Return To Paradise

by Tim Speer

A place where prayer, faith, hope, love, and little miracles come together. Return To Paradise is the story of a physical detour that turns in to a spiritual journey. A detour and a freak accident result in David finding himself in the small farming community of Spring River. Is David's arrival in Spring River purely happenstance, or is there a reason for him to be there? As David learns more about the corrupt practices of the local bank he must decide what role, if any, he will play in trying to stop the foreclosures. Complicating his decision is Sarah, a local waitress. With plans to only be in town a couple of days, David knows that Sarah will likely be just a passing acquaintance. But is that all she really is to him? Through prayer and faith, the town of Spring River is given new hope. Through prayer and learning to surrender to God's will, David is shown the path that God has for him.

Genres: Fiction

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 6, 2015

About the author

Tim Speer lives in Midland, Texas, with his beautiful wife. They have two grown children. His hobbies include hiking, photography, mineral collecting, and astronomy – essentially enjoying all of God’s creation from crystals that come from deep inside the earth, to celestial objects in the deepest regions of outer space.

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the new cover! I judge a book first and foremost by the story, and I really like this story. It's one that makes me hopeful there are still good, honest people willing to help those that have been taken advantage of. There's a soft spot in my heart for farmers who lose their farms because of poor lending practices, tax laws, eminent domain, or any reason out of the control of the landowners.

My inner editor wanted to suggest some of the narration be changed to "show" versus "tell," but I much prefer narration over excessive dialogue found in some novels (romance in particular) that's too often used to tell rather than show.

I also enjoy reading a male author handling a male character's romantic inclinations as he remains focused on a task, which I find to be true to most men I've known.

If you are Catholic, you'll appreciate the Catholic references and explanations of elements of the faith found in the dialogue. If you are not Catholic, you may still appreciate learning more about Catholics.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I judge a book first and foremost by the story, and I like this story. It's one that makes me hopeful there are still good, honest people willing to help those that have been taken advantage of. There's a soft spot in my heart for farmers who lose their farms because of poor lending practices, tax laws, eminent domain, or any reason out of the control of the landowners.

My inner editor wanted to suggest some of the narration be changed to "show" versus "tell," but I much prefer narration over excessive dialogue found in some novels (romance in particular) that's too often used to tell rather than show.

I also enjoy reading a male author handling a male character's romantic inclinations as he remains focused on a task, which I find to be true to most men I've known.

If you are Catholic, you'll appreciate the Catholic references and explanations of elements of the faith found in the dialogue. If you are not Catholic, you may still appreciate learning more about Catholics.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I would like to express my thanks and deep appreciation for the gift of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would guess that the author may be surprised to know I am an atheist :O So I will start off by saying I recommend this book to Christians ;) Its the story of an ordinary guy named David Martin who ends up in a town called Spring River after an accident. There, he meets a waitress and finds out that many of the locals are about to face serious money problems. People are faced with decisions big and small in life, so some believe that we need to submit to God's Will in all things. The story tries to explain why God's will for us can be such a mystery and that you don't need to wear yourself out trying to figure out the "mysteries" of life. Overall, a good read & touches on life's major subjects in a positive light.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you start making plans, God has His plan to use you somewhere else. This was a wonderfully written story about the power of prayer, listening and paying heed when God speaks to you, God's timing, and how all things work together. Not a heavy read, very enjoyable - so enjoyable that once I started, I read right to the end! I appreciated the explanation of some of the differences between the Catholic and Protestant beliefs and showing that there is room for both to live together peaceably. I received a copy of this book for my honest review.

[Viktoria Faust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coincidence will make young David to stop in a small town on his way to a college homecoming, and chance will make him overstay. Just enough to find glimpses of possible future love and some dirty games played by dishonest men, threatening to destroy the lives of the citizens of this small town. So David will employ all his powers trying to right a wrong.
This is well written story that reads well. It has good caracter build, caring the massage that good will prevail even seemingly impossible obstacles. Massage is also: if our plans coincide with God's - miracles happen.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few Christian Fiction novels, but never a CATHOLIC Fiction novel. This book is a must read for any Catholic. Tim's explanations of the Eucharist and the Crucified Christ are worth the read all by themselves.

The story itself is quite engaging as well. It really starts at the words 'holy... cow'!!

I leave you to discover the rest of the story and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[JoAnn Oswald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Christian Fiction

Refreshing story of what happens in our lives when we trust God and listen with our hearts and turn to prayer. People of all faiths should enjoy this book even though the main character is Catholic. I would enjoy a sequel to this book where the main characters future lives and journey with their faith is developed.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the story that is all about how the Lord puts people in places where they can change things for the good.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the book until the main character started lecturing n the wonders of the catholic church, Yeah, no

[Kelly Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start

Little slow in the beginning talking so much about the route, but it comes together well.
I enjoyed the plot and how it all worked out at the end with just enough suspense. As a Christian I found the spiritual truths encouraging but felt it was a little heavy on the Catholic beliefs. Otherwise great read.

[Christine Goodnough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, compelling, delightfully happy ending.

I really enjoyed the story and the characters, the plot worked well. I could have done with less detailed explanations of the Catholic faith -- however, they were told in an interesting manner.

[Terresa Terry]

The book was clean lots of praying and prayers being answered

I love this writer no cursing, lots of praying and answered prayers, great book full of twists and great turns,

[Carol L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Heart warming good guys win thanks be to God. All round good read. I highly recommend it. Very uplifting with a great story giving God His glory.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am always excited to find Catholic fiction books. I thought this one was good but lacked elements of a great story. It seemed that this was the outline of the story and that it was perhaps rushed. The message and the plot were good if sometimes a little unbelievable. Miracles do happen but in real life nothing is perfect and doesn't all happen according to plan. The characters, dialogue, writing and Catholic theology were just very straightforward information without feeling and depth. I was never really pulled into the story and kept being pulled out of it by the writing. I also never developed any feelings for the characters in the book. This book and author have potential but I feel the story needs to be filled in and fleshed out. It needs more life.

[Zara Heritage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely novel. If a book doesn’t engage me, I may not finish it. I read Return to Paradise from beginning to end, enjoying every page. Yes, there’s more telling than showing, but the grammar and punctuation are perfect. Written in a style more popular in a bygone era, take off your editor’s hat, as I did, and simply enjoy the story.

If you’re Catholic, you’ll appreciate the author’s sprinkling of familiar things throughout the book. If you’re not a Catholic, sit back and let yourself become more familiar with the Catholic faith as sporadically presented here. It isn’t preachy, but factual and fits the story.

This is the stirring tale of a man of faith defeating evil by standing up against it, even though it inconveniences his life and puts him at risk. David meets Sarah through an unlikely sequence of events that cause their lives to intersect, with the promise of a happy future together.

[Carolyn]

If you enjoy a clean, gentle romance, then you'll probably like Return to Paradise. Both the premise of the story and its message appealed to me. There aren't a whole lot of Christian romances featuring Catholic characters, and that makes it stand out from so many other novels.

I think another pass by an editor would make this book better by minimizing backstory, increasing climactic tension, and taking a closer point of view. That's the only thing compelled me to put it at 3.5/4 stars. I look forward to reading the author's next effort.

(The author is a fellow member of the Catholic Writers Guild. I received a complimentary copy for my honest review.)

[bob sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great story with a very good ending

It had me guessing what would happen.I felt very good at the ending.it is a worthwhile read.the book was free when I got it