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Cambio Springs #0.5
Long Ride Home
Librarian note: An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here and here.
The first story in the new paranormal series by Elizabeth Hunter, author of the Elemental Mysteries.
Welcome to Cambio Springs. In this small desert town, secrets bubble up from the desert floor, and history is written on the canyon walls. Seven friends will gather at the crossroads, because in Cambio Springs, everything—and everyone—changes.
Jena Crowe escaped the Springs ten years ago. Now, she’s heading home with two boys to start a new life. With her husband’s ghost keeping her company on the road, Jena will learn that moving back and moving backward aren’t necessarily the same thing, and sometimes the places you try to escape are exactly where you need to fall.
Three nights to say goodbye. Three days to come to grips with the future. For Jena and her two sons, it’s going to be a long ride home. Long Ride Home is a short story of approximately twenty-five pages.
The first story in the new paranormal series by Elizabeth Hunter, author of the Elemental Mysteries.
Welcome to Cambio Springs. In this small desert town, secrets bubble up from the desert floor, and history is written on the canyon walls. Seven friends will gather at the crossroads, because in Cambio Springs, everything—and everyone—changes.
Jena Crowe escaped the Springs ten years ago. Now, she’s heading home with two boys to start a new life. With her husband’s ghost keeping her company on the road, Jena will learn that moving back and moving backward aren’t necessarily the same thing, and sometimes the places you try to escape are exactly where you need to fall.
Three nights to say goodbye. Three days to come to grips with the future. For Jena and her two sons, it’s going to be a long ride home. Long Ride Home is a short story of approximately twenty-five pages.
51 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2012
288 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Hunter
83 books6,294 followersELIZABETH HUNTER is an eleven-time USA Today bestselling author of romance, contemporary fantasy, and paranormal mystery. Based in Central California and Addis Ababa, she travels extensively to write fantasy fiction exploring world mythologies, history, and the universal bonds of love, friendship, and family.
She has published over fifty works of fiction and sold over two million books world-wide. She is the author of the Elemental Mysteries, the Irin Chronicles, the Cambio Springs Mysteries, and other works of fiction.
She has published over fifty works of fiction and sold over two million books world-wide. She is the author of the Elemental Mysteries, the Irin Chronicles, the Cambio Springs Mysteries, and other works of fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
January 21, 2023
Long Ride Home by Elizabeth Hunter
Cambio Springs series 0.5. Paranormal fiction.
Jenn Crowe is returning home to Cambio Springs. She makes it a road trip with her two sons. And her husbands ghost.
It’s short and yet still poignant. Returning home is never a simple thing. Jena, her boys, and her friends lives will change.
I’m looking forward to reading this series.
Cambio Springs series 0.5. Paranormal fiction.
Jenn Crowe is returning home to Cambio Springs. She makes it a road trip with her two sons. And her husbands ghost.
It’s short and yet still poignant. Returning home is never a simple thing. Jena, her boys, and her friends lives will change.
I’m looking forward to reading this series.
March 19, 2013
"Welcome to Cambio Springs"
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Jena Crowe, a young woman after experiencing a devastating loss, returns to the home she thought had left behind forever. With her two sons and accompanied by her husband's ghost, she goes back to Cambio Springs, the town she abandoned 10 years ago.
For the sake of her boys, to give them some time to heal, she makes a road trip out of it. But that's what she tells herself. The truth is that she is afraid of coming back and she doesn't want to stop seeing Low.
"I miss your arms, Low. I miss your everything."
But this lost home is the best for her and her sons. No matter what she turned her back on in the past and what she doesn't want to face again, it's her destiny and her fate. They are waiting for her there, along with the haunting words of her husband...
"I was only borrowing you for a little while."
Long Ride Home is only 23 pages long. It's enticing and a really good prologue to the new Cambio Springs Series by Elizabeth Hunter. Mystery, family and destiny seem intertwined in this tale and I am sure the actual series will be awesome.
If you plan to read the series, you don't want to miss this novella!
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Jena Crowe, a young woman after experiencing a devastating loss, returns to the home she thought had left behind forever. With her two sons and accompanied by her husband's ghost, she goes back to Cambio Springs, the town she abandoned 10 years ago.
For the sake of her boys, to give them some time to heal, she makes a road trip out of it. But that's what she tells herself. The truth is that she is afraid of coming back and she doesn't want to stop seeing Low.
"I miss your arms, Low. I miss your everything."
But this lost home is the best for her and her sons. No matter what she turned her back on in the past and what she doesn't want to face again, it's her destiny and her fate. They are waiting for her there, along with the haunting words of her husband...
"I was only borrowing you for a little while."
