I just finished a most remarkable journey. This was a journey of love, ambition, grief, forgiveness, truth revealed, mistakes made and lessons learned. It was powerful, unforgettable, haunting, and in many ways it was mesmerizing. And the funny thing is, this journey all happened during the innings of a single baseball game. . . “Steal Away Home” is the name of the novel that took me on this journey. Published by Thomas Nelson in the first month of 2018, it was written by a master storyteller whose work I’ve never before had the pleasure of reading – Billy Coffey. You can be sure that while this story was my first by this amazing author, it will not be my last.

“Steal Away Home” is unlike any other novel I’ve read before, for numerous reasons. The writing style is lyrical, the dialogue draws you in, and the unique chapter sections and flashback scenes allow many different settings and times to occur in a single chapter. But it’s not really these features that took my breath away – it was primarily the story itself. Although the motivating focus of the novel appears to be the pursuit of success in a game (baseball) this is truthfully just a backdrop for the characters’ remarkable pursuit of finding the truest meaning of life – which is, quite simply, the love of the One who can fulfill you in every way. Of course there are many other layers and themes woven throughout, but the overarching one? It’s love, plain and simple.

I can’t really go into a lot more detail without giving some vital plot points away, but be assured that this book will stay with you long after you finish the last, magical, mysterious, heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, tear-jerking page. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy or even understand baseball (I certainly don’t, not in the least!) you will still find your heart touched, your imagination enthralled, and your soul enriched by reading “Steal Away Home”. I believe one day it might become a classic, but even if it never does I will always be grateful to have read this incredible story of love, redemption, and going home.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.