Things We Surrender: A Lowcountry Novel: 1 - Softcover

Family has to take you in, no matter how many mistakes you’ve made. At least that’s what Joanna Rutledge Reed thought. At eighteen, she left her family’s ancestral home in Charleston, South Carolina, despite promising to stay. For years, she did whatever she wanted, barely giving her family a second thought. But a string of bad decisions results in heartbreak, forcing her to return home, her life in tatters. While her wayward sister traveled the world, Marcy remained in Charleston, caring for her aging grandmother and managing the family business. And she's got problems of her own that no one seems to notice or care about. When Joanna arrives unexpectedly, Marcy bristles at the intrusion, suspicious of her sister’s motives. As Joanna picks up the threads of her old life, she discovers things are not what they appear to be. Painful memories and secrets resurface, leading Joanna to question everything she thought she knew about her family. When her life begins to crash around her again, she needs her sister more than ever. Set against the rich tapestry of Charleston, South Carolina, three generations of strong Southern women share a history and not-quite-forgotten secrets. Will the bonds they forged years ago be strong enough to give them a second chance at being a family?

One of the talents that Heidi’s most proud of is the ability to walk anywhere while reading a book, without running into anything. At least anything big. She loves bookstores and public libraries and is thrilled to have visited both Powell City of Books in Portland, Oregon, and The Strand Bookstore in New York City. She started writing because she loves to read. All her novels have a happy ending, though it may take some work to get there. She writes about imperfect families, forgiveness, and second chances, combining humor with human frailty to create strong characters you will remember long after their journey is over. Heidi and her family divide their time between the stunning natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the rich history of the Maryland coast. They visit the beach on both coasts every chance they get because you never know what will inspire a great story. Heidi loves to hear from readers and answers all her own email. Connect with her at www.HeidiHostetter.com, or find her on Facebook.