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The Long Journey: Velma's Story
Based on the life of G. L. Gooding's mother, Velma Steele, The Long Journey continues the saga first introduced in the bestselling historical novels Where Courage Began and The Road to Resilience.
As World War II looms ahead, Velma and Jack Gooding’s joy of welcoming a healthy son into the world is soon overshadowed when Jack falls gravely ill with Tubercular Pneumonia. To aid his recovery, the family moves to a small farm, where Jack slowly recovers and eventually takes on part-time work. The attack on Pearl Harbor, a turning point for all Americans, propels the Goodings to California. There Jack builds B-17s, while Velma manages their home life with now two young sons. After the war, they welcome a third son and plan to stay in California, but urgent news from Iowa pulls them back to care for Velma's injured mother, Alice Steele. Eventually, Jack’s job back in Iowa demands yet another move—to Peoria, Illinois. There, a fateful encounter with a little girl changes everything, pushing Velma's courage, resilience, and strength to the edge of heartbreak.
The Long Journey is a moving story of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring power of family ties that transcend time and distance.
A lasting tribute to American families who bravely faced the challenges of the Great Depression and then World War Two, The Long Journey is book three in the heartwarming series that mirrors the struggles of a generation, shining a special light on the Midwestern love for God, the land, hard work, family, and friendship.
As World War II looms ahead, Velma and Jack Gooding’s joy of welcoming a healthy son into the world is soon overshadowed when Jack falls gravely ill with Tubercular Pneumonia. To aid his recovery, the family moves to a small farm, where Jack slowly recovers and eventually takes on part-time work. The attack on Pearl Harbor, a turning point for all Americans, propels the Goodings to California. There Jack builds B-17s, while Velma manages their home life with now two young sons. After the war, they welcome a third son and plan to stay in California, but urgent news from Iowa pulls them back to care for Velma's injured mother, Alice Steele. Eventually, Jack’s job back in Iowa demands yet another move—to Peoria, Illinois. There, a fateful encounter with a little girl changes everything, pushing Velma's courage, resilience, and strength to the edge of heartbreak.
The Long Journey is a moving story of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring power of family ties that transcend time and distance.
A lasting tribute to American families who bravely faced the challenges of the Great Depression and then World War Two, The Long Journey is book three in the heartwarming series that mirrors the struggles of a generation, shining a special light on the Midwestern love for God, the land, hard work, family, and friendship.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2024
209 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
G.L. Gooding
10 books13 followersAmerican novelist G. L. Gooding is the author of five novels that have warmed the hearts of audiences around the globe.
Met with glowing industry reviews, Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls is the award-winning historical mystery that picks up where the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life ends. Available in paperback, e-book, and a separate large-print edition, the novel is now available as an incredible audiobook narrated by industry legend George Guidall. Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls shares new layers of suspense, history, revelation, and redemption as a determined bank examiner pursues the truth about George Bailey, Mr. Potter, and the money that Uncle Billy failed to deposit that fateful day.
Gooding's second book Yellum shines the spotlight on the challenging life of a special donkey with a divine purpose. Lost and alone in the world, the orphaned beast of burden must overcome hardships and disillusionment before he ultimately discovers that every single creature on Earth matters--especially him--the donkey chosen to carry the pregnant Mary to Bethlehem for the birth of the Christ Child.
His third book Murder in Minnesota launches the Wandering Woodie Mystery series about a young veteran who returns home from the Vietnam War in the early 1970s and strikes out on a cross-country adventure with his friends, driving a recently restored 1946 Ford Woodie that pulls a teardrop trailer behind. When the vintage vehicle breaks down in Minnesota, mystery and mayhem begin as the friends discover how a string of local murders are linked to the area’s tragic past.
Gooding's tribute to his mother's courageous life is chronicled in the novels Where Courage Began and Road to Resilience. These novels recount the stories of family and friendship and shed light on depression-era communities in rural America.
Gooding and his wife, Sarah, live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Gooding is at work on the next adventure in his Wandering Woodie Mystery series as well as the next chapter of historical series Velma's Story.
Met with glowing industry reviews, Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls is the award-winning historical mystery that picks up where the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life ends. Available in paperback, e-book, and a separate large-print edition, the novel is now available as an incredible audiobook narrated by industry legend George Guidall. Fresh Snow on Bedford Falls shares new layers of suspense, history, revelation, and redemption as a determined bank examiner pursues the truth about George Bailey, Mr. Potter, and the money that Uncle Billy failed to deposit that fateful day.
Gooding's second book Yellum shines the spotlight on the challenging life of a special donkey with a divine purpose. Lost and alone in the world, the orphaned beast of burden must overcome hardships and disillusionment before he ultimately discovers that every single creature on Earth matters--especially him--the donkey chosen to carry the pregnant Mary to Bethlehem for the birth of the Christ Child.
