The Honeylicker Angel

The card from Aunt Tifi invites Melissa to France, but the contents of the attached package send her into a panic. Taking the biggest risk of her life, Melissa accepts the invitation, quits her job, and journeys to the Canal du Midi to meet her Aunt's relatives, not knowing the strange and flavorful company they keep. If she can open the eyes of her heart, Mel may see that her life, her loves-her very name-are the sweet harvests of her most bitter fear.

"Elkins has a gift for painting pictures with few words....But her greatest success is molding Melissa into such an authentic, appealing character that it's natural to cheer her on as she makes a bid for everything she never knew she wanted in life."--Kirkus Reviews