The Fail Mary Plan as Told to Mrs. Mangin

The tea is brewed and the cups set out. Delicate sandwiches and cookies-sorry, biscuits-are arranged tantalizingly on exquisite china plates. It's time for Mrs. Mangin and her young American friend to share their experiences in the world of love.

Mrs. Mangin's friend has a plan-to find her perfect man through online dating. Exasperated with men her own age, she wants an older man-and he has to be rich.

Each day, two generations sit down to tea and discuss love. The younger woman brings Mrs. Mangin up to speed on her latest dates and the many unfortunate and undesirable men she encounters. Mrs. Mangin offers wisdom gathered from years of unsustainable relationships. At the same time, her confidante's adventures help her see her past from a different perspective.

A story of the pitfalls of online dating and the tricks online dating services use to entice customers, "The Fail Mary Plan as Told to Mrs. Mangin" is the latest romantically bawdy tale from Bert Bartz, author of "Idiotsynchrasies" and "When the Lollies Bloom." Mrs. Mangin and her young ally are partners in an all-or-nothing plan for love and happiness. Whether they pull it off remains to be seen.