The Awful Mess: A Love Story (. Dieser Artikel ist nicht verfügbar.The Awful Mess: A Love Story (

WHAT IF THE DREAM YOU GAVE UP ON FINALLY comes true, but at the worst possible time?

Mary needs to start over after the divorce her ex blamed on her infertility. A newcomer in tiny, affordable Lawson, New Hampshire, all she wants is peace and quiet and maybe a cat. But the unhappily-married Episcopal priest and a handsome bachelor cop in his congregation seem interested in more than just saving her heathen soul. And everyone else in town can’t help looking on with interest.

Soon Mary’s keeping a scandalous secret at great cost to her happiness. Worse, her deteriorating ex-husband threatens what little she has left. But Mary’s new connections may provide not only shocking risks, but unexpected blessings.

THE AWFUL MESS is a warm and witty exploration of faith, skepticism, gay rights, nosy neighbors, and the emotional challenges of second chance romance.

Includes questions for discussion.

PRAISE FOR THE AWFUL MESS

"THE AWFUL MESS is a wonderful read!" -- Julia Spencer-Fleming, author of IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

"It puts me in mind of Jane Austen, the moral mathematics here.... It renews me as a reader, to enjoy a book so much; and as a writer, see it done so well." -- Tim Farrington, author of THE MONK DOWNSTAIRS

"Whether you're the kind of reader who reads on the run, devouring delicious novels and never looking back, or the kind of reader who savors beautiful language, ironic dialogue and subtle commentary on the human condition, you will fall in love with the heroine of this book by the end of page one. Wonderfully written and slyly plotted, The Awful Mess follows the emotional and spiritual journey of Mary Bellamy from loneliness and rejection to love and redemption with surprising twists and turns." -- Lucia Nevai, author of SALVATION

FROM THE AUTHOR

The sex and language warning: This book has a couple of sex scenes in it and some bad language. The current ebook and audio editions are slightly less graphic than this paperback edition.

The religion warning: While this book contains religious themes, if you require piety and reverence in such matters, this is not the book for you. Skeptics should be able to cope.Note: Although this book now belongs to a series that follows some of the same characters later in life, it is complete and stands alone.

And finally, a series note: This novel stands alone, but does have sequels also set in Lawson (some years later). They continue the lives of some of these characters, and add others.

SANDRA HUTCHISON's career has long shifted between teaching, writing, editing, marketing, and advertising, all of which she enjoys. She founded Sheer Hubris Press in 2013 so she could try using all these skills at the same time. Born and raised in the Tampa Bay area, she survived a transplant to Western Massachusetts in high school and has stayed in cooler climes ever since. She now lives with her family in the capital region of New York, where she teaches writing at Hudson Valley Community College.