More Than

"What will you do with today, tomorrow and the rest of your life? Do you want what you have or are you ready to hope for more? Have you ever thought: “I want more than this?” If so, Diane Barnes’s book More Than may really speak to you! The main character has twins who are about to leave for college, and she has to face her soon to be empty nest and the candy wrappers and ice cream cartons that taunt her." Ms. Magazine

"In More Than, Diane Barnes captures some of the true struggles with extended grief, depression, and self image while keeping the story fresh, crisp, and real. The character development is superbly done, as Peggy's outer appearance becomes secondary to her inner transformation. I was "Team Peggy" all the way and almost did a few sit-ups myself. Almost." USA TODAY Best Selling Author Kelly Stone Gamble

Peggy Moriarty’s life has been focused on being a single mom to her twins, Grace and Greg. But now that they’re teenagers doing their own things, she’s at a loss. Her only hobby is watching Messages from Beyond, a show about a medium who connects the grieving with their deceased loved ones.

When the twins leave for college, they give Peggy a gift certificate for an exercise class. At first, Peggy is insulted. But once the sting wears off, she realizes if she gets in shape, she might gain the confidence she needs to go on her favorite TV show and talk to her late husband one last time.

With help from her new friends at the gym and Carmen Tavarez, the mother of Grace’s boyfriend, Peggy begins to emerge from her shell and spread her wings. She may soon discover that her sum is more than a mother, a widow, and her body.