New Orleans, 2014.

Once a locally celebrated chef and now on the cusp of forty, Laurent Ladnier finally pursues his longtime vision: to bring "true world fusion" cuisine to his native city. His partnership with a struggling restaurateur, Wilson Turner, faces mounting roadblocks-staffing and fiscal challenges, substance abuse, family emergencies, persistent naysayers, recurring self-doubt, a saboteur, and a tempting job offer.

Laurent fights to achieve his dream while haunted by the mysterious death of his father, a struggling chef who also died at forty. When growing success and recognition give way to the ultimate setback, Laurent must make a decision-and face a violent act he never could have predicted.

A young professor and fugitive must choose between love and newfound friends in an idyllic town, or revenge on the cartel that has attacked his family and home city.

Water Lessons is the tale of Jim Scoresby, who survives Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath on his grandfather’s rooftop in the Mid-City neighborhood of New Orleans, and then relocates to New England.