Medford author Libby Gill's debut novel, 'Malibu Summer,' has been acquired by Penguin Books. The contemporary women's fiction novel, published on May 21, tells the story of Ivy, a Bay Area soil scientist who takes a sabbatical to work in the garden of Conrad, a widower TV producer in Malibu. The novel draws inspiration from Gill's own experiences in Southern Oregon and her work to restore her garden. Penguin Associate Editor Marie Michels praised the characters and setting of the novel. Gill's next book will explore the world of talk shows in the 1990s. [5d8df64e]