24 Nov The Hope Chest Expected Publication Date: March 2017, St. Martin’s Press/Thomas Dunne Books

Announcement in Publishers Weekly!

Author of forthcoming The Charm Bracelet, Viola Shipman’s The Hope Chest, about three people who have seemingly lost all hope until one woman’s long forgotten hope chest is rediscovered in her attic, along with its contents and family secrets, again to Laurie Chittenden at Thomas Dunne Books, by Wendy Sherman at Wendy Sherman Associates (NA).

The Hope Chest, the second novel in the series, is a deeply emotional story about three people who have seemingly lost all hope until one woman’s long forgotten hope chest is rediscovered in her attic, along with its contents and family 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.

The novel is based on the beloved hope chests of the author’s grandmothers and great aunts (the author still has one of the chests and many of its items that are part of the novel). Moreover, the main character of Mattie is inspired by the author’s uncle, who passed away this spring after a 10-year battle with ALS.

Subsequent “heirloom novels” in the series would include: