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Reeling from the sudden loss of his wife, his home, and his business, Alan Christoffersen, a once successful advertising executive, has left everything he knew behind and set off on an extraordinary cross-country journey. Carrying only a backpack, he is walking from Seattle to Key West, the farthest destination on his map.
Now nearly halfway through his trek, Alan sets out to cover nearly 1,000 miles between South Dakota and St. Louis on foot, but it's the people he meets along the way who give the journey its true meaning—a mysterious woman who follows Alan's walk for nearly a hundred miles, the ghost hunter searching graveyards for his wife, and the elderly Polish man who gives Alan a ride and shares a story that he will never forget.
Full of wisdom and hard-won truth, this is a moving standalone story as well as the continuation of the unforgettable series. The Road to Grace is a compelling and inspiring novel about hope, healing, grace, and the meaning of life.
“A fast and pleasurable read with plenty of local color and enough sentiment to evoke a tear or two.”—Kirkus
“Though written with a religious tone, The Road to Grace is for people of all beliefs. It is an intriguing story that is simply enjoyable to read.”—Deseret Morning News
Richard Paul Evans is the #1 bestselling author of The Christmas Box. His novels have each appeared on the New York Times bestseller list; there are more than 13 million copies of his books in print. His books have been translated into more than twenty-two languages and several have been international bestsellers. He is the winner of the 1998 American Mothers Book Award, two first place Storytelling World Awards for his children’s books, the 2010 German Leserpreis Gold Award for Romance, and the 2005 Romantic Times Best Women Novel of the Year Award. Evans received the Washington Times Humanitarian of the Century Award and the Volunteers of America National Empathy Award for his work helping abused children. Evans lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Keri, and their five children.
PROLOGUE
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Several months after I was mugged, stabbed, and left unconscious along the shoulder of Washington’s Highway 2, a friend asked me what being stabbed felt like. I told her it hurt.
Really, how do you describe pain? Sometimes doctors ask us to rate our pain on a scale from one to ten, as if that number had some reliable meaning. In my opinion there needs to be a more objective rating system, something comparative; like, would you trade what you’re feeling for a root canal or maybe half a childbirth?
And with what would we compare emotional pain—physical pain? Arguably, emotional pain is the greater of the two evils. Sometimes people will inflict physical pain on themselves to dull their emotional anguish. I understand. If I had the choice between being stabbed or losing my wife, McKale, again, the knife has the advantage—because if the knife kills me, I stop hurting. If it doesn’t kill me, the wound will heal. Either way the pain stops. But no matter what I do, my McKale is never coming back. And I can’t imagine that the pain in my heart will ever go away.
Still, there is hope—not to forget McKale, nor even to understand why I had to lose her—but to accept that I did and somehow go on. As a friend recently said to me, no matter what I do, McKale will always be a part of me. The question is, what part—a spring of gratitude, or a fountain of bitterness? Someday I’ll have to decide. Someday the sun will rise again. The only uncertainty is whether or not I will rise to greet it.
In the meantime, what I hope for most is hope. Walking helps. I wish I were walking again right now. I think I’d rather be anywhere right now than where I am.
© 2011 Richard Paul Evans
Anonymous
Posted February 1, 2012
Being asked for a review BUT the book is not out yet. If it is as good as book one and two - I highly recommend it
5 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Milemama
Posted December 2, 2011
Although this book hasn't been released yet I am sure it will be a big hit just as the two previous ones in the series. Richard Paul Evans always delivers!
4 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 15, 2012
I Also Recommend:
This was my favorite of the 3 in The Walk series. I liked reading about the history along Alan's route and it was fun to read how the author "wove" it into the story. This book was fun to read, informational and as always, a meaningful message of hope. I loved "The Road to Grace."
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 12, 2012
The book was good but you pay 10 bucks for the ebook and it is around 130 pages...that is a rip off if you ask me, I think when the next one comes out i will get it at the library.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 22, 2012
Im so exited for this book! A few years ago i would never read but now i love reading and richard paul evans is one of my favorites! I cant wait for this book it is going to be great!
3 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 17, 2012
I didnt see that coming...hurry up book 4!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 9, 2012
I don't know how many more books before the end, but I was hoping Alan would have ended his travels. I guess I don't have a lot of patience for "to be continued" stories. It had a lot of history, maybe I've got spoil with the one before. I loved the epilogue. Great writting as always (did not care much for the bold letters). I will continue to be a huge fan of Richard's story telling.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Alan is still on his mission to walk to Key West. The first problem he encounters is being stalked by his ex mother in law, Pamela who he wants to have nothing to do with but she will not give up. They do meet eventually and she begs to let her tell him the entire story and then ask for forgiveness?
While in Mitchell, South Dakota Alan falls sick on the side of the road and an older man Mr. Leszek not only brings him to the hospital, but when he is released he is invited to stay with him until he recovers.While staying and talking with him Alan learns a very valuable lesson about life, trust and forgiveness that he will remember for the rest of his journey and life.
The story is extremely emotional and we are reminded of how he has lost everything and what does he have left except his plans to make it to Key West. You won't be able to put it down and will hoping the next book will come out sooner.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 28, 2012
Great book...read in a day and looking forward to #4 of the series
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 19, 2012
Incredible book, the story is captivating and anybody can relate to some aspect of the main character's journey. Absolutely brilliant! I do recommend reading the first two books of the series before reading this one to really grasp the story of this man's walk. Can't wait for the 4th book
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 18, 2012
I continue to fall deeper in love with Alan. His story would make a remarkable movie. As with the first two books, I will be on pins and needles for a whole year awaiting the next book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Zazzy1
Posted May 14, 2012
Richard Paul Evans continues to engage and inspire readers in “The Road To Grace”, the third installment of Alan Cristoffersen’s journey in “The Walk” series”. We again join Alan on his adventure across the country on this leg of the trip that takes him from South Dakota to St. Louis, Mo.
Evans does a masterful job at painting a portrait of a man grieving the loss of his beloved wife, his business and his home and leaving everything behind in Seattle and trekking on foot as far away as possible to Key West, Florida. Alan learns valuable lessons from people he meets along the way, beginning with a woman seeking a small piece of redemption that follows his path, and ending in a graveyard with a man who embodies what happens when you can’t let go of grief. The physical effects of his walk begin to take their toil as we learn that another personal crisis is brewing for him.
Alan’s heart of gold in the midst of his ever present heartache is mesmerizing and makes the reader fall in love with him all over again. His continuing story told using Evans trademark journaling style, is intertwined with stops in several historic spots across the country which gives the reader an insight to what makes Alan tick as well as enlightening us with little known tidbits about such attractions. I was particularly in enamored with the descriptions about Mark Twain’s hometown.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story as I have all of Richard Paul Evans books. More than one of the powerful messages in this book will stay with you long after you finish reading. RPE’s pearls of wisdom touch your soul as well as tug at your heart. I highly recommend this series and eagerly await Part 4 next spring. It’s gonna be a long year!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 10, 2013
I can't wait for the next book in the serirs to come out.
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Posted April 19, 2013
Struggling with forgiveness...of self...of others...when you can realize grace for yourself, and then offer grace for others, then the burdens on your shoulders will be lifted.
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Posted March 31, 2013
I have all of Richard Paul Evan's books. He is a passionate storyteller. This is a great series, well written. His stories actually benefit others.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.tallracquetgirl
Posted March 18, 2013
These books are such a gift! I feel like Alan is a friend that I can't wait to hear more about. My heart ached for his loss of his wife, and I can relate to his feelings of anger, defeat, and eventual peace that he comes to throughout his walk. I can not wait to hear about the new people he will meet on his journey, and what he will find and feel when he finally reaches Key West. A great lesson to be learned for anyone who reads these adventures.
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Posted March 8, 2013
I've loved all of Richard Paul Evans' books. You never know who Alan will meet along his way. I always take out my atlas map to follow his path. My family has actually been to a couple of the locations in Missouri!
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Posted March 5, 2013
I enjoy the positive messages you take from this series.
Evadsllim
Posted February 11, 2013
I love the series! I do wish the books were a little longer. A little more read for the money, however, I will buy them all anyway. Loving it.
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Posted January 25, 2013
Highly recommended - you must check it out. I have read all three series and will definitely buy Series 4 this spring.
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Overview
From one of America’s most beloved storytellers comes the inspiring third installment of the bestselling series, The Walk, the ongoing story of one man’s unrelenting search for hope.
Reeling from the sudden loss of his wife, his home, and his business, Alan Christoffersen, a once successful advertising executive, has left everything he knew behind and set off on an extraordinary cross-country journey. Carrying only a backpack, he is walking ...