Andrea Kilmer Mann

Bending the Blues in Cincinnati

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Stan Miller, an oncology nurse by profession and a talented blues musician on the weekends, has spent two decades nursing her own wounds after being abandoned by the love of her life. She has managed to keep her grief private until her daughter, Claire, lands an internship at the local TV station where Stan’s ex now works. Stan’s carefully compartmentalized world threatens to unravel when Claire finds a curious keepsake boxed away. Meanwhile, Gloria, a terminally ill patient, forms an unlikely friendship with Stan. Together, they push the ethical boundaries of medically assisted end of life.

As Stan grapples with revealing the truth of her past to Claire, she finds solace in Jake, a former patient turned volunteer with his own painful past. Their growing connection, nurtured by a love of blues music, offers Stan a chance at healing she had never thought possible.

At the heart of the story lies a mysterious park where visitors experience inexplicable moments of clarity and peace — a place that becomes pivotal in the characters’ journeys toward forgiveness and self–discovery.

Told with an element of magical realism, Bending the Blues in Cincinnati weaves together multiple storylines, including end–of–life compassion, family secrets, forgiveness, second chances, and our search for peace within ourselves.

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About the Author

Andrea Kilmer Mann's stories have been published in various magazines and anthologies. This is her first novel. She enjoys long hikes and sailing her beloved boat, Kairos. She recently walked the Camino de Santiago and the Portuguese Camino and never stops looking for the improbable. Because she’s always looking, she’s seen the green flash three times and counting. Andrea lives in Colorado with her husband and their dog, Wilson.

Contact Information

Email: andreamannwriting@gmail.com