At the Journey's End

by Annette Lyon

Abraham Franklin feels like an outcast in every sense of the word. As an American Indian living in the Utah Territory — and not a member of the Mormon Church — Abe faces everything from simple ignorance to outright bigotry. To make matters worse, the only woman he has ever loved has chosen to marry his best friend. It is past time for Abe to start his life over. At the urging of his devout mother, Abe settles in Snowflake, Arizona, where he promptly meets Maddie Stratton. Maddie is at first wary of Abe, yet she detects a sensitivity and goodness beneath his embittered exterior and they soon become friends. As Maddie draws ever closer to Abe, he begins to push her away, knowing that her faith — and his lack of faith — will prove to be too large a barrier to result in happiness. From tender matters of the heart and the anguish of a life-threatening accident to the gentle whisperings of the Spirit, author Annette Lyon completes the powerful story of Abraham Franklin, which began in the best-selling novel House on the Hill. At once romantic and adventurous, At the Journey’s End is a captivating story of love and loss, sacrifice and, eventually, understanding. . . See also House on the Hill, Spires of Stone, and Tower of Strength, volumes one, three and four in Annette Lyon’s Temple Series.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Lds, Historical, Clean Romance

340 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2006

About the author

Annette Lyon is a USA Today bestselling author, an 9-time recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction (three times for novel-length works and five times for short fiction), and a Whitney Award winner for BAND OF SISTERS. She's the author of over a dozen novels, at least that many novellas, a cookbook, a popular grammar guide, and over a hundred magazine articles.

She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.

Annette is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Her first suspense novel, Just One More, releases 2023 through Scarlet Suspense.

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes place in the early 1880's about Abe who is an American Indian living in Utah Territory and not LDS, however his adoptive mother is devout. He faces bigotry and looses the only girl ye has ever loved to his best friend. He decides to move to Snowflake, Arizona. He helps a family go from there to St. George in a wagon pulled by horses. It is a journey of 3 weeks. A lot happens on the journey there and back to bring understanding to him.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's nice to have Abe's story written. Much like "House on the Hill", indecision almost causes him to lose his true love--Maddie Straton.

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this LDS Historical Fiction. It touched on a lot of interesting events that were happening at this time and told a great story. I enjoyed it.

[Linnae · Rating 3 out of 5]

After parting ways with the girl he loved, Abe has decided he's done with Utah. Not being white or Mormon, he has felt the sting of prejudice on many occasions. His adopted mother, however, doesn't want to live the rest of her life away from the Saints. So he promises to find a group of Mormons living elsewhere, somewhere they can live together. He eventually settles on Snowflake, Arizona.

He doesn't realize that Snowflake may just give him another chance at love, as well. Maddie Stratton is a schoolteacher, still mourning the loss of her fiancé a few years earlier. She lives with her sister's family, and has agreed to marry solid, good-hearted Edward, though her heart isn't in it. She knows she doesn't feel the same for him as she did for Roland, but tries to reconcile herself to a practical marriage, in hopes that love will come later.

Maddie plans to go with her sister's family to be sealed in the temple in St. George. Her sister has 2 little kids, and a 3rd on the way, so she will need Maddie's help on the trail. It's a bit worrisome that her brother-in-law will be the only man on the trip. Then Abe comes to town. He needs to get back to St. George right away to meet up with his mother, and is happy to jump in with Maddie's family.

Their 3-week journey on the trail will test all of them beyond what they could have imagined, but it may be just Abe needs to grow some important relationships--with God, and perhaps with Maddie, as well.

This was a companion to the "House on the Hill" novel. I liked the first better, probably because this one didn't have as much of the temple history in it. Vivid descriptions of the perils of life on the trail, even though it was a much shorter trek than the original pioneers experienced.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

At the Journey's End tells about Abe and Mattie. Both have had major heartbreak that is holding them back from moving on with their lives. They end up being part of a group traveling from Snowflake, Arizona, to Saint George, Utah, and their time together creates a strong friendship and more. As much as both of them want to move forward, there are several issues that they have to overcome in order to find true happiness.

I was drawn in by the intense emotions in the prologue, and found the issues addressed throughout the story very interesting (early life in the West, prejudices, etc.). I also enjoyed the historical tidbits included in the story, and Notes at the end of the book. Abe, Mattie, and the other characters in the book were well done. I felt for them, and hoped that they'd find happiness.

