2010 RELEASE
House of Cards
House of Cards is an award-winning novel by Nat Burns exploring love, courage, and the difficult choices between personal happiness and community expectations. Set in a close-knit North Carolina town, House of Cards reveals how gossip, tradition, and fear can shape lives—and how love has the power to change them.
Widow Kaylen Stauder has spent years quietly accepting life as it comes. She has witnessed the endless gossip shared by the women of the Freshwater Magnolia Club and has no desire to become the subject of their conversations.
Everything changes when she unexpectedly falls in love with Eda Byrne. After a lifetime spent meeting other people’s expectations, Kaylen must confront emotions she never imagined possible and decide whether the acceptance of her community is worth sacrificing the chance for genuine happiness.
As friendships are tested and long-held beliefs challenged, Kaylen discovers that sometimes the greatest risk in life is simply being true to yourself.
Why Readers Love House of Cards
Beautifully written and emotionally rich, House of Cards examines family, friendship, identity, and the courage it takes to embrace love. Nat Burns paints an authentic portrait of small-town life, where compassion and prejudice often exist side by side.
Readers who appreciate mature romance, unforgettable characters, and thoughtful storytelling will find House of Cards both inspiring and deeply satisfying.
Awards & Recognition
🏆 Goldie Finalist — Lesbian General / Dramatic Fiction
🏆 2011 Lavender Certificate — Recognition presented by the Alice B Committee of Arizona honoring promising new writers.
Lambda Literary praised House of Cards as “a superb novel,” noting its compelling portrayal of small-town life and a middle-aged woman’s emotional awakening.
Reviewers have consistently praised Nat Burns for creating believable characters, emotional depth, and a heartfelt story that remains with readers long after the final page.