Jacqueline Pierce has not been to the Sandcastle for 20 years, but now she has inherited the place and has traveled across the country to clear it out. After what happened that long-ago summer, she plans to sell the estate and return to her life in Boston. Right away, Jackie notices that the grounds have been visited by fans of her once-famous uncle, Graham Kingston. Their notes are carved everywhere. But she doesn’t have time to reminisce. The Sandcastle goes on the market in seven days. There is much to be done. However, despite her determination to work on packing up, Jackie finds herself transported back to that fateful summer.

"LADY SUNSHINE takes us back to an era in music that was fun and much more carefree. While far from innocent, it was a much less strident period in our history."

In 1979, Jackie’s uncle blessed her with the nickname "Lady Sunshine" during those months she spent at his northern California estate. Not intending to be there, she simply wanted to avoid having to join her father and his new wife on their European honeymoon. But her plans to remain at their San Francisco home blew up in her face. So it was decided that she’d stay with Graham at the Sandcastle, which could only be described as laid-back and funky, populated by musicians and singers and several relatives.

It took a few days, but Jackie warmed to the scene and the “hordes” that always seemed to be hanging around, soon developing a special fondness for her cousin, Willa. The days became a bit of heaven for her. Willa taught her to surf during the day, and by night she was surrounded by artists and all that accompanies them. Life became a dream. Everything was freedom and fun and going along so beautifully --- until it wasn’t. In a flash, Jackie’s dream turned into a nightmare. So now, two decades later, she’s back, cursed with unwanted ownership of the Sandcastle.

Almost no time passes before a young man named Shane approaches Jackie with an idea. Just listen to him for a moment. He thinks she might like what she hears. Besides, he’s not really a stranger; he knew her aunt, the one who died recently and willed the estate to her. Angela had hoped that Shane could convince Jackie to allow him to produce a tribute album, right there on their land. While not at all what she had in mind, she starts to like the idea. Of course, it means extending her stay, but getting the entire place ready in one week had been unrealistic from the start. And just like that, once again, the Sandcastle is teeming with musicians and artists. Without wanting to do so, Jackie now must face what happened that summer, even though she had hoped to bury it forever.

LADY SUNSHINE takes us back to an era in music that was fun and much more carefree. While far from innocent, it was a much less strident period in our history. Like the book's cover picture, young women wore flowers in their hair and sundresses, and went barefoot. Amy Mason Doan’s novel allows readers the chance to enjoy that all over again while embroiled in a family secret, the consequences of which are bound to be uncovered.