Music of the Heart

A Mandarin Bay Novel - Book 2

Talented high school music teacher, Carly Baxter, is making a new start in Mandarin Bay. The heartbreak of infertility coupled with a divorce after a “loving” ten-year marriage, had her reeling for a while. But now she’s all in with renting a house while getting to know her new school and students in the Tampa Bay area. In addition, she’ll continue with her personal singing gigs to insure her financial stability. One day soon, she’ll be able to buy a home of her own.

Master electrician, John Smith, raised in the foster care system, is the single dad of fourteen-year-old twin girls who love music. When his wife left him to try for a singing career in Vegas, his daughters were only a year old. John raised them with the emergency help of his buddies in the trade as well as his last set of foster parents. Buying a home in Mandarin Bay is a dream come true for his little family. Until he personally discovers that the beautiful redhead he meets there and the first woman in years he wants to date, earns her living singing in supper clubs. He’s definitely not interested.

In the meantime, among the senior set, Donna Roberts, a close friend of Libby Burman from the Welcome Committee, takes a chance with on-line dating. After three unsuccessful meet-ups, she connects with Pete Messing, a widower, who’s ready to welcome a new woman into his life. Donna’s had a loving marriage behind her, too. So what could go wrong with two lovely people seeking the same thing? But real and imaginary conflict abound—children, grandchildren, finances, location—even with a mature couple. As the song says, that’s life.