Inspired by the tales of four grandmothers - Thuan Le Elston's and her husband's - Rendezvous at the Altar: From Vietnam to Virginia traces Anne's Southern upbringing to her Mad Men-like married life; Kim's family as they survive French colonialism and the Vietnam War; Mary's transformations through the Great Depression and two marriages; and Ty's migration from Hanoi businesswoman to Arizona matriarch. Through a mother's journal to her children and the four grandmothers' narrations that bridge punk band names to the Temple of Literature, Elston compares gender roles, parenting, aging, and dying in a multicultural family.

They say true love is priceless, but is it worth fifty million dollars? With Second Chances, their wedding planning business, starting to take off, four best friends must decide whether they’ll take some second chances of their own. Free-spirited Lily finds herself forced to choose between her sure-thing inheritance and a chance at true love; the no-longer-predictable Elaine surprises everyone–including herself–when romance comes calling from her past; Sarah, the uncompromisingly unconventional artist, finds herself contemplating the most unexpected choice of all; and the always-clear-eyed Jo suddenly finds herself second-guessing her own second chance at happily-ever-after. The choice for each of them is “I do” or “I don’t,” and the decision will change their lives. Breakups, makeups, and romance at every turn–life always offers up its best surprises to those who leave themselves open to the possibility of second chances.