Haven

When Sheryl leaves her big-city job and relocates to a rural New Hampshire town with her two companions, Maggie the aging Labrador and Girlie, the cat, her dream of writing poetry while maintaining the idyllic quiet life becomes more muddled than she bargained for after she discovers a packet of ancient vegetable seeds tucked away on a shelf in her new barn.

"Set in a small town in New Hampshire, Ikins has created a thriller that will intrigue. Her knowledge of gardening and poetry form the fabric of mystery as two unlikely companions navigate the secret of the Haven house. Life-transition meets coming-of-age in this tale of love and friendship. Humans and pets alike confront conflict as the plot moves quickly to an ending that is sure to surprise."
--Mary Jumbelic, M.D., Forensic Pathologist and Author of Here, Where Death Delights

"Haven begins with an observation about the way we connect imagery to emotion that swings open the doors of a Gothic horror that runs up your neck before you're able to react. The inner dialog from the heroine of this tale, a recently widowed woman that will survive while balancing the doubts that so many of us deal with; has a strong message of spirit. This tale has poetry and humor as familiar and comforting as a lover's article of clothing left behind that's become talisman. The type of story best read in a circle of friends, passed after each chapter read, lights turned down low, and a hint of oil on the lone light bulb."
--Len Germinara, Poet and Author of Decamerooned & Back Story