Benched Resolve

The triumphs and tragedies of a single family come to life in D. Warren Napier's poignant debut novel, "Benched Resolve."

When three generations of a family all live under the same roof, life can quickly become a bit messy. In this case, an old 1950s-built house has been specially renovated to accommodate four separate apartments-which does little to quell the constant tensions and surprising niceties that guide the family's day-to-day interactions.

Nestled within a small-town neighborhood that is slowly watching its charm give way to the big city, the unabashedly small house sits just across the street from a local park that proves a safe haven for those wishing to escape the often oppressive confines of familial shackles.

Readers will witness all of the household's births, marriages, deaths-and everything in between-through the eyes of those with whom they come in contact. The compelling cast of characters introduced in this briskly paced saga includes the matriarch and her live-in boyfriend, her three children and their spouses, a grandson, and two dogs that often behave better than their owners.

Each and every family member will captivate, entertain, and sometimes even surprise the ones who hear their stories.