Bøger af Diane Greenwood Muir

A hit-and-run, a taser, and a gun. Squatters, entitled women, the body of a young man. More blood in a room than one person can lose. A manager whose family life is falling apart. Animals who require an emergency visit from Doc Ogden. An assistant who is barely hanging on because of her success. Hammers, wrenches, and mauls, oh my. Days in the life of Polly Giller. To top it off, the holidays are here, bringing parties and the largest family gathering the Bell House has seen yet. There is nothing peaceful and quiet about this season. Thanksgiving, family photographs, the Girls' Rule annual gathering, kids' cookie decorating day, and the Sturtz / Giller staff party. That should be enough, but those are only the highlights. Polly and Henry's kids are busy at school and with their lives. Four new children are beginning to settle in. They bring years of history and traditions to the household, worried that those things will be lost now that they have joined such a big family. Searching for ways to comfort and assure them that they are important individuals will take time and hard work. Every day brings something new and every day, the one person Polly can rely on to be her strength shows up. So do her friends and the rest of her family. Welcome back to Bellingwood.

Graduation, a wedding, and a baby, oh my!Jason Donovan's graduation party is at the Bell House. You'd think that after all of these years of preparation, Sylvie would be ready for this day. She's not. Especially when her ex-husband shows up with his new girlfriend. As soon as Polly and her family are finished with that event, it's time to prepare for Hayden and Cat's wedding. It won't be that easy. One day there are a few nerves and excitement and the next ... chaos. Extended family on both sides threaten to ruin the day. You won't want to miss Lydia and Beryl's take on a shower / bachelorette party. Those two women know how to have fun.Sal and Mark Ogden's baby is due. She can hardly wait. That is, until her mother announces that she will be coming in from Boston to help. With only two days' notice, Sal is in a panic. Her mother's presence is far from comforting. Polly has too much going on to do anything but listen and commiserate.Those events only skim the surface of what Polly has in front of her. Sometimes it isn't the big events that strip us down. When everyday life wears us out, we learn to look for hope in the little things, and in those who care for us through thick and thin.

One of Bellingwood's favorite characters is about to reveal more of her history. Beryl Watson comes from a long line of ... well, interesting personalities, and once Polly finds a body buried in an old family cemetery, those ancestors and their stories are told. We find out how closely tied Beryl is to the founding of Bellingwood and are introduced to her present-day family.The mystery of who was in the cemetery leads to a treasure hunt, while Polly discovers something incredibly fun about the haunted house she and Henry purchased just after Christmas. Her son, Heath, has to face demons from his past while his brother, Hayden, worries over decisions for his future. Life never slows down in this Iowa town and the new coffee shop, Sweet Beans, has become an addiction that is difficult to shake. What could be better for frazzled nerves and high stress than a cup of coffee and something wonderfully sweet to eat? Join the wonderful people in Bellingwood as they look to the past and the future in this latest adventure.

A spy camera discovered in a room at Sycamore Inn. A dead body in a parking lot. Shoplifting at the General Store. Restoring a grand piano. Friends show up from Boston. An unexpected visit from Bellingwood Police. A family celebration. A parade. Family fights. Big decisions.What do all these things have in common? They fill Polly Giller's life the two weeks before Independence Day. No matter how often she insists her life is boring, none of her friends accept that nonsense. Even though her family is home for the summer, things are far from boring at the Bell House. The boys are busy with summer activities, Rebecca has a job and a car, and Cassidy has found her dearest friend in Agnes Hill. Time spent at Sycamore House with friends both old and new reminds Polly how much she loved being part of the action. She has to find a way back there.We met Jon and Ray Renaldi in Book 1: All Roads Lead Home when they rescued Polly from Joey Delancy, her former boyfriend. When Joey showed up in Bellingwood in Book 10: The River Rolls On, Jon and Ray arrived on the scene to ensure Polly's safety. Why are they back now and why do they behave as if they know Agnes Hill? No, boring will never describe Polly's life. She wouldn't have it any other way.

