The Lost Years

A Novel

After the death of their father, long-estranged sisters Rainie and Veronica join their mother in North Carolina. Together, can they confront their painful pasts, face their individual struggles, and find unexpected hope and love?

WE MAY NOT CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR CHOICES...

WE ARE ALL COLLECTING MEMORIES; moments that stay with us, forever imprinted on our hearts and minds. We store these moments, letting them shape who we are and who we become. But what do we do with the unwanted memories; the ones that haunt us?

At thirty-two, Rainie Amburger has pushed everyone from her past aside to start a new life. She is finally dating someone who might be the one. Despite her past, she has created a life that allows her to be in control and surrounded by those she can trust at her Kentucky Farm Rescue and Sanctuary.

Estranged for years, Veronica Jorgenson never forgot her older sister Rainie. Her married life with Andrew is full of smiles and pleasantries. But Veronica is learning that smiles can be deceptive. After several odd events, she is beginning to wonder what Andrew may be hiding behind his jovial smile. What she is uncovering about the truth of her perfect-looking life places who she is and what she believes into question.

Nearly sixty, Sarah-Jayne has spent her life as a caretaker to her ailing husband. She sacrificed her dreams and any shred of dignity to care for a man who could never be bothered to properly care for himself. When her husband is involved in a fatal accident, despite having each gone their separate ways, the incident brings the mother and her two daughters to the beaches of Corolla, North Carolina. There, the three women are tested against their past and against their individual struggles. And there, with the backdrop of aquamarine waves, Rainie runs into her childhood best friend and high school sweetheart, Milo Rivers – someone she thought she left behind fourteen years ago.

The Lost Years is the story of the bond between sisters, of mothers and daughters and of finding the courage and strength to leave the past behind and welcome what lies ahead, even when it looks vastly different than what was expected. Ultimately, The Lost Years is a story of hope, love and connection in the face of fear and despair.

EDITORIAL REVIEWS:

"Heartwarming. It is a story full of hope, love, connection, and strong women. I didn't want the book to end. Once again, Stacey Ritz weaves a rich and delightful story."- The Bookfast Club

"What fantastic read. This is a story full of triumph and hope. I loved every character and found myself rooting for everyone in the story." - The Bookworms Book Club

"We are all faced with tragedies in our lives. Our stories however**,** are not based on these tragedies but in our response to each tragedy. This is exactly what Stacey Ritz proves with her latest novel, The Lost Years. The author pulls you in with her fabulous storytelling and keeps you engaged through her emotional and heart-warming characters. You will not want to put the book down and may find yourself reading all night. This was a wonderful story of hope and reconnection." - Book Ends Book Club

"My favorite part of The Lost Years was the underlying message that we are all in charge of our lives. I loved this book and will happily read more of Ritz's novels in the future." - Dayton Monthly Book Club

"I was intrigued from the beginning. I thought this may be just another beach read but I was wrong! What a fabulous story of hope and reconnecting with those you thought you may have lost forever. It gives everyone hope that maybe, if you are true to yourself, that happy endings aren't just for fairy tales." - The Lunch Bunch Book Club