The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder -- Rebecca Wells

<p><strong>"Charming and luminous . . . . A perfect summer indulgence that'll have you peeking out your window on a muggy night in search of the Moon Lady, who'll wrap her nurturing arms around you from afar." -- <em>Austin American-Statesman</em></strong></p><p><strong>A tale of family and friendship, tragedy and triumph, loss and love, <em>The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder </em>features the warmth, humor, soul, and wonder that have made Rebecca Wells one of today's most cherished writers, and gives us an unforgettable new heroine to treasure.</strong></p><p>In the small river town of La Luna, Calla Lily bursts into being, a force of nature as luminous as the flower she is named for. Under the loving light of the Moon Lady, the feminine force that will guide and protect her throughout her life, Calla Lily enjoys a blissful childhood--until it is cut short by forces beyond her control. On the banks of the La Luna River, her mother, M'Dear, a woman of rapture and love, teaches Calla compassion, and passes on to her the art of healing through the humble womanly art of "fixing hair." At her mother's side, Calla further learns that this same touch of hands on the human body can quiet her own soul. It is also on the banks of the La Luna River that Calla encounters sweet, innocent first love, with a boy named Tuck.</p><p>But when Tuck leaves Calla with a broken heart, she transforms hurt into inspiration and heads for the wild and colorful city of New Orleans to study cosmet