A past she can't remember. A future she can't accept. Can she conquer fear in the face of darkness?Six-hundred-year-old Hester loves the quiet simplicity of her sleepy village. But after centuries of administering helpful spells and eldritch remedies, her gifted kind fall victim to a cruel king's slaughter. Somehow surviving the vicious onslaught, she wakes with little memory on a boat with a telepathic cat... and bound for battle in a distant land.When her staff hits dry soil, Hester and her pawed protector enter a dangerous new world filled with potentially fatal magic. Defenseless against the sinister sorcerers on her trail, Hester has no choice but to trust a giant, an assassin, and a pickpocket for survival. But despite their brave hearts, she fears the motley band stands no chance against a growing army of malice.Can Hester and her companions beat back the dark wizards, or will evil consume the once peaceful realm?Mage Reborn is the first book in the sweeping Mage's Odyssey epic fantasy series. If you like strong heroines, detailed world-building, and hope against impossible odds, then you'll love Diane Greenwood Muir's enthralling tale.

When school starts, life should settle back into a normal routine, right?Not in Bellingwood and not for Polly Giller. Rather than normal or routine, chaos erupts all around her. The school year has just begun and her kids face upheaval in their personal lives, Henry's parents lives turn upside down in mere minutes, and then, of course, Polly finds the body of someone whose life caused stress for her family and whose death could bring even more trouble. Work on the Bell House will not move quickly enough for any of them. Hayden and Heath worked diligently all summer and it still doesn't feel as if they'll ever be finished. At this point, running water would be enough. The old building continues to reveal mysteries and surprises; things that don't appear until the walls and ceilings have been ripped away. No one in town knows what it's all about. This one might take some time to unravel.To top it all off, Polly's birthday is coming up. She doesn't have time to think about that - not that she really wants to anyway. But even with everything that happens, family and friends are there to offer love and support.Welcome back to Bellingwood.

Polly Giller has had the worst luck with finding a good custodian for Sycamore House and the murder of her latest employee draws even more attention to her propensity for finding dead bodies. Sheriff Aaron Merritt just assumes that when she calls him, it's because she's found someone. The pool at the Elevator expands as the locals lay odds on Polly's next find. When Beryl Watson ends up in the hospital because of an explosion, the last thing she wants is to be a statistic in Polly's life.Sal Kahane, Polly's college roommate and best friend from Boston, comes to Iowa to see what all the fuss is about at Sycamore House. The city girl has to keep an open mind in order to understand why her friend loves living among the cornfields. Polly's relationship with Henry Sturtz, her contractor and friend, continues to grow. When he left town for a couple of months, she discovered how important he was.Polly takes a risk on a new custodian with a mysterious background and farm thefts disrupt the little town. She finds herself worrying about locking things up again; something she had ceased doing when she moved out of Boston. Things are never dull in Bellingwood and with the introduction of wonderful, new characters, Polly comes to a better understanding of herself and her relationship with this little town. All of the regulars are back with some stories of their own to tell.What treasures are uncovered? Read on.

Polly's friends and family are madly preparing for the upcoming Sycamore Arts Festival. Rebecca arrives home from her trip with Beryl Watson to Greece with less than three weeks to ensure she's ready for the onslaught of artisans and crafters. The stress of the festival, exhaustion and sleep deprivation, while also worrying about her sophomore year of college all conspire to drag her back to adolescent behavior. To top it off, a stalker targets young women in Bellingwood. His list includes Rebecca. Because one crisis isn't enough, Heath asks Polly to look at a house on a property east of town. He knows this presents an opportunity to the university and demands that she allow him to be the first person to enter the house. Having Polly find a body in a house he might someday purchase and renovate isn't ideal for him or Ella. Little does he know that when the universe wants Polly to find a body, she will do just that, no matter how hard Heath or anyone else works to avoid the situation. When she calls Sheriff Merritt, his response was unexpected, yet surprisingly appropriate. New relationships and old friendships, a few unexpected opportunities, and a surprise or two are all earmarks of a visit to Bellingwood. Polly and Henry's kids are growing up. While they meet new challenges, they also remind us that they still have much to learn. Becoming a responsible young person is hard work. Welcome back to Bellingwood.