Long Ride Home is only 23 pages long. It's enticing and a really good prologue to the new Cambio Springs Series by Elizabeth Hunter. Mystery, family and destiny seem intertwined in this tale and I am sure the actual series will be awesome.
If you plan to read the series, you don't want to miss this novella!
March 10, 2013
3.5 stars. My first encounter with this author, Elizabeth Hunter. Decided to start with the short prequel to her new Cambio Springs series. It's a quick read, about 25 pages. Nothing much happens, really.
Jena Crowe, darkly stunning with some Native American ancestry, is driving from Oregon to Cambio Springs, located in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. In the back seat, her two sons: Lowell Jr., age 8, and Aaron, called Bear, age 5. In the passenger seat, her husband's ashes rest in an urn.
His ghost talks to her, encouraging her to enjoy her return to Cambio Springs, her home town, and to find a new love. She cries. Their conversation hints at secrets: Why did he (Lowell) have to die? How did they know he would die? Why did she think they could outrun his death by leaving Cambio Springs, so long ago?
So, it's a teaser. Clearly, there is a mystery.
When they arrive in Cambio Springs, we find out what Jena Crowe is -- besides a widowed mother with a culinary arts degree. But the other questions are left hanging, to successfully pique my curiosity.
Written in third-person POV, Hunter's storytelling style is fine, but it does not stand out (at least, not in this short story). However, I noticed no typos, and one scene was described with promising skill (the cave).
I will read the next book in the series.
Jena Crowe, darkly stunning with some Native American ancestry, is driving from Oregon to Cambio Springs, located in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. In the back seat, her two sons: Lowell Jr., age 8, and Aaron, called Bear, age 5. In the passenger seat, her husband's ashes rest in an urn.
His ghost talks to her, encouraging her to enjoy her return to Cambio Springs, her home town, and to find a new love. She cries. Their conversation hints at secrets: Why did he (Lowell) have to die? How did they know he would die? Why did she think they could outrun his death by leaving Cambio Springs, so long ago?
So, it's a teaser. Clearly, there is a mystery.
When they arrive in Cambio Springs, we find out what Jena Crowe is -- besides a widowed mother with a culinary arts degree. But the other questions are left hanging, to successfully pique my curiosity.
Written in third-person POV, Hunter's storytelling style is fine, but it does not stand out (at least, not in this short story). However, I noticed no typos, and one scene was described with promising skill (the cave).
I will read the next book in the series.
October 2, 2012
I have to say that this Cambio Springs prequel short story really surprised me. Having read her longer works, I had thought that Hunter's strength was the thorough but gradual development of her characters and their relationships. Well, I just discovered that Hunter can also do the same thing but in a really short amount of space - and totally yank at the reader's heartstrings while doing it. I am a short story fan and Long Ride Home was a really good one that has stoked my anticipation for the series that follows.
July 29, 2012
Long Ride Home: A Cambio Springs Short Story by Elizabeth HunterMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sad, Intense, Short and Poignant -Excellent Short Story, July 28, 2012
By Douglas C. Meeks
This review is from: Long Ride Home: A Cambio Springs Short Story (Kindle Edition)
Well what can you say about a short story like this? When it is Elizabeth Hunter it can compact a ton of emotion and unsaid things. This was an almost perfect example of how to reach your reader emotionally and leave them wanting more. This sets up the beginnings for a new series by Ms Hunter and I expect it will be as exceptional as everything else she has written so far. Jena Crowe has lost her husband and is going back to the hometown where they grew up, her husbands ghost accompanies her on the ride and in the process you get years of history in a few pages. Nicely done and now my only complaint is that she has not written the first novel in the series yet. 5 Stars for what it is, a very short story whose purpose is to enthrall you for a new series and make you feel part of the story, well done once more.
View all my reviews
November 20, 2015
I don't know if I'm annoyed or impressed that a 20-something page novella had me boo-hooing on 2 (possibly 3) separate occasions. Probably impressed . . .
My other reviews for this series:
Shifting Dreams (Cambio Springs, #1)
Five Mornings: A Cambio Springs Short Story (Cambio Springs, #1.5)
Desert Bound (Cambio Springs, #2)
Waking Hearts (Cambio Springs, #3)
My other reviews for this series:
Shifting Dreams (Cambio Springs, #1)
Five Mornings: A Cambio Springs Short Story (Cambio Springs, #1.5)
Desert Bound (Cambio Springs, #2)
Waking Hearts (Cambio Springs, #3)
October 29, 2014
An introduction to Jena Crowe and Cambio Springs, the hometown she's returning to with her two young sons after her husband's death.
