MADISON, Wis. - "Hibernal" (ISBN 1463681615), a novel by Kurt Haberl, tells the story of Robbie Holt, a small-town boy who seeks to make his way in the realm of politics but instead makes dangerous compromises along the way, sparking rivalry and setting off a chain of events that threatens to destroy him. By the time Robbie realizes that selling out to earn a place of power is not for him, he has learned too many secrets and becomes a liability to some powerful enemies. When an ambitious senator hires a mysterious woman to insert herself into Robbie's life and drive him to despair, she will go head to head with Angela, Robbie's beautiful but insecure wife who discovers new reserves of strength in her quest to save her husband. Running to the north woods to escape the conflict, Robbie meets Gwen, a biologist and mystic, who opens his eyes to the importance of love and encourages him to return home and reclaim his life. "The novel's themes of ambition as a false goal, love redeemed and how choices can have dire consequences offer unique insight into human psychology," says Haberl. Inspired by the classic Shakespeare play about love and jealousy, "A Winter's Tale," Haberl adapted the themes into a more realistic story for a contemporary audience. Written to engage and entertain, the novel is intended for readers who enjoy a mix of suspense and romance and well-developed characters with realistic motivations. "Hibernal" is available for sale online at Amazon.com and other channels.