_Final Portrait_ (C. 2000).  _Final Portrait_ is set in 1970s New 
Orleans.  It is a novel about three women, two of whom grew up with abuse, 
but who chose very different ways of handling it.  Their life journeys 
are recorded by their friend, a portrait artist, who narrates the story. 
Through her paintings she confronts despair of the deepest kind, but finds 
her own fortune.  The book has had great reviews and can be previewed at 
http://kassarts.bizland.com.  Contact me at Kassarts@bizland.com for 
purchase information.