The author, in SPANISH MOSS, takes the reader back to New Orleans; this time to the exclusive Garden District and the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Megan Marcus, daughter of a well known and respected physician, finds herself sandwiched between two handsome suitors, one who understands and appreciates her creative nature, and the other who wants to add her to his collection of the finer things of life. Her previously safe and unruffled life is threatened when one of her suitors, the smooth-talking, charismatic Justin, morphs into someone Megan no longer understands. She fears he could shatter any chance she has for happiness -- he might even be dangerous. Drifting in the quiet waters of her professional and personal life, it takes a stormy sailboat ride, a sudden illness, and a serendipitous meeting of a man she hadn't believed existed, to cause Megan to rethink her dreams for the future. Will she choose to become a college art professor or opt for a less collegial life of creativity? Will her desire to introduce a bit of the art world to the less fortunate youth of the city be realized? Perhaps even more importantly, which suiter will she take into her heart, and what will happen to the one she leaves behind? SPANISH MOSS offers the reader a journey of lovely descriptive southern prose of the famous city as well as the moss-laden landscape of the Louisiana bayou country. Megan's story snares the reader into a search for the meaning and realization of true love. The novel also offers a glimpse into the professional world of medicine and art, a tempting tour of food, fun, and frolic, in a story filled with intriguing narrative and dialogue.

This is not a book about dying but a lovely written memoir of living, loving, and learning, and finally accepting that which cannot be changed. It's purpose is to inform and inspire as well as assure those in similar circumstances that their strength is immeasurable and that they are not alone. The author has known great love, great joy, heartbreak and more than her share of life's sorrows. She learned that one cannot control or conquer the will of the wind, but can climb aboard and from the ride learn what it means to endure.

The author, in SPANISH MOSS, takes the reader back to New Orleans; this time to the exclusive Garden District and the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Megan Marcus, daughter of a well known and respected physician, finds herself sandwiched between two handsome suitors, one who understands and appreciates her creative nature, and the other who wants to add her to his collection of the finer things of life. Her previously safe and unruffled life is threatened when one of her suitors, the smooth-talking, charismatic Justin, morphs into someone Megan no longer understands. She fears he could shatter any chance she has for happiness -- he might even be dangerous. Drifting in the quiet waters of her professional and personal life, it takes a stormy sailboat ride, a sudden illness, and a serendipitous meeting of a man she hadn't believed existed, to cause Megan to rethink her dreams for the future. Will she choose to become a college art professor or opt for a less collegial life of creativity? Will her desire to introduce a bit of the art world to the less fortunate youth of the city be realized? Perhaps even more importantly, which suiter will she take into her heart, and what will happen to the one she leaves behind? SPANISH MOSS offers the reader a journey of lovely descriptive southern prose of the famous city as well as the moss-laden landscape of the Louisiana bayou country. Megan's story snares the reader into a search for the meaning and realization of true love. The novel also offers a glimpse into the professional world of medicine and art, a tempting tour of food, fun, and frolic, in a story filled with intriguing narrative and dialogue.

This is not a book about dying but a lovely written memoir of living, loving, and learning, and finally accepting that which cannot be changed. It's purpose is to inform and inspire as well as assure those in similar circumstances that their strength is immeasurable and that they are not alone. The author has known great love, great joy, heartbreak and more than her share of life's sorrows. She learned that one cannot control or conquer the will of the wind, but can climb aboard and from the ride learn what it means to endure.

Maggie Swanson, attractive and accomplished manager of a medical clinic in Southern Ohio, has had a lifelong dream of becoming a successful fulltime artist, but can't see that happening in her small town. She also has a dream of regaining ownership of her old family home and small farm and turning it into an artist's retreat. Disillusioned after a failed romance, Maggie vacations at an ocean-side hotel in Jupiter, Florida in an attempt to make sense of her life and questionable future. Instead of sorting out her conflicting emotions, she meets the charming Dr. Brad Newsome, a Virginia gentleman fresh out of his medical residency and searching for a place to practice. But Brad has unresolved romantic interests. Maggie ends her vacation believing Brad has no place in her future. She leaves her job and her hometown to pursue her artistic dream. She moves to New Orleans to live in her Uncle Tom's antebellum home for a year of art study. Free of romantic entanglement, she succeeds beyond her wildest dream in the famous and exciting city. Will Maggie's long-lived dream of regaining the family home and farm come true? Will the paths of Maggie and Brad again merge and bring true happiness, or will their long separation doom any future entanglements? The answers may surprise you.

MAGGIE'S RETREAT is a sequel to the author's successful first novel MAN ON THE BALCONY, a continuation of the lives of Maggie (an accomplished artist), and Brad (a doctor), each striving to make a difference in an unsettled world. Their continued love story brings them face to face with the misdirected youth of today, Alzhimer's disease, and a shooting that almost destroys everything. This book shows that doctors can have a life outside of medicine and a successful artist doesn't need to live in a NYC loft. Although Maggie and Brad's dreams have come true, they find there is no safe place or guaranteed future in their small town. Their home is invaded by a troubled young man but the encounter proves to be an unexpected blessing when Maggie and Brad are able to chart his course in a totally different direction. Maggie's dream of running an artist retreat also came true but not without challenges after being caught up in the personal lives of the artists. Just when Maggie's hopes were merging and expanding, her full life was shattered by a shooting at Brad's clinic, leaving a life hanging in the balance. The shooting catapulted him into national fame, a place he had no desire to be. Courage, love, and determination paved their way not only for survival, but brought them unexpected joy. MAGGIE'S RETREAT stands on its own as a novel, but those who loved MAN ON THE BALCONY will not want to miss the exciting twists and turns in the continued saga of Maggie and Brad. The author's descriptive prose and sense of story will delight you. She is now working on her third novel, SPANISH MOSS, so stay tuned. To read more about this accomplished writer visit her web site at www.mariepinschmidt.com