Author: Claudia Vance
Publisher: Claudia Vance
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 127
Book Description
It’s that time of year—warm summer nights, boisterous boardwalks, funnel cake and pizza smells. The serenity of quiet evening beach walks; the comfort of a family’s annual get-together; the prospect of new adventures to be experienced. As Dave settles into his new beach house, Margaret is happy to assist, though she also notices a lot of his decisions lately don’t involve her. She can’t help but wonder if the long-term plans for his future include her and her daughters. Judy and Bob are excited for family to arrive for their annual Fourth of July vacation, but the couple’s new zest for camping (and unplanned adventures) draw both eye rolls and laughs. Chris and Sarah are all moved in together at Chris’s house, but Sarah soon finds out they are complete opposites as far as housekeeping expectations are concerned. Donna meets a new friend who introduces her to the opportunities knocking all around her, while Dale starts a new fun business venture on the Wildwood Boardwalk. Liz seizes an interior design gig at a new hotel in town, but when she’s forced to work with the owner’s know-it-all niece, she’s in for a battle of wits. Greg is excited to show off his restaurant when he hosts friends and family for Heirloom’s soft opening but quickly learns that hiring an inexperienced waitstaff could be problematic. In Book 5 of the Cape May Series, enjoy the summertime and Fourth of July traditions in Cape May with a quirky group of friends and family who will learn the importance of communication and embracing life’s surprises—both big and small. This is Book 5 in the Cape May series. It is recommended to start at Book 1, The Cape May Garden.
Cape May Summer Nights (Cape May Book 5)
The Cape May Garden (Cape May Book 1)
Author: Claudia Vance
Publisher: Claudia Vance
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 130
Book Description
Margaret Wilder’s life is about to be turned upside down … …when her husband of fifteen years abruptly leaves without explanation. Now as their young daughters struggle to understand why their dad has been gone for a month without so much as a phone call, Margaret begins to uncover her husband’s secrets while unraveling her own long-buried feelings about their marriage. On top of all the personal turmoil, Margaret’s job at the wildlife refuge has cut back her hours, and a storm approaches that could ruin all of the hard work she’s put into one of her greatest joys, her annual vegetable and flower garden. As she forms an unlikely friendship with her handsome coworker, Dave, things take a turn when she is offered a great opportunity to build the garden of her dreams on a piece of land by the beach. In the first book of the Cape May Series, follow the twists and turns of Margaret’s journey as she picks up the pieces of her life with the help of family and friends, set in the beautiful Victorian beach town of Cape May, New Jersey.
Publisher: Claudia Vance
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 130
Book Description
Margaret Wilder’s life is about to be turned upside down … …when her husband of fifteen years abruptly leaves without explanation. Now as their young daughters struggle to understand why their dad has been gone for a month without so much as a phone call, Margaret begins to uncover her husband’s secrets while unraveling her own long-buried feelings about their marriage. On top of all the personal turmoil, Margaret’s job at the wildlife refuge has cut back her hours, and a storm approaches that could ruin all of the hard work she’s put into one of her greatest joys, her annual vegetable and flower garden. As she forms an unlikely friendship with her handsome coworker, Dave, things take a turn when she is offered a great opportunity to build the garden of her dreams on a piece of land by the beach. In the first book of the Cape May Series, follow the twists and turns of Margaret’s journey as she picks up the pieces of her life with the help of family and friends, set in the beautiful Victorian beach town of Cape May, New Jersey.
