Glimpse of Emerald
by Rita M. Reali
Abandonment. Abuse. Betrayal. Rejection. By the age of 18, Gary Sheldon has endured all of these things. The one constant is the unwavering love and faith-driven support of Edward, his beloved grandfather. All too soon, the old man dies and all Gary has left is memories – and his granddad’s treasured rosary beads.
When Gary meets Michaela, her spitfire assertiveness shines through her somber façade and they forge an unlikely friendship… which deepens into love. But will the terrible secret Michaela acquires during their courtship derail their relationship?
Over time, a series of harsh revelations makes Gary re-evaluate everything he was certain of. Can he salvage the tattered shreds of his marriage? Will Michaela’s awful secret drive a deeper wedge between her and Gary? Or will their faith enable them to pick up the pieces and heal together?
What readers are saying
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have read (so far) three of the books in this series of the Sheldon family. They have a way of grabbing your attention and keeping it . The characters are well developed and the stories weave passion , life challenges, and conflict with great ease and descriptive conversations. Well written and enjoyable.”
— Ginger Wade
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love to find an author with a 'series' because I'm always so disappointed when a good book ends; I find myself trying to read slower to make it last. Rita Reali's Sheldon Family Saga is a treat because you can get to know the characters in the first book and follow them as the story develops. This novel is not only well written with believable dialog, it's a tribute to the author's meticulous proofreading with perfect grammar and punctuation. A neighbor loaned me this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. DIAGNOSIS, LOVE is next.”
— Amazon reviewer
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is the second book I’ve read by Rita Reali and they were both “don’t want to put down” novels! You really grow attached to the characters through her descriptive story telling. You share in their joys, their accomplishments and mistakes. You will not be disappointed when you read this book. Can’t wait til the next one is published.”
— Patti Pensanti
More books by Rita M. Reali
Diagnosis: Love
Book two in the Sheldon Family Saga. All books in the Sheldon Family Saga are standalone works.
Nighttime radio announcer Marc Lindemeyr always blamed himself for his best friend’s suicide during senior year of high school. Haunted by a prickly incident with Patrick six weeks earlier, Marc’s life spirals into despair while his aspirations of studying architecture at Yale wither and fade.
Dr. Marie Sheldon has never liked her brother Gary’s radio-station coworker and close friend. She acts overtly hostile and disdainful toward Marc whenever their paths cross.
Can Marc make peace with his past and forge a dynamic future with the woman he loves? And can Marie curb her hostility long enough to recognize how deeply she loves Marc before it’s too late?
The Unintended Hero
Book Three in the Sheldon Family Saga. All books in the Sheldon Family Saga are standalone works.
What starts out as an average day ends up being anything but.
When Marc Lindemeyr wakes up the first Tuesday in July, his plans include lunch with his fiancée, Marie, then driving her to JFK International Airport to catch a flight to a medical conference. He fully expects to be back in time for work. But he doesn’t know the half of it.
Before long, Marc finds himself at the center of an international incident – suddenly recognizable and instantly beloved. And that’s just what the shy nighttime radio announcer doesn’t want.
Through it all, Marc learns how – and how not – to navigate life in the spotlight, how to accept comfort when it’s offered… and what being a real hero is all about.
This is the author's favorite book in the series.
Second Chances
Book Four in the Sheldon Family Saga. All books in the Sheldon Family Saga are standalone works.
A reader favorite!
Gary Sheldon is about to meet the child he never knew he had. Within months, the popular afternoon-drive radio announcer and music director at Connecticut's Z97-3 initiates a lawsuit seeking full custody of his nine-year-old daughter.
Some years later, after enduring an acrimonious custody battle for the little girl, Gary finds himself embroiled in a shocking legal drama involving a teenage intern at the radio station. The bitter conflict threatens his career, his reputation and his faith.
Amid mounting trauma, Gary faces his steepest challenge yet: to extend forgiveness and second chances (and learn to accept them himself when they're offered). In doing so, he embraces the faith that sustained him when he feared all was lost.
Tender Mercies
Book Five in the Sheldon Family Saga. All books in the Sheldon Family Saga are standalone works.
Pregnant and ostracized, 16-year-old Dani seeks out her long-ago religion teacher for help. She never expected his reaction.
Gary Sheldon’s former students could always turn to him with any problem. His wife, Michaela, has been supportive of his involvement in their lives thus far; but when two teens divulge simultaneous life-changing situations, Gary must put their concerns into perspective with his own family’s needs.
In Tender Mercies, Gary and Michaela demonstrate Christ’s love in action as they open their home to a teenage girl with dark secrets. Gradually, horrific surprises emerge as she reveals deeply harbored dysfunction and violence. A compelling tale of hope triumphing over evil.
Brothers By Betrayal
Book six in the Sheldon Family Saga. All books in the Sheldon Family Saga are standalone works.
The last thing Gary Sheldon ever expected was to come face to face with his double. But today was the day his sister always dreaded, and their mother knew might eventually come. The sudden arrival of James Griffin sets in motion a series of relational upheavals for the Sheldon family – coinciding with a chain reaction of tumultuous events for Gary’s teenage daughter, Erin.