Mary Helene Rosenbaum, like Alcott, focuses on the interactions and dynamics of family to delve into the human experience, drawing on lessons learned from her own diverse circle of family and friends. Rosenbaum uses her Patchwork Family series to conjure up a plethora of emotions, intriguing narratives, and characters that resonate deeply with readers. Widowed after 48 years of marriage, Rosenbaum lives with children and grandchildren in the Philadelphia area.