Finding her voice the first time was easy. Coming back to the opera as a wife and mother after years of silence? Much, much harder.

September 11th devastated a lot of lives. For Marina Carson Bridgepoint, it meant the death of her beloved voice teacher, and emotional trauma strong enough to abort her nascent opera career. Years later, Marina learns that the organization which once recognized her as a major up-and-coming talent plans to publish a book celebrating its prize winners. Most of the awardees have long and impressive biographies, but hers will show only that she abandoned music, too damaged to utilize her talent. For the sake of her marriage, her son, and herself, she resolves to confront her fears.

Marina and her son leave New York City for a year in her hometown of Mendocino, California, and Marina's husband heads to Hong Kong on business. On the foggy California coast, Marina works to heal. But as her love for music re-awakens, Marina realizes that the stakes are highly personal.

Pursuing a full-time opera career would mean stressing her marriage and turning her into an absent mother—just as her musically gifted son needs her support the most. But even if she can balance the demands of music with the needs of her family, she might face the most humiliating fact of all: that she's never lived up to her potential, and never created the opportunity for the world to hear her voice.

Mendocino Music is compelling women's fiction. Once again, Debbie Romani takes us into the world of music—this time the opera. If you like second chances or if you're eager for a behind-the-scenes look at a form of music that has captivated audiences for generations, Mendocino Music and its protagonist Marina will win your heart.

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