Desert of Dreams Series · Prequel Novella · Anne’s story
Sway with the Wind
Sometimes, healing requires courage you didn’t know you had.
A prequel novella to the Desert of Dreams Series from award-winning author Amanda LaPera, Sway with the Wind, lays the foundation for the books that follow—standalone stories of friends in the 1980s–’90s who, through resilience and courage, find hope.
About the Book
After a tragic accident claims her parents in 1959, eleven-year-old Anne is sent to live with her grandfather on his ranch in the remote desert town of Lovejoy, a place that’s never brought her love nor joy. She searches for solace in the hidden beauty of the desert and in memories of a past she can’t get back.
When developers come to town seeking to build a lake and rename the community Lake Los Angeles, her grandpa sees the outsiders as just that—outsiders challenging his way of life on the homestead. His lead ranch hand thinks it’s time to sell. Anne is caught between a place she doesn’t understand and a future no one can promise.
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 winds of change, and will she discover that healing can begin in the most unexpected places?
Praise for Sway with the Wind
“a moving YA coming-of-age tale that will really pull you in. It unfolds in a gentle and sincere way… little added touches… make the story come to life. I really love how Anne's relationships with Steve, her grandfather, her horse, and her friends grow through trust. This makes her story compelling from start to finish. If you’re into tales about social issues, resilience, and finding your place in a world that’s changing fast, this book is a must-read.”
— Richard Prause for Readers’ Favorite (5-Star Review)
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Book Details
Publisher: Adamo Press
BISAC Codes
- YAF011000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Coming of Age
- YAF022000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Girls & Women
- YAF058220 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Historical
Content Note
Books in the Desert of Dreams Series address sensitive but important topics, including bullying and peer pressure; homophobia; troubled family, friendship, and romantic relationships; divorce; religion; racism and classism; historical events of the late 1980s and 1990s; death; neglect and abuse; trauma; drugs, alcohol, and sex; teen pregnancy; abortion; and mental illness, including depression, suicidal ideation, PTSD, and anxiety.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or is in crisis, please reach out for help. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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