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The Living Stone
A tragic accident. A heartbroken widow. An unlikely friendship.
Following the fatal drunken-driving accident that claimed her husband and child, Leah Travers secludes herself in grief-stricken solitude. But when another near-tragedy brings her closer to the killer's family, she is irresistibly drawn into an unexpected but compelling relationship that chips away at the emotional stone she has become.
Following the fatal drunken-driving accident that claimed her husband and child, Leah Travers secludes herself in grief-stricken solitude. But when another near-tragedy brings her closer to the killer's family, she is irresistibly drawn into an unexpected but compelling relationship that chips away at the emotional stone she has become.
- GenresChristian FictionFiction
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2000
3 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Jane Orcutt
22 books34 followersAward-winning Christian author Jane Orcutt was born on January 25th, 1960, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Born with a serious heart defect, Jane faced surgeries and long recoveries from the age of five. But these solitary times only strengthened Jane’s love for reading, and her dream of one day becoming a writer.
Jane achieved that dream with style, not only as a popular Christian novelist with fourteen published books to her credit, but also through her mentorship of many young writers.
Throughout Jane’s life, she enjoyed writing about her home state of Texas. She was particularly talented at breathing life into historical time periods and she brought a fresh view of the bluebonnet state to her readers worldwide.
As a University of Texas graduate, she possessed a broad range of writing and editing skills, which she used in her own writing, as a production worker for an Austin television station, and as an editor for a Forth Worth publishing company.
In 1982, Jane married Bill Orcutt. They had two sons, Colin and Sam, whom Jane homeschooled until they reached high school. Jane often stated that this accomplishment was her pride and joy. She was passionate about helping her sons explore their interests and intellect while allowing them to grow into individual men of their own account.
Jane was a loyal and loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister, a witty and sought-after friend, a powerful writer, and a tender pet owner. Most of all Jane was a follower and lover of Jesus Christ.
On Sunday, March 18, 2007, after a long battle with acute myeloid leukemia, Jane stepped into the arms of her Savior.
She now rests safely in His arms, while her powerful legacy lives on through her family and through her books.
Born with a serious heart defect, Jane faced surgeries and long recoveries from the age of five. But these solitary times only strengthened Jane’s love for reading, and her dream of one day becoming a writer.
Jane achieved that dream with style, not only as a popular Christian novelist with fourteen published books to her credit, but also through her mentorship of many young writers.
Throughout Jane’s life, she enjoyed writing about her home state of Texas. She was particularly talented at breathing life into historical time periods and she brought a fresh view of the bluebonnet state to her readers worldwide.
As a University of Texas graduate, she possessed a broad range of writing and editing skills, which she used in her own writing, as a production worker for an Austin television station, and as an editor for a Forth Worth publishing company.
In 1982, Jane married Bill Orcutt. They had two sons, Colin and Sam, whom Jane homeschooled until they reached high school. Jane often stated that this accomplishment was her pride and joy. She was passionate about helping her sons explore their interests and intellect while allowing them to grow into individual men of their own account.
Jane was a loyal and loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister, a witty and sought-after friend, a powerful writer, and a tender pet owner. Most of all Jane was a follower and lover of Jesus Christ.
On Sunday, March 18, 2007, after a long battle with acute myeloid leukemia, Jane stepped into the arms of her Savior.
She now rests safely in His arms, while her powerful legacy lives on through her family and through her books.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 14, 2025
Oh man I did not like Jacobo. Sanctimonious, self-righteous, he-knows-best. So grating and irritating. He tells his self-absorbed, irresponsible sister 'the Lord will provided' shoes and a dress. Yeah, he is? How? Tells Leah she needs to be out of her apartment and moving on a year after their deaths. One Christmas, each of their birthdays alone and he is the magic cure. Going out is the magic cure. Yes, she needed that eventually but he gets a holier-than-thou attitude and I don't think he actually respects that she is grieving her whole world being shattered. Was not rooting for them.
