Virginias Shenandoah Valley is a long way from Hollywood. And thats exactly how Cilla McGowan wants it. Cilla, a former child star who has found more satisfying work as a restorer of old houses, has come to her grandmothers farmhouse, tools at her side, to rescue it from ruin. Sadly, no one was able to save her grandmother, the legendary Janet Hardy. An actress with a tumultuous life, Janet entertained glamorous guests and engaged in decadent affairsbut died of an overdose in this very house more than thirty years earlier. To this day, Janet haunts Cillas dreams. And during waking hours, Cilla is haunted by her melodramatic, five-times-married mother, who carried on in the public spotlight and never gave her a chance at a normal childhood. By coming east, rolling up her sleeves, and rehabbing this wreck of a house, Cilla intends to find some kind of normalcy for herself.
Plunging into the project with gusto, shes almost too busy to notice her neighbor, graphic novelist Ford Sawyerbut his lanky form, green eyes, and easy, unflappable humor (not to mention his delightfully ugly dog, Spock) are hard to ignore. Determined not to perpetuate the family tradition of ill-fated romances, Cilla steels herself against Fords quirky charm, but she cant help indulging in a little fantasy.
But love and a peaceful life may not be in the cards for Cilla. In the attic, she has found a cache of unsigned letters suggesting that Janet Hardy was pregnant when she diedand that the father was a local married man. Cilla cant help but wonder what really happened all those years ago. The mystery only deepens with a series of intimidating acts and a frightening, violent assault. And if Cilla and Ford are unable to sort out who is targeting her and why, she maylike her world-famous grandmother be cut down in the prime of her life.
Dive into the captivating world of Nora Roberts' "Tribute," a spellbinding novel that seamlessly blends romance, suspense, and family secrets. This compelling paperback edition invites you to escape to Virginia's scenic Shenandoah Valley, where former child star Cilla McGowan seeks refuge and restoration, both for a dilapidated farmhouse and for her own fractured life. Cilla inherits her grandmother Janet Hardy's farmhouse, a relic haunted by the legendary actress's glamorous, turbulent past and untimely death from an overdose. Janet's shadow looms large, a constant presence in Cilla's dreams and a stark contrast to the chaotic upbringing Cilla endured under her five-times-married, spotlight-loving mother. Leaving Hollywood behind, Cilla embraces the challenge of restoring the farmhouse, hoping to find the normalcy she craved as a child. As Cilla immerses herself in the renovation project, she encounters Ford Sawyer, a charming graphic novelist whose quirky humor and easygoing nature are as captivating as his undeniably ugly dog, Spock. Despite her determination to avoid repeating her family's history of disastrous romances, Cilla finds herself drawn to Ford's genuine warmth. However, the prospect of love and a peaceful life is threatened by long-buried secrets and rising danger. In the farmhouse attic, Cilla uncovers a collection of unsigned letters hinting at a hidden pregnancy and a scandalous affair involving a local married man in the days leading up to Janet Hardy's death. Driven by curiosity and a desire to understand her family's past, Cilla begins to unravel the mysteries surrounding her grandmother's life and death. But her investigation stirs up a hornet's nest of secrets, leading to intimidation, violence, and a growing sense of danger. Someone wants the past to remain buried, and they'll stop at nothing to silence Cilla. As Cilla and Ford work together to uncover the truth, they must navigate a web of lies, deceit, and hidden motives. The closer they get to the truth, the more perilous their situation becomes. Can they expose the secrets that led to Janet Hardy's tragic end before Cilla becomes the next victim? "Tribute" is a masterfully crafted tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of family secrets. Nora Roberts delivers a gripping narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with richly drawn characters, atmospheric settings, and a suspenseful plot that will leave you breathless. Explore the depths of human emotion and the complexities of family dynamics in this unforgettable novel. Perfect for fans of romantic suspense, women's fiction, and contemporary romance, "Tribute" is a testament to Nora Roberts' exceptional storytelling abilities and her enduring appeal to readers worldwide. This edition, published by Piatkus, contains 448 pages of enthralling storytelling.