His third book Murder in Minnesota launches the Wandering Woodie Mystery series about a young veteran who returns home from the Vietnam War in the early 1970s and strikes out on a cross-country adventure with his friends, driving a recently restored 1946 Ford Woodie that pulls a teardrop trailer behind. When the vintage vehicle breaks down in Minnesota, mystery and mayhem begin as the friends discover how a string of local murders are linked to the area’s tragic past.
Gooding's tribute to his mother's courageous life is chronicled in the novels Where Courage Began and Road to Resilience. These novels recount the stories of family and friendship and shed light on depression-era communities in rural America.
Gooding and his wife, Sarah, live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Gooding is at work on the next adventure in his Wandering Woodie Mystery series as well as the next chapter of historical series Velma's Story.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 14, 2024
The Long Journey
I liked this book and the other ones before it. Some parts were good, and some were sad, but I enjoyed it anyway
I liked this book and the other ones before it. Some parts were good, and some were sad, but I enjoyed it anyway
September 9, 2025
5 stars except for edits
This is the third book describing the life of Velma. I'm enjoying the tenacity and resilience she displays having grown up in the time period and home she came from. In this book, I was especially delighted to find the family moved to Lakewood California during the war, eventually purchasing a home in Bellflower. I grew up in Lakewood and was delighted with the description of what it looked like before my family moved there in the late 60's
The evidence of lack of quality editing brought me down. Knar-do-well? In a describing Alice's opinion of Jack; I believe that is 'ne'er-do-well'.
Walt vs Dick- who was Velma offering condolences to?
The list goes on.
I love family stories and history and reading these three books of Velma's story had me staying up past my bedtime.
Thank you for sharing your mother with us!
This is the third book describing the life of Velma. I'm enjoying the tenacity and resilience she displays having grown up in the time period and home she came from. In this book, I was especially delighted to find the family moved to Lakewood California during the war, eventually purchasing a home in Bellflower. I grew up in Lakewood and was delighted with the description of what it looked like before my family moved there in the late 60's
The evidence of lack of quality editing brought me down. Knar-do-well? In a describing Alice's opinion of Jack; I believe that is 'ne'er-do-well'.
Walt vs Dick- who was Velma offering condolences to?
The list goes on.
I love family stories and history and reading these three books of Velma's story had me staying up past my bedtime.
Thank you for sharing your mother with us!
October 30, 2024
Velma’s Story
I have loved hearing Velma’s story! The story has been a great representation of the times, and makes me think of my own grandparents, long gone now and still greatly missed. I hope there is more to come…
I have loved hearing Velma’s story! The story has been a great representation of the times, and makes me think of my own grandparents, long gone now and still greatly missed. I hope there is more to come…
November 5, 2024
Three thumbs up
I was hopeful that this wasn't the end of this series. I have enjoyed reading about Bella's life from childhood, until her life in Illinois. If anyone is looking for a wonderful book start with book one of this series. I highly recommend all three books!
I was hopeful that this wasn't the end of this series. I have enjoyed reading about Bella's life from childhood, until her life in Illinois. If anyone is looking for a wonderful book start with book one of this series. I highly recommend all three books!
January 4, 2025
Family Living in the Forties and Fifties.
It was about families and every day struggles in the forties and fifties when I was growing up. Good family get togethers and every day struggles.
It was about families and every day struggles in the forties and fifties when I was growing up. Good family get togethers and every day struggles.
June 21, 2025
There needs to be more to finish the story!!!
The three books are a wonderful heart moving story, but I ache how it ended. Please, could there be yet another book? I feel cut off it the middle!
The three books are a wonderful heart moving story, but I ache how it ended. Please, could there be yet another book? I feel cut off it the middle!
September 15, 2025
I have to honest I am not a history or historical fiction type person but I will say I did enjoy reading this novel!
To imagine growing up in these times had to be hard even though they didn’t know anything different! Obviously we are to pampered these days! 🤗
To imagine growing up in these times had to be hard even though they didn’t know anything different! Obviously we are to pampered these days! 🤗
November 15, 2024
Loved the book until the abrupt ending.
July 17, 2025
wonderful!
What a great set of 3 books. So clean and well written to really keep your interest as you marvel at the life this family lived.
What a great set of 3 books. So clean and well written to really keep your interest as you marvel at the life this family lived.
August 22, 2025
This novel was very special to me as it takes place around the time that my mother and dad were born. It was a very good look at how tough life could be.
August 30, 2025
The long journey
It was a good book, but not to much of my style. I would recommend only if you like that kind of book.
It was a good book, but not to much of my style. I would recommend only if you like that kind of book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews