The Long Way Home

Rating:
Summary: Winner of the WordWeaving Award for Excellence
Review: The beauty of the rolling hills of the Kansas Foot Hills is initially lost on Jaxton Anderson. He only wants to fulfill his task and be on his way. His grandfather's recent heart attack has led the family to inquire regarding his grandfather's will and related worth of his ranch. Jaxon's resolve to quickly return to his "real life" in Chicago soon gives way to something more, however, when a foolish decision forces self-examination and self-honesty. Further, seeing neighboring Ami Martin's need inspires him to growth beyond his wildest imagination. Now Jaxton finds himself torn between the father and the life he left behind, and a place and a woman that claims his heart.

When her own grandfather died, it was Jaxon's grandfather who encouraged Ami Martin to fulfill her dream. Her grandfather's home is the only home she has ever known. Unfortunately, her father intends to sell it out from under her. Nevertheless, Ami dreams of transforming the property into a bed and breakfast -- a place of romance and beauty for the world-weary. Jaxton initially represents the city and the values Ami abhors. But when he insists upon making restitution, and then continues to help her to realize her dreams, they both learn to leave behind the bitterness and disillusionment that encumbers their lives.

Author Staci Stallings creates an inspirational romance in THE LONG WAY HOME that proves that a romance need not contain graphic sex to provide a beautiful story. Jaxton is a flawed hero, guilty of tragic mistakes, who grows to someone extraordinary. Ami struggles issues with self-esteem, family, and economics to come to believe in hope and dreams. Ordinary struggles with pain of destructive family relationships, struggles with self-esteem, and financial challenges lend heart-rending yet realistic challenges. Further, themes of transformation and redemption provide a spiritual foundation without overwhelming the narrative. Indeed, the author gives the novel a heart of goodness amidst the flaws that make us human. THE LONG WAY HOME earns the WordWeaving Award for Excellence.

Rating:
Summary: Review by Tracy of www.tracysbooknook.com
Review: 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!