A New Attitude — Charlotte Hughes

Marilee Abernathy's life is a mess. Everyone in Chickpea, South Carolina, knows about her husband's affair with the town floozy. But when her dignified farewell -- complete with pearls and impeccably applied Mary Kay cosmetics -- turns into a spectacularly unsuccessful attempt to hang herself from a fake ceiling beam with a drapery cord, Marilee figures there has to be a better way to cope.

What Marilee needs is a new attitude -- at least, that's what her neighbor Sam Brewer thinks. Between his demanding mother and his crazy ex-wife, though, the last thing he wants to take on is a woman whose life is out of control.

But Marilee's learning on her own that a little attitude can go a long way. Suddenly she's reaching out, taking charge and taking chances in ways she'd never imagined. As for Sam, watching Marilee blossom reminds him of some long-forgotten dreams of his own. Now he's just got to convince her to turn some of that new attitude his way....