Wisconsin: The Haven of Rest & September Sonata

Wisconsin #1

by Andrea Boeshaar

A CBA BestsellerIn two romantic stories of second chances, love and faith survive the challenges of real life. Amie plans to build a new hotel on the site of the run-down gas station she inherited - but, along with the station comes its manager, Tom. Kristin is facing her own job struggles after an injury forced her husband into early retirement. With an empty nest, can these two rediscover the joy they once knew?

Genres: Romance

403 pages, Hardcover

First published December 17, 2004

About the author

Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar has been married for more than 30 years. She and her husband, Daniel, have three adult sons, daughters-in-law, and two precious grandchildren. Andrea's educational background includes the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where she studied in English, and Alverno College where she studied in Professional Communications and Business Management.

Andrea has been writing stories and poems since she was a little girl; however, it wasn't until 1984 that she started submitting her work for publication. Eight years after that, she was convicted about writing for the Christian market. She read books in her genre (Inspirational Romance & Women's Fiction), studied the market, and worked hard to hone her craft.

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUMMARY: Can God truly touch tattered lives and heal hearts too heavy to hope? In the state of Wisconsin, four women encounter situations that seem unbearable--challenging their faith in God, in love, and in themselves. Can a prodigal son ever return home? Can God serve as the Husband for an unmarried woman and as Father of her illegitimate child? Can two wounded spirits rebuild a faltering business--and their ruined lives? Can a lost love really be found again? Join popular author Andrea Boeshaar on a journey of discovery, as four women find a haven of hope. In the state of Wisconsin, four women encounter situations that seem unbearable--challenging their faith in God, in love, and in themselves.

REVIEW: This book contains both a novel and a novella focusing on second chances. I loved everything about the novel: the storyline, the characters, and the setting. Amie, though haunted by a past incident, stepped out of her comfort zone and forged ahead with her dreams; and Tom, who felt tainted by his family's past, developed self-confidence and a new life. The sweet romance between the was slowly developed by the author as they discovered each other rather than concentrating on the intimacy of a relationship.

The novella touched a cord in me as it centered on a married couple and their life after becoming empty nesters. It is so true a couple has to rediscover and rekindle their relationship after children leave home. Life that was once centered around them is now pointed again towards the two of you as a couple, and it takes time, patience, and understanding to regrow the relationship that sometimes gets lost in the midst of a family and careers. The surprise ending was a great twist.

[CorkyNSam92 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't remember the one story, but I absolutely loved The Haven of Rest.