Long Journey Home

Title: LONG JOURNEY HOME
Author: Sharlene MacLaren
Publisher: Whitaker House
2008
ISBN: 978-1-60374-056-2
Genre: Inspirational/romance

Callie May is still recovering from her marriage to an abusive husband. Thomas left her when he learned that she was pregnant, and moved from Illinois to Florida. Callie hopes he’ll never return. Now here daughter, Emily is eighteen months old, but Callie is still skittish around men.

Dan Mattson left his pastorate in East Michigan to move to Chicago and work construction when his wife and young daughter died in a terrible accident. He’s angry at God and has turned to alcohol to dull the pain. But the lovely Callie and her adorable daughter are worming their way into his heart.

When Thomas starts contacting Callie again, demanding money, Callie is worried and not quite sure what to do. She is barely making ends meet with a baby and her expenses and paying all her ex-husband’s debts. Besides, Dan’s anger is a big turn-off. Will Dan come to find God again? And is this enough for them to take a chance on love?

LONG JOURNEY HOME is the first contemporary book I’ve read by Ms. MacLaren, though I have read a few of her historical ones. I enjoyed getting to know Callie and Dan. Their situations are sadly realistic, and I found myself hoping they’d get past their hurts and negative behavior to find God.

The story is well-written with a strong faith message. Readers suffering through the ending of a marriage – either by death or divorce – will identify with these characters and possibly even find healing. Don’t miss LONG JOURNEY HOME. $9.99. 338 pages.