The third collection of Bellingwood vignettes contains stories from Books 31-40. Four or five short, short, short stories per book are published on either the website (nammynools.com) or in the monthly email newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter on the website! The vignettes expose snippets of the everyday activities of characters who live in Bellingwood. The Bellingwood series is written from Polly's perspective, so vignettes offer an opportunity to get to know others who live in town. Her friends, family, business partners, as well as those she encounters every day. These characters enjoy telling their own stories; they refuse to remain quiet. This is their chance to offer a slice of life from their own perspective. Welcome to the rest of Bellingwood.

While the entire town of Bellingwood scrambles to prepare for the Sesquicentennial, Polly Giller discovers a body in an unexpected location - the bed of her truck. Sheriff Merritt and his crew arrive on the scene and their next revelation gives her pause. They've been suppressing the fact that the killer is intent on getting Polly's intention, leaving notes to her on the bodies. Aaron Merritt is also certain that the killer is watching to ensure she finds each body. As Polly worries about keeping her family and friends safe, she is thrust into a second mystery. The Bell House, a former hotel, fell into disrepair over the last seventy years. Polly and Henry purchased it and while the family is renovating it, someone breaks in and rips copper pipe from the walls, creating a hideous mess just in time for the town's celebration. Bellingwood's Chief of Police is pretty sure he knows who did the damage - someone who has hated Polly from the first time he met her.Through it all, the town of Bellingwood keeps changing. Friends get married, kids grow up, family members arrive out of the blue, and two little boys who want nothing more than to love and be loved creep into Polly's heart. Welcome back to Bellingwood.

Her prophesied time has come. Does she have the strength to save her people? Hester still doesn't believe she's destined to kill. But when returning companions bring news of dark forces assembling for war, the six-hundred-year-old mage may have little choice. Setting off on a treacherous quest through a brutal winter, she seeks allies against her sinister foe. Joining with the army of the deposed rightful king, the reluctant leader finds hope and warmth as her magic grows. But signs of the return of a long-banished evil portend the land may in fact be doomed. Can Hester use her new powers to vanquish the legions of terror? Mage Renewed is the captivating second book in the Mage's Odyssey epic fantasy series. If you like intriguing bands of heroes, high-stakes decisions, and character-driven missions, then you'll love Diane Greenwood Muir's bold tale. Buy Mage Renewed to strike a blow against darkness today!

Polly Giller and her friends in Bellingwood are back with more stories to tell. The barn raising at Sycamore House promises to be an event that brings the whole community out. No one has ever seen anything like this before and no one wants to miss it.Dancing lessons from the gorgeous veterinarian help Polly get prepared for the hoe-down, but create havoc in her relationship with Henry. One of these days, Polly is going to have to decide whether or not she wants to commit to him, but she doesn't want to mess up a wonderful friendship if she messes up their relationship. While Polly and her team prepare for the barn raising and hoe-down, she also has to help Elise Myers, a young girl who has come to Sycamore House to stay while writing her doctoral thesis. However, Elise hasn't told Polly exactly why she's in the middle of Iowa. That little mystery knocks Polly out! Meanwhile, Lydia finds the dead body of a friend and discovers there's an unfinished note with some unfinished business. A big discovery by Polly and Sylvie will solve the mystery and change Polly's life one more time.Polly counsels young Jason that you have to learn to count on your friends when you're in trouble. The list of people she can count on to help her out continues to grow and she finds that she has a great big life in the small town of Bellingwood.

Change is a constant. Seasons change. People change. Life changes. Polly Giller's life has been filled with nothing but change since the day she decided to return to Iowa. As winter gives way to spring, it seems that more change is in the wind.The future opening of Secret Woods Winery brings the return of three young superstars to Bellingwood. They left to make a fortune in the computer gaming world and came home to do something completely different. The winery's lodge is being built just down the road from Sycamore Inn, an old strip hotel that Polly and her boyfriend, Henry Sturtz, are renovating. There are great changes in store for this little town in the middle of Iowa.When someone is killed at the winery, the one person who is going to find the body ... does. Polly can't bear the thought of calling the Sheriff to tell him it's happened again, but there's nothing else she can do. The mystery of Sycamore House's vandal deepens and Andrew Donovan introduces Polly to a new best friend. Both of these things threaten to change Polly's life in extraordinary ways and it is all she can do to hang on for the ride.Polly's life is in flux, but her friends stick close. When everything changes, her relationships keep her steady. Now, more than ever, she experiences the truth of that maxim.

