By 
Daniel Maunz, the Author of “Hyphenated Relations” has written a thought-provoking and intriguing novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Family and Inspiration, and Inspirational and Spiritual Fiction. The timeline for this story takes place in the present, and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. In this well written, and complicated novel, the author vividly describes the dramatic characters as complex, complicated, quirky, dysfunctional and flawed. Some are manipulative, greedy, selfish, and ruthless. There are twists and turns, betrayals, manipulations, and gaslighting.
Sam Daly, is a young widow, retreating into her life by going to work, and reading books. Surprisingly, her ex-father in law appears back in her life, and requests her presence at an engagement party for his new fiancé. Harold, the ex-father in law lost his wife the same day that Sam had lost her husband. Sam is ambivalent about getting involved in his life. Harold’s new fiancee, Marcie, has four children from previous marriages, that are not happy that their wealthy mother will be getting married again. It is only when Sam becomes aware that Marcie’s children are manipulative and plan to put a stop to the wedding, that she feels she should be there for Harold.
Sam is a fair and honest person, and when she meets Marcie, she finds that Marcie is a good person and an inspiration in many ways. She is a balance to Harold’s eccentricities, and personality. Sam has to find the strength and growth to be an advocate for Harold and Marcie, if they are to have a chance at happiness. Perhaps this will be an opportunity for Sam to realize that she doesn’t have to be alone, and she will find that she does have a family.
I appreciate how Daniel Maunz describes the importance of family, friendships, communication, honesty, love and hope. I highly recommend this emotional novel.
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