A sudden widow. A single mother. Both have a habit of hiding from hard truths until a brutal accident-or was it?-forces them to face what they're hiding, and what they want, in an unforgiving Texas town.
Helen is childless and widowed after a long marriage, and gets a second chance with a long lost love. But she's grieving her hidden regrets. She bonds with her quiet kindergarten student, and doubts the girl's struggling single mother, Charlene, is fit to parent.
Charlene's hiding a secret of her own, and she resents Helen's interference. She's determined to make a better life for her young daughter, the teenage boy her ex left behind, and the baby on the way, when a scarred veteran offers to lend a hand.
A tragedy no one sees coming forces the two women to unite, as small-town bias threatens to destroy innocent lives. But first, Helen and Charlene must confront the vacancy in their hearts, to find newfound strength, acceptance, and a second chance at love.
Based on a true story.
About the Author :
Jann Alexander is an author, photographer, designer, and public speaker. She's a 22-year resident of central Texas who created the Vanishing Austin photography series, and speaks all things Texas to groups and book clubs. Her lifelong storytelling habit and her passion for Texas history merged to become The Dust Series, including the historical novel Unspoken, and the true crime novel Vacancy. She holds a B.S. from the University of Maryland. When Jann is not reading, writing, or creating, she bikes, hikes, skis, and kayaks. Jann always brakes for historical markers.
Review :
"Jann Alexander's Vacancy is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of what remains when life's promises are broken. Alexander masterfully uses the harsh, shifting seasons of Texas as a metaphor for the internal struggles of her characters-raw, unpredictable, and ultimately transformative. A moving testament to resilience." -Joan Fernandez, author of Saving Vincent, A Novel of Jo van Gogh
"Vacancy hits readers like a Texas twister! Small-town atmospherics and deep emotions highlight a story about difficult families, secrets, second chances, and the desperate measures good people will take to protect those they love. Highly recommend!" -Cam Torrens, bestselling author of the Tyler Zahn mystery/suspense series
"A grieving mother, a scarred veteran, and a runaway teen cling to the only remaining people they can call family as a dusty Texas town lays blame on them for a tragedy no one saw coming. At the crux of Vacancy is the will and hope of moving forward after unspeakable tragedy hits." ----Lucille Guarino, bestselling author of Elizabeth's Mountain