I had no idea what the story was about when I read it and I found it heartbreaking and intriguing, especially considering the way it ended!
I look forward to learning more about Jena in the first book of the series, Shifting Dreams.
I had no idea what the story was about when I read it and I found it heartbreaking and intriguing, especially considering the way it ended!
I look forward to learning more about Jena in the first book of the series, Shifting Dreams.
October 16, 2015
I really enjoyed this short story. I have no idea if the series of which it is a part is as good as this, but now I want to read more by this author. The writing was clean and lyrical and the story was intriguing and warming. I've been feeling a bit jaded lately about urban fantasy/paranormal and this gave me a pleasant surprise.
March 28, 2023
Short introduction to the Cambio Springs series; definitely has me interested.
June 21, 2015
That was unexpected. I had no idea I'd start this 25 page short story and end up a sobbing, snotty mess. My chest hurts. Elizabeth Hunter definitely has a way with words.
January 29, 2022
I have loved this author since I read the first series I found by her which was the Elemental Mysteries series. It was very good and so I decided that I would take a chance on any series written by them because once you find someone who can tap into not just your entertainment center but also your emotions you should make them a steady diet. This is very different from the previous stories I have read and the characters while vastly different are just as compelling as those I have met before in the pages of her written words. I got pulled into this story from the very beginning because I wanted to find out what was going on even though I already had a good idea of where things were headed.
Cambio Springs is a small town in the desert with secrets and a history written on the walls of canyons. Jena Crowe left Cambio Springs with the love of her life 10 years ago and now is returning home a widow with two young children. On this trip home she is accompanied not only by her children but her dead husband as well soothing and reminding her of why this is the right thing to do. What Jena will learn is that moving back and moving backward aren't the same thing and sometimes places you run from can be the place you need to be most.
This was a really good story that has made me more than ready to read the rest of the series. The ending itself is not a big surprise but still well received. I found this to be a great introduction to the place and the people who will inhabit the pages. There is also the first couple of chapters of the main novel to be found at the end.
Cambio Springs is a small town in the desert with secrets and a history written on the walls of canyons. Jena Crowe left Cambio Springs with the love of her life 10 years ago and now is returning home a widow with two young children. On this trip home she is accompanied not only by her children but her dead husband as well soothing and reminding her of why this is the right thing to do. What Jena will learn is that moving back and moving backward aren't the same thing and sometimes places you run from can be the place you need to be most.
This was a really good story that has made me more than ready to read the rest of the series. The ending itself is not a big surprise but still well received. I found this to be a great introduction to the place and the people who will inhabit the pages. There is also the first couple of chapters of the main novel to be found at the end.
December 27, 2019
5 Ghostly Stars
Well, I sure didn't expect to cry this much on a prequel. I know her husband isn't the hero of Jena's story, but after this prequel, it makes me more sad he isn't. You can tell they were super good together and truly loved each other, and everytime the husband appeared there was this melancholy feeling, and I cried right along with Jena the whole time.
Great prequel, sad to see the husband go, but excited to see what is in store for her.
Well, I sure didn't expect to cry this much on a prequel. I know her husband isn't the hero of Jena's story, but after this prequel, it makes me more sad he isn't. You can tell they were super good together and truly loved each other, and everytime the husband appeared there was this melancholy feeling, and I cried right along with Jena the whole time.
Great prequel, sad to see the husband go, but excited to see what is in store for her.
February 7, 2021
Recent widow Jena Crowe driving across the country back to Cambio Springs, theoretically to ensure her young sons, Lowell, Jr and Aaron have family during this difficult time. On the long ride there, with her husband’s ghost for company, Jena learns it’s for her, too.
This is an intriguing one sitting short that provides interesting tidbits about where and why we’re on this journey. It can only help with what’s to come, though I’m sure the series would be fine without it.
Rating: 4stars
This is an intriguing one sitting short that provides interesting tidbits about where and why we’re on this journey. It can only help with what’s to come, though I’m sure the series would be fine without it.
Rating: 4stars
February 2, 2018
Short, but a nice lead in if you know the series or are just starting. The emotions read true and you can tell the author will do a good job. I have read all of Elizabeth Hunter's work and always welcome a new book or story.
June 22, 2017
Quick short read to introduce you into the world of Cambio Springs. I would recommend the read to give you a clear picture of what to expect when starting the series. Not necessary but nice! Loved it
November 28, 2014
Introductorio a la serie, Jenna, viuda, conduce de regreso al hogar de su infancia con sus dos hijos pequeños de 5 y 8 años, mientras recuerda cosas de su marido.
Mucho sentimiento, e indicios de que 'tenia que regresar' y de 'tiempo prestado'.
