Born out of wedlock to a rebellious teenaged mother, Bella Rose became known as he homeliest child the people of Homewood, Montana, had ever seen. Born with odd facial features and a club foot, she would later be stricken with poliomyelitis, resulting in further disability. Unsuccessful attempts to correct her severe spinal curvature defect resulted in even more damage to her face. A lonely and despondent teenager who had to endure the bullying of children and cruel stares of the adults in her community, Bella Rose prayed for a miracle. She would have been happy to walk normally. To be rid of her "hunchback" would have been a bonus. To wish for even a common face that didn't draw stares from strangers would have been asking too much. With no prospects for any semblance of a normal life and condemned to a life of poverty in Homewood, Bella found her miracle. Heeding "a still, small, voice," Travis Hartley, a local hometown hero, befriended Bella and showed her a simple kind of love that she had never known. His singular act of kindness started her on an amazing journey from hopelessness and despair to a life of happiness and accomplishment.

Inspired by her beloved blog, dinneralovestory.com, Jenny Rosenstrach’s Dinner: A Love Story is many wonderful things: a memoir, a love story, a practical how-to guide for strengthening family bonds by making the most of dinnertime, and a compendium of magnificent, palate-pleasing recipes. Fans of “Pioneer Woman” Ree Drummond, Jessica Seinfeld, Amanda Hesser, Real Simple, and former readers of Cookie magazine will revel in these delectable dishes, and in the unforgettable story of Jenny’s transformation from enthusiastic kitchen novice to family dinnertime doyenne.

Bella is the story of heart and soul, the quest for joy and happiness

Running from heartbreak, Bella Jacobi comes to Valley Stables to live with her brother, Tom. As she makes friends and settles into her new job as midwife at Valley Ob-Gyn, the last thing she expects is to fall head over heels for Whip Kittredge, a wrangler whom locals call Wild Bill Hickok with his shoulder length hair, wild eyes, and a troubled past. Her brother does not approve. Drawn like a moth to a flame, Whip cannot resist his boss’s beautiful sister. He knows that Tom’s threats are just bluff, but to draw close, fall in love, and give his heart and soul to another person is risky business for him. Suddenly the terrible losses of his youth come crashing back, rocking his world and Bella’s. Hold on to your Stetson as you join Whip, Bella and the Valley community for Bella’s Touch, Morgan’s Run number thirteen!

As a young girl in Michigan, Bella Colquhoun knows she’ll be a writer. It’s not easy for a woman in the 1920s to have a career of her own. She decides to never marry, but Ray promises to support her dreams. No one could have anticipated the railroad accident that would claim his life, teaching Bella things she never wanted to know about investigative journalism. She moves to New York to attend Columbia University, but she never loses touch with the families back in Michigan, brought together by a nephew given Ray’s name. She eventually researches the family tree and decides to record the interrelated stories of extraordinary women who never quite became who they thought they would be. Across four generations, Bella traces the stories of women confronted by societal challenges as they struggle toward more than ordinary lives. Bella’s family saga begins with European immigration to the Midwest and moves with the younger generations across 20th century America into the Pacific and even Africa. From women’s suffrage to civil rights, the Titanic to the Great Depression, these women face conflict with spouses and family members related to gender roles, childbearing, politics, and education. Yet, they find the strength to be someone, driven to rise above the challenges of a work-in-progress America.