After leaving home at eighteen, Anna Matthews seeks adventure in the Green Mountains of Vermont, where she meets a free-spirited young man. They are forced apart, and Anna tries to build a new life. Ten years later, a series of novels awakens hidden dreams in Anna, illuminating a striking disparity within her marriage. She seeks out the author, but the truth she discovers will change her life. Anna is confronted with a clear choice -- continue living the comfortable, but hollow American Dream, or pursue her dream.

Maple Shade's history spans more than three centuries, starting when John and Sarah Roberts arrived from Burlington, New Jersey, in 1682. The settlement became more permanent in 1794 when Main Street was constructed, allowing a connection to the King's Highway and to the Cooper River ferry. In 1811, property was set aside for the Chesterford School, also known as the "Little Red Schoolhouse." In 1867, the township gained an identity with a train station and a rail stop. Formerly known as Chester Township, the town was now called Maple Shade. Along with the railroad came various industries and businesses, several shops, a post office, and an active brick-making business. Maple Shade gradually changed from a rural community to a suburban town. Today many of these early settlers are still known through street names: Robert Stiles, Samuel Coles, Alexander Mecray, and the Rudderows were all early settlers of Maple Shade.

David Swan (+Biography and Bibliography) (Matte Cover Finish): We can be but partially acquainted even with the events which actually influence our course through life, and our final destiny. There are innumerable other events if such they may be called which come close upon us, yet pass away without actual results, or even betraying their near approach, by the reflection of any light or shadow across our minds. Could we know all the vicissitudes of our fortunes, life would be too full of hope and fear, exultation or disappointment, to afford us a single hour of true serenity. This idea may be illustrated by a page from the secret history of David Swan.

Lori Nichols’ enchanting debut features an irresistible, free-spirited, nature-loving little girl who greets the changing seasons and a new sibling with arms wide open. When Maple is tiny, her parents plant a maple tree in her honor. She and her tree grow up together, and even though a tree doesn’t always make an ideal playmate, it doesn’t mind when Maple is in the mood to be loud—which is often. Then Maple becomes a big sister, and finds that babies have their loud days, too. Fortunately, Maple and her beloved tree know just what the baby needs.