Who says the relationship between a stepparent and stepchildren can't be a vital one? After one failed marriage and a devastating miscarriage, Claire believes she has finally found happiness. She's fallen in love with David-a man with three young children and a bitter, destructive ex-wife-and she is determined to forge deep, meaningful relationships with her future stepchildren. But Claire soon discovers the stress and constant frustration of being the noncustodial parent and the complications of outside factors-and what she thought would be a teaching experience actually turns into a transformative learning experience. Claire, David, and the children struggle to define their new roles, and Claire seeks the relationships that have been missing in her life-husband and wife, mother and child-eventually learning that life doesn't get any better than looking back without regret. Stepping Stones, a compelling debut novel, paints a vivid portrait of a new family dynamic and the overwhelming challenges and rich rewards of stepparenting.