Kathyrn Wall, Author

"Staci Stallings knows the human heart and is not afraid to explore its deepest yearnings. The Long Way Home is a story of love, not just between a man and a woman, although that is its central theme, but also of family, place, and community. With crisp dialogue and a sure hand on the pulse of her characters, Stallings weaves a memorable story of one man's search for his true home."

Kathryn R. Wall, author
In For a Penny, And Not a Penny More, and
Perdition House (Spring 2003)

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Tracy Albiston

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!

Reviewed by Tracy Albiston Tracy's Book Nook

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Jan Springer , Author

Ami Martin is pursuing her life long dream of renovating the family farm she just inherited into a bed and breakfast. Things however are not rosy. Her family is dead set against her dream. She's quickly running out of time because a judge has ruled she must rent out the rooms before a certain date. If she can't, she will be forced to sell her magical farmhouse and hand over part of the money to her greedy father. The last thing she needs right now is a distraction and newcomer Jaxton Anderson is a very big distraction.

Jaxton Anderson has always had trouble saying no to his father. When his dad asks him to go to Jackson's grandfather's rural Kansas farm on business, Jaxton reluctantly agrees. Leaving the hustle and bustle of city life, Jaxton comes face to face with culture shock and finds himself in a love-hate relationship with everyone he meets, especially Ami Martin, his grandfather's very outspoken neighbour.

Staci Stallings paints a stunning portrayal of a woman determined to follow her dreams and the selfish, arrogant, city snob who at first is in the way but soon finds his way to being a romantic hero that readers will cheer for and love. The Long Way Home shows a person's worth is not based on how much money one makes but on how one treats themselves and others. With respect, honesty and love. These values are the greatest success a person can reach. The Long Way Home is an uplifting, soul-searching ride every reader will enjoy and perhaps learn a lesson or two along the way.

Reviewed by Jan Springer, Romantic Suspense Author (Reviewer for A Romantic Interlude)

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Vickie McDonough

Jaxton Anderson can't believe it when he's yanked from his high-power city job and sent by his father to a Kansas farming community to tie up the estate of his estranged grandfather, who is near death. But Jaxton soon realizes that Grandpa Snyder is not dying anytime soon, and he is not the ogre his family made him out to be. Besides, Grandpa's spunky neighbor has caught Jaxton's eye, and he can't quit thinking about the stubborn young woman.

Ami Martin has one goal-to make her family home into a bed and breakfast. But she is on a deadline to get it up and running or the home will be sold to satisfy her greedy father. When the dashing, but arrogant, Jaxton Anderson comes to town, Ami is fuming. His whole family refused to visit when Mr. Snyder was hospitalized, but now that they think he is near death, the vultures are circling.

Jaxton is sure Ami hates him, but he doesn't know why. When he makes a stupid mistake that nearly costs Ami her life, Jaxton becomes determined to help her until she recovers. Working side-by-side to get Ami's business off the ground, they develop a tolerant relationship. As the days go by, Jaxton quickly loses his heart. But the longer he stays in Kansas, the more dissatisfied he becomes with his life.

The Long Way Home is a charming tale of love and reconciliation. Both of the main characters travel through a heart wrenching metamorphous as they learn to lean on one another, trust and find love. Staci Stallings has penned a skillful mix of romance, soul-searching, crises and hope to make The Long Road Home a pleasant, enjoyable story. Her characters will reside in your heart long after you've finished the book.

Reviewed by Vickie McDonough, A Word on Romance and Christian Writers Web

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Jaxton, the second never-can-do-anything-right son, of a corporate giant, long ago gave up his dreams to please his hard-driving father. Emulating his father, Jaxton has evaluated everything and everyone one the basis of what they can do for him, for his career and for his bank account. Money is the sum of worth.

He is angry when his father sends him to Kansas, of all places, to discover the value of his elderly grandfather's estate.

Very quickly, Jaxton realizes his values don't impress the honest, hard-working people of the rural area. The more he clashes with the neighbor, who is trying to fix up her country home as a bed and breakfast, the more he sees the generosity and caring of his grandfather, the more Jaxton understands how bankrupt his life has really been.

But, can Jaxton discover the true worth of his grandfather, before he loses what's most important of all?

A story obviously from the heart of the author, has likable characters and a plot that keeps the reader turning pages.

The faith element is subtle, but still an integral part of the story. It is well worth the read.

Carolyn Scheidies --iVillage Book Reviews

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THE LONG WAY HOME may be one of the most heartwarming books you will read. It is about family love, community and one man's journey to find happiness.Jaxton falls in love with Ami along the way and she falls in love with him. Ami must also take her own journey to discover her feelings about her father.There are obstacles along the way but they find strength and use their faith,a new experience for Jaxton. It is rich in characters and dialogue and is filled with laughs and tears. (5 Stars)

-- Hatie Boyd, ScribesWorld

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G.D. Stewart

The Long Way Home is an adventure of love and reconciliation, and each of its central characters; Ami, Jaxton, and Jaxton’s grandfather, must make difficult decisions in order to realize his or her dreams. There are episodes of hilarity, of danger, of conflict and crisis and, finally, moments of hope. Staci Stallings spins this heartwarming tale in touch with the human soul, establishing herself as an excellent storyteller, who is sure to be one of the most noted romance novelist of our time. This book will do well on the shelves of the serious reader. It’s one you’ll find hard to put down, anticipating each turn of the page. She takes you through one seemingly familiar turn of life after another in this compelling book, captivating you with each heart-wrenching experience of joy and pain. Staci Stallings writes from a deep knowledge and love of the Flint Hills, and with a compassionate understanding of everyday people caught up in larger-than-life struggles. Her characters, and their story, will reside in your heart long after you have finished the last chapter of The Long Way Home.

Reviewed by G.D. Stewart, Publicist

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