When sixtyish Angel Dunn left Indiana for the exotic world of south Florida in Egret Cove, she was a lonely aging snowbird with dreams of tropical adventure but no real hope of new passions. Then she met an invigorating group of new friends, got caught up in some gently wild adventures, and fell in love with a worldly Italian name Gilberto. Next, now married, she and Gilberto moved to the wilds of Hummingbird Ridge, West Virginia, where they started their married life by raising goats and battling dilemmas that included Angela's health crisis, Gilberto's mysterious lady friend and a loving intervention for Angela's hard-drinking brother, Tony. Now, in Mariposa Landing, Angela travels to the lovely Gulf coast of Alabama to meet Rebecca, the daughter she was forced to give up for adoption decades ago. With Gilberto's adoring support, Angela becomes the mother (and grandmother) she's always wanted to be, and helps her troubled grandson discover the peaceful road he was meant to travel. Finally, after years of turmoil and searching, Angela fully embraces the powerful faith and joy she calls the Circle of Life.