conversations.from: human
conversations.value: a description for a book titled Designing Hearts about Nora, Roberts, Run--don't with the genre: Literature & Fiction, Women's Fiction
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: "This book is a must for Nora Roberts fans looking for a stylish midlife romance. Run--don't walk--to the book store or online site to purchase this hopeful, gorgeously written novel. You'll be reminded that life's difficult journeys and unexpected turns can yield extraordinary abundance and unforeseen happiness." -- Richard J. Levy, author of Thoughts Make You Wealthy
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the first sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Run--don't walk--to the book store or online site to purchase this hopeful, gorgeously written novel. You'll be reminded that life's difficult journeys and unexpected turns can yield extraordinary abundance and unforeseen happiness." -- Richard J. Levy, author of Thoughts Make You Wealthy
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: the first five paragraphs for this book
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Designing Hearts
  Giving up entirely on finishing her dinner, Jill rose to make coffee, which she served with thick slices of homemade coconut cake and scoops of dulce de leche ice cream. This, too, was filled with memories, a dessert she had served at many family meals. It was David's favorite indulgence, even though he followed a restricted diet in an effort to look as trim as possible on television. Given his present gauntness, Jill thought he needed to put on a few pounds.
  Liam still hadn't said a word, just watched his father warily out of his peripheral vision throughout the rest of the meal. Jill could see that he was seething, and she was uneasy about what might happen next. Brian continued to keep the conversational ball in the air, answering David's polite questions about his upbringing and career.
  Liam looked his father squarely in the eye and paused for dramatic effect. Jill groaned inwardly, guessing what was coming. Liam picked up his coffee cup, extended his pinky, and replied, "I prefer to cook and care for our home."
  Brian's face was a study in self-control, although one eyebrow arched in disbelief. He elbowed Liam. "That's funny," he said. "Who knew? Now I know what to buy you for Christmas: a new mop."
  The tension between Liam and David remained high. It was thanks only to Brian's grace under pressure that the rest of the meal passed in relative calm. After dessert and coffee, Brian and Liam prepared to drive back into the city.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: five more paragraphs
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: He was silent for a moment. "If you're planning to end our marriage, what's the point of dragging things out? Just say it." His voice had become clipped and cold.
  Jill rejected the first response that came to mind, choosing to take the high road. "Please listen, David. For me, it's been a long time since we were close. Somewhere along the way—who knows when it started—we became strangers. You think and feel differently than I do about so many things. Our values haven't changed together."
  She took a deep breath to avoid saying the next thing that automatically came to mind. He just didn't get it. For her, marriage could not be all about him and his ideas. She wanted a romantic partner who valued her thoughts and ideas, who shared her deepest thoughts of what it meant to be a couple—closeness and compatibility, trust and shared experiences. Instead, she continued in a calm voice, taking time to choose her words carefully, "I've tried all these years, David, but it hasn't brought us closer. Yes, it's true that you were away from home a lot while you built your career, and you should be proud of everything you've accomplished. I am. But all those years of passing each other in the night—whenever you came home and we could steal a little time together—had an unfortunate effect. We lost what we had together, and now I can't seem to get back what I once felt."
  Jill breathed steadily in and out to keep her thoughts firmly grounded. "This isn't about trying or giving up. It's about having an authentic connection. We've spent so little time together that we've ended up on completely separate paths. We're different people now, David, let's face it. Yes, you had an affair, but that wasn't the entire reason our marriage was in trouble. It was just the catalyst that finally brought things to a head and forced us—forced me—to look at reality. I probably knew on some level that we weren't living the way married couples ought to live to be happy together. But I went along pretending, even to myself, that we had a good marriage. Unfortunately, that obviously wasn't true."
  Jill had a strangely detached feeling, as though she were an observer rather than a participant in the moment. "Things happen. People change. We just grew apart. I don't think it's ever just one person who's at fault, and I'm just as sorry for my part in that process."
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: the last four paragraphs
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: After a half hour, David excused himself to get back to the television studio. Jill followed him into the hallway. "Hey, I heard you have a new home in Greenwich. The boys told me. It sounds great."
  There was a moment of silence as David's eyes met hers. "Are you happy, Jill?" The question was meant sincerely; she could tell from the expression in his eyes.
  The Air Canada flight attendant handed Jill and Denny dinner menus as they sat together in first class, drinking mimosas. The massive jet was turning now, heading over the Atlantic Ocean on its way to Aberdeen Airport.
  Since 1981, Ms. Strachan has served in executive and development roles in higher education, health care, and medical research. She holds a bachelor of arts degree with dual majors in English and philosophy. She is also a published poet and a professional artist. She makes her home in the Chicago area.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the last sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: After a half hour, David excused himself to get back to the television studio. Jill followed him into the hallway. "Hey, I heard you have a new home in Greenwich. The boys told me. It sounds great."
  There was a moment of silence as David's eyes met hers. "Are you happy, Jill?" The question was meant sincerely; she could tell from the expression in his eyes.
  The Air Canada flight attendant handed Jill and Denny dinner menus as they sat together in first class, drinking mimosas. The massive jet was turning now, heading over the Atlantic Ocean on its way to Aberdeen Airport.
  Since 1981, Ms. Strachan has served in executive and development roles in higher education, health care, and medical research. She holds a bachelor of arts degree with dual majors in English and philosophy. She is also a published poet and a professional artist.