Sand Castles

Gates (the Tammi Poag mysteries) delivers an undemanding novel of retirement-age uplift. Ginny McAllister takes a spill while preparing a surprise party to celebrate the retirement of her husband, Leland. While in the hospital recovering from knee surgery, Ginny befriends her roommate, and in trying to help her through some tough times, elicits a surprise confession from Leland. No matter, though, because soon Leland moves them to a retirement community in Florida, and it's not long before Leland leaves Ginny alone to ponder her new life and miss her friends while he's fishing and golfing. The marriage reaches a crisis point when she meets another man who supports her in ways Leland does not. This traditional yarn fits the mold and lightly taps all the inspirational buttons. (Nov.)