Endings
A synopsis of the novel...

Leslie Cohen, M.D. is a woman with a regrettable purpose. Since a horrifying accident three years ago she has maintained a life devoid of personal relationships. As an orthopedic surgeon she is able to accomplish this by working as a locum tenens physician. She is basically employed as a "temporary" surgeon, going from one short job to another where she "covers" other solo orthopedic surgeons while they're vacationing or recovering from illness.

By doing this type of work she stays in one place for a week or less and thereby has successfully avoided long term relationships. She is vigilant in this pursuit, recognizing the obvious; that all relationships end one way or another. She has had her fill of the inevitable.

Leslie finds it easier not to discuss the circumstances of the accident with strangers.  She reveals only that she is a widow... of about one year. Maintaining this existence and her secret is the only way that Leslie holds on to life even though she wishes the results of the accident had gone the other way.

All of this changes when Leslie agrees to accept a one month commitment in Abilene, Texas, temporarily taking over the practice of Hal Hawley, M.D., while he goes on leave to have surgery for cancer. "Doc" Hawley is a popular and colorful local surgeon. Soon after arriving in Abilene, Leslie realizes the mistake in accepting this longer commitment as she begins to develop an affection for the doctor and his wife.  

Even more significant is the friend she discovers in Regan Wakeman. Their chance meeting following an accident on a lonely highway outside of Abilene is moving. The relationship that develops afterward is an engaging love story.

Regan is a contractor. He is currently working on the biggest project of his career, the building of a state-of-the-art high school football stadium on the outskirts of Abilene. The description of his project is exhilarating and the progress on the stadium is woven into the tale of their developing affection. Regan is also a rancher and a competitive team roper. His ranch, the horses and the roping competition are described in charming detail.

Leslie gets right to work as is her modus operandi. Focusing on work helps keep her nightmares at bay, but they are always knocking. And Leslie is always fighting them. She doesn't fight to forget her family but rather to remain connected to them. But the memories are shocking. In bits and pieces, throughout the novel, the exact details of the accident are presented until finally you'll know the truth about the accident and begin to understand Leslie.


Coming Fall 2007 from Sunstone Press
ISBN 0-86534-519-8