July 26, 2023
Lovely message, but too many of Jacobo’s conversations with Leah felt more preachy than authentic, and the stereotypical “put on a good show” behaviour of Leah’s mom felt too one-dimensional.
However, I shed a few tears and reflected on having lost my first step daughter to cancer. I understood many of Leah’s questions and her conflict with God.
Glad I read it but didn’t love it.
However, I shed a few tears and reflected on having lost my first step daughter to cancer. I understood many of Leah’s questions and her conflict with God.
Glad I read it but didn’t love it.
January 26, 2022
So amazingly, heartbreakingly beautiful. I can't tell you how many times I almost cried while reading this book. I can't recommend this book enough. And I'm not lying when I say I think it's wedged itself in my top 5 favorite stand alone books of all time...
February 19, 2013
A review from my old blog...
I approached this book with bittersweet anticipation. For many years Jane Orcutt has been one of my favorite authors specifically because of two of her books The Fugitive Heart and The Hidden Heart which I have read many times. Just a few months ago Orcutt lost her battle to cancer.
I enjoyed this book and have a hard time criticizing it for the above reason. At the same time I do not agree completely with how Orcutt dealt with some serious issues. I guess that on different theological points I differ with Orcutt but not on the fundamentals of the faith.
Both Leah and Jacobo are complex and believable characters. I felt for Leah as she struggled with the death of her husband and son and all of the different ways that suffering can affect a family. Because of circumstances going on in my own family I understand how suffering can be perceived in different ways and how just because one person's loss may look on the surface to be more traumatic than the other that does not diminish either suffering.
I definitely recommend the book.
I approached this book with bittersweet anticipation. For many years Jane Orcutt has been one of my favorite authors specifically because of two of her books The Fugitive Heart and The Hidden Heart which I have read many times. Just a few months ago Orcutt lost her battle to cancer.
I enjoyed this book and have a hard time criticizing it for the above reason. At the same time I do not agree completely with how Orcutt dealt with some serious issues. I guess that on different theological points I differ with Orcutt but not on the fundamentals of the faith.
Both Leah and Jacobo are complex and believable characters. I felt for Leah as she struggled with the death of her husband and son and all of the different ways that suffering can affect a family. Because of circumstances going on in my own family I understand how suffering can be perceived in different ways and how just because one person's loss may look on the surface to be more traumatic than the other that does not diminish either suffering.
I definitely recommend the book.
February 7, 2013
This was a good book. The beginning started off with a lot of suspense and I was quickly hooked, but to me, the middle and ending started lagging just a bit. It turned out to be an OK love story/suspense but I have read better. Would I read anymore of Orcutt's work? Yes. As far as Christian suspense/romance writers, she is average. It's not her fault I read Terri Blackstock before her book because I know I am now comparing all Christian suspense/romance writers to her. :o) Am I sorry I read it? No. It did have a good meaning to it and left you with a good feeling at the end. With all that being said, I did like the book.
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March 15, 2011I read this book very quickly. It was an enjoyable read. The book had a religious tone throughout but not in a bad way. I found it quite comforting.
Leah loses her son and husband in a terrible accident caused by a drunk driver. As she learns to pick up the pieces, she becomes close to the brother of the drunk driver's wife. Through him, she finds love and learns to forgive.
It was a good book. Not the best book I ever read but certainly not the worst.
Leah loses her son and husband in a terrible accident caused by a drunk driver. As she learns to pick up the pieces, she becomes close to the brother of the drunk driver's wife. Through him, she finds love and learns to forgive.
It was a good book. Not the best book I ever read but certainly not the worst.
February 27, 2008
This was a really good one...I loved it. Sometimes I wonder if these kinds of things really happen and if they do WOW! The book was sooo sad, but it was great at the same time!
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December 4, 2008Ya Orc
February 3, 2016
Don't remember anything about this...other than somebody was running to the store to buy milk... impeccable memory, I know.
July 29, 2013
Good book about loss in tragic circumstances and redemption.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews