A New Beginning

A New Beginning #1

by Lisa R. Howeler

Five years later I could still vividly remember the moment I broke Hank Hakes’ nose with my foot after he broke mine with his fist. I could still hear the sick crunch of bones under my heel and still clearly see in my mind his glazed eyes before they closed, and his face fell into a pool of blood on the carpet.

I knew if I didn’t remember how Hank had beat me and I had fought back, I might let my walls down, leaving my son and me vulnerable again. I wasn’t about to let that happen.
Maybe that’s why I felt so uncomfortable when my best friend Emmy Lambert said she couldn’t wait for me to meet her cousin J.T. from North Carolina.

I had met Judson Thomas “J.T.” Wainwright years before when we were both children, and the memory wasn’t one that overwhelmed me with an interest to meet him again. He’d been a scrawny kid with big ears, messy red-brown hair, and freckles all over his dirt-smudged nose. He had also been obnoxious and downright rude. Imagining that in a 27-year-old man wasn’t making the meeting any more appealing for me.

I didn’t like the idea that she might try to set me up. I wasn’t interested in romantic relationships. I’d gone down that road before and made some of the biggest mistakes of my life.

I wasn’t about to let anyone in, let anyone break down the walls I had built around my life and heart, walls to protect me, but more importantly, my son.

I had exposed my son to darkness and pain once before.

I refused to do it again.

ebook

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Lisa Robinson-Howeler is a writer and photographer from Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband and two children. She is a former small-town newspaper reporter. Her fiction focuses on issues of failings and triumphs, romance, and personal growth through faith and life lessons. Lisa has had her writing and photography featured in newspapers, magazines, both nationally and internationally. In addition to being a new novelist, she is a wife, blogger, and a homeschooling mother. She blogs about fiction, faith, photography, and life at www.lisahoweler.com.

Reviews

[Tejomai (bible_and_books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say it's a 3.5
A nice read
Based on the subjects tackled , I'd say it was good
I just felt a bit dragging and slow based

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blanche Robbins is lost in her past.

After fleeing an abusive marriage and returning to her hometown with her son, Jackson, it seems that the broken pieces of her life could be repaired.

But her worst memories keep taunting Blanche, reminding her of all the reasons that freedom and a fresh chance at love are out of reach for her.

Her friends and family, however – not to mention newcomer, J.T. Wainwright – are far from content to let her settle for defeat.

A fresh wind is blowing for Blanche Robbins, promising to change everything, if only she’ll let it.

Lisa R. Howeler has crafted something truly stunning: a story that boldly confronts shame and refuses to let it have the final say.

If you have ever felt shame or regret, if you have ever believed you are unworthy of a new beginning, please read this book. This is a truly important story of grief eclipsed by joy, of regret defeated by redemption.

A New Beginning is one of those books that you’ll want to read again and again, just so you can soak in the wonderful truth it holds: there is an unconquerable Love that knows every moment of your past and promises you a new beginning that you won’t want to miss one moment of.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So potentially mini spoiler alert: This was a happy ending I was really wanting to and dying to see. A New Beginning further follows the story of Blanche which began in A Story to Tell. In the first book, you follow young and admittedly naive Blanche as she runs away with the first boy (man really as he was several years older than her) to pay attention to her and convince her life can be different from her current small town life. The marriage turns verbally abusive fairly early on and then ultimately becomes physically abusive as well, which prompts Blanche to leave. The story wraps up with Blanche going home to her parents with her young son and leaving Hank for good.

In A New Beginning, several years have passed and Blanche is trying to make a life for her and her son, Jackson. But then in walks Judson, who she knew as JT when they were younger. Attraction is clearly there but Blanche tries so hard to fight it because she does not want to go down that road again. She has other things to worry about. But oh my, Judson is clearly nothing like her ex and would be so great for her if only she could let herself fall in love.

Personally I don't think you necessarily have to read the first book in order to read and understand this one. But I do think reading A Story to Tell first would give a reader a greater appreciation for the ending, as well as some of the other events sprinkled throughout, of A New Beginning.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but I have leaving an honest and voluntary review.

[Parkland Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars - read via Kindle in August of 2023. The edition I have was not an option to choose on Goodreads.

I enjoyed the prequel and this book a lot. I felt invested in the community and their happiness. Seeing Blanche’s journey was difficult at times because want her to find the happiness she deserves. However, it was her journey and she had to take the steps and make the decisions. Life is not a tv show that gets wrapped up in an hour.

Forgiveness of ourselves is probably the toughest forgiveness to bestow. I enjoyed learning more about the other characters and where life led them.

There were a few typos but I think my Kindle versions of both books are older. However, that didn’t impact what I thought of the book. The only part I didn’t care for was Blanche going to a bar with Thomas well after getting her life on track. It didn’t fit her character anymore.

I’ll miss these characters and their community.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved book one, but book two is even better!

I did not want to put this book down! Lisa's writing style grabs you from the very first page. I ended the book feeling like I knew the characters personally. You can't help but fall in love with most of them as well as the town.

I feel like this could be a stand alone book, however if you want more details in Blanche's past, then you need to read book one.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a light and refreshing read. This page-turner is the type of book you read on the porch curled up with a warm blanket.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story!

I enjoyed this book a lot and the first book, too. The first book was so sad and I cried reading it, but this was a great follow up to Blanche's story. Sometimes in life there really are happy endings.

[H.A. Pruitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable book. I most appreciated the messages of moving forward, forgiveness, and belonging.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story.

A story of regret, abuse and lack of self worth. Of how love can overcome and with God anything ispossible

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this book? I loved it and it is definitely a "Must Read" book. It is full of emotions and you can feel every one of them. I can't wait to see what this author writes next. Grab this book, you won't regret it.

[Rebecca Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t read the first book, but I didn’t have too. The memories of Blanche made it quite clear what she had gone through. Part Two is compelling, interesting and you can’t help it but fall in love with that handsome hunk J.T. It was a great story with a little bit of everything: romance, drama, heartbreak, lots of emotions and feelings, humor and teasing... “A New Beginning” is definitely worthy of recommendation.