Cape May Summer Nights (Cape May Book 5)
Author: Claudia Vance
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781956320206
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
It's that time of year-warm summer nights, boisterous boardwalks, funnel cake and pizza smells. The serenity of quiet evening beach walks; the comfort of a family's annual get-together; the prospect of new adventures to be experienced. As Dave settles into his new beach house, Margaret is happy to assist, though she also notices a lot of his decisions lately don't involve her. She can't help but wonder if the long-term plans for his future include her and her daughters. Judy and Bob are excited for family to arrive for their annual Fourth of July vacation, but the couple's new zest for camping (and unplanned adventures) draw both eye rolls and laughs. Chris and Sarah are all moved in together at Chris's house, but Sarah soon finds out they are complete opposites as far as housekeeping expectations are concerned. Donna meets a new friend who introduces her to the opportunities knocking all around her, while Dale starts a new fun business venture on the Wildwood Boardwalk. Liz seizes an interior design gig at a new hotel in town, but when she's forced to work with the owner's know-it-all niece, she's in for a battle of wits. Greg is excited to show off his restaurant when he hosts friends and family for Heirloom's soft opening but quickly learns that hiring an inexperienced waitstaff could be problematic. In Book 5 of the Cape May Series, enjoy the summertime and Fourth of July traditions in Cape May with a quirky group of friends and family who will learn the importance of communication and embracing life's surprises-both big and small. This is Book 5 in the Cape May series. It is recommended to start at Book 1, The Cape May Garden.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781956320206
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
It's that time of year-warm summer nights, boisterous boardwalks, funnel cake and pizza smells. The serenity of quiet evening beach walks; the comfort of a family's annual get-together; the prospect of new adventures to be experienced. As Dave settles into his new beach house, Margaret is happy to assist, though she also notices a lot of his decisions lately don't involve her. She can't help but wonder if the long-term plans for his future include her and her daughters. Judy and Bob are excited for family to arrive for their annual Fourth of July vacation, but the couple's new zest for camping (and unplanned adventures) draw both eye rolls and laughs. Chris and Sarah are all moved in together at Chris's house, but Sarah soon finds out they are complete opposites as far as housekeeping expectations are concerned. Donna meets a new friend who introduces her to the opportunities knocking all around her, while Dale starts a new fun business venture on the Wildwood Boardwalk. Liz seizes an interior design gig at a new hotel in town, but when she's forced to work with the owner's know-it-all niece, she's in for a battle of wits. Greg is excited to show off his restaurant when he hosts friends and family for Heirloom's soft opening but quickly learns that hiring an inexperienced waitstaff could be problematic. In Book 5 of the Cape May Series, enjoy the summertime and Fourth of July traditions in Cape May with a quirky group of friends and family who will learn the importance of communication and embracing life's surprises-both big and small. This is Book 5 in the Cape May series. It is recommended to start at Book 1, The Cape May Garden.
Five Days in Summer
Author: Katia Lief
Publisher: Blue Table Books
ISBN: 0983499004
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 308
Book Description
"SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RIGHT BACK... Before the long drive home from vacation on Cape Cod, Emily Parker made a quick run to the grocery store...and disappeared. When her car is found abandoned in the parking lot, her husband, Will, turns to a retired FBI profiler named John Geary for help. As her family scours the Cape for her, Emily's thoughts are not on her own safety. Kept helpless in a madman's lair, she watches him prepare a five-day countdown that will bring him to his real victim--her young son. USA TODAY and International Bestseller "Mesmerizing...Your heart will be pounding long after you've turned the final page." --Lisa Gardner "I put Five Days in Summer aside only once...to make sure my doors were locked." --Barbara Parker "A gripping, poignant portrait of an innocent family caught in a nightmare of evil." --Anne Frazier "Five Days has it all--an attractive female detective, a crusty FBI profiler, and the scariest killer you'll never want to meet." --Leslie Glass "Strikes terror into a lazy summer day." --Donna Anders".
Publisher: Blue Table Books
ISBN: 0983499004
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 308
Book Description
"SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RIGHT BACK... Before the long drive home from vacation on Cape Cod, Emily Parker made a quick run to the grocery store...and disappeared. When her car is found abandoned in the parking lot, her husband, Will, turns to a retired FBI profiler named John Geary for help. As her family scours the Cape for her, Emily's thoughts are not on her own safety. Kept helpless in a madman's lair, she watches him prepare a five-day countdown that will bring him to his real victim--her young son. USA TODAY and International Bestseller "Mesmerizing...Your heart will be pounding long after you've turned the final page." --Lisa Gardner "I put Five Days in Summer aside only once...to make sure my doors were locked." --Barbara Parker "A gripping, poignant portrait of an innocent family caught in a nightmare of evil." --Anne Frazier "Five Days has it all--an attractive female detective, a crusty FBI profiler, and the scariest killer you'll never want to meet." --Leslie Glass "Strikes terror into a lazy summer day." --Donna Anders".
Cape May Beach Days (Cape May Book 4)
Author: Claudia Vance
Publisher: Claudia Vance
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 128
Book Description
Set your beach chair up and sink your toes into the sand—it’s finally summer in Cape May. Sarah’s loving the boat life and spending time with Chris, but will an unexpected call from her ex change everything? Margaret is busy in the garden again and frustrated to find that the honor system for the The Cape May Garden farm stand isn’t working out according to plan. Dave is renovating his new beach house in North Cape May but still can’t decide what his plans are for the property. Donna, an old high school friend, is back in town after her marriage ends, and as she tries to figure out a new life, she’s surprised by an unexpected spark with someone new. Greg is on the brink of opening his restaurant but doesn’t expect the turmoil his new chef presents. Judy and Bob enjoy beach time together at their new favorite spot and discover a certain local isn’t too happy about them being there. In Book 4 of the Cape May Series, follow along as Liz and Margaret stick to their pact of visiting the beach each day of summer while lessons in love and life abound around them. This is Book 4 in the Cape May series. It is recommended to start at Book 1, The Cape May Garden.
Publisher: Claudia Vance
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 128
Book Description
Set your beach chair up and sink your toes into the sand—it’s finally summer in Cape May. Sarah’s loving the boat life and spending time with Chris, but will an unexpected call from her ex change everything? Margaret is busy in the garden again and frustrated to find that the honor system for the The Cape May Garden farm stand isn’t working out according to plan. Dave is renovating his new beach house in North Cape May but still can’t decide what his plans are for the property. Donna, an old high school friend, is back in town after her marriage ends, and as she tries to figure out a new life, she’s surprised by an unexpected spark with someone new. Greg is on the brink of opening his restaurant but doesn’t expect the turmoil his new chef presents. Judy and Bob enjoy beach time together at their new favorite spot and discover a certain local isn’t too happy about them being there. In Book 4 of the Cape May Series, follow along as Liz and Margaret stick to their pact of visiting the beach each day of summer while lessons in love and life abound around them. This is Book 4 in the Cape May series. It is recommended to start at Book 1, The Cape May Garden.
Cape May
Author: Chip Cheek
Publisher: Celadon Books
ISBN: 125029715X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
“Inside this mesmerizing tale of sexual desire and discovery, naive newlyweds Henry and Effie are honeymooning in Cape May, N.J., in 1957, tentatively navigating intimacy. Then they meet Clara and Max, hard-partying lovers who dazzle the innocent pair until they’ve lost more than their virginity. Cheek’s sensual first novel leaves you wanting more.” – PEOPLE "Henry and Effie’s honeymoon is meant to be their introduction to the pleasures of the body, but in the company of Clara and her promiscuous cohort they lose all track of boundaries. A dozy, luxurious sense of enchantment comes over the story, until the rude awakening at its finale.... Cape May does something better than critique or satirize: It seduces." – The Wall Street Journal A mesmerizing debut novel by Chip Cheek, Cape May explores the social and sexual mores of 1950s America through the eyes of a newly married couple from the genteel south corrupted by sophisticated New England urbanites. Late September 1957. Henry and Effie, very young newlyweds from Georgia, arrive in Cape May, New Jersey, for their honeymoon only to find the town is deserted. Feeling shy of each other and isolated, they decide to cut the trip short. But before they leave, they meet a glamorous set of people who sweep them up into their drama. Clara, a beautiful socialite who feels her youth slipping away; Max, a wealthy playboy and Clara’s lover; and Alma, Max’s aloof and mysterious half-sister, to whom Henry is irresistibly drawn. The empty beach town becomes their playground, and as they sneak into abandoned summer homes, go sailing, walk naked under the stars, make love, and drink a great deal of gin, Henry and Effie slip from innocence into betrayal, with irrevocable consequences. Erotic and moving, this is a novel about marriage, love and sexuality, and the lifelong repercussions that meeting a group of debauched cosmopolitans has on a new marriage.
Publisher: Celadon Books
ISBN: 125029715X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
“Inside this mesmerizing tale of sexual desire and discovery, naive newlyweds Henry and Effie are honeymooning in Cape May, N.J., in 1957, tentatively navigating intimacy. Then they meet Clara and Max, hard-partying lovers who dazzle the innocent pair until they’ve lost more than their virginity. Cheek’s sensual first novel leaves you wanting more.” – PEOPLE "Henry and Effie’s honeymoon is meant to be their introduction to the pleasures of the body, but in the company of Clara and her promiscuous cohort they lose all track of boundaries. A dozy, luxurious sense of enchantment comes over the story, until the rude awakening at its finale.... Cape May does something better than critique or satirize: It seduces." – The Wall Street Journal A mesmerizing debut novel by Chip Cheek, Cape May explores the social and sexual mores of 1950s America through the eyes of a newly married couple from the genteel south corrupted by sophisticated New England urbanites. Late September 1957. Henry and Effie, very young newlyweds from Georgia, arrive in Cape May, New Jersey, for their honeymoon only to find the town is deserted. Feeling shy of each other and isolated, they decide to cut the trip short. But before they leave, they meet a glamorous set of people who sweep them up into their drama. Clara, a beautiful socialite who feels her youth slipping away; Max, a wealthy playboy and Clara’s lover; and Alma, Max’s aloof and mysterious half-sister, to whom Henry is irresistibly drawn. The empty beach town becomes their playground, and as they sneak into abandoned summer homes, go sailing, walk naked under the stars, make love, and drink a great deal of gin, Henry and Effie slip from innocence into betrayal, with irrevocable consequences. Erotic and moving, this is a novel about marriage, love and sexuality, and the lifelong repercussions that meeting a group of debauched cosmopolitans has on a new marriage.
Crimson at Cape May
Author: Randy Overbeck
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Inc
ISBN: 1509231641
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 373
Book Description
No matter how far you run, you can never really escape a haunted past. Darrell Henshaw—teacher, coach, and paranormal sensitive—learned this lesson the hard way. Now, with his job gone and few options, he heads for Cape May to coach a summer football camp. The resort town, with gorgeous beaches, rich history and famous Victorian mansions, might just be the getaway he needs. Only, no one told him Cape May is the most haunted seaport on the East Coast. When a resident ghost, the Haunted Bride, stalks Darrell, begging for his help, he can't refuse, and joins forces with Cassie, another sensitive. As Darrell and the street-wise teen investigate the bride's death, they uncover something far more sinister than a murder. Can Darrell and Cassie expose those behind the crimes before they end up becoming the next victims?
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Inc
ISBN: 1509231641
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 373
Book Description
No matter how far you run, you can never really escape a haunted past. Darrell Henshaw—teacher, coach, and paranormal sensitive—learned this lesson the hard way. Now, with his job gone and few options, he heads for Cape May to coach a summer football camp. The resort town, with gorgeous beaches, rich history and famous Victorian mansions, might just be the getaway he needs. Only, no one told him Cape May is the most haunted seaport on the East Coast. When a resident ghost, the Haunted Bride, stalks Darrell, begging for his help, he can't refuse, and joins forces with Cassie, another sensitive. As Darrell and the street-wise teen investigate the bride's death, they uncover something far more sinister than a murder. Can Darrell and Cassie expose those behind the crimes before they end up becoming the next victims?
The Last Summer of the Camperdowns
Author: Elizabeth Kelly
Publisher: Liveright
ISBN: 0871403404
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 401
Book Description
Cosmopolitan's one of “The 22 Best Books of the Year For Women, by Women" Washington Post Notable Fiction of 2013 Set on Cape Cod during one tumultuous summer, Elizabeth Kelly’s gothic family story will delight readers of The Family Fang and The Giant’s House. The Last Summer of the Camperdowns, from the best-selling author of Apologize, Apologize!, introduces Riddle James Camperdown, the twelve-year-old daughter of the idealistic Camp and his manicured, razor-sharp wife, Greer. It’s 1972, and Riddle’s father is running for office from the family compound in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Between Camp’s desire to toughen her up and Greer’s demand for glamour, Riddle has her hands full juggling her eccentric parents. When she accidentally witnesses a crime close to home, her confusion and fear keep her silent. As the summer unfolds, the consequences of her silence multiply. Another mysterious and powerful family, the Devlins, slowly emerges as the keepers of astonishing secrets that could shatter the Camperdowns. As an old love triangle, bitter war wounds, and the struggle for status spiral out of control, Riddle can only watch, hoping for the courage to reveal the truth. The Last Summer of the Camperdowns is poised to become the summer’s uproarious and dramatic must-read.
Publisher: Liveright
ISBN: 0871403404
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 401
Book Description
Cosmopolitan's one of “The 22 Best Books of the Year For Women, by Women" Washington Post Notable Fiction of 2013 Set on Cape Cod during one tumultuous summer, Elizabeth Kelly’s gothic family story will delight readers of The Family Fang and The Giant’s House. The Last Summer of the Camperdowns, from the best-selling author of Apologize, Apologize!, introduces Riddle James Camperdown, the twelve-year-old daughter of the idealistic Camp and his manicured, razor-sharp wife, Greer. It’s 1972, and Riddle’s father is running for office from the family compound in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Between Camp’s desire to toughen her up and Greer’s demand for glamour, Riddle has her hands full juggling her eccentric parents. When she accidentally witnesses a crime close to home, her confusion and fear keep her silent. As the summer unfolds, the consequences of her silence multiply. Another mysterious and powerful family, the Devlins, slowly emerges as the keepers of astonishing secrets that could shatter the Camperdowns. As an old love triangle, bitter war wounds, and the struggle for status spiral out of control, Riddle can only watch, hoping for the courage to reveal the truth. The Last Summer of the Camperdowns is poised to become the summer’s uproarious and dramatic must-read.
Forever in Cape May
Author: Jennifer Probst
Publisher: Montlake Romance
ISBN: 9781542017855
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 284
Book Description
What happens when friends become lovers? Not what a wedding planner plans in a novel of unexpected romance by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst. Taylor Sunshine and Pierce Powers vowed to keep things platonic. They already have the best of each other: loyalty, friendship, and trust. Why ruin the perfect relationship? That kind of forever love isn't in the picture anyway for a restless, aspiring artist like Taylor. Her sights are set beyond the horizon of Cape May and Sunshine Bridal. The oceanfront hometown is part of Pierce's heart--just like Taylor is. And it breaks at the thought of her leaving. As her closest friend since high school, he supports her desires, even if she must follow them away from Cape May. But when their defenses are down, all it takes is one impulsive, vulnerable night to change all the rules. From old friends to overnight lovers, they make a new pact: explore a summer fling, no strings attached. But as the nights heat up and their connection grows deeper, hard choices must be faced. As summer nears its end, will Taylor and Pierce fulfill their individual dreams? Or are new dreams just beginning to come true?
Publisher: Montlake Romance
ISBN: 9781542017855
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 284
Book Description
What happens when friends become lovers? Not what a wedding planner plans in a novel of unexpected romance by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst. Taylor Sunshine and Pierce Powers vowed to keep things platonic. They already have the best of each other: loyalty, friendship, and trust. Why ruin the perfect relationship? That kind of forever love isn't in the picture anyway for a restless, aspiring artist like Taylor. Her sights are set beyond the horizon of Cape May and Sunshine Bridal. The oceanfront hometown is part of Pierce's heart--just like Taylor is. And it breaks at the thought of her leaving. As her closest friend since high school, he supports her desires, even if she must follow them away from Cape May. But when their defenses are down, all it takes is one impulsive, vulnerable night to change all the rules. From old friends to overnight lovers, they make a new pact: explore a summer fling, no strings attached. But as the nights heat up and their connection grows deeper, hard choices must be faced. As summer nears its end, will Taylor and Pierce fulfill their individual dreams? Or are new dreams just beginning to come true?
