Bridges to New Beginnings by David Freligh

Middle-aged Kim Johnson has created her own style of "witness protection program" and has ended up in Winterset, Iowa to start her new life. The product of a deaf and alcoholic mother; segueing into a disastrous marriage, she has finally escaped and is ready to remake her life. Coming from California, the middle of the midwest is extreme culture shock, yet a welcome from Kim's previous life. She gets a job, rents an apartment and begins to make many friends. One of these is a well-adjusted deaf young woman who plans to marry her childhood sweetheart and lives with her shy dad. Mom is out of the picture. Kim's journey to peace in her life, the desire to forgive and be forgiven, is heading in the right direction. Will Kim be able to be content in the middle of Iowa? Can she forgive her mother? Will she apologize to her ex-husband? Is there a chance for a new life for Kim? A pretty good read.