True North

by Susan Diane Johnson

Several months after a tragic accident that claimed their son, Lisa and Joe Kendall's marriage has fallen apart. Feeling guilt over the death of their son, Joe has decided that the best thing for Lisa is for him to be out of her life. But, his marriage isn't the only thing suffering, and Joe is forced into a leave of absence from work so he can find closure. Unsure where to spend the forced vacation, Joe decides to go alone on the Alaskan cruise he and Lisa had planned to take with their son. The last person he expects to see once the ship is well away from Seattle is Lisa. Lisa has prayed every day for Joe to reclaim his faith in God and come home so they can grieve together and rebuild the relationship they once shared. In hopes that two weeks alone with Joe will help save their marriage, she boards the ship. Little does she know that Joe has already decided to file for divorce. How will she convince him before the ship docks that they can still have a happy marriage even though their child is gone?

243 pages, Paperback

First published January 23, 2014

About the author

Suzie Johnson has won several awards for her inspirational novels (writing as Susan Diane Johnson), including the Maggie, Lone Star, Heart of the West, and Beacon awards, as well as finaling in the Touched by Love, Finally A Bride, Linda Howard Award for Excellence, and Virginia's Fool For Love contests. She is a member of ACFW, RWA, and is a cancer registrar at her local hospital. The mother of a wonderful young man who makes her proud every day, she lives with her husband and little kitten on an island in the Pacific Northwest. And although the beaches are rocky instead of sandy, lined with Madronas and Evergreens instead of Palm trees, and the surf is much to cold for wading, it is still the perfect spot for writing romantic fiction.

You can visit her blog, Suzie's Writing Place at http://suzieswritingplace.blogspot.com/.

also publishes under the name Suzie Johnson

Reviews

[Andrea Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

by Andrea Renee Cox

True North was an okay book for me. The struggle over divorce is one I have not dealt with before, nor do I plan to. I've had a couple of friends go through it, so perhaps they can better relate to this book than I was able to. I thought the aspect of grief was well written. The feelings, emotions on that were very palpable. I really struggled with Jessica, though. She always seemed to know too much about what was going on, like the author had slipped her all the secrets for some reason. At first I thought she might be an angel, which would explain that, but then everyone could see her and she never declared herself an angel. So I'm still confused at how she knew everything she did.

Overall, this was a good story. Like I said, others will probably relate to it a lot better than I.

I was not compensated for my honest review.

[Deon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on #KindleUnlimited

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my! 'True North' is not an easy read, full of heart wrenching dialogue & thoughts - this one will take you to places you never want to go. The effect of a loss of a child on a marriage (and one that was already a little bit strained by the sounds of it) can be devastating. None of us know just how we will react to this hugely immense trial, and having to read about the difficulties that Joe & Lisa go through as they reach this point of decision, 'Divorce' looms on the horizon - and you will feel all the aches and pains along with them. Grief is such a hard thing to describe. Each of us feel it differently. Some will completely break down, while others will appear to handle it with ease. However, what I found interesting from this angle, is the knock on affect it has, so that instead of processing the loss of a child, they have also lost each other in the process, adding another burden/hurdle to be overcome, in the step back to the new 'norm' of living. It was sweet to add the character of 6 year old Brandon - who while making it hard to face the loss, provided healing in his own sweet way. I can relate to that feeling of wanting something so bad, and it just not seeming to come together. Lucky for the readers, this book ends beautifully. Sometimes the endless character dialogue with God, can feel a little tedious, but it works perfectly in this story. Loss of loved ones tend to leave us feeling 'lost' when it comes to our relationship with our Father in Heaven, and reconnecting, or finding Him again, is a pathway journey as real as the relationships that are affected on earth.

I received this book from Pelican Books & Netgalley in return for my honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

True North tells the story of Joe and Lisa Kendall. With Joe spending all of his time at work, Lisa feels like he is missing so much of their 10 year old son's life. She likes the lifestyle they have but is frustrated at what she feels is Joe's lack of involvement. When tragedy strikes in a most unimaginable way, they drift further apart until Joe no longer comes home. Unable to communicate and share in each other's healing, Joe and Lisa have reached the breaking point. As Lisa has learned to lean on her faith, Joe has drifted away from his.

Lisa wants to continue their marriage but Joe feels that he needs to let go and allow Lisa to move on. Work and home life have suffered for Joe as he sinks lower in his grief and guilt. Lisa feels the grief and guilt as well but wants to heal and help Joe to heal as well. Taking the Alaskan cruise which was to be their son's present may bring the healing that they both need. However, it may also cause them to go their separate ways. Lisa feels she mush try. Boarding the ship without Joe's knowledge, Lisa and Joe will either find their way back to one another or agree to move on.

Losing a child must be one of the hardest times for parents to have to go through. True North brings tears but some laughter as you watch Lisa and Joe learn to communicate and heal.

Great read. Thank you Bookfun.org for the complimentary copy. This is my honest review.

[Iola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa and Joe Kendall’s marriage falls apart after their ten year old son dies in a car accident. Joe spends all his time at work and is considering a divorce so Lisa can move on with her life. Lisa wants to save their marriage, so convinces Joe to take the Alaskan cruise they had booked and paid for as a treat for Cody, who loved orcas. Joe agrees, on condition that Lisa doesn’t come too. But she does …

True North is a poignant and bittersweet story of two people lost in grief. Not only of their inability to share and work through their grief and how that has destroying their relationship, but how their loss has also affected their relationship with God.

Losing a child must be one of the toughest challenges a parent ever has to face, and True North shows that anguish well. It’s a different kind of romance, the story of two damaged people learning how to cope, how to reconnect.

