Viola Shipman Books

One charm bracelet. Three generations of women. A whole world of precious gifts waiting to be discovered. . . Lose yourself in the magic of Viola Shipman's The Charm Bracelet On her birthday each year, Lolly’s mother gave her a charm, along with the advice that there is nothing more important than keeping family memories alive, and so Lolly’s charm bracelet would be a constant reminder of that love. Now, seventy years old and starting to forget things, Lolly knows time is running out to reconnect with a daughter and granddaughter whose lives have become too busy for Lolly or her family stories. But when Arden, Lolly’s daughter, receives an unexpected phone call about her mother, she and granddaughter Lauren rush home. Over the course of their visit, Lolly reveals the history of each charm on the heirloom bracelet and, one by one, the family stories help them to reconnect in ways that bring each woman closer to finding love and passion, faith and forgiveness. “Readers will be charmed.” —Good Housekeeping

"The Hope Chest is a deeply emotional novel about three people who have seemingly lost all hope until one woman's heirloom hope chest is rediscovered in the attic, along with its contents and secrets. Mattie is a fiercely independent woman battling ALS; Don, her deeply devoted husband is facing a future without his one true love; and Rose, their struggling caregiver, is a young, single mother who feels trapped in her life. With each item that is discovered--including a beloved doll, family dishes, an embroidered apron, and an antique Christmas ornament--the hope chest connects Mattie, Don and Rose to each other and not only helps them find hope again in the face of overwhelming life challenges but also brings new meaning to family"--Provided by publisher

Set against the backdrop of Grand Haven, the story explores the evolving friendship between Abby Peterson and her reclusive neighbor, Iris Maynard. After losing her husband in the war, Iris has isolated herself, finding solace in her garden. Abby, seeking a fresh start for her family, is drawn to Iris's vibrant flowers. As they bond over their shared love for gardening, both women confront their pasts, discovering that hope and dreams can flourish just like the blooms around them.

The story revolves around four women—Elizabeth, Veronica, Rachel, and Emily—who formed a deep bond at Camp Birchwood in 1985. As they approach middle age, they grapple with unexpected life challenges, including marital issues and personal identity. A letter from Emily, revealing troubling news, prompts a reunion at their childhood camp, urging them to confront their past and mend fractured friendships. The narrative explores themes of nostalgia, growth, and the complexities of lasting relationships, highlighting both the beauty and fragility of friendship.

A reluctant homecoming leads Sonny Dunes, a once-successful SoCal meteorologist, back to her snowy Michigan hometown after losing her job to technology. Facing her past, including unresolved grief over her sister's death and strained relationships with old friends and a former rival, she immerses herself in local events to regain her footing. As she navigates the challenges of her new role and a budding romance with a hopeful widower, Sonny must confront her history to find a true sense of belonging and healing.

Devastated by the sudden death of her mother -- a quiet, loving and intensely private Southern seamstress called Miss Mabel, who overflowed with pearls of Ozarks wisdom but never spoke of her own family -- Sutton Douglas makes the impulsive decision to pack up and head north to the Michigan resort town where she believes she'll find answers to the lifelong questions she's had about not only her mother's past but also her own place in the world.

Set against a winter backdrop, this novel weaves a tale filled with humor and heartfelt moments. It captures the essence of community and the magic of wishes, appealing to fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey, Nancy Thayer, and Jenny Colgan. The story promises to engage readers with its delightful charm and relatable characters, making it a perfect cozy read for the season.

"Adie Lou Kruger's ex never understood her affection for what her parents called their Cozy Cottage, the charming, ramshackle summer home--complete with its own set of rules for relaxing--that she's inherited on Lake Michigan. But despite the fact she's facing a broken marriage and empty nest, and middle age is looming in the distance, memories of happy childhoods on the beach give her reason for hope. She's determined not to let her husband's affair with a grad student reduce her to a cliché, or to waste one more minute in a career she doesn't love, so it becomes clear what Adie Lou must do: rebuild her life and restore her cottage shingle by shingle, on her terms.But converting the beloved, weather-beaten structure into a bed-and-breakfast isn't quite the efficient home-reno experience she's seen on TV. Pushback from Saugatuck's contentious preservation society, costly surprises and demanding guests were not part of the plan. But as the cottage comes back to life, Adie Lou does, too, finding support in unexpected places and a new love story on the horizon. One cottage rule at a time, Adie Lou reclaims her own strength, history and joy by rediscovering the magic in every sunset and sandcastle." -- Inside cover

"Filled with cherished memories and treasured recipes, The Recipe Box is a touching tribute to the women and food that unite us and connect our past to the present." —Richard Paul Evans, #1 New York Times bestselling author In The Recipe Box, beloved author Viola Shipman spins a tale about a lost young woman and the family recipe box that changes her life. Growing up in northern Michigan, Samantha “Sam” Mullins felt trapped on her family’s orchard and pie shop, so she left with dreams of making her own mark in the world. But life as an overworked, undervalued sous chef at a reality star’s New York bakery is not what Sam dreamed. When the chef embarrasses Sam, she quits and returns home. Unemployed, single, and defeated, she spends a summer working on her family’s orchard cooking and baking alongside the women in her life—including her mother, Deana, and grandmother, Willo. One beloved, flour-flecked, ink-smeared recipe at a time, Sam begins to learn about and understand the women in her life, her family’s history, and her passion for food through their treasured recipe box. As Sam discovers what matters most she opens her heart to a man she left behind, but who now might be the key to her happiness.