The Farmhouse Of Second Chances

'A heartwarming story about family, forgiveness and the importance of kindness' FIONA HARPER on The Kindness Club on Mapleberry Lane 'Comforting and uplifting, this book is a joy to read' MY WEEKLY 'A heartwarming tale' WOMAN'S OWN Home is where the heart is... Joy has made a family for herself. She's turned her beautiful old farmhouse into a safe haven for anyone who is looking for a new beginning. She's always ready with a kind word, a nugget of advice and believes that anyone can change their life for the better, if they really want to. Libby has exchanged her high-flying job in New York for a break in the quiet Somerset countryside. She's soon drawn into Joy's world and into her family of waifs and strays - including Drew, whom Joy once helped get back on his feet. So when a secret from Joy's past threatens everything, can the unlikely group come together to give Joy a second chance of her own? Curl up with this uplifting new story of second chances and finding where you belong, from the author of The Little Village Library, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley and Ali McNamara! *** Readers adore Helen's heartwarming storytelling 'Enchanting... Employing all the warmth and charm of Maeve Binchy, and a special brand of kindness that she has made her own, Rolfe weaves together elements of mystery, romance, family relationships and the warmth of community in a story guaranteed to bring laughter, tears and miles of smiles' Lancashire Post 'A warm, comforting tale of family and community which brims with kindness and love' Annie Lyons 'A heartwarming story about family, forgiveness and the importance of kindness... If you're looking for a feelgood novel in these difficult times, this is definitely it!' Fiona Harper 'A lovely community, full of friendship and love' 'I enjoyed every minute of this book and found it very hard to put down' 'Lovely, feel-good...filled with lots of love' 'Gave you all the emotions: suspense, happiness and excitement' 'Helen Rolfe's writing brought a smile to my face' 'Loved loved loved this fabulous book'

From New York Times bestselling author Jon Katz comes a wise, uplifting, and poignant memoir of finding love against all odds, and the power of second chances for both people and dogs. “I had no idea that Frieda would enter my life and alter it in the most profound way, but that’s one of the beautiful things about animals. They change you, and you almost never see it coming.” In 2007, a few years after purchasing Bedlam Farm in upstate New York, Jon Katz met Maria Wulf, a quiet, sensitive artist hoping to rekindle her creative spark. Jon, like her, was introspective yet restless, a writer struggling to find his purpose. He felt a connection with her immediately, but a formidable obstacle stood in the way: Maria’s dog, Frieda. A rottweiler-shepherd mix who had been abandoned by her previous owner in the Adirondacks, where she lived in the wild for several years, Frieda was ferociously protective and barely tamed. She roared and charged at almost anyone who came near. But to Maria, Frieda was sweet and loyal, her beloved guard dog and devoted friend. And so Jon quickly realized that to win over Maria, he’d have to gain Frieda’s affection as well. While he and Maria grew closer, Jon was having a tougher time charming Frieda to his side. Even after many days spent on Bedlam Farm, Frieda still lunged at the other animals, ran off into the woods, and would not let Jon come near her, even to hook on her leash. Yet armed with a singular determination, unlimited patience, and five hundred dollars’ worth of beef jerky, Jon refused to give up on Frieda—or on his chance with Maria. Written with stunning emotional clarity and full of warm yet practical wisdom, The Second-Chance Dog is a testament to how animals can make us better people, and how it’s never too late to find love. Praise for The Second-Chance Dog “No one speaks the language of a dog like best-selling author Jon Katz. His latest heartwarming memoir about finding love after struggling through a broken relationship . . . gives testament to how dogs can make us better human beings.”—The Free Lance–Star “[An] intimate story of falling in love with a woman and her extremely protective pet dog . . . Bittersweet in its telling, Katz reminds readers of the importance of human and animal connections.”—Kirkus Reviews “In this heartwarming story of love and redemption . . . dogs and humans alike get second chances at life, love, and growth. . . . This moving work is recommended for readers who want a true-life love story, for dog lovers seeking a book with a happy ending (the dog doesn’t die!), for seniors who think that receiving a Medicare card means that love is out of the question, and for dog trainers who want to learn more about Katz’s philosophy of dog training.”—Library Journal “The story [Katz] tells gives hope that no animal is beyond help, as long as enough love and patience are thrown in.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

The true story of a living kidney donor and recipient’s unbreakable bond Imagine suffering with an unrelenting disease your whole life, only to be rescued by a childhood friend, a relative who wants to be a conduit for healing no matter what. Both individuals struggle with life but in vastly different ways—Ironically, Tina wants to die, even though she lives, and Brian wants to live, even though he dies. They come together to experience a miracle of God through the kidney that unites them. Brian lives nine extra years, dying of diabetic complications, not kidney failure. The doctors exclaim that the kidney is still completely viable at death. Meet small-town writer Tina Shyver-Plank, who penned this compelling memoir about her gift of a kidney to her dying cousin, Brian Shyver, who has juvenile-onset type 1 diabetes from the age six years old. She is depressed and finds life painful, while he fights ardently with every step to survive. After the donation, Brian gets a fire in his spirit for religion, and Tina finds the strength to live. You will cry with them, and you will laugh with them on their inspiring journey through life together, apart, and together again. It's a complex interplay of ups and downs, as the donation and their lives make an indelible mark on countless others. “Since the struggles in life build character,” as Tina often puts it, you will come to understand that these two individuals grow up fast and offer a prayer of thanks to the God whom made them. SECOND CHANCE is an uplifting memoir that will move the spirit and immerse the soul in the nuances of life. This cathartic story ushers the reader into a kaleidoscope of experiences, both riveting and triumphant.

A woman desperate to turn a new page heads to the Scottish coast and finds herself locked in a battle of wills with an infuriatingly aloof bookseller in this utterly heartwarming debut, perfect for readers of Evvie Drake Starts Over. “Humor and charm abound. . . . [This] love story hits the spot.”—Publishers Weekly Thea Mottram is having a bad month. She’s been let go from her office job with no notice—and to make matters even worse, her husband of nearly twenty years has decided to leave her for one of her friends. Bewildered and completely lost, Thea doesn’t know what to do. But when she learns that a distant great uncle in Scotland has passed away, leaving her his home and a hefty antique book collection, she decides to leave Sussex for a few weeks. Escaping to a small coastal town where no one knows her seems to be exactly what she needs. Almost instantly, Thea becomes enamored with the quaint cottage, comforted by its cozy rooms and lovely but neglected garden. The locals in nearby Baldochrie are just as warm, quirky, and inviting. The only person she can’t seem to win over is bookshop owner Edward Maltravers, to whom she hopes to sell her uncle’s book collection. His gruff attitude—fueled by an infamous, long-standing feud with his brother, a local lord—tests Thea’s patience. But bickering with Edward proves oddly refreshing and exciting, leading Thea to develop feelings she hasn’t experienced in a long time. As she follows a thrilling yet terrifying impulse to stay in Scotland indefinitely, Thea realizes that her new life may quickly become just as complicated as the one she was running from.

Renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold once wrote, "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it does otherwise." Few have taken Leopold's vision more to heart than Steven I. Apfelbaum, who has, over the last thirty years, transformed his eighty-acre Stone Prairie Farm in Wisconsin into a biologically diverse ecosystem of prairie, wetland, spring-fed brook, and savanna. In healing his land, Apfelbaum demonstrates how humans might play a starring role in healing the planet.

Buying a winning lottery ticket, this single mother, Jessi Rae, her two daughters, and her two closest friends, dreams come true. For Jessi it was a Bed & Breakfast, in the country, along Lake Michigan. Her two closest friends, a boutique and coffee shop. Finding the perfect spot they combined their dream, but soon after getting settled in Jessi’s world took a major twist, when dreaming of a man getting murdered in a farmhouse. One night, coming home from her parents’ place, she and two her daughters got caught in a bad storm. Forced to take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse, she meets Craig, the troubled spirit of the man having been mistaken for his best friend. Now back to settle the score with the man who killed him, Craig needs Jessi’s help. One problem though, they had never planned on falling in love.

When taking a risk… is worth the wait! Life hasn’t been too kind to billionaire Sebastian Delfont or the intriguing woman he’s hired to organize his mansion in London’s prestigious Chelsea. Kitty Clements may be cautious and closed to love, yet she can’t help noticing there’s more to this reluctant billionaire than his intoxicating charm suggests. But after all their heartbreak, are they both ready to take another chance? “Sparks fly and passion flared. From Bridal Designer to Bride is an emotional roller coaster of a read. Author Kandy Shepherd tenderly weaved this story together and brought it alive on the pages. Highly recommended for all readers of romance.” -Goodreads “Their Royal Baby Gift is enchanting, charming, and utterly romantic. It's been a while since I've read a Harlequin Romance and this reminded me how much I love them and how I should read more of them. They are so heartwarming. They fill my heart and soul with joy, comfort, and warmth. Not to mention how wonderfully romantic they are.” -Goodreads

A charming, uplifting novel about love, loss, and finding your way in the world, perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and The Keeper of Lost Things. Emily can't remember the last time she left the house. Or spoke to anyone besides her grandmother, beloved children's author Catriona Robinson. After Catriona's death, Emily is at a complete loss . . . until she gets an unexpected letter from the woman she loved most. Catriona has revealed there might be one last, lost unpublished manuscript in her wildly popular book series. And she's left a secret diary and trail of clues that only Emily can follow. From London to Paris to Verona, Emily traces her grandmother's past, finding out more about her family -- and herself -- than she ever imagined possible. Hopeful and adventurous, The Book of Second Chances celebrates books and bookstores, the power of imagination, and having the courage to shape our own destinies.