Bøker av Wendy Francis

For three sisters, this Memorial Day weekend is a much-anticipated reunion--and a sizzling escape--where secrets, lovers, and betrayals collide in a small coastal town. It's Memorial Day weekend, the annual kickoff to summer for the Lancaster sisters. But the festivities take a deep dive when a mysterious boating accident occurs off their seaside town, sparking questions about how well the sisters know their neighbors--and each other. Kate, whip smart and rich, lives a charmed life--if only her lawyer husband wasn't always disappearing for his next big case. Older sister Shelby, when not selling houses, is falling hard for an on-again, off-again lover. He's perfect for Shelby in many ways, and so wrong in others. And Bree, the youngest, is reeling from a recent breakup and in desperate need of her sisters. They've always been there for each other, but as secrets arise and gossip spreads like wildfire, the idyllic weekend takes a dramatic tailspin. Will this summer's troubles change their bond before their sisterhood is righted again? --

As featured in The Boston GlobeThe New York PostBustleWoman's WorldSouth Shore Home, Life & Style"Engaging...Add this to beach reads along with those by Elin Hilderbrand, Nancy Thayer, and Dorothea Benton Frank."--BooklistTHE SEAFARER IS THE PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN IN THE SUMMER...With its rich history and famous guests, the glamorous Boston hotel is no stranger to drama. But the bustle at the iconic property reaches new heights one weekend in mid-June when someone falls tragically to her death, the event rippling through the lives of four very different people.Bride-to-be Riley is at the hotel to plan her wedding. She would have preferred a smaller, more intimate celebration, but her bossy mother-in-law has taken charge and her fiancé hasn't seemed to notice. Jean-Paul, the hotel's manager, is struggling to keep his marriage and new family afloat, but now he must devote all his energy to this latest scandal at work. Claire, recently widowed, comes to town to connect with a long-lost love, but has too much changed in the last thirty years? And then there's Jason, whose romantic getaway with his girlfriend has not exactly gone the way he'd hoped and instead has him facing questions he can't bring himself to answer.Over three sun-drenched days, as the truth about the woman who died--and the secret she was hiding--is uncovered, these four strangers become linked in the most unexpected of ways. Together, they just might find the strength they need to turn their own lives around."Compelling, surprising, and a wonderful summertime read."--Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of Family Reunion"Riveting...A smart read with plenty of meat for book clubs."--Barbara O'Neal, Washington Post bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids"In prose as glittering as the hotel in which the novel is set, Francis shines as a master storyteller. A must-read for anyone who could use an escape."--Kristy Woodson Harvey, USA TODAY bestselling author of Feels Like Falling"The best kind of page-turner... This seductive novel will draw you into the fascinating backstories of characters sipping cocktails poolside, and you won't stop reading until you know what really happened."--Brooke Lea Foster, author of Summer Darlings"At a glamorous hotel by the ocean, four people face up to truths that can no longer be hidden. Summertime Guests is compelling, surprising, and a wonderful summertime read."--Nancy Thayer, New York Times bestselling author of Family Reunion"Wendy Francis delivers a smart, probing drama that skillfully unravels the complex emotional lives of an ensemble cast in Summertime Guests...a reflective, deeply engaging and suspenseful story with many threads sure to ensnare the attention of rapt readers."--Shelf Awareness"Idyllic coastal settings, drama, dynamic characters...this story has it all!"--Woman's World

"A delicious family drama; look no further for your perfect poolside read!"--Jamie Brenner, bestselling author of The Forever Summer A Lee Woodruff "Book Marks" Pick * A Liz and Lisa Best Book of May * A Zibby Owens Recommended Summer Read Meredith Parker has made the journey to Bolton, her twins' college, dozens of times. This weekend, though, is different. Dawn and Cody are about to graduate and move away to separate corners of the country. Meredith is proud of her kids, and she's proud of herself for helping them get this far. She just never expected the tidal wave of emotions sweeping over her--or the tangled family dynamics complicating everything. Meredith doesn't miss her cheating ex, Roger, one bit, but sitting across from his very young, very gorgeous second wife threatens to unravel the graceful facade she's trying so hard to maintain. Joel, Meredith's husband, can see she's feeling the first pangs of empty-nest syndrome and wants to soften the blow--but he's distracted by a familiar face. Meanwhile, Cody and Dawn are sitting on their own secrets, and Roger's new wife, Lily, wonders if she really wants to be a part of this wild, mixed-up family. As tensions simmer with each passing appetizer tray, Meredith's vision of the perfect weekend goes up in flames. But before the party's over, as best behavior gives way to brutal honesty, there'll be a chance for this new blended family to truly come together--in all its messy and glorious imperfection. "A delightful, smartly paced read written with grace, depth and humor."--Meg Mitchell Moore, author of The Islanders

People keep secrets for all sorts of reasons. Planning a surprise trip, or a birthday party or a special gift can make life fun and interesting. Sadly, not all secrets bring joy. They can be destructive and life altering. It''s especially important for children to understand the difference between good and bad secrets. Good secrets bring happy surprises when they are told. Bad secrets try to cover up wrong and they should never be kept quiet. This book will start a conversation to help children know the difference.

"It has never been harder for parents to protect their childrens' innocence than it is in the digital age. Faced with adult concepts and confronting images in public places, online or at times where parents cannot always be present, we need to arm our children with the skills they need to cope. Wendy Francis has prepared a much-needed and age-appropriate resource to help parents educate their children to withstand the challenges of the digital age." r

No-one gets to choose if they are born a girl or a boy. And one isn't better than the other. But there is so much that is good about being a girl! What is it that makes girls so special? For many years, stereotyping of what it means to be a male or a female has been a big problem for many young people as they try to work out their own identity. I welcome these books as a positive step towards helping our children to rejoice in their biological sex while still feeling free to be whoever they were meant to be. -- Dr Megan Best, Physician and Bioethicist, University of Notre Dame Wendy conveys powerful truths simply. Every child deserves to be told that they are good, that life is joyous, that the future is hopeful, and that they have something valuable to contribute to that future. These simple messages are foundational and will bless both the grown-ups who read and every child who hears these important messages of love. -- Dr Elisabeth Taylor, Director of Research, Australian Christian LobbyThe lives of our daughters are overwhelmed by celebrity culture, internet fads, and adult expectations and standards. Parents who swim against this tide, and create stable, reassuring, consistent and uplifting environments for their daughters will find this book invaluable. -- Dr Caroline Norma, Senior Research Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University

Little boys grow up to be men. Girls never will. Is that what makes little boys so special? Well, that and so many other reasons. Can you think of some?For many years, stereotyping of what it means to be a male or a female has been a big problem for many young people as they try to work out their own identity. I welcome these books as a positive step towards helping our children to rejoice in their biological sex while still feeling free to be whoever they were meant to be. -- Dr Megan Best, Physician and Bioethicist, University of Notre DameWendy conveys powerful truths simply. Every child deserves to be told that they are good, that life is joyous, that the future is hopeful, and that they have something valuable to contribute to that future. These simple messages are foundational and will bless both the grown-ups who read and every child who hears these important messages of love. -- Dr Elisabeth Taylor, Director of Research, Australian Christian Lobby