The Garden Underground

Melinda feels like she’ll never belong anywhere again.

After spending years in Italy, she found her life had changed forever. Her outlook and her feelings about being American had evolved beyond her control.

Burdened by her past mistakes and the uncertainty of her destiny, Melinda directs her attention to the one thing about which she’s confident: the restoration of a garden belonging to her dear friend Lella.

The Garden Underground is set in a hillside hamlet on the Italian Riviera, backdropped by vivid imagery of the Mediterranean. The overgrown garden sits on the edge of a nature preserve whose population of wild boars puts everyone’s love of nature to the test.

As Melinda slowly brings Lella’s garden back to life, unforeseen events show her just how fragile her efforts of self-recovery are. Now, she has to plow through her insecurity to find her way.

Or, will she continue to make bad choices?

The small community of friends that form around the garden fuel Melinda’s questions about love, life, and the impact of human presence in the landscape.

The Garden Underground is a must-read for expats or anyone who has dreamed of leaving home to embark on a foreign adventure.