It's the middle of October in Bellingwood and as Sycamore House prepares for Halloween, Polly finds herself embroiled in another mystery.Her kidnapper - Joey Delancy - has just been sentenced to prison.The trial was tough and Polly's memories haunt her while she sleeps. There's no time to wallow in that, though; her family and friends need her. Heath is locked in a shell that he desperately wants to crack through, but so far the only one allowed inside is Rebecca. Polly and Henry knew Rebecca would be a handful and she's proving that to be true. From her burgeoning relationship with Andrew, to standing up to bullies, Rebecca is wading right into adolescence with both feet.Like every other small town, Bellingwood is filled with interesting people and Polly meets more friends along the way. Tales of a haunted house in town escaped her notice until this year. Along with everything else. Polly isn't quite sure what to do with Rebecca's insistence that she saw the ghost - especially when she sketches it in great detail.Polly has to find the truth and we all know it won't be easy. It will, however, be an entertaining journey.The paperback version also includes the short story "Home for the Holidays."

It's the middle of summer and Bellingwood has been relatively quiet so far. That's all about to change.Polly wakes up on a Monday morning ready for another fun week spent with her friends and her family. The fence around the back yard has been replaced giving the kids and the dogs a safe place to play. Renovations on the three upstairs bedrooms at the Bell House are nearly finished. and it won't be long before Polly regains control of the living room and dining room.A short walk through the cemetery is all it takes for her world to turn upside down. You might think that should be enough, but it's only the beginning of a very long day. A phone call tosses Polly's life into chaos and she soon realizes that is going to be the norm for the next few weeks. The donkeys are stolen from the Sycamore House pasture, frightening both Polly and her horses. Rebecca continues to test boundaries and in a surprising twist, Noah and Elijah stumble across an unexpected group of new friends. In the middle of it all, Polly rediscovers just what it means to have friends who will unexpectedly show up to take care of you.Welcome back to Bellingwood. Come for the chaos, stay for the fun.The short story - Break Through the Clouds - can be found at the end of the paperback version.

If Valentine's Day is coming, Bellingwood should be filled with hearts and flowers. That isn't true for one of the town's strongest couples. Polly is shocked when she discovers that Aaron and Lydia Merritt are in trouble. They've been her rock for two and a half years and now, things are a mess. Lydia is at a loss, Aaron has become silent and moody. To top it off, the dead man didn't wait for Polly to find him, he was killed right beside her. She insists that his death has something to do with Aaron's behavior, but the Sheriff's Department doesn't want to listen. That means Lydia has to bring in the big guns - Aaron's older sister. Helen Oswald is a force to be reckoned with and she can handle her brother like no one else.Too much time has passed since Lydia, Polly, Andy, Beryl and Sylvie spent an evening together and it's time to christen Sylvie's new house. No one wants to miss a party with these women and the time they spend together reminds them why they are friends and brings laughter to everyone.Polly's family continues to grow as we meet new characters and learn more about old friends.The paperback also includes the short story "One Perfect Honeymoon."

Polly Giller dreams of bringing the old Springer House back to life. In order to do so, she is willing to put in her share of backbreaking work, as long as the house's secrets don't end up hurting her. Renamed for the original owner, the Bell House is only beginning to reveal its many stories. This chapter takes us back to the early days of its existence and Iowa's contribution to the whiskey trade. There might be no such thing as ghosts, but don't tell that to the Bell House.Rebecca's birthday and Mother's Day are coming up, but before they can celebrate, something frightens Stephanie Armstrong enough to grab her sister, Kayla, and run. Rebecca is devastated at losing her best friend, Jeff Lyndsay is beside himself at the loss of his right hand gal, and Polly has no idea how fix the situation.Sal Kahane had been enjoying a perfectly wonderful pregnancy until her mother's announcement that she would be attending the baby shower. Nobody was expecting that. Lila Kahane sees life through a very different lens than her daughter and makes for a fascinating guest in Bellingwood.Chaos has erupted once more around Polly. All she can do is hold on to her friends and family as she finds her way through the turbulence ahead.

