When everyone expects you to fall apart, do the unexpected: Get a Life.After years of being the perfect wife and mother, Francesca Kirwan realizes one dreary fall day that her life is a sad cliché when she catches her husband, Mark, with another woman. With her safe, predictable life turned upside down and an uncertain future ahead of her, Francesca has only two choices: sink or swim. So Francesca decides to get a life . . . a life of her own making. But first she has to deal with the obstacles in her way -- her husband's ambitious young girlfriend who intends to get exactly what she wants; her teenage sons' mixed reactions to the changes in the family; Mark's own reluctance to accept the consequences of his actions; and sexy journalist Ralph Casson, who shows more than a professional interest in Francesca. Then Francesca decides to throw a party, and that's when the fun really starts . . . .From Publishers WeeklyCrowd-pleasing Irish import Francesca's Party is the latest from Patricia Scanlan (City Girl; Finishing Touches). When Francesca Kirwan drops her husband, Mark, off at the airport, he forgets his cell phone; she goes to return it, only to find him kissing svelte young Nikki. The narrative moves back and forth between spineless Mark and spunky Francesca, focusing on the latter, who gradually begins to find solace in her independence and eventually strength and happiness. Family members, like Francesca's unsympathetic mother and devoted teenaged sons, provide as much friction as support. The dialogue is crisp and intelligent, and there are plenty of amusing scenes, including a showdown between Francesca and "cheeky little tart" Nikki, that will have readers cheering for the modest heroine. Scanlan shows that living well is indeed the best revenge. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library JournalFrancesca Kirwan, who at 40 has been married for 22 years, is firmly entrenched in her role as mother and housewife. Her sons are both grown, but she still takes care of her crotchety father-in-law and self-centered, investment banker husband, Mark. Then her life suddenly and drastically changes when she catches Mark kissing Nikki, a sexy younger woman. Francesca soon learns that Mark and Nikki have been having an affair for some time, so she kicks Mark out, and he moves in with Nikki. Although Nikki would like to get married, her relationship with Mark never evolves that far. Though reminiscent of Elizabeth Berg's Open House, this book is different in that readers get the perspective each of the main characters. Readers are therefore aware of Nikki's manipulation and are not surprised when Mark wants Francesca back. The titular party comes near the end when it's clear Francesca has taken a situation that seemed disastrous and turned it into an opportunity for growth. A former librarian, Scanlan lives in Dublin, where this book takes place; she is the author of eight previous novels (City Lives, Apartment 3B). Fans of women's fiction and authors like Maeve Binchy will enjoy. For most public libraries. Karen Core, Enoch Pratt Free Lib., BaltimoreCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Ava Sing Lo has been accidentally killing her mother's birds since she was a little girl. Now in her twenties, Ava leaves her native San Diego for the Salton Sea, where she volunteers to help environmental activists save thousands of birds poisoned by agricultural runoff. Helen, her mother, has been haunted by her past for decades. As a young girl in Korea, Helen was drawn into prostitution on a segregated American army base. Several brutal years passed before a young white American soldier married her and brought her to California. When she gave birth to a black baby, her new husband quickly abandoned her, and she was left to fend for herself and her daughter in a foreign country. With great beauty and lyricism, The Book of Dead Birds captures a young woman's struggle to come to terms with her mother's terrible past while she searches for her own place in the world.

Police detective Carson Beckett had skirted the altar as smoothly as a sly criminal avoided handcuffs. Now the time had come to settle down and fulfill his ailing mother's wish—and he was halfway there with an unofficial promise to wed his childhood sweetheart. But first he had to repay an old family debt to the last of the Chandler heirs.When his search led him to the gray-eyed, mesmerizing Kit Chandler, his usual logic deserted him. Instinctively, he changed from benefactor to protector when Kit became the target of someone else's wrath. And when tension turned to passion, Carson realized he was in deep. He would get to the altar, but with whom?

In order to meet her Great-aunt Sally's will's stipulation to 'handle the sale personally,' Jena Hudson visits Texas to finalize the sale of her aunt's ranch to her neighbor, Harm Steele. What Jena didn't expect was to fall for the rugged, sexy cowboy. Harm might find Jena to be the most sensual creature he's ever met, but he won't let her sultry body be more than a satisfying distraction. He learned a long time ago, happy-ever-afters are best left for childhood fantasies. So, what's a girl to do when she finds out the man of her fantasies doesn't believe in a happy ending? Well, given the right set of circumstances…she'll create one for him.

When the smoke clears, who will be left standing?Tattoo artist June Coffin has another, more hidden talent: she's a Siren who can influence people with the sound of her voice. But in the wake of a murder and shake-up at the Institute of Supernatural Research, her own powers are starting to kill her. The only chance she has of saving herself--as well as her kidnapped brother and best friend--is to become a vampire. But joining the ranks of the vengeful vamp, Occam Reed, is the last thing June wants to do.Occam isn't the only danger June needs to worry about. Power hungry telepath Robbie Beecher will stop at nothing to gain control over Chicago. He'll destroy anyone who gets in his way--and June's lover, Sam, is high on the hit list since his bid for Mayor. With the city and June's heart being pulled in different directions, it's only a matter of time before the powder keg explodes...and time isn't something June has much of left. With a city on fire,...

FROM NURSERY RHYMES...Tough, rugged carpenter Digger Clayton was good at avoiding his past--he stayed far away from kids and pretty women. Until nursery school teacher Erin Taylor offered him a job he couldn't refuse, in a sweet, sexy voice that took his breath away...and tempted him to fight for a future--with her.TO FAIRY TALESErin loved children, but she'd long ago given up on having a family of her own--until she hired Digger to renovate her day-care center. Now, one breathtaking smile at a time, this brawny builder was reshaping her heart. Could she convince him to try his hand at happily ever after?