Sway with the Wind: A Prequel Novella (Desert of Dreams Series)

Sometimes, healing requires courage you didn’t know you had. After a tragic accident claims her parents in 1959, eleven-year-old Anne is sent to live with her grandfather on his remote desert ranch in Lovejoy—a town that has never brought her love or joy. Isolated among Joshua trees, dust devils, and endless skies, she struggles to find her place in a world that suddenly feels empty. Her grandfather is a man of few words, hardened by years of ranch life, and the desert itself seems as unforgiving as her grief. When outsiders arrive with plans to transform the town into Lake Los Angeles—a man-made lake, a new name, and promises of prosperity—Anne’s grandfather sees them as a threat. To others, they bring hope. Anne searches for peace while her heart searches for love. Caught between the pain of the past and an uncertain future, she finds an unexpected ally in Steve, the ranch hand’s son—the only one who seems to understand what it means to feel out of place. Can Anne find peace amidst the desert winds of change, and will love find her along the way? By award-winning author Amanda LaPera, Sway with the Wind is the prequel novella to the Desert of Dreams Series—standalone stories of friends in a small desert town (1980s–’90s) discovering resilience, courage, and hope. This novel is perfect for readers who love: Tender, character-driven coming-of-age stories Slow-burn sweet small-town romance Journeys of self-discovery and courage that linger after the last page Content Warning: Books in the Desert of Dreams Series address many sensitive but important topics. This book includes the topics of bullying; historical events of the 1960s; racism and classism; dealing with death and trauma (generational and situational); and depression.