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The Lanterns of Briar Glen

Book 3 in The Briar Glen series

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by Mary Ann Thursby

Sometimes the greatest journeys begin with a single letter…and the courage to open it. Claire Whitmore believed she had finally found the life she was meant to live in the welcoming embrace of Briar Glen. Together with Jonah Vale, her daughter Sophie, and the Circle that has become the heart of their community, she has discovered that healing is rarely a destination, it is a choice made day after day around shared tables, warm bread, and open hearts. But when an anonymous letter leads the Circle to the neighboring town of Juniper Falls, a decades-old tragedy begins to stir beneath the surface. A forgotten Grange Hall, a family burdened by generations of blame, hidden correspondence, and a long-buried secret threaten to reopen wounds that an entire town has spent thirty years trying to forget. As Claire and her friends carefully uncover the truth, they learn that some stories have never needed a hero, they have simply needed someone willing to listen. While old friendships are tested and unexpected alliances emerge, Claire and Jonah discover that love in midlife is not built on grand gestures, but on quiet faith, shared purpose, and the promise to keep choosing one another through every uncertain season. Sophie finds a calling that reaches far beyond Briar Glen, inspiring a new generation to believe that communities can be rebuilt one conversation, one memory, and one act of kindness at a time. Rich with unforgettable characters, heartfelt romance, family secrets, female friendship, forgiveness, and the comforting rhythms of small-town life, The Lanterns of Briar Glen is a deeply emotional story about second chances, the power of truth, and the extraordinary things that happen when people gather around the same table with open hands and hopeful hearts. Perfect for readers who love uplifting women's fiction, later-in-life romance, and warm, character-driven stories that celebrate resilience, belonging, and the enduring belief that it is never too late to begin again.

Publication date: July 2, 2026