Long Way Gone is one of those stories that very quickly becomes a treasured masterpiece on your bookshelf. I know that it certainly will be for me. Its one of those books that has such depth of emotion behind the underlying story that you find yourself sitting quietly pondering passages. The first person point of view instantly makes Coop not only relatable but also an all-around likeable guy. Martin very quickly establishes the strong bond between father and son which becomes critical as the story progresses. The depth of love, devotion, and hope that Coops father has for him brought me to tears more times than I can count, as did the evident remorse Coop lives with daily. Martin deftly redirects the ending from what the reader is anticipating (which again made me cry!). He also beautifully ties Coops fathers message that he can always come home to Gods message to us that we are never too far away from Him that he wouldnt welcome us back. Loved this book. I can certainly see why it won the 2017 Christy Award for Book of they Year.

"Music is a gift. We make it to give away."

It took Cooper "Peg" O'Connor decades to learn what his father had been faithfully demonstrating for years; "(when you play a song)you're giving them something that no amount of money can buy . . . . . . hope." His journey took him from the mountains of Colorado and a life filled with tent revivals to the street corners of Nashville, Tennessee, where lots of people could play an instrument, but seldom offered the gift of music. Until Cooper meets Daley Cross, the voice that his prodigious fingers were meant to play.

And then he understood, albeit too late, this side of eternity. Years of regret and a sizable bank account could not replace what Cooper had "long way gone". He could only chose to live the extended life that he had been given, ultimately discovering that the God who had waited patiently every step of the way, could take his heart and seal it, offering him unconditional love; for the prodigal had come all the way home.

This is kind of book, that the more times it is read, will delve its melody deeper into the recesses of your heart, as it gives itself away.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Really enjoyed this read. The writing style is so different, and the storyline is incredibly well done. Giving this five stars because it touched my heart and brought a tear or two. Very few books do that.

The characters seem so real, and the plot ( though not original) is so very touching. This was my first by this author, but I don't expect it will be my last. This had a strong faith theme...and a bit of the unseen spiritual world.

Recommend.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This book was such a pleasant surprise! Martin is a new-to-me author, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was completely drawn into the story. Packed full of emotion, this modern day prodigal son story really tugs at the heartstrings.

Plot: Cooper O'Connor grew up in the shadow of his father, a tent revival preacher. At eighteen, following an argument with his father, Cooper steals his favorite guitar and money , taking off for Nashville in search of his big break. Things don't go as planned, but his pride won't let Cooper go crawling back to his father. As he gradually scrapes his way to the top, he meets Daley Cross, an amazingly talented singer. Cooper shares a song he wrote with Daley which turns into a big hit. Tragedy strikes, ruining Cooper's chances to win Daley's heart and the two go their separate ways. Many years later, they're reunited when Cooper returns home, but it may be too late for him to reconcile.

The story's told through Cooper's point of view. I enjoyed how it was divided into parts, telling both the past and the present, so the reader learns all about the events that have shaped Cooper's life. As a music lover, I really enjoyed the in depth look at some music history. And how about that gorgeous cover? I love the subtle way they made the road and guitar blend together.

Recommendation: I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction with a great message of hope and redemption. I found it comparable to Nicholas Sparks. I'd suggest making sure you have plenty of tissues handy, as you'll probably need them several times. I will definitely be looking to read more books from this author.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the Thomas Nelson Fiction Guild. This review is my honest opinion.

If you are looking for a biblically based, spirtually moving, beautifully written story, this is the one in a million. It is a book that reminds you of our FATHER's great love. A book that makes you remember to worship out loud. No matter your stray from the path, you are never to far for the FATHER's love to reach you. "Long Way Gone", you should try it!