This novel begins at the end of WW I.. An American of Scottish descent, is in a hospital in California with a chest wound that is not healing properly. He is alone and far from God and sure he will soon die. Upon overhearing that he is to be sent to a different hospital he walks away from the military hospital and embarks on a "Great Adventure." He stumbles upon a lovely little house by the ocean. The owner, The Bee Master, asks him to live in his house and manage it and care for his bees and plants until he is able to return from a trip to the hospital. Porter spares no expense in her discussion of nature. Bees and their workings, the native flora of California, the scents of the garden, the landscape of the area are all worked in as an integral part of the story. In addition to all the wholesomeness and nature study, the book is also a romance. Who is the mystery girl? All in all, The Keeper of the Bees is a clean, pleasant read which adults and teens alike would enjoy. The plot would be a bit much for an elementary age reader. Hard cover is beautiful dark blue with gold metallic trim , 6"x 8+ ", 515 pages. To Order By Phone Call Toll Free: 866-596-9982