It finally happened. One of Polly's guests dies. Right at her front door. Thomas Zeller, an author with a strong affection for Edgar Allan Poe, wakes Polly in the middle of the night with fatal stab wounds and she has to call the Sheriff, who threatens to buy her a Grim Reaper costume for Halloween. Zeller leaves behind a mystery for Polly to solve and she gets everyone involved as she uncovers his real motive for being in Bellingwood.As if that isn't enough, someone vandalizes Sycamore House and Polly can't imagine who might be that angry at her. She and Jeff Lyndsay are preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of Sycamore House with a Masquerade Ball and Lydia Merritt decorates the large foyer for Beggar's Night with a Haunted Hallway. With all of these things happening around her, Polly continues to meet new friends and build her relationship with Henry Sturtz. Everyone we know and love returns in "Life Between the Lines." Some of their lives get more complicated while others get more interesting. Kids grow up and new friendships blossom, but one thing they all discover is how important it is to have people around who will support you no matter what you need from them.

Bellingwood Days are nearly here. The quilt show has relocated to Sycamore House and the woman in charge offends everyone she encounters. Polly Giller's protective instincts are aroused when the woman verbally attacks a group of boys from Chicago and then confronts a girl who is rough on the outside but exposes her tender heart in the presence of Polly's four Percheron horses.Polly's life is never dull. She plays in the community band, and is on the committee to select finalists for the Literary Competition. When Polly discovers another body, Sheriff Aaron Merritt wonders if he should put her on the payroll.Henry Sturtz is the first person Polly turns to when she receives a strange email from Ruth Ann Marshall. Her claim that she knew Barbara & Everett Giller when Polly was a baby, ignites fear and trepidation, since Polly had never heard of the woman, nor seen a trace of her in their home. All of a sudden, Polly's idyllic childhood seems murky and she questions the wonderful relationship she had with her dad.The friends you've grown to know and love all return and new friends are introduced as Polly's relationship with Bellingwood grows. Join her as secrets are uncovered and revealed.

Moving Day has come and gone for Bill and Marie Sturtz. Their old house is empty and they are starting a new chapter. Little do they know that this is the beginning of another thrilling and turbulent period in Polly Giller's life. A trip to the library with the three youngest children the next morning brings the catalyst, but no one knows who the young man is or why he was killed. Even though his blood trail leads back toward Sycamore House and he warned of more death, Polly hasn't uncovered the rest of the story yet.Agnes Hill asks Polly to help her check on a friend. There's an abusive ex-husband in the picture. This can't be good.A panicked phone call from Beryl Watson sends a terrified and emotional Polly out of Sycamore House to get her friend and rush to the hospital in Ames. Her whole world turns upside down in a heartbeat.Polly's roles as mother, wife, and friend are all tested in just two short weeks. Even when she thinks that she's alone and the worst that could happen is right in front of her, she knows better. There is always peace to be found in the storm.Welcome back to Bellingwood.

A quiet evening at home is rocked by an accident on the highway in front of Sycamore House. The car crash isn't the worst thing that will happen, but it is the first in a series of events that will disrupt Polly's easy summer. We all know that this is just the beginning of the chaos that will erupt around Polly Giller until it finally settles out and her life is changed.The beginning of the new school year is just a couple of weeks away. Andrew, Rebecca, and Kayla are going into seventh grade, leaving their elementary years behind them. This introduces an entirely new set of worries for kids who are just trying to figure out how to grow up. Change is enough to scare anyone and at this age, change happens every day.Characters are introduced to Bellingwood and whether they stay for a few days or much longer depends on the choices they make. From the knight errant to the new manager at the coffee shop, each person's unique personality knits them into the fabric of the community. Polly's big heart is tested by those she wants to trust and others that she wants to simply set aside. She is surprised at just how these people will find their way into her family's life.

