Shadow Ranch: Novel, a

This is probably my most favorite book of Jo Ann's and I've read all but one. The book came in good condition, but the service was sloooowwww. Took almost 3 weeks!

Once again, Jo-Ann Mapson wrings out your heart in this story of the Carpenters, Bop the grandfather, Lanie, his granddaughter, trying to recover from depression after losing her 4 year old son to the same heart disease that took her fathers life, and her brother Russell, a hippie throwback facing his own romantic troubles and trying to strum his troubles away on his guitars. None of them have healed from the loss of Spencer, Lanie's 4 year old, until Bop meets an ex-stripper with a heart of gold that helps to heal the rift between grandfather and grandkids. As a mother, I couldn't help but cry while I read the book and felt how painful it would be to lose your child.

Have you ever had a book come along that you were "meant" to read? This past summer I saw Shadow Ranch at my local book store and bought it because I knew that it would be about life in Southern California, where I've always lived. It turned out to be the perfect book for me. I had just started a relationahip with an "older man," and along came this book about love and life and more importantly hope. A mature love affair can be a wonderful thing