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Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
For fans of Liane Moriarty and Maria Semple, this contemporary debut novel weaves together romance, mystery, and adventure as a woman travels to the Grand Canyon seeking answers after uncovering an old family secret.
After crashing into a devastating revelation, Cyd’s tranquil life on the Florida panhandle is further upended when she receives a letter announcing an inheritance from an estranged aunt. The inheritance contains mysterious “items of a personal nature” which Cyd must collect in person halfway across the country. In a last attempt to salvage her deteriorating marriage, Cyd agrees to travel with her husband on what he promises—and she questions—will be the trip of a lifetime.
As they set out, a hurricane threatens their hometown. Soon, fueled by the growing threat of the storm and the tension brewing between them, the couple’s long-suppressed problems erupt. Cyd digs deep for the courage to continue the journey on her own, unsure if either her home or her marriage will survive.
Once in Phoenix, Cyd learns the strange details of the inheritance and a decades-old family secret. But what was the whole truth? Clues and instinct lead Cyd to Sedona and then to the Grand Canyon. She descends into the vast chasm alone searching for answers to newly raised questions and age-old mysteries. She steps off the beaten path, literally, knowing she must make peace with her pain-filled past and her uncertain future.
After crashing into a devastating revelation, Cyd’s tranquil life on the Florida panhandle is further upended when she receives a letter announcing an inheritance from an estranged aunt. The inheritance contains mysterious “items of a personal nature” which Cyd must collect in person halfway across the country. In a last attempt to salvage her deteriorating marriage, Cyd agrees to travel with her husband on what he promises—and she questions—will be the trip of a lifetime.
As they set out, a hurricane threatens their hometown. Soon, fueled by the growing threat of the storm and the tension brewing between them, the couple’s long-suppressed problems erupt. Cyd digs deep for the courage to continue the journey on her own, unsure if either her home or her marriage will survive.
Once in Phoenix, Cyd learns the strange details of the inheritance and a decades-old family secret. But what was the whole truth? Clues and instinct lead Cyd to Sedona and then to the Grand Canyon. She descends into the vast chasm alone searching for answers to newly raised questions and age-old mysteries. She steps off the beaten path, literally, knowing she must make peace with her pain-filled past and her uncertain future.
Product Details
- Publisher: She Writes Press (July 8, 2025)
- Length: 256 pages
- ISBN13: 9781647429270
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Raves and Reviews
“Jayne Mills’s Bottom of the Breath is about struggle and acceptance, secrets and losses—and also both frank and hopeful, a willing and wise embrace of what is.”—Michelle Wildgen, author of Wine People
“Finely crafted and emotionally rich, Bottom of the Breath is a captivating debut from a fresh voice in fiction . . . ”—Deborah Sharp, author of the Mace Bauer Mystery Series
“Mills drops her readers into the middle of a life, a marriage, and a quest for answers about the past and future, in other words, into a situation we can all relate to. Set against the grandeur of the American Southwest, this is a story of seeking—not only for answers but the physical strength and spiritual clarity needed to recover from a profound emotional blow. Guided by an eclectic cast of characters, this inspiring journey takes us to the depths of the Grand Canyon and reveals the resilience of the human heart.”—Kerry Sanders, Today Show Correspondent (retired)
“The novel examines the complexity of human emotions, the strength found in vulnerability, and the power of taking control when life feels unmanageable. It captures the beauty of introspection and the courage to embrace change. . . . a contemporary drama about the human condition”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): Bottom of the Breath eBook 9781647429270
