Early Reviewers

At sixty-four, Brenda Barker’s life is anything but over—though someone should tell that to her butcher, who insists on calling her “ma’am” when the other customers are “miss.”

With her husband gone, her only child moving to Japan, and a literary “expert” telling her she has no business writing, Brenda does what any sensible woman would do: ignores the advice, packs her bags, and heads to a high-stakes writers’ conference in the California wine country.

Armed with a manuscript, a bottle of pinot noir, and a fierce determination to prove the world wrong, Brenda embarks on the adventure of a lifetime—complete with wine-fueled confidence, surprise friendships, and a few romantic sparks she definitely didn’t plan for.

Brenda Barker’s Next Chapter is a celebration of second (and third!) chances, the power of believing in yourself—and finding your voice when it matters most.