Dani Deane

Fifteen-year-old artist Dani Deane feels like the universe has imploded when her photographer father dies. Days after his death, she sees him leafing through sketches in her room, roaming the halls at church, wandering his own wake. Is grief making her crazy? Or is her dad adrift between this world and the next, trying to contact her?Dani longs for his help as she tries and fails to communicate with her workaholic mother. Her pain only deepens when astonishing secrets about her family history come to light. But Dani finds a surprising ally in Theo, the quiet guy lingering in the backstage of her life. He persistently reaches out as Dani's faith falters, her family relationships unravel, and she withdraws into a dangerous obsession with her father's ghostly appearances. Will she let her broken, prodigal heart find reason to hope again?From the skyscrapers of New York to the sheep-dotted English countryside, NEVER GONE explores life after loss with emotional honesty, humor, and a touch of romance."Garver tackles difficult subjects with depth and grace, weaving the complexities of faith with the complexities of growing up."--Heidi Willis, author of Some Kind of Normal Laurel Garver holds degrees in English and journalism and earns a living as a magazine editor. She is a mosaic artist who enjoys quirky independent films, word games, British television, and Celtic music. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. An arty, urban Christian teen navigates the storms of loss, first love, and family crises. Along the way, she wrestles with God to find hope in dark times and discovers how those closest to us can often surprise us.

Four Advent candles, two teens, a Yule Ball, a grief anniversary, and a quest for the perfect gift.Christmastime is here and for Dani Deane, the season only brings memories of spending last December in the ICU, watching her dad die. But trying to hide her holiday phobia from her boyfriend is making life a lot more complicated. To truly heal, she will have to face the pain and lean into her faith. Can she learn to trust God-and Theo-to stick by her as she seeks to find joy again?In the bleak midwinter, Theo Wescott is watching his girlfriend Dani slip away again. The anniversary of her dad's death has turned the holidays into a minefield. The race is on to find the perfect present that will bring her comfort and joy. But getting her best friend's help with his elaborate plan threatens to derail his relationship with Dani. Will patiently waiting to reveal his ultimate surprise bring the cheer he hopes, or will it be a triggering epic failure? Laurel Garver holds degrees in English and journalism and earns a living as a magazine editor. She is a mosaic artist who enjoys quirky independent films, word games, British television, and Celtic music. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. An arty, urban Christian teen navigates the storms of loss, first love, and family crises. Along the way, she wrestles with God to find hope in dark times and discovers how those closest to us can often surprise us.

Paris, the City of Lights. To seventeen-year-old Dani Deane, it's the Promised Land. There, her widowed mother's depression will vanish and she will no longer fear losing her only parent, her arty New York life, or her devoted boyfriend.But shortly before their Paris getaway, Dani's tyrannical grandfather falls ill, pulling them to rural Pennsylvania to deal with his hoarder horror of a house. Among the piles, Dani finds disturbing truths that could make Mum completely unravel. Desperate to protect her from pain and escape to Paris, Dani hatches a plan with the flirtatious neighbor boy that only threatens the relationships she most wants to save.Why would God block all paths to Paris? Could real hope for healing be as close as a box tucked in the rafters? Laurel Garver holds degrees in English and journalism and earns a living as a magazine editor. She is a mosaic artist who enjoys quirky independent films, word games, British television, and Celtic music. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. An arty, urban Christian teen navigates the storms of loss, first love, and family crises. Along the way, she wrestles with God to find hope in dark times and discovers how those closest to us can often surprise us.