A young man aspiring for recognition of his talents battles against his estranged father's sentiment towards him as the father deals with his own demons.

When Ingrid, a successful Chicago author, moves to the Minnesota lakes to write a book on wilderness survival, she gets more than just another bestseller; she finds peace, a new sense of independence, and a connection with her handsome wilderness guide, Rob.

This is a heart-wrenching story about a happy-go-lucky 17 year-old boy with a passion for life and love. Under his free spirit are problems that he must deal with. His mother died, his alcoholic father is unapproachable, and ...the biggest problem of all... he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The only support he receives is from a sister who also lives a fractured life, his immature best friend, and his girlfriend. "Swimming Upstream" is a moving and honest look at life's painful realities and how this teen deals with them.