to her house to care for him. Mary Schramski shows how Melinda's husband reacts and changes during this time, and how Stanley's friends and ex-wife react to the news in realistic ways that aren't always nice. Falling Out of Bed (4.5) is an effective look at how a fatal illness affects different people. Faith and belief are examined, and this story's heartbreaking qualities are offset by messages of hope and possibilities. This story probably will produce a good, satisfying cry. 4 ½ Stars A Complex Family Drama

Her father Stanley has always been a healthy workaholic horse until now. At seventy-two Stanley has cancer so his daughter Melinda, though in denial, brings him to live with her. Melinda who already quit her job as a schoolteacher since her spouse David has been successful plans to care for her ailing dad.

David resents Melinda’s attention given to Stanley and is upset that they never really spoke about this. Melinda’s mother, divorced from Stanley, has mixed feelings about her ex’s health. However Melinda and her dad forge a strong relationship and she begins to realize that you live only once so don’t waste it snoozing, but the cost of her lesson could prove great.

FALLING OUT OF BED is a complex family drama that focuses on the impact of a debilitating lethal illness on the prime caretaker and indirectly on others in her inner circle. Melinda struggles with seeing how helpless and hopeless her father has fallen while David feels guilt in spite of logically understanding why he still resents the attention his wife gives to his father-in-law. The other support cast members seem real as they, like Melinda and David, can get frustrated with Stanley. Yet interestingly with the struggles to decide what is right for everyone in a situation with no chance for win-win, this tale contains a brilliant underlying message of hope and faith that aging boomers will appreciate.

The innovative, well-written The Lighthouse (4 1/2 TOP PICK) by Mary Schramski examines the relationship between grown women and their parents. Forty-two-year-old Christine McGuire comes home for Christmas--the first time she's returned since the death of her mother in a car crash eight months ago. She hopes to finally establish a closer relationship with her father, Jake, who is deeply saddened by her mother's death and the mistakes he realizes he made in his relationship with his daughter. But Jake can't seem to move closer to Christine even as he understands his past errors. Schramski completely captures the awkward relationship that can exist between parents and grown children, even when both love each other. Fresh approaches and unexpected twists fill this heartwarming story. The use of multiple viewpoints is extremely effective as we understand what both Christine and her father are feeling.

Eight months ago forty-two years old Christine McGuire’s mother died in a car accident. The realtor has not returned home since though her father grieves his loss by himself and could use support for that matter so could Christine as mom was the glue that kept the family together. Deciding to see her dad over the Christmas holidays, Christine wants to forge a closer relationship with him. Joe feels the same way as he knows he blew the past when he was never there for his daughter. However, though they share the same objective, love one another and still mourn the loss of a loved one, neither can take the first step out of their roles to reinvent their relationship. --- This deep look at father daughter relationships between two adults is as profound a tale that a reader will find because the two lead protagonists know what they want and know what they must do, but neither can do it for fear of rejection. By switching perspectives, fans not only understand the motives to not take that first tentative step, but also a strong comprehension of how they felt towards the late matriarch.

Drawn home for the holidays after the unexpected death of her mother, Christine McGuire returns to San Pedro determined to find peace and connect with her emotionally distant father. But a grieving and lonely Jake McGuire has put his energies—and finances—into restoring the abandoned lighthouse that his wife, Dorothy, had loved. It isn’t until Christine begins to embrace his cause and they both understand Dorothy’s true motivations that father and daughter are able to forge the relationship that has always eluded them. While essentially a character-driven, relationship-focused story, this book provides readers with a little something extra: a charming yet realistic setting so vividly rendered that you can almost feel the mist and hear the foghorns. Since this is a Harlequin publication, readers might be expecting another romance, but they will be surprised. Lyrical, poignant, and heart-wrenching, this is instead the story of one woman’s journey: a beautiful depiction of reconciliation, coping with grief, and winning. For all public libraries.—Kristin Ramsdell, California State Univ. Lib., East Bay

Once started, I could not put this book down! This story of family is woven in a unique and compelling way, seamlessly linking the past with the present and showing how our history affects our lives in a multitude of ways. The characters come to life, and I loved Juliette in spite of (or maybe because of) her realistic hard edge, and the soft insecurity beneath it. I can't wait for Ms. Schramski's next book!

In 2000, forty year old, married and divorced three times, Vegas Golden Nugget blackjack dealer Juliette Carleton with two digits in her bank account learns from North Carolina state appointed executor Ron Tanner that she inherited the estate of her late Uncle Grey Alexander. She had not seen him since she was a child and neither stayed in touch so she is surprised that she is the recipient of his house, car, and not much else. Not long afterward, Juliette adds unemployment to her résumé as she is fired when her beer fuzzed brain calls her womanizing pit boss an a-hole.

Juliette heads to North Carolina with plans to sell the antebellum home Magnolia Hall until she begins hearing tales about her great aunt who lived there before the Civil War as she begins to explore beneath the southern layers of dust into her ancestry. She also wonders who the housekeeper Tildy Butler is and why she remains in this dilapidated mausoleum. Finally there is the kind lawyer who attracts her so much she wants to forget her vow of no more men. Though readers will know early one who’s who, fans will enjoy this fine contemporary tale focused on a woman needing to renew her life so filled with failure. Juliette initially comes to North Carolina to sell Magnolia House, but is quickly caught in a desire to learn about her family tree. Flashbacks to her great aunt provides a wonderful look back at the pre Civil War Tarheel State while also blending nicely with the heroine’s need to know. Mary Schramski writes a solid character study tale that wonderfully contrasts the past and the present leaving the future with possibilities.