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Turnaround in Texas #2

A Far Way to Run

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"A Far Way to Run" is a compelling story about overcoming the past to discover your purpose. This novel chronicles what happens when a woman traumatized by a violent sexual assault must make a life-defining choice to continue hiding, or stand up in the face of evil to save a stranger.

Shayne Wright returns to the Texas town where she grew up for a funeral and accidentally gets caught in a human trafficking scheme gone wrong. When she stops to render aid at an accident, she ends up with a gunshot wound to her shoulder and a target on her back when the trafficker believes she stole his money.

Her plan to stay the night at the old family farm becomes complicated when she finds it has been leased to a man working through some past demons of his own. Former military sniper Ethan McGregor is here on a reconnaissance mission for an organization that fights human trafficking. The complications keep coming when her prodigal brother shows up. When he tells Shayne and Ethan he saw a woman being held against her will, Ethan's interest intensifies, thinking this might be the human trafficking he's here to uncover. Shayne, on the other hand, wrestles with trusting her brother.

Her conscience propels her to search for a way to help, but knowing the woman is being held at the place where she'd been assaulted makes her wary. It doesn't help that she's kept the attack a secret. The one person who knows her secret is also obsessed with her. When he abducts her, she finds out her strength to face evil is stronger than the shame she fears.

358 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2022

4 people are currently reading
48 people want to read

About the author

Lori Altebaumer

10 books104 followers
Lori Altebaumer is a writer who only half-jokingly tells others she lives with one foot in a parallel universe. With her boots on the ground, head in the clouds, and heart in His hands, she is a wandering soul with a home-keeping heart in search of life’s truest adventures. Lori loves sharing the joys of living a Christ-centered life with others through her writing. Her first novel, A Firm Place to Stand, released in January 2020, and was a finalist for both the Selah and the Director’s Choice awards. In addition to being a regular contributor to Crossmap, The Word on Wednesday, and other online devotions, she blogs regularly from her website. Lori also serves on the leadership teams for both the Called to Change Women’s Prison Ministry team and Sacred Journey, an experience for women wanting to go deeper with God.

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,306 reviews158 followers
May 27, 2022
"There is more than one way to bury a person."

Shayne Wright feels that she exists among the living dead; unfortunately, returning to the small Texas town of her childhood has already managed to drive a few more nails into that coffin. The memories of one particular night threaten to suffocate her, the heavy ring on her finger overwhelms her and the fact that someone has just taken a shot at her . . . . . . well, no one wants to end a nightmare of a day in the back of an ambulance. Could it get any worse? Absolutely. There's a man living in her grandparents farmhouse, a very angry man.

After negotiating a temporary truce with Ethan McGregor, (who turns out to have a temporary lease) another conundrum of epic proportion appears . . . Shayne's brother, and what a story he proceeds to tell. Could the horrific accident that Shayne stumbled upon before being shot, have any connection to the nearly unbelievable tale that Levi insists is not a figment of drug-induced imagination. The unlikely trio each bear their own secrets among incredibly broken pieces, would the grave clothes ever come off?

This story is so much more than a good romantic suspense, for it is full of grit and grace, and the kinds of conversations that peel back layers and layers of guilt, failure, sadness, hopelessness, . . . until finally . . . . "a hand clamped over her mouth before she could scream".

Hang on. It's a "far way to run". . . . "for such a time as this".

I received a copy of this book from the author . The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Deena Adams.
457 reviews106 followers
May 20, 2022
Altebaumer's latest offering is the perfect choice for those who enjoy gritty, real-life reads that include suspense, romance, characters' spiritual arc, and riveting action.

In the middle of the story, I got frustrated with Shayne's weak response to her boyfriend, Nick. And I didn't like Nick one little bit. But I'm sure that was the author's intent, so she succeeded.

Themes addressed include rape, addiction, shame/guilt, broken relationships, forgiveness, and sex-trafficking, all with an eye toward redemption and God's grace.

If all these aspects of a story appeal to you, don't miss this one!

I received an advance reader copy but was not required to submit a favorable review. All thoughts are my own.
2 reviews
April 29, 2022
Well, I have no fingernails left. I have gnawed them all off reading Lori Altebaumer’s sequel, A Far Way to Run.

