Six Miles From Nashville

by Elaine Littau

Betty Barnes finds herself hundreds of miles away from her Guymon, Oklahoma home. Since leaving for a large Bible College in Missouri, her life has been twisted around. Not that things weren't already a challenge for her with her brother in Vietnam and her heart bleeding from a recent break up. Faced with unbearable loneliness and loss, she arrives at a diner six miles from Nashville. There, she has a chance to pick up the pieces and build a new life for herself as an independent young woman with a great future ahead of her.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Adult Fiction

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 17, 2013

About the author

Author Elaine Littau is a woman who loves life. She loves laughing and telling funny stories about Terry, her husband of 36 years. She has a passion for writing books, blogs, and articles, as well as helping other authors learn how to market books. Among other things she was a church secretary, has led women's groups and taught preschool. She was a mentor for the M.O.P.S. (mothers of preschoolers) group in her community. Elaine and Terry reside on a small acreage near a small town in the Texas panhandle where they enjoy spending time with their family and friends. They raised three sons, and now have three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren added to their family."

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like books about redemption. I think the theme of redemption is probably one of the most important themes in literature because we all need it, whether in a small degree or in large, intangible ways.

Six Miles from Nashville begins with a young woman in the late 1960s giving birth, alone, in a seedy motel room. She is scared and left without hope or options. In an act of desperation and fear, she takes her baby to a hospital that accepts infants who would otherwise be abandoned in dire circumstances and places them with loving families. After this young woman gives up her baby, she barely manages to get herself to a diner to ask for work and almost collapses. What follows is a tale of a young woman who heals because of the kindness and love of others who take her in. I don't want to say more because I don't want to spoil the story. But really, this is a short, but uplifting story that moved me.

[Linda Niemeir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed six Miles from Nashville by Elaine Littau and can highly recommend it. It was different from the other books of hers that I had read and I had difficulty getting into it at first. But then the main character, Betty, really came alive for me when she began to search in her spirit for the answer to a burning question about a love in her life. So, when the book ended, I wanted more - as usual, Elaine left the reader eager to read the sequel.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good story of Christians facing struggles

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those stories about someone who goes through a whole lot of sadness and comes out okay. It was full of hope and ended beautifully. The main character really grew. I liked it a lot.

[Hyacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was not what I expected it to be. I could not stand Betty's mother. Betty made my heart hurts for her and all that she endured. Sweetie was a dear heart to her but we would have labeled her a modern day pedophile now that I think about it. Some of it was dark, some heartwarming, but it's Nashville so you have to have music. I couldn't put it down.

[Jason Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many emotions

Heart wrenching. Heartfelt. A story for the ages of overcoming all obstacles with the lords guidance. I couldn’t put down this book. Honestly I started reading because I live 6 miles from Nashville myself. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Pam McCallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[David Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six Miles from Nashville is one of a number of stirring books from the inspirational, Texas based author, Elaine Littau. It deals with the trials and tribulations of a young lady named, Betty Barnes. When we first meet Betty she is miles away from her Oklahoma home and very, VERY pregnant. Lost, alone and extremely ill, she finds work at a diner six miles from Nashville. Here Betty sees a glimmer of hope. Perhaps she can turn things around. We are then taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride as Betty searches for forgiveness from her family, her friends, her God and, perhaps most importantly, herself.
This is an incredibly well-crafted tale and, I suspect, not the last we will hear of young Betty. Beginning with the, frankly harrowing, first chapter, Ms Littau runs the gamut of the emotional spectrum. From Joy to despair, and several stops in between, raw emotions are dealt with in a consummately professional way. The story, therefore never descends into a maudlin spectacle and the characters remain firmly grounded in reality, dealing with (or not dealing with) the emotional turmoil in much the same ways as we would.
This is not merely a story of pain and hardship it is largely about forgiveness, compassion and understanding and these themes are often explored using passages from the Gospels. It is at this point I feel it is important for me to admit that I am an atheist. (I hope Ms Littau will forgive me this wickedness) I reveal this only because I think it emphasises the strength of this story. I did not skip the biblical references and they certainly did not detract from the narrative, indeed, most of the time they informed the text and added to the multi-dimensional nature of the characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book moving and powerful, I finished it in a single sitting.
This is a great story that I have no hesitation in giving 5 stars and I hope to visit Betty again in the future

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor to review this wonderful book for the author. Sweetie was a amazing person, the way she helped people in need is truly remarkable. When Betty met Sweetie her life totally changed. Watching Betty and Bill work together on their songs is beautiful. You will feel God working throughout this whole book.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable story, I recommend it to anyone who loves a good old fashioned "feel good" story. The characters are heart warming. Elaine Littau did an excellent job developing the plot to keep your interest until "the end."

[Debbie Crain]

Really good book. Easy to read. Short chapters which I like. Will definitely read more books by this author.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick, easy reading book. In fact, I thought in some places, it was too quick! I appreciated that the Christian message was not over done as it can be in some books I've read.

[Michelle I'anson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great story. Loved it.

[Steve Mills]

I loved this clean, romance from the 70's time period

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a clear message of God's forgiveness and love. A very good story.