Staci Stallings

The Long Way Home

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Upon first impression, Jaxton Anderson is a character you'll love to hate. His city-bred arrogance and selfishness gets under the skin of the reader as well as character, Ami Martin. In his eyes, Ami is just some attractive but obstinate country girl, quite unlike the more sophisticated girls he undoubtedly knows in the city. In fact, the sooner he fulfills the mission his father sent him on, the sooner he can leave hicksville and head back to the real action that he's missing out on. Were it not for the author's ability to allows us to know what he is feeling in honest and direct ways so that we can feel the nausea he feels when he is confronted by his own sin and depravity, we would continue to dislike him. However, his charms win over more than just Ami in this romance.

Jaxton's best laid plans are waylaid when he meets his grandfather again after many years. Finding him in an old and decrepit house does much to convince him that there is no gold mine waiting here. But the "gold" is not in wealth or riches, but strength of character as Jaxton slowly learns. His grandfather stands for trust, compassion, and genuine love for his fellow neighbour. Will Jaxton stick around long enough to learn the wisdom his grandfather has to share? Will he learn that love and friendship can define a family more than blood and inheritance? That personal character is more valuable than earthly possessions? Will good old fashioned hard work alongside the lovely and determined Ami Martin break down the defenses of his heart so he can experience true love and a deep faith?

Staci Stallings writes with a wit and humour possessed by few. Her characters are strong, likable and easy to relate to. They inspire the reader to strive for more in our own lives. The wisdom and noble compassion of the grandfather remind us of the desire we have for a wise grandfatherly figure like Mr. S. in our own lives. The dreams shared by Ami are ones which make the reader reconsider whether we are dreaming big enough for with God all things are possible.

This author has many beautifully created phrases and descriptive images that remind one of a chocolate wafer you want to savor and taste over and over. For example:

"Heaven wrapped around him for a moment as his gaze traveled through the trees right into the arms of God Himself, and an undeniable peace filled the room." (The Long Way Home, pg. 234)

I would have liked to have seen full reconciliation between Mr. Snyder (the grandfather) and his own children, but perhaps that would have crossed the line from believable into contrived. Clearly, this novel shows that sometimes the choices we make are wrong or too late and we can only hope to make things right on the other side in heaven.

This delightful and spunky novel will have you reading from cover to cover. I had shivers of delight rolling up my spine several times as I devoured page after page. This novel leaves you sighing and reliving the love story in your mind. Surely Staci Stallings is one of the leading authors of inspirational romance today!

Go out and read this book today!! A good love story that does not disappoint!