The Summer Place
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501133586
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 448
Book Description
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of That Summer comes another “fun, feisty” (The Washington Post) novel of family, secrets, and the ties that bind. When her twenty-two-year-old stepdaughter announces her engagement to her pandemic boyfriend, Sarah Danhauser is shocked. But the wheels are in motion. Headstrong Ruby has already set a date (just three months away!) and spoken to her beloved safta, Sarah’s mother Veronica, about having the wedding at the family’s beach house in Cape Cod. Sarah might be worried, but Veronica is thrilled to be bringing the family together one last time before putting the big house on the market. But the road to a wedding day usually comes with a few bumps. Ruby has always known exactly what she wants, but as the wedding date approaches, she finds herself grappling with the wounds left by the mother who walked out when she was a baby. Veronica ends up facing unexpected news, thanks to her meddling sister, and must revisit the choices she made long ago, when she was a bestselling novelist with a different life. Sarah’s twin brother, Sam, is recovering from a terrible loss, and confronting big questions about who he is—questions he hopes to resolve during his stay on the Cape. Sarah’s husband, Eli, who’s been inexplicably distant during the pandemic, confronts the consequences of a long ago lapse from his typical good-guy behavior. And Sarah, frustrated by her husband, concerned about her stepdaughter, and worn out by the challenges of the quarantine, faces the alluring reappearance of someone from her past and a life that could have been. When the wedding day arrives, lovers are revealed as their true selves, misunderstandings take on a life of their own, and secrets come to light. There are confrontations and revelations that will touch each member of the extended family, ensuring that nothing will ever be the same. From “the undisputed boss of the beach read” (The New York Times), The Summer Place is a testament to family in all its messy glory; a story about what we sacrifice and how we forgive. Enthralling, witty, big-hearted, and sharply observed, “this first-rate page-turner” (Publishers Weekly) is Jennifer Weiner’s love letter to the Outer Cape and the power of home, the way our lives are enriched by the people we call family, and the endless ways love can surprise us.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501133586
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 448
Book Description
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of That Summer comes another “fun, feisty” (The Washington Post) novel of family, secrets, and the ties that bind. When her twenty-two-year-old stepdaughter announces her engagement to her pandemic boyfriend, Sarah Danhauser is shocked. But the wheels are in motion. Headstrong Ruby has already set a date (just three months away!) and spoken to her beloved safta, Sarah’s mother Veronica, about having the wedding at the family’s beach house in Cape Cod. Sarah might be worried, but Veronica is thrilled to be bringing the family together one last time before putting the big house on the market. But the road to a wedding day usually comes with a few bumps. Ruby has always known exactly what she wants, but as the wedding date approaches, she finds herself grappling with the wounds left by the mother who walked out when she was a baby. Veronica ends up facing unexpected news, thanks to her meddling sister, and must revisit the choices she made long ago, when she was a bestselling novelist with a different life. Sarah’s twin brother, Sam, is recovering from a terrible loss, and confronting big questions about who he is—questions he hopes to resolve during his stay on the Cape. Sarah’s husband, Eli, who’s been inexplicably distant during the pandemic, confronts the consequences of a long ago lapse from his typical good-guy behavior. And Sarah, frustrated by her husband, concerned about her stepdaughter, and worn out by the challenges of the quarantine, faces the alluring reappearance of someone from her past and a life that could have been. When the wedding day arrives, lovers are revealed as their true selves, misunderstandings take on a life of their own, and secrets come to light. There are confrontations and revelations that will touch each member of the extended family, ensuring that nothing will ever be the same. From “the undisputed boss of the beach read” (The New York Times), The Summer Place is a testament to family in all its messy glory; a story about what we sacrifice and how we forgive. Enthralling, witty, big-hearted, and sharply observed, “this first-rate page-turner” (Publishers Weekly) is Jennifer Weiner’s love letter to the Outer Cape and the power of home, the way our lives are enriched by the people we call family, and the endless ways love can surprise us.