Life's Surprises

by Susan Amond Todd

Rebekah Hayward always assumed she would live out her days in rural Wisconsin, surrounded by family in a town where nobody ever moved away. But after learning that she and her so-called husband of eighteen years were never actually married, she's discovered that life has other plans.

Rebekah's path has led her to Asheville, North Carolina, a Southern mountain city that she hopes holds the secret ingredient to bringing her life-long dream to fruition. As a child, Rebekah learned to bake from her grandmother, Mère, who for years dreamed of opening a bakery. Now, at age thirty-six, Rebekah is starting over and fulfilling that dream for both of them. But being a business owner comes with its fair share of challenges, and it will take a village-full of second chances at life, friendship, and love-to make her dream a reality.

The second book in the Life series by beloved women's fiction author Susan Amond Todd, Life's Surprises is a heartfelt reminder that life has a tendency to surprise us-oftentimes in the sweetest of ways.

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2025

About the author

Susan Amond Todd has lived in North Carolina for most of her adult life but was born and raised in Neenah, WI. She has two grown daughters, a grandson and a granddaughter.

Her career has been spent raising her daughters, working in banking, and now her passion, writing.

As a young person she enjoyed writing short stories and poetry, always having the desire to pursue more.

Her writing combines her upbringing and love of Wisconsin with that of the south. White Lake and the sequel Return Home, her first two books, are from the White Lake Series. Life’s Fortune is the first book of four in the Life Series.

Reviews

[Donna Chisum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has all the elements I like in a good story, people picking themselves up when life has knocked them down, dreams coming true, and honoring people who have been an inspiration. I even giggled in a couple places!

Congratulations, Susan. Well done!! I look forward to the next installment.

[Patti McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read about Rebekah's journey toward a new life in a new town. The author draws the reader into the ups and downs, the twists and turns, and unexpected surprises for Rebekah as she transitions into her new world of self-discovery and self-reliance. So very enjoyable!

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Amond Todd is one of my new favorite authors! Life’s Surprises didn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to see what life holds for the amazing characters in the next Life series release!

[BeLinda Rhoades · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, Sue has delivered a great book. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one day. Looking forward to the third book in this series.

[Bella Tahsler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author! Her books are so wholesome and she’s a local author. Every book feels like a hallmark movie which I love!