Then Came Heaven

Can love survive a shattering loss? A grief-stricken widower learns to open his heart again in this touching and emotionally charged novel� Late summer, Browerville, Minnesota, 1950: Life is just about perfect for Eddie Olczak. A devoted husband and father, a man of unshakable faith, he derives intense pleasure from the life he's built with his beloved wife, Krystyna, and their two daughters, and from his work as dedicated handyman for St. Joseph's, the Catholic church that is the cornerstone of Browerville. But when a tragic accident cuts Krystyna's life short, Eddie is sure his heart is broken forever. As friends and relatives rally around the family in the dark days that follow, there is one person who is unable to express what the loss of Krystyna means to her. Sister Regina, the girls' teacher at St. Joseph's school, has always felt a special affinity for the family. Yet her religious vows prevent her from becoming too close to them, even in their time of need. Now, the strict rules of the Benedictine sisterhood, which once gave her life a sense of meaning, chafe at her. As Sister Regina and Eddie Olczak continue to cross paths, they realize there is something between them�a connection that somehow goes beyond their shared love of Krystyna and the girls. Thrilled�and secretly frightened�they both must summon the courage to look within their hearts and make their own choices. A Literary Guild Main Selection From Library Journal This just in: the story of a young widower with two little girls and the nun whose urge to help them makes her question her vows. Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. Review Praise for the novels of LaVyrle Spencer �A superb story.��*Los Angeles Times �You will never forget the incredible beauty of LaVyrle�s gifted pen.�� Affaire de Coeur* �Spencer, famous for her heart-rending slices of Americana, delivers the goods again.�� Publishers Weekly Can love survive a shattering loss? Browerville, Minnesota, 1950: Life is just about perfect for Eddie Olczak. A man of unshakable faith, he derives intense pleasure from the life he's built. He cherishes his wife, Krystyna, their daughters, Anne and Lucy, and his job as handyman for St. Joseph's, the Catholic church that is the cornerstone of Browerville life. But when a tragic accident cuts Krystyna's life short, Eddie is sure his heart is broken forever. The love she lavished on her family, the way she combed the girls' hair, the way she greeted Eddie at the end of the day-all the precious gifts she gave are gone. The town rallies to provide support, but there is one member of the community who is unable to express what Krystyna's loss has meant to her. Sister Regina, the girls' teacher at St. Joseph's, has always felt a special affinity for the Olczaks. But her vows prevent her from becoming too close--even in their time of need. Sister Regina has always tried to reaffirm her commitment when the strict rules of the sisterhood chafe at her. But with time, as she and Eddie grow to know each other better--and find a connection that goes beyond their shared love of Krystyna and the girls--she faces a difficult challenge. And both of them must summon the courage to look within their own hearts and make their own choices ... A grief-stricken widower learns to open his heart again in this touching and emotionally charged novel from New York Times bestselling author LaVyrle Spencer... A man of unshakable faith, Eddie Olczak derives intense pleasure from the life he's built with his beloved wife, Krystyna, and their two daughters. But when a tragic accident cuts Krystyna's life short, Eddie is sure his heart is broken forever. Sister Regina, the girls'teacher at St. Joseph's school, has always felt a special affinity for the Olczak family, but the strict rules of the Benedictine sisterhood have kept her from getting too close. Now, as Sister Regina and Eddie cross paths, they realize there is a connection between them that goes beyond their shared love of Krystyna and the girls. Thrilled—and secretly frightened—they must summon the courage to look within their hearts and make their own choices. From the bestselling author of "Small Town Girl" and "Family Blessings" comes a novel of hope and salvation--the author's last. Set during the 1950s in small town Minnesota, a young man is left with the challenge of raising his two daughters when his wife is killed in a tragic accident. The girls' teacher, a nun who has always been uncertain of her calling, offers her help to the grieving widower. The rest is classic Spencer A nun falls in love with the father of two girls she teaches in the Polish community of 1950s Browerville, Minnesota. It happens after the girl's mother is killed in an accident. A tale of frustrated desire, until she leaves the Church for him Cyril Case was making the daily run from St. Cloud to Cass Lake, sitting up high on his box seat in engine number two-eighty-two. When Eddie Olczak's wife dies and he discovers a special connection with Sister Regina, both of them face important decisions