Ben Raymond's world turns upside down when a mysterious fire destroys his home. Upon hearing the rebuild will take a year, Ben searches for answers while living with twelve different friends. Each month becomes a unique chapter in Ben's life, woven with painful lessons, traumatic events, deep conversations, and the quest for love.
Twelve Beds is an emotional journey of heartbreak and strong friendships tested by adversity. In its pages, both Ben Raymond and readers are challenged by the question: what is a good life? Perhaps, there is good and bad in every life choice and knowing the difference will reveal the key to happiness.
David Knudson lives with Dawn Marie near the shores of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis, within walking distance of his two daughters and their families. His life career as an educator began in Mexico City, was delayed by a period in the US Army, and was followed by decades as a counselor at Eden Prairie High School. David's next chapter of life spanned the globe as he worked at the International School of Vienna and as a cast member of Alt For Norge, a television show in Norway.
The author considers himself an ordinary man trying to live an extraordinary life. An avid Letterman fan, David emulates the phrase, "Fun follows me around." Twelve Beds is his first novel. Fascinated with the human condition, David's goal was to write a novel that touched upon an array of emotional relationships. During one fateful conversation on a balcony in Belize, David wondered what a person would do if their home was lost in a fire. Thus, Twelve Beds was born.
"Twelve Beds is a beautifully written, powerful, and provocative novel that will grab you by surprise. I found myself captivated by Ben Raymond's bewitching odyssey to find love and redemption." - Daniel Ihnat, MD FACS & Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery, Chief, Vascular Surgery University of Minnesota, Minneapolis VAMC LTC(Ret) USAF Reserve
"David Knudson recounts the moving and entertaining tale of Ben, whose loss is redeemed by a self-imposed 12-month journey through his past. As he revisits old friends and lovers, he faces up to the person he was and the person he wants to be. In Knudson's deft hands, Ben comes to life as that friend you'd love to catch up with over a cup of coffee." - Susan Hamre, Twin Cities writer and editor, first woman editor of a national music magazine, “Request”
"Twelve Beds is a compelling and realistic tale told by a gifted storyteller. Reading the novel, I felt like I was with the author, and he was telling me the story." - Gerald W. Timm, PHD, Professor of Urology and Engineering, University of Minnesota
