MULBERRY PARK, April 2008

Kensington

Download Windows Media Player

Each day after work, Claire Harper jogs in Mulberry Park, hoping to find a respite from the grief that has haunted her since her young son’s death.  It’s a futile effort—until the day she finds a letter to God written by a seven-year-old girl named Analisa.

On impulse, Claire writes back, and Analisa’s letters gradually draw Claire into the companionship of other Mulberry Park regulars—all, in their own way, in need of comfort.  And as friendships grow, sorrows lift, and lives and hearts connect, each will discover just how far and how high one simple letter can reach.

Advance Praise for Mulberry Park:

“Judy Duarte brings together a cast of lost and lonely characters and deftly weaves their lives into a story that hooked me from a little girl’s achingly honest Dear God request until the very last page.  A wonderful, heartwarming read!” 

--Jill Marie Landis, author of Heartbreak Hotel

“When six year old Analisa starts writing letters to God, the Almighty takes a very hands-on approach to the trials and troubles of the folks who visit Mulberry Park.  The result is a testament to the power of love, forgiveness and generosity.   Such a happy book…I didn’t want it to end.” 

--Druscilla Campbell, author of Blood Orange

“An uplifting story about one little girl’s unflinching faith and how she extends an open and loving hand to the broken people around her, brings them close to each other and back into God’s gentle embrace.”

--Cathy Lamb, author of Julia’s Chocolates

“This novel will stay with you long after you have read the last page.” 

--Dorothy Garlock, author of On Tall Pine Lake

Reviews:

“MulberryPark is tender and touching…this novel will stay with you long after you have read the last page.”

–Dorothy Garlock, New York Times bestselling author

“Judy Duarte brings together a cast of lost and lonely characters and deftly weaves their lives into a story that hooked me from a little girl’s aching honest Dear God request until the very last page.  A wonderful, heartwarming read!”

–Jill Marie Landis, USA Today bestselling author

“When six-year-old Analisa starts writing letters to God, the Almighty takes a very hands-on approach to the trials and troubles of the folks who visit Mulberry Park.  The result is a testament to the power of love, forgiveness and generosity.  Such a happy book…I didn’t want it to end.”

–Drusilla Campbell, author of Blood Orange

“An uplifting story about one little girl’s unflinching faith and how she extends an open and loving hand to the broken people around her, brings them close to each other and back into God’s gentle embrace.”

–Cathy Lamb, author of Julia’s Chocolates

“A touching story of grief, love and forgiveness.  Reminding us that God is everywhere if we forgive ourselves and let him in our hearts.” 

–Sally Smith O’Rourke, author of The Man Who Loved Jane Austen

“I loved this story, or, better said, these stories.  The characters are three dimensional and she only reveals their past as necessary.  And their pasts are important, giving an air of mystery to this women’s fiction novel.” 

–Jamie Driggers, Armchair Interviews

“Ms. Duarte captured my attention with her persuasive writing and smooth flowing story-line which effectively draws to a most satisfying conclusion, leaving me smiling through my tears.  If there is only one book that you read this year, MulberryPark by Judy Duarte must be that book.” 

–Donna Zapf, SingleTitles.com

Order from BarnesandNoble.com

Read an Excerpt