by
Lois Carroll
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In So Alone:Carrie visits her hometown in the North Dakota countryside to hire a care-giver for her ill grandmother. She meets Peter, the new pastor, and feels a mutual attraction but does not want to encourage a relationship that's impossible because of her past for which she feels deep guilt. Peter loves living in the small town and wants to find a wife and raise a family there. Carrie cannot visualize ever moving back and when she realizes they are falling in love, she vows to leave so his reputation isn't tainted by hers. The rift in her faith widens and the pieces of her scrambled existence scatter. Can the truth win out? Could Carrie ever move back and accept Peter's marriage proposal? Or will she spend the rest of her life feeling So Alone? |
Peter held Carrie's hand after shaking it and glanced at her grandmother. "How come you didn't tell me you had a beautiful granddaughter hiding somewhere, Maddie?" He punctuated his question with a laugh.
Carrie, her cheeks hot with more embarrassment, tugged her hand free from his grip and took Maddie's elbow to engineer their immediate exit. "Come on, Grandma, we're holding up the line of people wanting to greet Reverend..."
Peter interrupted her by clearing his throat in a manner that sounded like he was correcting her for not using his first name.
She looked up to see him raise an eyebrow. "Peter, I mean," she finished, duly noting his grin and matching it with one of her own.
"That's better," he said.
But Maddie wasn't about to be moved. Apparently energized by all the attention, she asked lucidly, "You're coming over for dinner today, aren't you, Peter? We haven't had you over in such a long time. Please come."
Stunned by the unexpected invitation, Carrie was speechless. She could only hope he couldn't come because she'd be too nervous to eat sitting at the same table with him.
Bette was no help. "Then Peter can get to know Carrie since they haven't met before. That's a wonderful idea, Maddie."
"I must say, I think it is, too," Peter agreed with a grin. He looked at Carrie.
No, don't come, she wanted to say. I don't want to get to know you better because I think I'd like you. I don't want to get to liking any man in Sunville--especially not a minister when God and I are only barely on speaking terms. She pressed her lips between her teeth and held her breath.
"That is, if Carolyn thinks I wouldn't be too much of a bother," he finished politely.
She laughed nervously. He'd startled her by calling her Carolyn instead of Carrie like everyone else. She'd always loved her name, but it never had sounded as beautiful as when he'd said it.
Given no real choice, her good manners rose to the occasion. "No, of course not. Another plate would be no bother."
"Great. I'll cut through the backyards as soon as I'm done here. I know the way," he added, his persistent grin broadening. "And I'll be careful not to get caught on the bushes," he added knowingly as he squeezed her hand.
"Ms. Carroll has written an inspiring love story about accepting God's path. The heroine's loss of faith is well portrayed, and the hero is a strong character, both in personality and his faith. ...So Alone is a delightful read. A Must Read." Four stars.
Reviewed by Karen Larsen, Scribesworld
Now "out of print," So Alone on floppy disks can be ordered only from the author while supplies last.
Please email for details.
Click on any title or book cover to browse through synopses and excerpts of her novels.
| Almost Home | Snowbound | Once Upon A Lie | |
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| Just a Memory | Overbyte | Chimera (Hardcover) |
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A limited number of autographed copies of Lois Carroll's eBooks are available on floppy disks and one on CDs.
Please email for details.