Bellingwood wasn't prepared for hundreds of strangers to descend on the little town because of a video game release. It happened anyway. Downtown Bellingwood was taken over by outsiders - young and old, wearing costumes and carrying fake swords. The festivities for the Sword Lords II release center around Doug Randall's new comic book store, Boomer's Last Stand. The store is also the focus of angry vandals. What began as nasty graffiti got much worse. Is the dead gorilla's curse real?Shops are filled with people ready to spend money and every capable person is put to work. Polly Giller moves from the coffee shop to the comic book store, to Sycamore House, Greene Space, and out to the bed and breakfast to help hold her friends together.Once the game release festivities were past, Polly hoped for rest. Not in Bellingwood. A thief's audacious break-ins disrupt her neighborhood, while accusations are aimed right at her household. To top it off, Polly's fortieth birthday is on the horizon. No one has talked about any grand plans. Maybe they will let her get away with a small celebration. A dinner with a few friends, a party with family. That would be enough. You know better, right?Welcome back to Bellingwood.

Winter has taken hold in Bellingwood. Boots, coats, roaring fireplace, blankets, snow days - the Bell House is prepared for nearly anything.Nearly anything ... Let's see. Where shall we start?Rebecca's first big party following the Winter Snowball Dance fills the house with joy, but high school kids don't have much sense sometimes. The next day, a quick trip to Boone turns Polly's family upside down. Hayden and Cat's Christmas announcement will bring changes - something that everyone is excited about. Henry and Polly trained to be foster parents and while the Bell House can hold more people, are they ready?In one of Polly's most heart wrenching rescues we meet Shelly Nelson, taken from her family at a young age. Suddenly, she shows up again five years later. The young woman has been through inconceivable hell and trusts no one, yet her heart desperately wants to believe that there is goodness in the world and she can be safe again.In a world filled with brokenness, we look for those who remain steadfast in the midst of the storm. The Giller-Sturtz family has at its core - strength, love and stability. When Polly's stamina ebbs, she is restored by her friends who, in their selfless love, give each other unending support.Winter may have taken hold, but spring is coming to Bellingwood.

Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Polly's world explodes. The bed and breakfast is ready for occupancy. One last walk-through. Marie Sturtz, Betty Mercer, Judy Green, and Polly are all thrilled with the work that has been done. Bellingwood is excited for one more sure sign of growth in the small town. Thanksgiving weekend and the big grand opening are coming up. This ambitious undertaking by the three families is a legacy they are all proud to reveal.While preparing for the upcoming holiday, Polly finds she can wait no longer to uncover information regarding the existence of a sister to JaRon and Caleb. The right person to ask would be their mother, but after her release from prison, she dropped out of sight. Parties to plan for, family with surprising news, an insurance payment from the diamonds found in the cemetery last year, friends, and family. Everything is in place for a glorious Thanksgiving.But it's never that easy in Bellingwood. Even when it all falls apart, Polly and Henry find their strength in the people that make up the community. They laugh, they cry, they hug, they hold on to each other. Through it all, they discover that "Thankful is just a different word for love."The paperback also includes the short story, "That Road Before Us."

Polly Giller is out and about early on a Saturday morning, driving through Bellingwood with Noah and Elijah, after picking them up from an overnight church function. When she comments on seeing Ralph Bedford's orange pickup truck in a strange driveway with the driver's door open, Noah tells her the truck hasn't moved since last night. Even the boys know what Polly might find when she heads for the front door of the house.It's spring break in Bellingwood and this event is only the beginning. Engagement photoshoots bring friends into town, a new baby unravels poor Cat, a new dog in the house adds fresh excitement, and a rushed trip to the ER with Jason introduces a friend we'll get to know better down the road. Add to that, renovation in the auditorium at Sycamore House, a funeral (who puts the fun in funeral? Bellingwood does), and a curious mystery to solve and you know that Polly is holding on with all she has. Rebecca is planning a party in the foyer, Sal needs a plumber, and Beryl is still trying to trip up the local bartenders. It never really stops. But that's the life we all know and appreciate.Welcome back to Bellingwood.

It's been five years since Polly Giller met new friends in Bellingwood. Her moving into town was the beginning of something amazing and that has never changed.Zombies are supposed to be the walking dead, not the lying down in the middle of the elementary school parking lot dead. This wasn't how Halloween is supposed to end. But she's Polly Giller and this is Bellingwood. It's just the beginning of this book's adventure.Strangers in ski masks attempt to break into the Bell House - for what, Polly can't imagine, but she and the dogs chase them into the cemetery where they escape from. The family has been lax in letting friends and neighbors know how to get into the house. The question is, who would take advantage of that? From small surprises to large ones, Polly's friends and family have plenty to share. Thank goodness, she has people around her who stay strong and steady when changes threaten to disrupt her life.Thank you for the first five years. I have the best readers and friends in the world ... Diane. The Christmas short story - The Most Wonderful Time - can be found at the end of the paperback version.

