Janice Coy

A Table on Kilimanjaro Janice Coy

Leda Stanton and her widowed father have dreamed of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for years, eager to stand on top of the mountain made famous by Hemingway. A last minute work project sends the two on separate flights to the African mountain. On her way through London to Tanzania, Leda secretly meets with newfound relatives who give her devastating information about her long dead mother - a subject her father avoids. Still, Leda is certain her father will tell the truth if she approaches him the right way. She heads up the Machame Trail with him and a group of strangers signed up for the same, week-long ascent. But both her father and the trail prove more difficult than she imagined. Severe altitude sickness cuts short the summit attempt of two in their group; the harshness of the mountain exacts a toll on the others. Seeking comfort, Leda turns to fellow hiker Wyatt, a man who seems attuned to the mountain. But how well does she know him? Lead guide David Mbwoe knows the mountain has no favorites; those who have succeeded at other mountains might not reach the Mt. Kilimanjaro summit. A strong will is important - even more so than physical appearance. The moods of the mountain are capricious: the most hidden of secrets are not safe. It's up to David to chart a prudent course for his clients. His livelihood and his family depend on his success. He's never lost a hiker...yet. Janice Coy reached the Kibo summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2010