Five American women come together briefly in 1962 in Cali, Colombia, beneath the hill that dominates the city.* Nora, the archeologist, who doesn't relate to other women.* Alicia, who knows she's beautiful and can attract any man.* Melanie, who doesn't recognize her own beauty and intelligence.* Seraphia, whose French husband is barred from the United States.* Charlotte, who is on her third affair.Their interwoven stories of birth, death, love, and loss bring each to an awareness and resolution that one critic has called "as satisfying as if I just had a full meal."Carr uses a strobe light to capture woman in her infinite variety." -Chicago Tribune"Her stories are simple, crafted, entertaining, and immediate." -Los Angeles Times"There is real talent at work here." -The New Republic"Carr's insights are often breathtaking, poetic in nature but also strongly based in real life." -The Monitor"Carr has a rare gift for preserving moments of fear, of love, of compassion that stay with the reader long afterward." -The El Paso Times