Shayne Wright, a former high school athletic track star, returns to Turnaround, Texas, as an adult to attend the funeral of the beloved hometown matriarch Peg Moreland. Despite her best efforts to run “a far way” from the haunting memories of sexual assault she survived as a teenager, the Lord redirects her life in an ironic “turnaround” to face a sex trafficking ring hosted on the very property she was attacked.

Amid heart-stopping, high-octane catastrophes perpetrated by sexual predators, Shayne meets the frustrated and frustrating Ethan McGregor. A former military sniper, Ethan works construction as a cover to combat the sex trafficking trade. While Shayne and Ethan tend to their own wounds of life-changing betrayal, they are unexpectedly thrown together as partners against crime who become reluctant partners in love.

From start to finish, Altebaumer skillfully wields details like a puzzle puppet master, holding the reader in suspense as she snaps each unpredictable piece into place. And as if the plotline isn’t riveting enough, she weaves textures of true-to-life issues in between the lines: a wayward sibling struggling with addiction and a reckless past; searching for love and healing in unhealthy relationships; and the human condition of running from God when we need Him the most.

A Far Way to Run introduces readers to a new set of dynamic characters. Yet, it was a pleasure to revisit and receive an update on the romantic characters from Lori Altebaumer’s previous book, A Firm Place to Stand. This two-part series needs to become a trilogy, so I can revisit them all again!

[I was fortunate enough to receive a free copy from the author before the release date (waiting for sequels is agony!). I was not required to leave a review, but I am pleased to share my enthusiastic opinions about this novel.]
Profile Image for Karen DeArmond Gardner.
20 reviews
May 5, 2022
Lori is a word artist, she crafted a story that kept me turning the pages. I loved her first book, this one is even better, yet it's hard to compare because the stories are completely different which is one of the reasons I gave it five stars.

I was given an advance copy to read for my honest review. I pre-ordered the book to have in my library and to read again.
Profile Image for Carrie Schmidt.
Author 1 book485 followers
June 19, 2022
“There is more than one way to bury a person.”

From the very beginning of A Far Way to Run, readers are drawn to the three main characters – Shayne, Ethan, and Levi. Because it’s a few chapters before we definitively see how they’ll all connect to each other and the story, we remain glued to the page in collective anticipation, on the edge of our seats, waiting for it all to click into place. What is clear from the earliest scenes is that each of these characters is hurting and broken, and once all becomes clear maybe together they can find their buried strength… for such a time as this.

We can tell at once that being back in Turnaround is not easy for Shayne, that there are demons she has yet to face here. She hasn’t even been in town long enough to head to her grandfather’s still-just-as-he-left-it house for refuge when she’s nearly run off the road and shot at. Is this related to those demons I mentioned or just a coincidence? Then – surprise – her grandfather’s empty house isn’t empty … enter sexy Ethan who I had a harder time pinning down than the others, keeping me intrigued to know more. And he does not disappoint in the least! Surprise again – Shayne’s prodigal brother Levi shows up, too, with a sickening story that feels all too familiar to Shayne & Ethan both, for opposite reasons. A game of cat and mouse begins to weave throughout the narrative – but exactly who is the cat and could the mouse be stronger than anyone realizes? All of these elements race headlong to one breath-stealing line – “a hand clamped over her mouth before she could scream”.

Despite the heavy nature of some of the issues the book touches on, it’s surprisingly not a heavy book. There are weighty moments, to be sure, but there are just as many moments that brought a smile to my face: Shayne & Ethan’s growing attraction, Conner & Maribel’s appearances, Sheriff Griger & Cindy, and all the quirkiness that only a small Texas town can provide (including a community-wide funeral for a steer). There’s healing on these pages, too; for the characters as well as the readers. I did feel that some of the narrative got bogged down in introspectively descriptive speech – which was beautifully written but sometimes took me out of the story too much – but that’s a personal preference and still didn’t keep me from enjoying this book.

Bottom Line: A Far Way to Run isn’t a book you recover from easily. That quote I led with – “There is more than one way to bury a person.“ – anchors the plot in deeply moving ways. It begins on the outskirts of a funeral, and as the story continues we see how each of the main characters have all been metaphorically buried by life in one way or another. Altebaumer doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like sex trafficking, rape, infidelity, and addiction, but it’s all tenderly embraced in mercy and hope and – in a poignant crafting of poetic irony, resurrection & new life. Moments of lightness appear at just the right time, and a spark-filled romance ties it all together with grace-covered joy.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,812 reviews196 followers
June 8, 2022
A Far Way to Run tackled some very heavy topics and used characters who were struggling with events from their pasts to point to the importance of learning to trust in God whether things are good or bad in our lives.

