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Touchstone
A Million Miles From Home
When Rachel Austin bid goodbye to her hometown of Mirage, Texas, she knew she was leaving behind disappointment, tragic loss, and painful memories. But she was also leaving Houston Bookout, the only man she could ever love. In the frightening bustle of Rachel's new life, her intelligence, poise, and stunning half-Cherokee beauty help rocket her to the top of the modeling world. But money and fame cannot soothe a broken heart or protect Rachel from danger. And only when Rachel stands to lose everything does she learn that her one hope is Houston's love, a passion that cannot be torn apart by distance, glamour, or even a madman's obsession.
When Rachel Austin bid goodbye to her hometown of Mirage, Texas, she knew she was leaving behind disappointment, tragic loss, and painful memories. But she was also leaving Houston Bookout, the only man she could ever love. In the frightening bustle of Rachel's new life, her intelligence, poise, and stunning half-Cherokee beauty help rocket her to the top of the modeling world. But money and fame cannot soothe a broken heart or protect Rachel from danger. And only when Rachel stands to lose everything does she learn that her one hope is Houston's love, a passion that cannot be torn apart by distance, glamour, or even a madman's obsession.
400 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1999
56 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Dinah McCall
22 books162 followersDinah McCall is a pseudonym for author Sharon Sala.
It was a job she hated that drove Sharon Sala to put the first page of paper in an old typewriter, but it was the love of the craft that kept her writing. Her first efforts at writing came in 1980 when she began a book that wound up under her bed. A second book followed in 1981 and suffered a similar fate, but she claims the writing bug had bitten hard. However, she let life and the demands of a growing family delay her from continuing until a tragedy struck.
Her father died in May of 1985 after a lingering illness, and then, only two months later, her only sister died unexpectedly. She vowed then and there that she was not going to wind up on her deathbed one day with regrets for not following through on her dreams.
She joined writers' groups and attended conferences, and she slowly learned her way around the written page. By 1989, she decided she had come far enough in her writing to attempt another try at book-length fiction and began a book that would later be entitled Sara's Angel. As fate would have it, the first publisher she sent it to bought it, and she hasn't looked back.
As a farmer's daughter, and then for many years a farmer's wife, Sharon escaped the drudgeries of life through the pages of books, and now, as a writer, she finds herself often living out her dreams. Through traveling and speaking and the countless thousands of fan letters she has received, Sharon has touched many lives. One faithful reader has crowned her the "Reba of Romance," while others claim she's a magician with words.
Her stories are often dark, dealing with the realities of this world, and yet she's able to weave hope and love within the words for the readers who clamor for her latest works.
Her books repeatedly make the bestseller lists, including those of The New York Times, USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and the Waldenbooks mass market fiction list, and she's been nominated for a RITA® Award seven times, which is the romance writer's equivalent of having an Oscar or an Emmy nomination.
Always an optimist in the face of bad times, she finds that many of the stories she writes come to her in dreams, but there's nothing fanciful about her work. She puts her faith in God and still trusts in love and the belief that, no matter what, everything comes full circle.
It was a job she hated that drove Sharon Sala to put the first page of paper in an old typewriter, but it was the love of the craft that kept her writing. Her first efforts at writing came in 1980 when she began a book that wound up under her bed. A second book followed in 1981 and suffered a similar fate, but she claims the writing bug had bitten hard. However, she let life and the demands of a growing family delay her from continuing until a tragedy struck.
Her father died in May of 1985 after a lingering illness, and then, only two months later, her only sister died unexpectedly. She vowed then and there that she was not going to wind up on her deathbed one day with regrets for not following through on her dreams.
She joined writers' groups and attended conferences, and she slowly learned her way around the written page. By 1989, she decided she had come far enough in her writing to attempt another try at book-length fiction and began a book that would later be entitled Sara's Angel. As fate would have it, the first publisher she sent it to bought it, and she hasn't looked back.
As a farmer's daughter, and then for many years a farmer's wife, Sharon escaped the drudgeries of life through the pages of books, and now, as a writer, she finds herself often living out her dreams. Through traveling and speaking and the countless thousands of fan letters she has received, Sharon has touched many lives. One faithful reader has crowned her the "Reba of Romance," while others claim she's a magician with words.
Her stories are often dark, dealing with the realities of this world, and yet she's able to weave hope and love within the words for the readers who clamor for her latest works.
Her books repeatedly make the bestseller lists, including those of The New York Times, USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and the Waldenbooks mass market fiction list, and she's been nominated for a RITA® Award seven times, which is the romance writer's equivalent of having an Oscar or an Emmy nomination.
Always an optimist in the face of bad times, she finds that many of the stories she writes come to her in dreams, but there's nothing fanciful about her work. She puts her faith in God and still trusts in love and the belief that, no matter what, everything comes full circle.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
d-n-f
July 7, 2019Female MC leaves town within the first few pages, but she had no reason to run away other than to be a total coward. I am not interested in reading about somebody that runs from imaginary problems. Yeah, fine, leave the only person that cares about you so you can run away from sad things and take on a job you don't even liket. I ain't reading about it.
