Tobias Hillyer had a promising future until a car accident claimed the lives of his parents. Abandoning his dreams, he dropped out of college to take care of his orphaned, brain-damaged younger brother. Now in his late thirties, Tobias must struggle to provide for his family, working dead-end jobs that fall far short of the academic career he had imagined. Then he wins the lottery.

His financial worries eliminated, Tobias anticipates nothing but smooth sailing ahead for himself and the people he loves. But he soon finds that his amazing stroke of luck may threaten everything he holds dear.

Over peaks and valleys, this uplifting journey will challenge everything we think we know about luck, life, and what we value most.

About the Author

Lilian Duval is the author of the forthcoming story collection "Random Acts of Kindness." She is an amateur classical guitarist and a survivor of the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Lilian and her husband live in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Praise for "You Never Know"

Does chance rule our lives? Or do we overcome chance and rule ourselves? Those are the questions that underlie "You Never Know" ... Duval's book reminds us all that even in the face of good luck we must continue to take both hardiness and happiness seriously; they come as much from inside as out.
-- "Jay Thomas, PhD, Distinguished University Professor, School of Professional Psychology, Pacific University"