The Fifth Season

"Very few stories are written by or about speech-languagepathologists. Rose has written a gem, a story about a lonely widow, asupportive friend, a passionate lover, a faithful Christian, an involvedmother, and a determined individual repurposing her life after tragedystrikes. If you don't understand what a speech-language pathologist doesbefore you read this book, you certainly will when you have finishedit. If you are a speech-language pathologist, you'll delight in this storyabout one of us who helps others regain the ability to communicate at workwhile she regains her ability to love at home. I can't wait for thesequel!"Christy Strole, M.S.,CCC/SLP, past presidentIllinoisSpeech-Language-Hearing AssociationWidowed speech-languagepathologist Maren Kepple packs her youngest son off to college and decides toset new professional goals. She accepts a contract at a hospital near Chicago, leaves thesecurity of working in the public schools of Edgelawn, and commutes to work She is challenged by patientswith medical communication and swallowing disorders and intimidated by hospitalpolitics. She receives support from old friends in Edgelawn, and a youngsurgeon with a growing interest in medical missions, at the hospital. Maren becomes romanticallyinvolved with two men, one in the city and one in her home town. She is unableto make a commitment to either, causing her life to be painfully divided. When her son becomes involved in a cult, a sequence ofevents transpires that leads her to make decisions that set her on a new coursepersonally and professionally.Native American legendand poetry frame this unforgettable story and give clues about the conclusion.Long after the last page has been turned you will find yourself wondering whatthese compelling characters are doing now, in the next phase of their lives.