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The Dust Series, Book 2
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BY JANN ALEXANDER

Vacancy slips us into the shoes of two women struggling to find their footing in the harsh, yet beautiful winds of change. Rampant emotions, small-town judgments and the joys of motherhood drive this tale of hope. A poignant story of resilience and promise that keeps you turning the pages.” 

 KAY SMITH-BLUM, author of Tangles, A Cold War Love Story Wrapped Inside a Mystery

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When a Tragedy No One Sees Coming Divides a Small Texas Town, Secrets Rise to the Surface. 

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A struggling single mother and a suspicious widow, at odds. Both have a habit of hiding from hard truths. 

 

INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS

 

Helen is childless and widowed after a long marriage and gets a second chance with a long-lost love. But she’s grieving her hidden regrets. She bonds with her quiet kindergarten student and doubts the girl’s struggling single mother, Charlene, is fit to parent. 

 

Charlene’s hiding a secret of her own, and she resents Helen’s interference. She’s determined to make a better life for her young daughter, the teenage boy her ex left behind, and the baby on the way when a scarred veteran offers to lend a hand. 

 

A tragedy no one sees coming forces the two women to unite, as small-town bias threatens to destroy innocent lives. But first, Helen and Charlene must confront the vacancy in their hearts. As they do, can they find new strength, acceptance, and a second chance at love? 

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Published by: Black Rose Writing | Release Date: Sept. 24, 2026

ISBN-13: 978-1685137984 | Pages: 320

Set against the unforgiving backdrop of the Texas Panhandle, Jann Alexander’s Vacancy is a
hauntingly beautiful exploration of what remains when life’s promises are broken. 
—JOAN FERNANDEZ
author, Saving Vincent: A Novel of Jo van Gogh

Vacancy, hits readers like a Texas twister! Small-town atmospherics and deep emotions highlight a story about difficult families, secrets and second chances, and the desperate measures good people will take to protect those they love.

—CAM TORRENS

award-winning author of the Tyler Zahn suspense series

An emotional whirlwind unfolds into a compelling and heartfelt tapestry of intertwined lives. Head to Hartless, Texas for gorgeous writing, relatable life and death drama, and love stories that will fill your heart.

—MARILEE DAHLMAN

author, The Night Nurse and the Jewel Thief, and Mall Goddess 

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Learn How an Historical Perspective Informs The Dust Series Novels

Go Behind the Scenes with Jann Alexander on the History Through Fiction Podcast: Unveiling The Dust Series History

Hear how the Dust Bowl's emotional and ecological toll shaped the series and its characters, plot, and purpose:

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Read The Dust Series Novels

Shop The Dust Series by Jann Alexander.

Get my monthly creative mix, PAIRINGS, for book news, reviews, insider extras, a dose of history and Texana, and my short story, Homeless, free.

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Photographs ©2026 by Jann Alexander. Available for purchase. All Content © 2026 Third Act Publishing LLC

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