Showing results by author "Helena Echlin" in All Categories

Charlotte's daughter, Stella, is sensitive and brilliant - perhaps even a genius - but after the sudden death of Stella's babysitter, Blanka, the once disruptive and anti-social child has become docile and agreeable. And what's more unsettling is that she has begun to mirror Blanka's personality, from her accent and repetitive phrases to fierce cravings for Armenian meat stew after being raised a vegetarian. Charlotte is pregnant with her second child, depleted and sick, and convinced that Blanka herself is somehow responsible for Stella's transformation. Has Stella somehow become Blanka?

Fifteen-year-old Laurel Goodwin wakes up to find her older sister Ivy missing from their Airstream trailer in the Oregon redwoods. A recurring nightmare convinces her that Ivy was abducted, but no one takes her dream seriously, including her mom. Laurel, a loner, has to learn to ask for help, and Jasper Blake, a mysterious new kid who shares her love of old books, quickly becomes her ally. Together they find their quiet town holds a deep secret and is the epicenter of a dark prophecy.

Charlie, a weak-chinned Englishman, doesn't belong in San Francisco, but he's stuck - in an excruciatingly boring job at a junk-mail company and in a failing marriage that couples therapy seems to be making even worse. Then a new salesman joins Charlie's office and turns out to be the world's most annoying coworker. He practices yoga in his cube and eats only raw fruit and vegetables, and his mantra is "I am the best ever!" But once Charlie realizes the true meaning of those five little words, he is inspired.