Lucille Guarino
Coming May 2026
I am the reason my sister is dead.
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Jolie-Mae Buckley doesn’t think her heart can ever heal. Two years ago, she graduated from college summa cum laude and was on track for medical school. Drowning in guilt after a disastrous mistake turned deadly, she’s unable to move forward.
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When she answers an ad for a live-in nanny four hours away in Western North Carolina, on Elizabeth’s Mountain, Jolie knows this is her opportunity to start her life anew.
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As details of Jolie's misfortune emerge, her new employers, Jesse and Amanda Taylor, detect a nefarious undercurrent in her story. Jesse’s protégé, Brody, gently persuades Jolie to revisit that awful day when a perfect storm of events destroyed her world. In the meantime, Hurricane Helene is barreling toward Asheville, where survival becomes paramount, exposing the fragile line between hope and terror. In the aftermath of Mother Nature’s chaos, and with Jolie’s heart hanging in the balance, the truth about that fateful night breaks free like the floodwaters no one predicted.
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Smoky Blue Sunrise
A return to ELIZABETH’S MOUNTAIN
Praise for Smoky Blue Sunrise
“A worthy successor to the engaging Elizabeth’s Mountain, Smoky Blue Sunrise can be read as a sequel (recommended) or as a standalone. Author Guarino once again immerses readers in the tranquil beauty of the mountain setting with a little mystery, romance, intrigue, and the terrifying impact of Hurricane Helene. A heartwarming story on a rainy day (hopefully minus the hurricane!)” — Ruth F. Stevens, award-winning author of My Year of Casual Acquaintances
“Haunted by guilt after her sister’s tragic death, a young woman seeks a fresh start as a caregiver in North Carolina and gradually finds the healing she seeks—but unexpected love and a life-threatening storm will test her strength all over again!” — Cam Torrens, award-winning author of the Tyler Zahn mystery/suspense series
“A worthy sequel that honors the amazing Elizabeth’s Mountain, yet stands on its own…that is the remarkable Smoky Blue Sunrise! A fresh and engaging story of hopefulness and self-forgiveness set in the mountains of North Carolina.” — Gail Ward Olmsted, award-winning author of Katharine’s Remarkable Road Trip
“A compelling, heartwarming sequel to Elizabeth’s Mountain. This multi-POV follows Amanda, Jesse, and newcomer Jolie as they navigate life after Elizabeth. Guarino is a masterful storyteller who turns setting into character, approaches intense turmoil with compassion and honesty, and embraces found family, small towns, and transformative journeys.”— E.D. Hackett, author of Mending Broken Threads
“The tapestry of plot lines in this story is woven so beautifully, and the characters so compassionate, that every time I picked up this book, I felt like I was coming home.”
— Cate Perry, author of Before the Next Mistake
“Smoky Blue Sunrise is an intricate and moving story about handling loss through love and resilience.”— Lena Gibson, award-winning author of Racing Towards Destiny and the Love and Survival series
“Smoky Blue Sunrise follows a young woman's journey of healing after devastating loss. A touching sequel to Elizabeth’s Mountain.”— Lorilyn White, author of The Devine Case
“Smoky Blue is a masterful sequel to Elizabeth’s Mountain. The complexity of the characters takes us on a journey of love, closure and survival with a heartwarming outcome.” — Karen Cino, author of the Five Beach Road series
“Survivor’s guilt drives Jolie’s every move as she searches for peace in the mountains of North Carolina. Full disclosure: I shed a few tears at the end.” — Crystal Awadalla, author of Please Look After This Girl
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