A Simple Prayer

For some prodigal children who walk away from their family, the desire to return home can be overwhelming. They want to believe that simply going home will be all that is needed, but fear can hold them back. What if they aren't received well? What if they aren't wanted? And sometimes all those "What if's" can hold us back from the truth we need to seek by making an effort in the right direction.

For Aaron Ebersol, that came when he received word that his mother had suffered a stroke. He knew he should have returned much sooner after walking away from his family seventeen years ago. But after not receiving any response to all the letters he wrote, he believed his family had moved on without him. Why else would they not attempt to contact him after all this time? But he knows it's something he must do, since his mother could use the help and he has missed his family more than he cares to admit. Why is going home so hard to do?

In order to make the transition easier to manage, Aaron plans to stay at the Paradise Bed and Breakfast, where he runs into Linda Zook, a girl he knew in school. She was just as shy then as she is now, and he wonders what has been happening in town since he has left. Linda reminds him that she and his mother worked together at the Lancaster Grand Hotel before the stroke, and she never stopped praying for the day when Aaron might come home. She is able to share with Aaron some of the unknowns about the feelings of his mother before he makes that dreaded trip home to see if his fears are valid or simply something that has kept him away for too long, dwelling on all those what if's! But there is no time like the present.

I received A Simple Prayer compliments of Zondervan Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is such a wonderful story that reminds me quite a bit of an Amish prodigal son. I can imagine how difficult it would be for Aaron to return home and not have the entire family happy to see him. There is definitely bound to be some animosity between family members and I love that a friendship develops between Linda and Aaron as they both come to terms with the cards they have been dealt in life. It is a story of redemption and hope as well as unconditional love between parents and their children and the true power of forgiveness. This is the 4th book in the Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel Series and well worth every 5 out of 5 stars. There is even a discussion guide at the conclusion of this novel that makes it a perfect choice for book clubs.

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A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston

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