The Night Of Many Endings by Melissa Payne

 

When a blizzard sweeps through Silver Ridge, Colorado, a group of people are trapped there.  Nora Martinez is the librarian, a young woman whose life has been defined by trying to help her brother who is caught in the throes of drug addiction.  Jasmine is a teenager who spends most of her spare time in the library, reading and grateful for a sanctuary.  There's Marlene who has been a customer of the library for many years and who tends to push people away verbally as she mourns the death of her husband.  Vlado is the security guard who has immigrated to the United States and is working on creating a new life for himself.  Finally, there is Lewis.  He is a homeless man who had planned on riding out the storm outside but had been brought in by the group as the storm worsened.  

As the hours go by and the group tries to survive the cold, lack of power and hunger, they start to coalesce as a group.  Secrets are shared and tactics for getting through the challenges life throws at one are discussed.  The group starts to grow closer as they give attention at various times to different members as they need help and survival tactics.  Will this closeness survive after the storm?

Melissa Payne is an American author who lives in the same type of small Colorado town she writes about.  Her books tend to focus on those in need of second chances and the realization that those chances are available for those who need them.  My favorite character was Vlado who doesn't complain about his need to immigrate and start all over again in his professional life but who just gets on with it while helping those around him whenever he can.  He loves Nora but has always been too shy to take his feelings forward.  I loved the small town feeling where everyone pretty much knows everyone else and chips in to help when necessary as that's the kind of town I grew up in.  This book is recommended for women's fiction readers.