It’s not easy keeping secrets in a small town. Rose Webster is facing down her fortieth birthday and worrying about her future as a photojournalist after getting caught in a raucous rally and shoved to the hard pavement, destroying her camera and, at least temporarily, her livelihood. One arm is in a splint, her right hand isn’t strong enough to hold a cup of coffee, and bruised ribs make it difficult to breathe. She’s filling out insurance claims when her aunt calls to tell her she’s needed in upstate New York to care for her ailing mother. Rose has never liked returning to Lake Amelia in the foothills of the Adirondacks for more than a couple of days, but she has no choice. Doctors discover her mother has more health issues than anyone suspected, and Rose needs to help care for her. While poking around in the attic of her childhood home, Rose discovers personal items of her late father’s that hint of a secret life: a photo hidden in a book and a travel bag that hasn’t been opened in more than a decade. Her next startling discovery sends shockwaves through her family. She’s more determined than ever to find answers no matter the cost. But will she regret what she learns and how it changes the way she thinks about family? "A sweet slow burn—as past and present collide in this compelling tale of small-town drama, family ties, and life-changing surprises. When a determined journalist investigates the story of her own life—she unearths answers she never could have predicted. A novel full of loving details and devastating decisions—so curl up with a cup of tea and enjoy this emotional and relatable story." - Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today Bestselling Author "Boulden's story presents small-scale but beguiling mysteries backgrounded by a vibrant portrait of a small town that's both warmly close-knit and slightly claustrophobic. It's also a meditation on family love, loss, and remembrance, conveyed in plangent prose grounded in rich, concrete detail...." - Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) "The people from this little town come alive, and the plot twists keep unraveling taking the reader spiraling to the riveting conclusion. I cared deeply for these characters, and Boulden has a great talent for writing good dialogue." - Jack Rightmyer, Albany Times Union "Some things can never be undone, but they can be forgiven. With Family Ties, Family Lies , IPPY Award-winning author Jacqueline Boulden has delivered a powerful and poignant tale about fateful choices and the transformative power of forgiveness. You won't want to miss this heart-wrenching but uplifting story about the strength and flexibility of family. Complex, captivating and compelling. Fans of small-town dramas will love Family Ties, Family Lies ." - Tina deBellegarde, Agatha-nominated Author of Winter Witness and Dead Man's Leap "Jacqueline Boulden's vivid descriptions transport readers to a world of Lake Amelia that radiates natural beauty and small-town charm. At the same time, her deft handling of complex family dynamics and emotional trauma will keep you on the edge of your seat. This heartwarming tale of homecoming and healing is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world and make peace with their past. - Suzie Housley, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review "I felt that the exploration of themes like identity, familial bonds, and the impact of hidden truths was really intelligently handled without any over-sensationalizing, and this naturalistic feel gives the work its most compelling dramatic moments. Rose's journey of self-discovery and reflection gives the novel a realism that keeps readers totally invested in Rose as a very real person and intrigued right up until the final revelation....I would not hesitate to recommend it to fans of women's fiction and family dramas everywhere." - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite Reviews JACQUELINE BOULDEN is the 2023 IPPY (Independent Publishing) Gold Award Winner for Best Regional Fiction, Mid-Atlantic, for  Her Past Can't Wait . The debut novel also won a Global Book Gold Award for Psychological Fiction, and was named a finalist in several other awards. A Journalism and Public Relations graduate of Utica University, she's won Emmy awards for her TV news reporting and Telly awards for writing and producing educational, corporate, and documentary videos. Jacqueline made several career moves around the country covering politics in Washington, D.C., NASA and the space shuttle program in Florida (including the Challenger accident), and fighting the wind for control of her hats during live shots in hurricanes and blizzards while working in Orlando and Philadelphia. Jacqueline lives in upstate New York with her spouse and their rescue dog, who's teaching them how to speak Beaglish.