Interesante, seguiré con el primer libro.
He crossed his arms. Arms that had once held her tightly. Held their sons. Thrown darts at their favorite pub in college. Arms that had carried her name. The boys’ names. Favorite verses and patterns tattooed permanently onto all too un-permanent skin.
“I miss your arms, Low.”
“I miss your everything.”
Mucho sentimiento, e indicios de que 'tenia que regresar' y de 'tiempo prestado'.
Interesante, seguiré con el primer libro.
September 26, 2012
this story made me cry. it is heart wrenching and yet full of promise. can't wait to read the rest of jena's story
March 16, 2013
I loved Elizabeth Hunter's Elemental Mysteries series and this short story shows a promising start to her new Cambio Springs novels.
October 23, 2015
For 25 pages this was overwhelmingly heart wrenching. I look forward to the series.
July 19, 2022
Series Info/Source: This is a prequel short story to the Cambio Springs series (there are three books in this series and two short stories). I borrowed this as an ebook through Kindle Unlimited.
Thoughts: I read this after reading the first book, “Shifting Dreams”, in the Cambio Springs series. I am actually happy I read “Shifting Dreams” first, I think the background this story provided was more impactful since I already knew all the characters.
This is a short little story about Jena taking her boys on a road trip back home. We are introduced to Bear and Low, her two sons. The main reason this adds good background though is we get to listen to Jena talk to the ghost of her dead husband. This shows us the relationship she had with her husband and gives us some background on their life before they moved back to Cambio Springs.
This was well written and easy to read. It does provide some good back but it is very, very short. It’s more of a prologue to “Shifting Dreams” than anything else. I am happy I read this. However, as I said, I am glad I read it after reading the first book in the series.
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a well written short story that provides some good background and allows us to meet Jena’s dead ex-husband. It was an easy and fun read and I would recommend it to fans of the series that want a little more filler.
Thoughts: I read this after reading the first book, “Shifting Dreams”, in the Cambio Springs series. I am actually happy I read “Shifting Dreams” first, I think the background this story provided was more impactful since I already knew all the characters.
This is a short little story about Jena taking her boys on a road trip back home. We are introduced to Bear and Low, her two sons. The main reason this adds good background though is we get to listen to Jena talk to the ghost of her dead husband. This shows us the relationship she had with her husband and gives us some background on their life before they moved back to Cambio Springs.
This was well written and easy to read. It does provide some good back but it is very, very short. It’s more of a prologue to “Shifting Dreams” than anything else. I am happy I read this. However, as I said, I am glad I read it after reading the first book in the series.
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a well written short story that provides some good background and allows us to meet Jena’s dead ex-husband. It was an easy and fun read and I would recommend it to fans of the series that want a little more filler.
April 26, 2023
Long Ride Home is a short story that is anything but short on story. Within the twenty-five pages is conversation so poignant between Jena and her husband, Lowell, that I couldn't help feeling overcome with a profound sense of what they had lost as a couple with his predetermined death. For even in death, Low was a remarkable character. His ghostly wisdom and the love he felt for Jena and their sons transcended his mortal being. I think what I love most about Elizabeth Hunter's writing is her ability to make me forget that her characters are anything but human. In the minutes it took me to read Long Ride Home I experienced a gamut of emotions, and empathy the likes of which only Ms. Hunter's remarkable preternatural characters can conjure.
March 18, 2020
Absolutely loved it!
I’ve read a lot of Elizabeth Hunter’s books, but I hadn’t read any of the Cambio Springs series until now. I’d heard amazing things about them from numerous fellow readers and I finally read an excerpt from Book 4 of this series, today, which is in her Newsletter. It will be in Monthly Newsletter Serial Form. I really loved it! A LOT!! So....I decided I’d better read the rest of the series....well, RIGHT NOW!! And it’s not disappointing ~ I am already hooked and so eager to read more and find out about this ‘new world’. Thank you for this timely diversion!! ~ an incredibly loyal reader ~ Elizabeth Hunter is my absolute FAVORITE author.
I’ve read a lot of Elizabeth Hunter’s books, but I hadn’t read any of the Cambio Springs series until now. I’d heard amazing things about them from numerous fellow readers and I finally read an excerpt from Book 4 of this series, today, which is in her Newsletter. It will be in Monthly Newsletter Serial Form. I really loved it! A LOT!! So....I decided I’d better read the rest of the series....well, RIGHT NOW!! And it’s not disappointing ~ I am already hooked and so eager to read more and find out about this ‘new world’. Thank you for this timely diversion!! ~ an incredibly loyal reader ~ Elizabeth Hunter is my absolute FAVORITE author.
