Author Wade Rouse

We are thrilled to be welcoming one of our favorite authors, Wade Rouse back to the store this summer. Wade has written his second novel, The Hope Chest, as Viola Shipman which is an homage to his grandmother. Wade will visit for a wine and cheese reception on Thursday, July 27 at  6 p.m. This is a free wine and cheese event in the store and reservations are suggested. For more information, or to reserve your space, please contact us at 231.347.1180 or send us an email.
The discovery of one woman’s heirloom hope chest unveils precious memories and helps three people who have each lost a part of themselves find joy once again.
Ever since she was diagnosed with ALS, fiercely independent Mattie doesn’t feel like herself. She can’t navigate her beloved home, she can’t go for a boat ride, and she can barely even feed herself. Her devoted husband, Don, doesn’t want to imagine life without his wife of nearly fifty years, but Mattie isn’t likely to make it past their anniversary.
But when Rose, Mattie’s new caretaker, and her young daughter, Jeri, enter the couple’s life, happiness and the possibility for new memories return. Together they form a family, and Mattie is finally able to pass on her memories from the hope chest she received from her mother.
With each item—including a favorite doll, family dishes, an embroidered apron, and an antique Christmas ornament—the hope chest connects Mattie, Don and Rose to each other and helps them find hope again in the face of overwhelming life challenges.
A beautiful story about the unconditional love and support of family, The Hope Chest will remind you that hope can be found where and when you least expect it.
Viola Shipman is a pen name for Wade Rouse, a popular, award-winning memoirist. Rouse chose his grandmother’ s name, Viola Shipman, to honor the woman whose charm bracelet and family stories inspired him to write his debut novel, The Charm Bracelet, recently chosen as a Michigan Notable Book for 2017. Rouse lives in Michigan and writes regularly for People and Coastal Living, among other places, and is a contributor to "All Things Considered." To date, The Charm Bracelet has been translated into nine languages.