By Stephanie Grace Whitson
Bethany House
Paperback and Large Print Editions

Mary Davis, the widow of a wealthy older man who never understood her, stumbles upon a thought-provoking inscription while shopping. It says, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

A Garden in Paris Excerpt But the American Girl sitting next to him on the beach stirred him in ways he’d never allowed himself to feel before. When she flopped back on the sand and put her arms up over her head and stretched like a lazy cat, it was all he could do to stay on his own towel. He had pushed his sunglasses up on his nose and turned his head, pretending to watch the sea when he was really watching her sunbathe. His eyes took in every curve of her youthful body as she lay on the sand, her eyes closed, her chest rising and falling in a maddeningly slow rhythm. ©2005 Stephanie Grace Whitson Published with permission from Bethany House

Soon after, Mary finds herself writing a letter to Jean-Marc, an old flame to whom an apology is due. She mails the letter to his parents’ home in Italy, hoping that he will meet her in Paris on Christmas Eve. She packs and flies off to Paris after writing a quick note to her household staff.

Liz, Mary’s difficult adult daughter, reads the note and makes plans to follow her mother to Paris to save her from herself. However, in Paris, Liz’s mouse of a mom has turned into a free-spirited woman who is considering buying a motorcycle. Liz is accepting of this until she realizes Mary is planning to rendezvous with her first love.

Mother and daughter dance and wrestle their way through the minefield of secrets Mary can no longer avoid. Mary and Jean-Marc also dance, when still more secrets are revealed, forcing them both to consider how they should proceed.

Bookworm's Briefing
This is a terrific story about personal truths and how decisions can take people down different roads. The main characters, Mary and Jean-Marc, are so likeable that the reader wants them to end up together.

As with any good story, Mary’s daughter Liz assumes the role as the antagonist set on charging ahead before thinking. It is a well-blended story and a nice cast. Be on the lookout for a sequel novel that will be entitled A Hilltop in Tuscany.

Stephanie Grace Whitson lives with her family in Lincoln, Nebraska. A two-time Christy Award finalist, she spends her free time quilting and riding her motorcycle.