From the banks of Texas's Buffalo Bayou to the blue waters of Hawaii, this powerful novel from acclaimed author Anita Bunkley tells the story of one resilient woman's fight to save a family legacy--and create a future for herself and her daughter. . .

When tropical storm Allison hits Houston's historic black community, it nearly wipes out Camille and Max Granville's hard-earned home and restaurant, Vendora. But it is just a foreshadowing of the disasters to come. Without flood insurance, the Granvilles' bills pile up, while their savings dwindle. Desperate to save Vendora and pay their daughter Jaiden's college tuition, Max takes a risk that involves turning over control of Vendora to a slick Los Angeles businessman with a shady past. Miraculously, the move pays off. Once again, the Granvilles' future looks bright--until a celebratory cruise turns tragic.

When a fire on board separates the couple and takes Max's life, it rests with a grieving Camille to regain Vendora--and deal with a rebellious daughter who blames her for her father's death. Yet just when all seems lost, astonishing information about Max's last act surfaces from the depths of the catastrophe. The details of what happened in Max's final moments could change everything for Camille, for Jaiden, and for Vendora--if Camille can find out exactly what happened and how. But Camille's good fortune may mean someone else's ruin. Someone desperate enough to do anything to stop her from getting to the truth. . .

Praise for Anita Bunkley and Mirrored Life

"A breakout. . .Anita Bunkley's believable characters and absorbing story will take you through a journey of mistakes and second chances you won't be able to put down." --Tananarive Due

"So well crafted are Bunkley's characters. . .that their appeal is universal." --Booklist

"Entertaining, fulfilling and a joy to read." –Connie Briscoe

Anita R. Bunkley has spent more than a decade writing fiction and nonfiction, while lecturing on topics related to career advancement, personal promotion, attitude adjustment, and making dreams come true. She is the author of eight novels, two novellas, two nonfiction books, and a short story written exclusively for the Internet. She is also an NAACP Image Award (2000) nominee for her contribution to the anthology, Girlfriends.

The most honored literary series in America celebrates thirty-six years of continuous publication.

"As ever, an essential barometer for spotting literary trends and for writers figuring out where to send the next submission. And, as ever, essential, period," said Kirkus Reviews about 2010's Pushcart Prize XXXV. "An exciting overview of American literature," noted Booklist, and Publishers Weekly added, "A monumental year."

In The Pushcart Prize XXXVI more than sixty selections of memoirs, poetry, essays, and short stories have been picked from thousands of nominations by Pushcart Press staff editors and hundreds of small presses.

This year Michael Waters and Laura Kasischke will serve as guest poetry editors. The result: "The most creative, generous, and democratic of any of the annual volumes" (Rick Moody).

Among its numerous awards, the Pushcart Prize has been chosen for the Poets & Writers / Barnes & Noble "Writers for Writers" Award and the National Book Critics Circle Lifetime Achievement recognition.