About the Book

Book: Just a Train Ride

Author: Elizabeth Wehman

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Release Date: September 1, 2017 

She was born during the Great Depression, dated a soldier shipped across the world into the upheavals of war. Despite the haunting scars of battle, she married that soldier when he returned. After the loss of her husband of sixty years, an annual trip to visit her grandson in Chicago always helped ease her loneliness. Yet in the face of ailing health, Callie had boarded a train and now needed to make her way back home to Michigan. She’d made the same trip many times before, yet this time it was clear to Callie it would be her last. That’s when she met Blaine. The young, agitated woman appeared to be seeking an escape which inspired Callie to remember her own struggles in life and love. Had their lives merged for a reason? They had a train ride from Chicago to Lapeer to find out.

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About the Author

Raised in Michigan, Author Elizabeth Wehman loves to incorporate cities in the state for her inspirational fiction. Famous Michigan flowers adorn the back covers of her books from peonies to lilacs and apple blossoms. Her first novel, “Under the Windowsill,” reflects the tranquility and hidden treasures of Mackinac Island for a much needed hideaway for Kenna, a young girl raised in Iowa. This coming-of-age story uses the growing pains of a quiet, country girl to reflect the dangers and unknowns of breaking away from family and security. From the frustrations of trying to make it alone, Kenna’s experience cements a permanent trust of the goodness of her past and a true hope for the future. Elizabeth’s second novel, reflects the tumultuous relationship between sisters in “Promise at Daybreak.” Two elderly sisters are forced together by illness which leads them to fulfill a pact they made at their mother’s grave. The story reflects the storms of dealing with dementia and the results of fulfilling a promise, despite its drawbacks. The setting for this novel is Elizabeth’s hometown, Durand complete with its historic depot and the thunderous noises of a train town. Both novel settings share historical and distinctive aspects of both Michigan cities. Elizabeth’s third novel, released the summer of 2017, and will be entitled, “Just a Train Ride.” All of her novels are clean reads, with a clear inspirational message for her readers. Elizabeth’s home is in Owosso. You can find more about Elizabeth at www.elizabethwehman.com or on her Facebook page – Elizabeth Wehman/Author.

More from Elizabeth

Just a Train Ride is a fictional version of my parent’s love story from the 1940’s. My father fought in WWII and he returned from his fighting experience after having a nervous breakdown. He suffered repercussions of that throughout his entire life. My mother sent off a different man than the one who returned home to her, but she was faithful to her promise to marry him. Their story and his experiences were a private matter, so I waited until after his death to write their story. Some of it is based on facts, other parts are just my imagination…filling in the details. I included the train ride as a major part, due to the fact that my mother had gone on a train to see my father just before he shipped off to war. My main purpose in writing JATR was to show how you can be faithful in marriage, despite the setbacks, sorrow, and fateful events that can ravage even the best of marriages. This is my third inspirational novel.

This was definitely a story that drew me in from the beginning. Callie is an older woman in her eighties who travels by train to see her grandson every year. This years seems a bit different for her. She is not as strong as she use to be and her strength is slowly fading. I loved Callie and how expressive she was in  sharing her story with Blaine as they traveled on the train. 

Blaine is a young woman who isn't sure where her future lies.   This was a divine moment for Callie to share her story and take Blaine through her life. The beautiful way the author writes is mesmerizing and I could almost believe I was sitting across from Callie on the train . Callie has much to share with Blaine and we get a glimpse in to what life was like during the Great Depression.

It was hard for families as they struggled to survive and the pain was deep as their men went off to war. Callie has fallen in love with Miles. He is a kind person who wants to marry Callie. Before that happens he goes off to war. When he returns, he is a changed person.  Callie is in for a shock when  Miles is really just a shell of himself. The war has caused damage to him emotionally. It was called shell shocked back then. Today we refer to it as PTSD. The author does a great job of showing the turmoil Miles goes through. 

I thought for a moment Callie would back out of the wedding, but she loved Miles and was willing to see him through whatever laid ahead for them. Miles suffers from n ightmares and anger issues. The emotion turmoil is overwhelming at times as Callie talks about the struggles she went through with Miles.  Blaine is so engrossed by Callie's story that she starts to take a second look at her relationships. Marriage is not easy and there are times when you want to give up, but as Callie shares her story, Blaine begins to understand what a true marriage is. 

Blaine's childhood was filled with abandonment and pain. The author gives a vivid description of what she went through as a small child which helps to understand why she has a  fear of commitment.  I loved when Callie says to Blaine, " Sometimes loving someone means doing many things you never thought you'd do."  We often times take things for granted and when a tragedy happens, it makes us question God.  

The story is filled with a journey of marriage where hope, forgiveness and unconditional love is experienced. Blaine will never be the same after meeting Callie. Their friendship is endearing and along the way Blaine discovers how Jesus can heal her wounded heart. I loved this story so much, I bought her other books. Don't miss this story that will remind you of never giving up.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

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Just the Write Escape, May 26

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 27

Retrospective Spines, May 28

janicesbookreviews, May 28

Stephanie’s LIfe of Determination, May 29

Mary Hake, May 29

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 31

Bigreadersite, June 1

A Reader’s Brain, June 1

For Him and My Family, June 2

Inklings and notions, June 2

Pause for Tales, June 3

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, June 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 6

Texas Book-aholic, June 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elizabeth is giving away a grand prize of a Michigan-themed basket!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e1c2/just-a-train-ride-celebration-tour-giveaway