July 23, 2021
Sweet story; a really nice prequel to the first book, that probably can be read before the first book, but I think I appreciated it more reading it after the first book.
I do think the boys’ ages/age difference changes between the prequel story and the novel, though. In the novel Aaron is eight at the beginning and seven later on, which is also a problem unless I’m misremembering, while Low is around 12, I think, or maybe 13. So a four to six year age difference between them. In the short story they are 5 and 8, so only a three year age difference. Not a big deal, but it did pull me out of the story to do math in my head several times.
I do think the boys’ ages/age difference changes between the prequel story and the novel, though. In the novel Aaron is eight at the beginning and seven later on, which is also a problem unless I’m misremembering, while Low is around 12, I think, or maybe 13. So a four to six year age difference between them. In the short story they are 5 and 8, so only a three year age difference. Not a big deal, but it did pull me out of the story to do math in my head several times.
March 9, 2023
Ooooof - for such a short story, Long Ride Home packs a hell of an emotional punch. I loved Jena's down-to-earth pragmatism in Shifting Dreams, and here we get to see her on her way back to Cambio Springs just after losing Lowell... and it was never going to be a happy story. Peaceful in the end, perhaps, but not happy.
Still, there's something satisfying about seeing Jena come - if not to terms with her grief, then at least come closer to it. I had tears running down my face for nearly the entire damn story, and it hurt in the best possible way. I definitely need to reread the series again before Dust Born comes out later this year.
Still, there's something satisfying about seeing Jena come - if not to terms with her grief, then at least come closer to it. I had tears running down my face for nearly the entire damn story, and it hurt in the best possible way. I definitely need to reread the series again before Dust Born comes out later this year.
September 4, 2018
Jena Crowe is finally heading home. In the back she has her two young boys - Low Jr. and Aaron. Riding shot gun is the ashes of her recently departed husband, Lowell Snr.
Through the journey Jena is kept company by the ghost of her husband. Someone whom only she can see, which has her questioning and accepting that she may have lost her mind. At the end Lowell reassures Jena that this is the right move. Even if this will signal their end.
A very short introduction into Cambio Springs recently returned Jena Crowe.
Through the journey Jena is kept company by the ghost of her husband. Someone whom only she can see, which has her questioning and accepting that she may have lost her mind. At the end Lowell reassures Jena that this is the right move. Even if this will signal their end.
A very short introduction into Cambio Springs recently returned Jena Crowe.
July 22, 2017
Who can set up a great story and make you cry in less than 25 pages? Elizabeth Hunter that's who. I'm reading the short stories from Cambrio Springs after I read the series so it was especially meaningful. I wouldn't read this before you read Jena's book even though it's labelled as 0.5 in the series ..
October 21, 2019
Super beginning
Great start to a great series. Meeting Jena Crowe McCann as she drove toward her childhood home talking to her ghost husband completely wrapped around my heart and squeezed out the tears. Ms Hunter is such a powerful writer. Having just read this beginning story I am going to start re-reading the entire series. Big smile.
Great start to a great series. Meeting Jena Crowe McCann as she drove toward her childhood home talking to her ghost husband completely wrapped around my heart and squeezed out the tears. Ms Hunter is such a powerful writer. Having just read this beginning story I am going to start re-reading the entire series. Big smile.
December 28, 2019
What an amazing introduction!
After reading the Irin Chronicles, I searched for another series to start from EH. With this prequel, I am sold.
In the short pages, I had tears streaming down my face as I felt the love, longing and farewell between Jena and Lowell.
Thank you. Love does matter.
After reading the Irin Chronicles, I searched for another series to start from EH. With this prequel, I am sold.
In the short pages, I had tears streaming down my face as I felt the love, longing and farewell between Jena and Lowell.
Thank you. Love does matter.
May 10, 2021
Good short story
I enjoyed getting to know Jena and her boys (and Jena's ghost husband) in this short story. I also enjoyed the one chapter preview of the first novel in the series. I have enjoyed the other supernatural series written by this other (I especially recommend Moonstone Cove!) And I hope to enjoy this one as well.
I enjoyed getting to know Jena and her boys (and Jena's ghost husband) in this short story. I also enjoyed the one chapter preview of the first novel in the series. I have enjoyed the other supernatural series written by this other (I especially recommend Moonstone Cove!) And I hope to enjoy this one as well.
July 31, 2023
Short story prequel of Jena's journey home to Cambria Springs. It was full of grief for the loss of her husband Lowell, love for her boys, and the type of loss that can only be made better by going home. No action or romance or anything like that, but a sweet background story in preparation for the Cambio Springs full-length novels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews