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A Distant Light
The headmistress of a prestigious private school disappears after a student is injured. Neither the family lawyer nor the police inspector believes the girl’s story of how she was hurt. When young Raegan McAllister returns home, she finds it no haven. Her guardian, an older half-sister, resents the child she’s never met and is determined to send her back. As the investigation continues, a tangled web of secrets, bitterness, animosity, vengeance, and madness push everyone to the brink. Can Payton McAllister, head of a large shipping agency, forget the hatred she has for her absentee father in time to save her younger sister from the madness that threatens them?
536 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2023
70 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
D.A. Callahan
3 books1 followerI've spent my life in a very small town and truly believe I'll end it there as well. Yet, I enjoy small town life. In fact the area in which I reside isn't even classified as a city. It's a borough. My dad actually grew up a few blocks away and moved us here when I was senior in high school. I hated then but now wouldn't change it. I'm surrounded by family. In fact the joke is that we can't throw a rock without hitting a relative.
I have always enjoyed writing and was encouraged by my third grade teacher to 'keep up the good work'. In school the kids thought I was a bit crazy for LOVING essay tests.
I taught preschool for more than 40 yrs and served as a Director of Education for more than 20 of them. My heart is in teaching and I still work with second graders preparing to receive First Communion. I enjoy almost every minute - lesson plans were never my favorite.
I live with my mom as we continue to navigate this seemingly never ending pandemic. So far we've been healthy as well as bored silly. I enjoy spending time with nieces and nephews and can't wait for our new little bundle due this fall. My Shih Tzu, Daisy, keeps me on my toes with her wild antics. I spend most of my time reading and getting back to writing.
I have always enjoyed writing and was encouraged by my third grade teacher to 'keep up the good work'. In school the kids thought I was a bit crazy for LOVING essay tests.
I taught preschool for more than 40 yrs and served as a Director of Education for more than 20 of them. My heart is in teaching and I still work with second graders preparing to receive First Communion. I enjoy almost every minute - lesson plans were never my favorite.
I live with my mom as we continue to navigate this seemingly never ending pandemic. So far we've been healthy as well as bored silly. I enjoy spending time with nieces and nephews and can't wait for our new little bundle due this fall. My Shih Tzu, Daisy, keeps me on my toes with her wild antics. I spend most of my time reading and getting back to writing.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 10, 2023
awful, scary, and good by turns
The book begins with a scared little girl being beaten and abused by the headmistress of her boarding school. One of the teachers takes her to the infirmary and the school nurse notifies the only family she has, a much older, estranged half-sister who has always denied and shrugged off their relationship. She, in turn, sends the company lawyer to look into the situation. He is so horrified by her condition that he takes her straight out of there and back to the family estate. Her sister wants nothing to do with her, but the housekeeper’s motherly heart is opened right away. Meanwhile, the headmistress has disappeared. What is the connection, and why does Miss Thorne hate little Raegan McAllister? I could see this as a TV movie.
The book begins with a scared little girl being beaten and abused by the headmistress of her boarding school. One of the teachers takes her to the infirmary and the school nurse notifies the only family she has, a much older, estranged half-sister who has always denied and shrugged off their relationship. She, in turn, sends the company lawyer to look into the situation. He is so horrified by her condition that he takes her straight out of there and back to the family estate. Her sister wants nothing to do with her, but the housekeeper’s motherly heart is opened right away. Meanwhile, the headmistress has disappeared. What is the connection, and why does Miss Thorne hate little Raegan McAllister? I could see this as a TV movie.
August 19, 2024
Enjoyable story but needs proofreading
The author had a great story idea, excellent character and world building. However, this book is filled with typos, grammatical errors and missing words. She also changed the last name of the lawyer from Collin Walters to Collin Masters at approximately the middle of the story, then changed it back. It was surprising that a proofreader or editor did not catch that, as well as the other mistakes. If the errors are corrected, this story would be worthy of more stars.
The author had a great story idea, excellent character and world building. However, this book is filled with typos, grammatical errors and missing words. She also changed the last name of the lawyer from Collin Walters to Collin Masters at approximately the middle of the story, then changed it back. It was surprising that a proofreader or editor did not catch that, as well as the other mistakes. If the errors are corrected, this story would be worthy of more stars.
July 27, 2023
great story!
Ok…the story is absolutely wonderful but it totally needed editing. I didn’t care about typos etc but parts were overly described. Some areas went on and on and on. The characters really well developed but because the chapter would go on and on I found myself skipping ahead so I wouldn’t lose my mind. Great story idea, great characters but could have been much more pleasant to read if it wasn’t so longggggg.
Ok…the story is absolutely wonderful but it totally needed editing. I didn’t care about typos etc but parts were overly described. Some areas went on and on and on. The characters really well developed but because the chapter would go on and on I found myself skipping ahead so I wouldn’t lose my mind. Great story idea, great characters but could have been much more pleasant to read if it wasn’t so longggggg.
October 10, 2024
The story is worth five stars
Yes, the story IS worth FIVE stars! The editing however deserves a single star.
This is a story about grief and the legacy it leaves on family. The need for a box of Kleenex is real.
There is a mystery as well, and maybe even the budding of a romance. I would enjoy finding out what happens afterwards to the various characters.
Took me a whole day to finish. I did not want to put it down.
Yes, the story IS worth FIVE stars! The editing however deserves a single star.
This is a story about grief and the legacy it leaves on family. The need for a box of Kleenex is real.
There is a mystery as well, and maybe even the budding of a romance. I would enjoy finding out what happens afterwards to the various characters.
Took me a whole day to finish. I did not want to put it down.
May 27, 2023
Heart-pounding! Must read!
OMG… a rather slow start that will keep you GLUED to it as this horrific tale unfolds. Excellently written, great story line, evil interwoven with goodness & light. HIGHLY recommended.
OMG… a rather slow start that will keep you GLUED to it as this horrific tale unfolds. Excellently written, great story line, evil interwoven with goodness & light. HIGHLY recommended.
July 12, 2023
Love of Innocence
I love how the sisters were able to trust each other and bond the way their parents would have wanted. A great story from beginning to the end.Thank you for an amazing story.
I love how the sisters were able to trust each other and bond the way their parents would have wanted. A great story from beginning to the end.Thank you for an amazing story.
August 20, 2024
Normal to fear to horror
U unforgettable. A child got in a web of mystery unfolding.
A sister, at first barely known, wrapped in her own protective coccoon, separate from love or kindness. Eventually bursting free to save her vulnerable sister.
Unforgettable..so well done
U unforgettable. A child got in a web of mystery unfolding.
A sister, at first barely known, wrapped in her own protective coccoon, separate from love or kindness. Eventually bursting free to save her vulnerable sister.
Unforgettable..so well done
August 26, 2024
Great story
Loved the story and characters. It was very moving and exciting at the same time. I only gave it 2 stars because of all the typos which were so annoying and interfered with my enjoyment of the story.
Loved the story and characters. It was very moving and exciting at the same time. I only gave it 2 stars because of all the typos which were so annoying and interfered with my enjoyment of the story.
September 26, 2023
Wow!!!!!!!
This story kept me captivated from beginning to the end. It is well written and has you feeling the emotions of the characters. Excellent book!
This story kept me captivated from beginning to the end. It is well written and has you feeling the emotions of the characters. Excellent book!
December 3, 2023
Very captivating!
This book was a great suspense read! It was difficult to put down, well written and had a perfect pace to the story with a HEA.
This book was a great suspense read! It was difficult to put down, well written and had a perfect pace to the story with a HEA.
August 30, 2024
Great thriller!
I read this book so fast! When you don't want to put it down or find yourself reading very quickly you know it's good!
I read this book so fast! When you don't want to put it down or find yourself reading very quickly you know it's good!
June 5, 2023
An acrion filled story of family and redemption. Enjoyed it very much
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews