Partly to blame for her young son's death and abandoned by her husband, Liz Mackay leaves Scotland in disgrace, hoping for a second chance at love and life. Arriving in San Francisco during the Summer of Love, she soon joins a commune. Her new family is a curious mix: Black Panthers trying to change the world, a Vietnam vet seeking inner peace, a flamboyant hairdresser ready for fame and love, a flower child and her drug dealer boyfriend who changes girlfriends often. At first, Liz is happy to have found a welcoming home, but as her new roommates pry into her mysterious past Liz's search for a "jolly good time" brings more grief and a worsening drug addiction. Embroiled in a plot to bring down the Black Panthers, she looks for a way to redeem herself for her part in her son's death. Sharing her fears, she is told, "Keep your mouth shut." Can she save her friends or will she just watch her commune family break apart? No one expects anything heroic from Liz. "City of Redemption" is a vividly recounted story of lies, betrayal, sex, drugs and murder takes place during an unforgettable time and place in history.

"The Skye in June" is a tale about the MacDonalds, a Scottish family, and their youngest child, June, who has an uniqueness that attracts unusual people. After a tragedy the family emigrate from Scotland to San Francisco. The family implodes when June is drawn into the world of mysticism and, along with her three sisters, come of age during the colorful circa 1960's. It is a story of reconciliation and acceptance. Anyone who loves a good read of San Francisco's history during the late 1950's and early days of the '60's, will enjoy this story. Ms. Ahern uses the rich history of Eureka Valley (The Castro) by weaving her story around well-known businesses such as The Castro Theater and Cliffs' Variety Store. The story is also rich with nuances of Scottish culture and language. The sisters are lively, funny and rebellious as they find ways to deter their father from having control over them. The story takes readers through issues of family, their bond and how it changes over the years, religion, as wells as the challenges of immigrants, and the world of mysticism.