In Amanda Churchill's poignant debut novel 'The Turtle House,' the lives of a tenacious young architect, Lia, and her stalwart Japanese grandmother, Mineko, converge in the small town of Curtain, Texas. As they navigate the challenges of change and loss, their shared space becomes a cross-cultural bridge spanning from the heartaches of pre-war Japan to the complexities of modern Texas. The narrative embarks on a journey through time, unfolding Mineko's past marked by war, lost love, and a mystical country estate known as the Turtle House. This intergenerational tale delves into the resilience of the human spirit, the secrets we cling to, and the profound quest for a sense of belonging and identity. Lia, grappling with a paused career and the shadows of her own secret, finds insight into her family's legacy and gains the courage to confront her own fragmented path. When their family decides to move Mineko into assisted living, both women, driven by the need to preserve the memory of the Turtle House, hatch a plan to resurrect a haven that transcends geography and time. 'The Turtle House' is a literary celebration of family bonds, identity, and our relentless pursuit of a place to call home.