Michelle Rene Libri

In 1882, there was an artistic explosion of creativity in Europe. To a poor girl, Maria, and her alcoholic, prostitute mother, Sien, in The Hague, Netherlands, that didn't mean much until one winter evening when her mother brought Vincent Van Gogh to their home. Before his stint in Paris with the bohemian painters of his day, Van Gogh tried for a family life while learning the trade of art. Seminary school was a failure, and his cousin Klee had rejected his romantic advances. He took solace with this poor girl named Maria and her mother Sien, determined to make them all a family. Maria, a hardened, honest girl, becomes Vincent's secret art critic. With an emotional artist for a friend and an alcoholic woman for a mother, Maria burdens herself as the responsible person in the family and tries desperately to keep them together. The short year and a half with Vincent forever changes Maria

Set against a backdrop of cynicism, a mysterious young woman arrives with an unclear purpose. Her presence raises questions about her motivations and the challenges she faces in a world that may not welcome her. As she navigates through this complex environment, the story explores themes of survival and the quest for meaning amid skepticism.

Exploring the idea that a muse requires profound emotional experiences, the narrative delves into the complexities of love, heartbreak, and artistic inspiration. It suggests that true creativity stems from deep personal pain, leading to a transformative journey. The protagonist's encounters with love and loss shape their identity and artistic expression, ultimately questioning the relationship between suffering and the creative process.

Tessa Barnes navigates life after the unexpected loss of her husband, reflecting on her deep bond with him. Driven by her faith, a love for baking, and cherished memories of her Great-Grandmother Heart, she embarks on a journey to open a distinctive dessert boutique. The shop focuses on celebrating connections through sweets, blending her passion for baking with the desire to spread love and joy to others.

Set in the lawless town of Deadwood, South Dakota, Hour Glass shares an intimate look at the woman behind the legend of Calamity Jane told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Jimmy Glass. After their pa falls deathly ill with smallpox, Jimmy and his sister, Hour, travel into Deadwood to seek help. While their pa is in quarantine, the two form unbreakable bonds with the surrogate family that emerges from the tragedy of loss. In a place where life is fragile and families are ripped apart by disease, death, and desperation, a surprising collection of Deadwood's inhabitants surround Jimmy, Hour, and Jane. There, in the most unexpected of places, they find a family protecting them from the uncertainty and chaos that surrounds them all.