Description

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“Carries us into that place beyond the dark hour where the power of story reigns, truth will not be denied, and all the magic of this life will be remembered.” —River Jordan

The first time Willow saw a warning in the clouds was the day her life changed forever. That day, her mother set fire to her cheating husband’s belongings and left their lives in Washington State behind for a dusty plot of land in New Mexico bordering an Apache reservation. Willow’s eccentric mother went about the business of starting a winery and goat ranch while Willow remained a bitter outsider, hiding her cloud-reading from all. But years later, after her mother dies, a suddenly single—and pregnant—Willow decides to leave her life in Los Angeles behind and return to the DeVine Winery and Goat Ranch, the only home she’s got left. She’s surprised to find that her Apache best friend Darrel, along with the rest of the community, believes she belongs there—and the clouds seem to tell her that life has turned out as it was meant to be. Could it be that the last thing Willow ever seem to have wanted is exactly what she needs?

“Captivating.”—Patti Callahan Henry

About the Author

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Kaya McLaren is the author of Church of the Dog. She lives and teaches on the east slope of Snoqualmie Pass in Washington State. When Kaya’s not working, she likes to telemark ski, sit in hot springs, moonlight hike, and play in lakes with her dog, Big Cedar.

Praise For…

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Praise for The Firelight Girls

“A sweet, touching view of the evolution of love and friendships.” –Library Journal

“Coming-of-age novels are always interesting, but this novel puts a new spin on it.” –RT Book Reviews (four stars)

“What a generous, big-hearted book this is. McLaren explores her subjects—friendship, regret, rebirth, the irresistible pull of place—with such tenderness that you’ll find yourself wishing you could be a Firelight Girl, too.” —Marisa de los Santos

“Touching, brilliantly insightful, and deeply compassionate…The Firelight Girls is a story of the places we love and how we never outgrow them, and a sweet reminder that sometimes we have to go back before we can move forward.” –Amy Hill Hearth


Praise for How I Came to Sparkle Again

“This warmhearted and funny novel transports the reader to the small ski town of Sparkle, Colorado, where one snowy winter works its magic on several residents. Quick with the quips and repartee, the dialogue is a pleasure to read, as McLaren shows her readers how even the brokenhearted can get their sparkle back.” —Seattle Times

"McLaren's intimate portrait of a seasonal town and its colorful characters makes for an entertaining ride." —Publishers Weekly

"How I Came to Sparkle Again is a gem of a novel. I loved the fresh setting and quirky, endearing cast of characters. This novel is like a perfect run down a black diamond slope—fun and fast-moving and invigorating." —Kristin Hannah

“How I Came to Sparkle Again is a delightful novel of life, lessons, and growth for a plethora of characters. Lisa wants to love someone; Jill is trying to pick up the pieces of a shattered life; and Cassie and Mike are struggling with grief. Jill quickly moves off of Lisa’s sofa (which is the only space available while Lisa remodels her house) and into “the Kennel,” a ramshackle trailer that’s home to the Cat Crew, Hans, Eric, and Tom.” —Romance Reviews Today

Kaya McLaren’s How I Came to Sparkle Again is sad and funny and so much fun to read! Jill, Lisa and Cassie are wonderful. Sparkle is both entertaining and wise! —Nancy Thayer

"How I Came to Sparkle Again weaves together the stories of two women and a young girl grappling with love and loss. Set in a ski town and featuring a cast of surprisingly hilarious supporting characters, this warm, satisfying novel is a treat." —Sarah Pekkanen

"This novel is filled with all of my favorite things: characters who are so real you want to reach out and give them a hug; a magical setting; enough surprises to keep the pages turning; heartbreak, laughter, crying, and sighing. Not to be missed!" —Susan Wiggs

“In a small Colorado ski town called Sparkle, second chances come with the winter’s fresh snow. And it’s here that McLaren weaves a wonderfully tender story of three lives in search of love and healing that will leave you crying, laughing, and wanting for more. A true page-turner, How I Came to Sparkle Again, reads as fast as a run down the slopes!” —Susan Gregg Gilmore

“How I Came to Sparkle Again is a generous and endearing novel of loss and reconnection, of friendship and love and finding your way home to a small town called Sparkle, where the ski bums have big hearts and name their dogs after beer, and just the right number of people grow up into adults.” —Erica Bauermeister