Safe Haven

Product DescriptionWhen a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family. But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.About the AuthorNicholas Sparks is the author of 15 books. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and children. You can visit the author's web site at www. nicholassparks.com. In a small North Carolina town, a mysterious and beautiful woman running from her past slowly falls for a kind-hearted store owner... until dark secrets begin to threaten her new life.When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her... a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathetic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards... and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven. This book tells the story of romance lost and rediscovered and the wrenching decision one woman must make between loyalty and love. Every person's story has a beginning, middle and end, but the path that leads from one stage of life to the next is rarely predictable. Renee's journey begins when she is a carefree college student, studying in Italy with her best friend, Audrey. During that idyllic summer abroad, Renee meets a handsome local, and falls deeply in love. But like all summer romances, the affair comes to an end when she returns to North Carolina. Back home, Renee fulfills everyone's expectations including her own by marrying her longtime college boyfriend. Over the next two decades, she raises a family and lives a predictable, if in some ways unfulfilling life. When Audrey announces that she's dying of cancer, Renee drops everything to spend Audrey's last days by her side, unaware that her unconventional best friend still has a few surprises up her sleeve, surprises that will turn Renee's world upside down, and offer her a chance to re-live the choices of her past in a way she never dreamed possible When A Mysterious Young Woman Named Katie Appears In The Small North Carolina Town Of Southport, Her Sudden Arrival Raises Questions About Her Past. Beautiful Yet Self-effacing, Katie Seems Determined To Avoid Forming Personal Ties Until A Series Of Events Draws Her Into Two Reluctant Relationships: One With Alex, A Widowed Store Owner With A Kind Heart And Two Young Children; And Another With Her Plainspoken Single Neighbor, Jo. Despite Her Reservations, Katie Slowly Begins To Let Down Her Guard, Putting Down Roots In The Close-knit Community And Becoming Increasingly Attached To Alex And His Family. But Even As Katie Begins To Fall In Love, She Struggles With The Dark Secret That Still Haunts And Terrifies Her-- A Past That Set Her On A Fearful, Shattering Journey Across The Country, To The Sheltered Oasis Of Southport. With Jo's Empathic And Stubborn Support, Katie Eventually Realizes That She Must Choose Between A Life Of Transient Safety And One Of Riskier Rewards-- And That In The Darkest Hour, Love Is The Only True Safe Haven--from Author's Web Site. Nicholas Sparks.