Hidden Talents — Erica James

Dulcie Ballantyne is prepared to welcome an unlikely mix of people when she founds her creative writers' group, Hidden Talents, and her expectations are not disappointed. Beth King is facing empty-nest syndrome as her only son leaves home for college; Jack Solomon, a local estate agent, is having trouble coming to terms with the shock of his wife leaving him for his best friend; Jaz Rafferty is an intensely private 17-year-old girl who writes to escape her large, boisterous family; and Victor Blackmore is a know-it-all who claims to be writing the blockbuster novel. For all their differences, Dulcie quickly realizes that each member has a need to escape and a desire to keep their lives as private as possible. As they grow more confident in their writing skills, friendships develop, and gradually the group comes to realize that a little openness isn't necessarily a bad thing.