The author introduced several characters right at the beginning of the story by letting the reader into their thoughts. It took me a bit to straighten out who was who, but I did end up liking this method of introduction.

The main characters were not ones that I immediately cared for, but they did grow on me. Ethan’s thoughts were angry and he did not have a positive view of women and relationships due to his broken marriage. However, I enjoyed watching him begin to realize that Shayne was not like his ex-wife.

Shayne confused me with her inability to stand up to her boyfriend and break things off with him, even when he revealed more of his true colors. She was such a complicated character, especially when dealing with her brother. Yet, I think the way she struggled was a good picture of how much she had been traumatized in the past.

The author did a great job of showing how much trauma changes people and the various ways it affects them for the remainder of their lives. There was a good faith thread and characters who were looking for answers and direction for their lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Kirsty Allen.
2 reviews
May 16, 2022
Wow! Where do I start? I was introduced to Lori’s first book, A Firm Place to Stand, by a friend and it was a sanity-saver in early lockdown 2020 whilst navigating homeschool for my kids. It was my bit of escape time each day! But it was incredibly hard to put down!
I was delighted to be gifted an advanced copy of Lori’s newest book, A Far Way To Run, in exchange for my honest review. I’ll start by saying I was so eager to carry on reading that I need to spend the next couple of days reclaiming my house from my kids who have been allowed free rein so I could read 😂 This story and Lori’s style of writing had me gripped from the outset with plot intrigue that felt tantalisingly close to being revealed chapter after chapter whilst never giving away the whole story, resulting in my being unable to put it down! Shayne as a character has very relatable reactions and responses. Combined with he interwoven Biblical truth it had the effect of providing insight and wisdom into subjects I found incredibly helpful. It’s not often you get heart therapy reading a novel!
Lori addresses both trauma and human trafficking with a depth and sensitivity that never ignores the reality nor the hope of change and healing and freedom.
This story is gritty and honest but filled with so much hope and redemption that I hope it won’t be the last book of Lori’s I get to read.
Off to recommend this to everyone I know!
Profile Image for Mary Albers Felkins.
Author 15 books98 followers
July 11, 2022
This is my first romantic suspense by this author-and it won't be my last. There were a few places with a bit too much internal narrative but the story and deliverability and satisfying ending (justice for all and a blissfully believable romance, anyone?) kept me engaged in this high-octane ride. At one point the heroine is in the car with a questionable character and I felt the delicious tension of "Oh no, this is not going to end well ..." The spiritual message running through the book is solid and redemptive without being excessive. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Marion Surles.
Author 8 books5 followers
May 7, 2022
Lori Altebaumer's new Christian suspense shows us that sex-trafficking can be right under our noses in any town, we just have to be alert. God puts people in our paths for a reason, and we need to pay attention. Another sad reality of the story is that even in a close relationship, we sometimes choose not to trust each other with our darkest secrets. Check out A Far Way to Run, available on Amazon on May 26. Pre-order now!
Profile Image for Deb DeArmond.
Author 9 books44 followers
May 9, 2022
Lori Altebaumer does not disappoint in her second book, A Far Way to Run. A compelling "can't stop now" storyline and characters that pull you in and won't let go. The author provides a suspenseful tale and tackles a difficult topic effectively - one often underrepresented, if at all, in Christian fiction. Looking forward to the next book from this gifted author.

I was given an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
1 review
May 13, 2022
As a mother to a 20–year-old daughter, sex trafficking has always been on my radar. Lori’s gritty look at this heinous activity has justified every prayer of protection I’ve sent up on my daughter’s behalf. As well as being an edge-of-your-seat read, A Far Way to Run is a reminder that this fallen world can only be navigated through the grave and redemption of God’s love. Loved this book!
320 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2022
Thankyou for the free Arc
Stayed up all night just to see what was happening next
Great book
Profile Image for Laura DeNooyer-Moore.
Author 4 books339 followers
December 11, 2022
The beautiful writing in this story belies the anguish at its heart. The first line pulled me in: “There is more than one way to bury a person.” Shayne Wright knows all about that firsthand. She thought she could outrun her demons. But she can’t.