It’s a difficult subject, and one that is handled well. The two main characters are frustrating in how believable they are, while the minor characters provide both some light relief and impetus for some decisions. The writing is very good, and while this isn’t a subject everyone is going to be comfortable with, True North is worth reading.

Thanks to Susie Johnson for providing a free ebook for review.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading True North. The author is one of my critique partners and I’ve had the pleasure of watching this story grow and evolve. The premise is different to the typical inspirational romance because it’s a reunion romance story with a married hero and heroine. The tragedy of losing their only child has ripped apart Lisa and Joe’s marriage. At the start of the story they’re estranged and living apart, their relationship with God challenged by the unexpected loss of their son, Cody.

Lisa arranges, without Joe’s knowledge, to join him on the Alaskan cruise that was supposed to be a family birthday celebration for Cody. Their son’s dream had been to see the whales. The story has many emotional highs and lows as both Lisa and Joe deal with their grief , their faith crises, and their crumbing marriage. A couple of fascinating minor characters on the cruise play a critical role in helping Joe and Lisa heal and face their marital problems.

I loved the depth of emotion experienced by the characters as they worked through their very real issues. The Alaskan scenery was gorgeous and the close proximity of the cruise ship heightened the romantic tension in the story. I highly recommend True North for those looking for a deep and compelling contemporary romance story.

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the cover and book description, I'm honestly not sure I would I have read the book had I not read the authors previous book. Although the book centers around a difficult subject, loss of a child, it was not a sad book. Frustrating, but not sad.

Joe and Lise are desperately trying to get over the loss of their young son. Although Joe loves his wife, he feels the best thing for her would be to live her life alone, without him. Lisa is equally determined to save her marriage. They are so lost in grief over Cody, their son, that they can't see how much they need each other, how much they need to forgive themselves, and how they've turned away from God.

This was a great journey. I was so frustrated with Joe for most of the book, then I somehow flip-flopped and became frustrated with Lisa when Joe did a complete 180.

The secondary characters were enjoyable; although I did feel that we were left wondering how things turned out for Jessica, Chad and Brandon, and Rose. Their lives were woven into Joe and Lisa's, with a glimpse of their back stories, but nothing of their future. An epilogue would have been good, especially for Joe and Lisa.

All-in-all a good book that draws you in quickly. 4 - 41/2 stars. An epilogue would have kicked it to 5 stars.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tragedy of losing a child is heartbreaking enough, but having your marriage disintegrate because of that loss is enough to destroy anyone. Grief is different for each of us, but I think we all want to believe we can lean on those closest to us in our time of need.

Lisa struggles to stand on her own when Joe deserts her after they lose their son. She wants nothing more than to have Joe come back home so they can grieve together for their loss, support each other. But he won't even take her calls.

Joe can't forgive himself for his son's death, blames himself for not being there. He turns his back on God and is convinced that divorcing Lisa would be the best thing for her.

This story is so very moving. It shows how weak we are when we try to stand on our own, but how much stronger we can be when we lean on God. Sometimes we just have to be willing to open our eyes to see His message to us in His creation around us.

This story will be a blessing for anyone who reads it!

[Donna Mcginnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe and Lisa have suffered the most devastating and heartbreaking loss a parent can face, the loss of their 10 year old son Cody in a car accident. Their grief and guilt has torn them apart from each other and separated them from God. Joe has left Lisa and considers a divorce so Lisa can move on with her life, but Lisa wants to save their marriage.
Lisa wants Joe to go on a pre-planned cruise so he can hopefully start to heal. Lisa decides to go too but Joe does not know she is going. Will they both begin the healing process, forgive each other, and find faith again in God? Can their love for each other and their marriage be saved?
I really liked the secondary characters and how they impacted Joe and Lisa in their journey of healing.
Although this book is emotional to read at times there is also happiness and love and that God is with us through all circumstances.
I am glad I had the chance to read this story.

I received a copy of this book from bookfun.org for my honest opinion and review

[Becky Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotionally charged journey.

I cried through much of this one. Tragedy strikes early in the story. Most of the story is about how Joe and Lisa, a married couple, deal with this greatest loss of all losses. Hoping a previously planned cruise to Alaska will plant the seeds for healing in their ever-gaping marriage, Joe and Lisa continue with plans for the cruise. (Which is a story in itself!) Add in a little boy who resembles Cody; a friendly, meddling older lady; personal desires and misguided plans; but most importantly, an almighty God working in and through circumstances and even hurt people. Anyone who has ever struggled at spots in their marriage can appreciate this story of loss, despair, guilt, and forgiveness. On further reflection, I am giving this story 5 stars for the emotionally charged journey on which Johnson takes us. Well done!!

I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.

[Anita]

Lisa & Joe have lost their son in a terrible car accident. They both are full of guilt and they have turned away from each other and God. Lisa tries to get Joe to return home to her by convincing him to go on an Alaskan cruise they planned for their son. She secretly goes along on the cruise in hopes of reconciling with him.

I can think of nothing any more devastating than to lose a child. This was a heartbreaking book. Lisa goes on the cruise to help Joe recover and move on, not realizing that she has her own recovering to do. I was truly rooting for them to find happiness again, and to find their way back to each other and God. This book reminds me that God is there, even when things seem like they are as bad as they can ever get. This book is a definite read!
I received this book from bookfun.org for my honest review

[Lori Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book! After reading No Substitute, I was excited to read this book. This was no disappointment. It was sad, but yet there it was so real to life. A couple have lost their son to a car accident and are having problems coping with the loss. Their marriage and job are affected by the loss. An Alaskan cruise had been planned as a family prior to the loss. They both decide to go on the cruise for different reasons. It is a true inspirational story of faith and healing in times of pain.
I will definitely continue to read books by this author!
I received this book from the Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.