From the Ruins by Kristen M. Fraser

Something beautiful from something broken.
Who am I? What am I supposed to be doing now? What is God’s plan for my life?

Since becoming a widow, these questions have plagued Sandra Tolbrook to the point where she feels completely lost without her soul mate. After an ankle injury forces her to sell the family home, her three children convince her to move into Summerset Resort, a retirement village for over-50’s. With a tennis court, swimming pool and cinema, the resort had sounded so perfect when she signed on the dotted line. But now, she’s not so sure …

Damien Kensington is Summerset Resort’s most eligible bachelor, according to some of the other retirees nearby. It doesn’t sit well with him, given the past he’s not proud of, the past he tries to keep hidden – but good-naturedly, he takes the title in his stride. It’s not until he meets the new widow two streets away that he realises something has been missing from his life.
When Sandra’s children suggest she step out of her comfort zone and start living again, a road trip to North Queensland seems to be the perfect solution. But surely she can’t do that … at her age! Or with Summerset Resort’s most eligible bachelor! What would people say?! A pastor’s widow travelling with another man – imagine the scandal!

But the road trip may be just what Sandra and Damien need. Along with exploring beautiful parts of Australia, they discover a wonderful friendship, a deeper faith, and an abandoned house which might just be the answer to Sandra’s prayers.