She returns to her hometown, Turnaround, Texas, for a friend’s funeral, and decides to stay a bit longer at her deceased grandfather’s home. But someone else beat her to it. A stranger, Ethan McGregor, has already taken refuge there.

Though rough around the edges and plagued by anger issues, Ethan is an honorable man with an honorable purpose, which we understand better as the story continues.
To complicate matters, Shayne’s unreliable brother Levi shows up unexpectedly, but he might hold key information for rescuing a woman in trouble. Assuming he’s telling the truth.

Shayne, Levi, and Ethan are all broken people holding their respective secrets close: rape, addictions, broken relationships . . . If they’re going to be of any help, they must take some risks. Trusting each other is the first of many such risks. Shayne’s struggles with trust, lack of confidence, and succumbing to her boyfriend Nick’s tactics make sense considering her earlier trauma. She’d never revealed what happened, so she remains locked in time. Buried, as it were. Buried alive, with all the emotional fallout.

Fortunately, there are happy moments with comic relief and quirky characters to balance out the weighty issues. 

The tension and intrigue exist from the get-go with an understanding that Shayne has been hiding her previous trauma in an effort to go on with her life. And things are coming to a head. But so much is conveyed through introspection—good stuff but sometimes impeding the storyline, with no dialog or interactions for long segments. At times, so many thoughts whirled through the dialog that I had to go back a page to remind myself of what was just said.

One particular scene is relayed more as a summary even though it could have been milked for dramatic effect. After all the buildup, I wanted to live that scene in the moment with full dialog. 

This story sparks empathy for human trafficking victims, something we should care about deeply. The faith aspect is strong and meaningful. Though dark and gritty, this novel is worthwhile. But I suggest sandwiching it between two light-hearted ones.
2 reviews
May 22, 2022
Well, that's my weekend gone then! I intended to read the opening chapter of this book and then do a few other tasks today. NOPE! I started, but couldn't stop! LOL! Lori's riveting writing style is evident again in this exciting novel set in a small Texas town. As the story quickly unfolds the reader becomes acutely aware that although the town might be small, the events in this tale are certainly not!

The author reminds us that real-life stuff happens in tiny apparently quiet places. The serious theme of trafficking and other trauma is dealt with in a sensitive yet believable way.

The events at the climax of the story are compelling and memorable.

I've learned some important new life skills from this gripping novel. My eyes are opened to new ways of thinking and observing those around me who may be in danger - even if they're 'hidden' right in front of me.

This is a MUST read!
Profile Image for Lori DeJong.
Author 5 books145 followers
June 2, 2022
Lori Altebaumer delivers another great suspense that will have you eagerly turning the pages. Gripping story of courage in the face of evil, redemption from a painful past, and a faith reborn. You'll be pulling for Shayne and Ethan as they battle the voices within and learn to allow the One Voice to cover it all with His love and mercy.
Subject-matter includes sex-trafficking, rape, addiction, forgiveness and redemption. Lori is a gifted wordsmith who can take heartbreaking, real-life themes and demonstrate how God can take broken pieces and make something stronger and more beautiful from the shards. You won't be able to put this one down.
I was given an advance copy for an honest review and I couldn't be more happy to recommend this book to anybody who loves a fantastic read. I've ordered a hard copy for my own bookshelf to read again!
1 review
May 12, 2022
This book will have your heart racing one minute and grabbing for the tissues the next. You will feel personally connected to Shayne and the rest of the residents in Turnaround Texas. Your going to love this book!

This is my honest opinion from the book I graciously accepted.
Profile Image for Linda.
Author 26 books241 followers
June 29, 2022
Good read

Good characters and plot. A lot of twists and turns. Nice spiritual message. Sometimes bogging down with the characters' introspection. Some unlikely scenarios, but this is fiction. Fun vacation read.
Profile Image for Michele McCarthy.
15 reviews1 follower
October 15, 2022
Again, Lori hits a home run. Great plot, well developed characters, mystery and a dose of humor kept this book in my hands! Don’t miss an incredible read! Chores and sleep are overrated, grab this great book and enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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