Conflicts of Interest

When you make a mid-life U-turn, whiplash is one of the risks. Boston lobbyist Claire Petersen has lost her biggest client. In desperation, she agrees to help a seedy developer who covets farmland also sought by environmentalists. That decision pits her against Richard, a grieving widower whose clients want the land for a wildlife sanctuary. But that's not all Richard wants.

Claire is wary. She has been disappointed by too many men, starting with her father. Nevertheless, Claire risks a romance with Richard. At his urging, she visits old Uncle Erich, whose sole purpose in life has been to help others. The visit shifts her perspective about family, relationships, and self. What does Claire want? What does she really want? And how far is she willing to go to get it?

Diane Kessler is a graduate of Oberlin College and Andover Newton Theological School. Her professional life has been dedicated to facilitating both ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, and she has authored or edited six books and many articles on the subject. Her short story "Blindside" was an Editors' Pick for Solstice Literary Magazine's 2020 Summer Contest Issue. This is her first novel.