New author Francine Diamond blends drama with humor in Maxine's Journey, an extraordinary and heartfelt debut novel that examines what it means to have balance in all things and that overcoming adversity is a big part of the human experience. At a tender age, Maxine Silver and her brother Robbie learn that all that glitters isn't gold and that a person's ?mine? is forged in childhood. Max in particular pays attention to what matters and, years later, lifts herself out of poverty to become, in no short measure, a woman of substance. She's a savvy businesswoman who ultimately saves a mega real estate deal from floundering, an anchor who tows the line after her brother gets in trouble with the mob, and a saving grace to her best gal pal, Robin Cohen, after Robin's husband is diagnosed with cancer. Indeed, Max builds a fine life and comes to realize that a big part of her journey is to help others on theirs. In a book that will make readers laugh and cry, Maxine's Journey is the sort of tale that reads like a fable and has the power to change lives.