I won a copy of At the Journey's End, but was a little hesitant to put it at the front of my to-read pile because I was disappointed with the ending of its predecessor, House on the Hill. Although I read that a couple of years ago, I am happy to say that At the Journey's End resolves the issue I noted in my review for House on the Hill.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Annette Lyon's second historical temple book. The story begins in Snowflake, Arizona where we meet Maddi Stratton and are reintroduced to Abe Franklin. This book centers on the St. George Temple, and while it's already completed when the story opens, we learn some of the legendary events that surrounded its construction. At the Journey's End carries over a character from her previous book, House on the Hill. I'm so glad she wrote this book because I really wanted to follow that particular character.

Maddie Stratton has undergone tremendous heartache. She lost her beloved finance and doesn't know if she'll ever find love again. Considering a marriage of convenience and security, she meets Abe Franklin. They become friends, but Maddie can't let herself feel anything more for him because of a great divide between the two of them. She is a devout Mormon, and he doesn't know if he believes.

A romance, an adventure, and a tale of love and loss . . . all rolled into one. I'd recommend this to YA readers and Adult readers alike.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

great follow up to House on a hill. Abe has a broken heart and he still will not really look at the mormon church with opened eyes. He moves back with his mother in Idaho only to find that the prejudices among someone that is different are still there. He is a Shonsone idian by blood, but raised in a mormon culture without being converted. he wants to move to California for a fresh start but doesn't want to leave him mother. They agree to meet up when he's found a place where there are mormons. through small miracles he found snowflake arizona. his mother makes it to St. George to the point where they will meet and the temple, but her health is failing. Abe hears of her failing health and hurries to her but the trip takes 3 weeks and he is traveling with a family going for their sealing and an elderly woman. Pregnancy slows them along with little trials. Maddie and Abe have a connection of lost love, but will they be able to work past the religion difference that broke apart lizzy and abe and broke his heart?

[Angee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it better than the first in this series. At the beginning, you jump from person to person in different locations. I had a hard time following it all, as I didn't have a good picture of each one in my mind. After that, I did enjoy it. I enjoyed the spiritual journey that each person went through, and it gave me a glimpse of the struggles of the early pioneers, which is always so inspiring.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some things you just have to accept when you read a book like this. The story was good enough telling how difficult it was to be sealed in the temple when you lived in Snowflake, Arizona in the late 1800s. I would have read the book if only for the stories told about the building of the St. George Temple.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sequel of sorts to House on a Hill. It follows Abe though his hard decisions after he loses Lizzy. I really loved the story line and was glad he found happiness in the end. He's such a lovable character.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of Annette Lyon's three books I read this wkend. This is the one I enjoyed the most. I enjoyed the spiritual journey Abe went on to receive a testimony. I enjoyed reading of Maddie's journey back to trusting her self after the death of her fiance.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more about the romance rather than the history of the St. George Temple. It was nice to know what happened to the character of Abe that was introduced in the first book. A nice easy, enjoyable read.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than book one in the series-- the characters were overall more likeable, and the plot more compelling. However, I have decided that, for me, this is not my favorite series. (Grade: B).

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have given this 3.5 stars if it would have been an option.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apparently there is a book before this one, which I didn't read, and I won't becuase I fell so in love with these characters, I couldn't handle seeing them in a different life.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters were great, and I liked their story and developement. It just took me forever to read this book and that's a sign (to me) that it was just okay.

[Amber Ashton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this sequel better than the first book, but I find that this author has too many catastrophic events happen to her characters that make it a little less believable.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

It starts slow but has a decent story line.

[Emmeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love old books. They always make me think of the pioneers and treck dresses. This one was no different. I loved the story and i love good endings.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this LDS author. She writes a nice sweet book with a nice amount of history.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book much more that the first in this series. It's nice to see how things end with other characters, plus I felt this book had a better storyline.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the love story in this was a little cheesey but I learned some interesting facts about the St. George temple. And it was interesting because it took place between St. George and Snowflake, AZ.

[Sumer]

Really enjoyed this book. Loved the character of Abe.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to House on the Hill. I love how the author ties the building of the temples into her stories. Makes me more greatful for the sacrifices others have made and the blessings I take for granted.

[Heidi Pack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to keep my attention in this book. It was a good story, though. A one-time read, but worth the once.

[Lindsay Stahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love this one as much as it’s predecessor. The first few chapters were slow to me. However, by the middle of the book I was hooked and enjoyed it to the end.