Pipe Dreams

Gloria Harris, ne: Holland, a divorcee, social worker and nun-reject has reluctantly left her North Carolina house, job and man-friend to return to Baltimore - temporarily-- to assume family responsibilities. Her brief visit has turned from days into dismal months. After a welcome lunch, reuniting her with a childhood friend, Gloria is persuaded to direct a displaced homemakers group at a local Catholic college. Conditionally accepting this 6-week position, she forms friendships with four group members: Mari, a former New Orleans native and socialite widow, buried in hundreds of thousands of dollars debt from her late husband, and struggling to raise a teen-aged son alone; Ruth, a minister's wife whose husband left her, their son and his church with a homosexual disclosure; Sarah, a 40's something ex-hippie, whose Johns Hopkins fully-tenured professor husband has left her and their daughter for the Israeli army; Katie, a dental hygienist wife of a local periodontist, struggling with traumatic trials of divorce, while caring for her 3-year old and rebellious, teen-aged sons. Over the next 6 months, sometimes tragic, sometimes harrowing, but oftentimes humorous events unite these women in their quest for hope and a second chance for true happiness. This is a story of single-mothers pulling together, supporting one another and surviving against seemingly impossible odds, in attempt to redefine the perfect life.

Ciby Emrie received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She held a part-time faculty position at University of Maryland, and made several appearances on Maryland Public Television and Maryland Public Radio while employed with the State of Maryland. After an extended maternity leave, she chose the role of full-time, at-home mom. Ciby counts her most recent position of single mom as her most challenging and rewarding role to date. Ciby Emrie resided in Baltimore for over 20 years. She relocated to the South 10 years ago, and now practices dental hygiene. Pipe Dreams is Ciby’s first novel. A portion of its sales will be donated to organizations that assist single women and their children who have suffered domestic violence. For information visit her website: www.cibyemrie.com Ciby Emrie received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She held a part-time faculty position at University of Maryland, and made several appearances on Maryland Public Television and Maryland Public Radio while employed with the State of Maryland. After an extended maternity leave, she chose the role of full-time, at-home mom. Ciby counts her most recent position of single mom as her most challenging and rewarding role to date. Ciby Emrie resided in Baltimore for over 20 years. She relocated to the South 10 years ago, and now practices dental hygiene. Pipedreams is Ciby’s first novel. A portion of its sales will be donated to organizations that assist single women and their children who have suffered domestic violence. For information visit her website: