New York and Michigan Based Author Publishes Novel "Time In a Garden"

We all encounter stony ground and unseasonable dry spells, whether or not we call ourselves gardeners. Southold, NY and Petoskey, MI based author Mary A. Agria’s characters in her newest novel, "Time In a Garden", are attempting to beautify their dying rural community by creating a perennial garden along an interstate off-ramp. In the process, they struggle to bloom where they are planted, make peace with their adult children and help each other cope with love and loss in the changing seasons of their lives.

Southold, NY and Petoskey, MI (PRWEB) May 2, 2006

Author and community development specialist Mary Agria offers gardeners and followers of rural life an inspiring, witty, heartwarming glimpse into both the challenges of rural development and technical and spiritual dimensions of perennial gardening with her new novel, "Time In a Garden".

Retired ad copywriter Eve Brennerman and reluctant nursery owner Adam Groft find themselves in an unlikely Eden, on a community garden crew of senior citizens trying to beautify their dying rural community. Eve is estranged from her daughters and struggling to write a garden column for the local county weekly newspaper. With the death of his father, Adam Groft can no longer avoid expectations that he take responsibility for the family’s nursery and greenhouse operations. Together with a cast of unforgettable characters, they find their time in a garden becomes a battle with weather, invasive species and predators including unforeseen human ones in the form of the state’s Department of Transportation. Laced with gardening tips, wit and wisdom through snippets from Eve’s newspaper columns, "Time In a Garden" speaks to gardeners of all ages, mothers and daughters, and anyone coping with love or loss or trying to bloom where they are planted in the changing seasons of their lives. "We all struggle with stony ground and occasional dry spells over the years," the novel begins. "Though we may not call ourselves gardeners it is the human experience."

At home and an avid gardener in Southold, Long Island, NY and Bay View, MI, Ms. Agria has published numerous books on the rural scene, including co-authoring "Rural Congregational Handbook: A Guide for Good Shepherds" (Abingdon) and a two-year rural issues study guide, "Planting the Seeds of Community", as well as numerous publications on work force issues for the US Department of Labor. She wrote 3 editions of Winning the Rat Race, a college text on work force issues and ethics (Wm. C. Brown) and her syndicated column with that name ran for 20 years in newspapers around the country.

Editors say of Ms. Agria's novels, "The writing is ... engaging...plots and characters intriguing. You have a way of creating community...that (readers will) find appealing." Visit her online at http://www.northforknaturals.com. "Time In a Garden" is available at http://www.lulu.com and major book sellers.

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