Valerie Haynes Perry

Painted Deserts Valerie Haynes Perry

LENORE BROOKS is an African-American woman in her early forties who visits the Old Town Oakland farmers' market on Friday afternoons. Though she is married to JAMEY LAMONTE, a very successful realtor, she finds herself drawn to MANGROVE WINGFEATHER, who she has noticed at the market for several weeks. Lenore dabbles at painting and Mangrove sets up exhibits at the Oakland museum. After Jamey sells some of Lenore's paintings as a "surprise," without her permission, Lenore leaves home and accepts Mangrove's invitation to accompany him to the Painted Desert on a business trip. Overshadowed by a full solar eclipse, their travels bring to light a shocking secret that pulls Lenore in many revealing directions.