The end of the school year brings chaos, something Polly Giller is fast coming to understand is a new normal for her life with multiple children. The little boys, Noah and Elijah, added after-school sports to her schedule and Rebecca's extra-curricular life is expanding. There's no time to rest.While preparing for Heath's graduation party, Henry tosses another bombshell at Polly. He and his father are considering the purchase of an old farmhouse north of town. Would she be interested in renovating it into a bed and breakfast? There's no time for that, but the price is too good to pass up - how can she say no? One look at the property has Polly terrified of getting out of her truck. She knows exactly what might be found in that haunted-looking house. That doesn't stop what's about to come next. Pretty soon no one will get in her truck to go for a drive.Not only that, but the town is hit with a rash of fires, the work of an arsonist who operates with no rhyme or reason. The lives of her friends are threatened and disrupted, leaving Polly as frustrated as the rest of the community. While the mysteries aren't connected, they both end up close to home.Welcome back to Bellingwood. It's never boring, always fun, with friendships to last a lifetime.

It's time to celebrate Polly's wedding to Henry. Her friends from Boston are coming to celebrate and as soon as the party is over, she and Henry are leaving on their honeymoon.In the middle of cleaning and preparing for her busy weekend, a man shows up. He says her father was his best friend in college and of course, we all know he needs her help. His nineteen-year-old daughter left home with a young man and they haven't heard from her in two months. The family is pretty sure the girl came to Iowa, but he doesn't have any idea where to start. Polly's friends can't believe she's about to get involved when she has so many other things going on, but how can she say no?The community of Bellingwood experiences a devastating blow and somehow a serial killer lands in town at the same time. At one point, Polly finally asks the universe why it seems as if her world explodes every few months. Let's not tell her it's because the author has come up with another story. Great new characters are introduced and we get to know more about some of our favorites. These stories are told from Polly's perspective, but she would always tell you that her friends are what's important. They make her life worthwhile. Without them, the story of Polly's life would be very boring.

Before Polly Giller moved to Bellingwood, she lived in Boston where she had friends, a fantastic job, and a life she never considered leaving. When Polly left home to go to college in Boston, she never intended to go back - especially after her father died. She thought she had a plan for her future. In this prequel to the popular Bellingwood series, Diane Greenwood Muir uncovers the reasons for Polly's return to Iowa. Plans change. People change. Polly changed. People who are seen as ordinary become fascinating when viewed through Polly's eyes. From the stereotypical Italian mother, to annoying coworkers; self-centered friends to a wealthy boyfriend who knows no limits, she sees each one through the lens of love. Those who care for her, do so deeply, but once in a while, someone goes too far, frightening Polly and her friends. Follow Polly's story as she finds her road home.

Polly is back! And things have changed. Sycamore House isn't the same place she left when her family moved to the Bell House. Now that she has an office in the building again, Jeff Lyndsay is ready to make changes to accommodate the growth they've had. It won't be easy telling Henry that he needs to tear out walls he so painstakingly built for her. Changes in Bellingwood always bring new challenges. Jeff wants to buy a building downtown. Imagine his surprise when he takes Polly to see it and she finds ... you guessed it ... a body. He thought he was safe from her shenanigans. That's not all they find in that building either, deepening the mystery surrounding the murdered man.While the sheriff's department helps Polly with that, Henry is talking to Chief Ken Wallers and Bert Bradford of the Bellingwood police department about break-ins that are happening in his employees' garages. The guys are good about locking up their trucks and tools, so who is stealing from them?Bellingwood Bed and Breakfast is finally complete and ready for occupancy. The grand piano that Len Specek and crew have been restoring for Polly is finished and ready to be delivered. She has just enough time to schedule a quick recital. How this woman keeps up with everything that happens in her life is beyond me, but she never stops. It's much more fun this way.Welcome back for another visit. Listen for the sounds of family, friends and even the animals who call Bellingwood home.