Seattle:
Can you pinpoint one decision, one moment, one action that changed your life forever? We all have definable moments that shape who we are and the path we follow, but sometimes other people make that decision for us. In A Marriage in Middlebury
(Abingdon Press/November 5, 2013/ISBN: 978-1-4267-3387-1/$14.99), Anita Higman weaves a heartwarming tale of how one choice takes a woman down an unexpected path to forgiveness.
At a young age, Charlotte Rose Hill thought she found the man she would marry: Sam Wilder. But when Sam proposed, Charlotte rejected his offer. Despite her love for Sam, she bowed to the pressures from Sam's family to break off their relationship. Sam and Charlotte went their separate ways, neither understanding the real reasons why.
More than a decade later, Charlotte is comfortable with her life; she owns her own tea shop, serving up the country delicacies, uniquely blended teas and matchmaking advice for her dedicated customers. The only thing lacking is someone to share it with. So when Sam Wilder walks into her tearoom one day, Charlotte is stunned and speechless. Even though it seems too good to be true, Charlotte begins to hope for the future they could have had together. However, those hopes quickly vanish when she learns Sam didn't come alone.
Sam's arrival, despite having a fiancée draped on his arm, stirs up old feelings for Charlotte, and she can't help but remember the past. Torn between her heart and her mind, Charlotte struggles to squelch her dreams of a life with Sam and instead be a supportive friend. When the truth comes out about why they had to break off their relationship, will they be able to forgive and forget? Will it push them farther apart or closer together?
Returning to a favorite theme of forgiveness and reconciliation, Higman develops a beautiful story that illustrates how we should handle situations when life doesn't go as expected. "Forgiveness is not easy, but it's the only way to live free," Higman explains. "It helps to remember that forgiveness is what God offered us when we sinned against Him."
Centered around Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight,"A Marriage in Middleburyshares the importance of trusting God during life's storms.
Praise for A Marriage in Middlebury
"Nothing makes for a better romance novel than second chances, misunderstandings, and tension-filled bad timing, and that's exactly what tearoom owner Charlotte Rose Hill experiences in Anita Higman's lovely new novel,A Marriage in Middlebury. When Charlotte's old beau returns to the quaint town, fiancée in tow, you'd think the old sparks would be snuffed out. Think again. Higman has created an ensemble of characters both romantic and quirky, and the greatest pleasure in reading the book is that all of their stories matter."
~ Trish Perry, author of The Perfect Blend and Tea for Two
"An exquisite love story! A Marriage in Middlebury offers readers the perfect blend of sweet and savory with a variety of humorous twists and intriguing turns throughout. This beautifully written tale touched me in deep places while lifting my spirits every step of the way. Highly recommended!"
~ Janice Thompson, author of the Weddings by Bella series
"Anita Higman is an up-and-comer in Christian fiction. Her storytelling has an appealing light touch that blends beautifully with interesting and quirky backgrounds and all the drama good romance should have. In A Marriage in Middlebury, you'll almost see the flickering candles, taste the tearoom delicacies, and sway to the rhythmic music that pleasantly transports you along Sam and Charlotte's star-crossed road toward the happy ending Charlotte's been dreaming about her whole life."
~ Sandra D. Bricker, award-winning and best-selling author of Laugh-Out-Loud fiction, including the Another Emma Rae Creation series
"What a delightful story! From the first page of A Marriage in Middlebury, I cared about the characters, and I felt right at home in this charming setting. I would love to join her heroine Charlotte for an afternoon tea and chat about her past and current feelings for Sam. I've been a long-time Anita Higman fan, and this book delivered everything I've come to expect."
~ Debby Mayne, author of the Class Reunion series: Pretty Is as Pretty Does, Bless Her Heart, & Tickled Pink