Haven

by Anna Jones Buttimore

As a young woman, Gwen Evans turned her parents’ Victorian farmhouse in North Wales into a bed and breakfast. Here she lives quietly, creating a restful retreat for visitors, sharing her simple LDS faith with them, and touching their lives in lasting ways. In this isolated corner of Wales, guests find tranquility in the stillness of the lake and the majestic, rugged mountains dotted with sheep. Peace is certainly what Alison Melton is searching for. This brief family holiday in Wales is her desperate attempt to renew the bond she and her husband once shared. Megan and her sister Charlotte come to Haven searching for a vital link in their family history, but the comfortable and secure lives they have known in Utah are threatening to dissolve. Australian-born Oscar and his two British cousins have come to Haven at the insistence of their grandmother, who hopes to reconcile her divided family. Then there’s Edward Anderton, a widower who has returned to Haven repeatedly over the years, drawn to Gwen’s compassion and cheer. But will he face an insurmountable barrier in her determination to only marry a man who shares her faith? Author Anna Jones Buttimore has drawn on the beauty and wonder of Wales to create an exquisite and tender novel about one woman’s ability to reach out to others, and the gifts of love she receives in return.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Anna Jones Buttimore was born and brought up in the South of England, but educated in Wales where she lived for the next 20 years. She is now living back in the village where she grew up with her daughters Gwenllian, Angharad and Ceridwen, and husband Roderic. Anna serves as Seminary teacher in her ward.

Anna works part time from home for a legal charity, and has always loved writing in her spare time. She is the author of five novels, Haven and A World Away under the name Anna Jones, Easterfield, Honeymoon Heist and No Escape. Anna enjoys rock music, her computer, cross-stitch, swimming, and science fiction. She is determined to get into scrapbooking and family history one day when she can find the time.

Reviews

[Wanda Luce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven by Anna Buttimore Jones pulled me at once into the lives of several individuals with various challenges who are all traveling to a quaint bed and breakfast that sits in the heart of the Welsh countryside. Being myself of Welsh descent, I felt a strong tie to the breathtaking landscapes surrounding the inn that Ms. Jones describes so beautifully. Each person portrayed in the story comes to Haven for a different reason, each beset with some challenge, misfortune, question, or flaw, but all leave changed, transformed, and—in many ways—healed.

Gwen Evans, who owns the inn, reaches out to her visitors with insight and kindness and helps facilitate the way each grows individually. She is also a devoted Christian and touches the hearts of her guests in varied ways through her faith and example. The story, however, isn’t just about Haven’s visitors. In the course of the story, Gwen Evans finds an unexpected romance with one of them that will not disappoint. I highly recommend Haven to all who want a read that is full of inner conflict, outward challenges, romance, and the light of eternal truths.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwen Evans owns a B&B in Wales. Her place is a quiet, beautiful retreat. Over the course of a week a family, two sisters, a widower and three cousins will find answers, peace and stronger relationships. Gwens faith and kindness help each of her guests in ways they never would have guessed or expected. A wonderful story!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you need a break from your life? Some peace and tranquility . . . then “go to” Haven by Anna Jones Buttimore. You’ll be welcomed into Gwen Evan’s Victorian farmhouse Bed and Breakfast—aptly named Haven—in North Wales and made to feel instantly at home. LDS author Buttimore does a wonderful job of welcoming the reader into Gwen—Mrs. Evan’s—world as she receives a varied group of new guests, all needing a little bit of Haven in their lives.
As we learn of these guests, their struggles and fears, a common purpose unites them: sisters Megan and Charlotte are searching for their ancestors who they believe came from the area . . . and could use some help finding them. What the reader gets to experience as the guests unite to solve the sister’s genealogical mystery is the Spirit of Elijah at its best. Particularly meaningful to the LDS reader, the results will bring tears to your eyes as we are reminded of the power and peace that comes with doing this vital work.
And Mrs. Evans isn’t really a “Mrs.”—just a title her guests felt comfortable calling her and she never corrected. Will that soon change? Go to Haven and find out!
~
And once you’ve discovered the magic of Haven, you’ll want to return by reading Escape to Haven. Once again, the Victorian Bed and Breakfast is a special place of refuge and peace for a group of diverse guests, each bringing their own reasons to seek answers and rest within its stone walls. Buttimore shows the love of Christ in action through her well-developed characters as they experience healing and find hope. A perfectly satisfying sequel to Haven, Escape to Haven will have you packing your bags and heading off to North Wales.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick read. Loved the endings!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade: B-