December 23, 2019
Touchstone
Oh my goodness, what a great book. I loved every bit of it. Rachel and Houston are both such down to earth characters. I would definitely recommend this book.
Oh my goodness, what a great book. I loved every bit of it. Rachel and Houston are both such down to earth characters. I would definitely recommend this book.
March 9, 2025
Excellent is an understatement! Terrifying romantic suspense, heartbreaking tragedy after tragedy befalls both main characters when Rachel runs away from her dirt poor life & the love of her life to NYC, trying to find a way to make money. She befriends an elderly woman who becomes her guardian angel! Still hurting & missing her lover, she is nearly killed when a psychotic doorman tries to blow her up because she didn't acknowledge him! Nonstop suspense, heartbreaking, tear jerker, tragedy, and non-stop page turning events make 5 stars too low! Sharon Sala is by far my favorite author with every book I have read by her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2013
Really good older book by Sharon Sala. It's a story about loss, love, and second chances. As with most SS books, there's a slight touch of paranormal (connections between soulmates). There's a small mystery and a little romance. Something for everyone.
October 27, 2023
This is the very first book of hers that I have given only 3 stars to. It was hard to get into it first, but I kept with it and was glad I did. That being said, it wasn’t one of her better ones. It was depressing and, the protagonist was complaining through most of the book. I realize that that is a sign of a good writer, that she could bring out those feelings in me, but the story as a whole was not one that I would read again.
May 28, 2024
Good read!
I love reading Sharon Sala/Dinah McCall. All of her books keep the reader “involved” in the story w/o all the extra fluff/unnecessary descriptions of the wallpaper…or her purse…or the size of her house, etc. Sharon/Dinah give the story just enough description to help you get a picture of each character, etc. And her storyline keeps me on the edge of my seat!
I love reading Sharon Sala/Dinah McCall. All of her books keep the reader “involved” in the story w/o all the extra fluff/unnecessary descriptions of the wallpaper…or her purse…or the size of her house, etc. Sharon/Dinah give the story just enough description to help you get a picture of each character, etc. And her storyline keeps me on the edge of my seat!
January 21, 2022
Great story and so well written!
This story is a gem to hold close to your heart. Of course it has a happy ending and the characters are real and endering and I want to read more of her writing. Can't wait for another book. No wonder she has so many awards!
This story is a gem to hold close to your heart. Of course it has a happy ending and the characters are real and endering and I want to read more of her writing. Can't wait for another book. No wonder she has so many awards!
July 30, 2023
Good Book
This was a wonderful story of the grass not being greener on the other side. Houston love Rachel and was always there for her. So much love these two had for each other . And a great happy ending.
This was a wonderful story of the grass not being greener on the other side. Houston love Rachel and was always there for her. So much love these two had for each other . And a great happy ending.
October 26, 2020
Another good love story with elements of ESP and a mystery interwoven.
January 24, 2022
When you are alone and empty.
A lot of tears. But "Texas" stayed with her upbringing and did not let fame change her. More tears at end!!
A lot of tears. But "Texas" stayed with her upbringing and did not let fame change her. More tears at end!!
January 18, 2023
As always, a great read!
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May 16, 2017Rachel Austin makes the tough decision to move from Texas to New York City, leaving behind her childhood sweetheart, Houston, for a glamorous job in the big city. New York City is a lonely place, though, and Rachel is soon running back into Houston's arms... unfortunately she is now sightless and being stalked by a killer!
One of my favorite romantic suspense’s! Enjoy!
-Lindsey D.-
One of my favorite romantic suspense’s! Enjoy!
-Lindsey D.-
January 25, 2022
Don't know how I missed this one. I've read so many of Sharon Sala's books. I usually read an author two or three books back to back, and then on to another author, and YES, I read constantly. Surprised my Kindle hasn't blown up! Anywho...this one is like so many of Ms. Sala's books: Unforgettable. I highly recommend it; beautiful love story with a lot of drama.
December 24, 2012
i love Sharon Sala Books (she wrote this as Dinah McCall) they are the type of books you can curl up with & enjoy.. looking forward to reading everything she has written! Touchstone was a great read...no spoilers from me...
February 8, 2011
her style reminded me a little of Mary Alice Monroe's, but content was more fluffy, feelings oriented... Houston is too perfect, she is too beautiful
September 8, 2012
Loved it!
August 2, 2025
2.5 star read
Read
April 1, 2015Very good
I really liked this book, Sharon Sala has the ability to touch your heart strings with the characters in this story.
I really liked this book, Sharon Sala has the ability to touch your heart strings with the characters in this story.
June 28, 2015
It hits the mark sometimes and other times it can drag.
July 15, 2010
Typical Sharon Sala/Dinah McCall fare. Fast paced.
November 10, 2011
My favorite of hers. The plot is so unique and the characters impeccable. A tear-jerker.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews