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The Waystation: 'Cause Dead's Not Really Dead
Welcome to the Waystation, a place where time has no meaning. Consider this your first stop after exiting your life. Everyone passes through here on their way to one place or the other (if you know what I mean).
People die every day. They choose a life of crime, love the wrong person, see things they shouldn’t, or maybe they simply grow old. There’s no escaping it. Death comes to us all eventually, so there’s no point in running. But be encouraged; death is not the end.
Behind every death there’s a story of life, love, and sometimes tragedy. I’d like you to meet Cara, Rachel, Tony, Marco, Sarah, Samuel, Loreli and Wren…this is their story. Come on in and I’ll tell you all about them. Sit down and have a piece of pecan pie and a cup of coffee, or maybe a glass of sweet tea. We’ve got sandwiches if you’re hungry. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, just ignore that nasty smelling mist you see creeping along the ground. And don’t worry about the screams, they’re not here for you.
In a cross between hard crime fiction and a spiritual parable, The Waystation takes you on an odyssey from the darkness of this world, to the serenity of the afterlife. It carries you from the ugliness of the drug business, racism, abuse, and murder, to the joy that comes when all that ceases to matter anymore. Existing as a stopping point on the journey between life and death, The Waystation is a place to rest and prepare for your real life to begin.
People die every day. They choose a life of crime, love the wrong person, see things they shouldn’t, or maybe they simply grow old. There’s no escaping it. Death comes to us all eventually, so there’s no point in running. But be encouraged; death is not the end.
Behind every death there’s a story of life, love, and sometimes tragedy. I’d like you to meet Cara, Rachel, Tony, Marco, Sarah, Samuel, Loreli and Wren…this is their story. Come on in and I’ll tell you all about them. Sit down and have a piece of pecan pie and a cup of coffee, or maybe a glass of sweet tea. We’ve got sandwiches if you’re hungry. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, just ignore that nasty smelling mist you see creeping along the ground. And don’t worry about the screams, they’re not here for you.
In a cross between hard crime fiction and a spiritual parable, The Waystation takes you on an odyssey from the darkness of this world, to the serenity of the afterlife. It carries you from the ugliness of the drug business, racism, abuse, and murder, to the joy that comes when all that ceases to matter anymore. Existing as a stopping point on the journey between life and death, The Waystation is a place to rest and prepare for your real life to begin.
- GenresFiction
266 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2017
About the author
Laurie Jameson
2 books9 followersWhile freely admitting she is a book addict, it is not an admission of guilt, but more a badge she proudly displays for all the world to see. One can never have too many book cases and decorating with books is pure genius. She does admit to judging potential friends based upon the number of books displayed in their home, or the lack thereof.
The Waystation, won the Illumination Awards 2019 Gold Medal for best Christian fiction in the Enduring Light category. That's fiction published between the years 2000-2019! 2018 eLit Award, Silver Medal for Religious Fiction.
The Kitten, is about a young woman who was victimized as a child and grows up to be a serial killer or pedophiles. 2021 Winner of NY Big Book Award, Distinguished Favorite, 2021 indieBRAG Award. 2023 Winner of Speak Up Talk Radio, Firebird Book Award for Best Revenge Novel.
Her third, Violet's Violin, published under the pen name of Jameson-Sims, is a civil war ghost story told through the diary entries of a young woman between 1860 and 1864. Winner of Best Historical Fiction, and Best Southern Fiction from Speak Up Talk Radio, 2024 Firebird Book Awards.
The Waystation, won the Illumination Awards 2019 Gold Medal for best Christian fiction in the Enduring Light category. That's fiction published between the years 2000-2019! 2018 eLit Award, Silver Medal for Religious Fiction.
The Kitten, is about a young woman who was victimized as a child and grows up to be a serial killer or pedophiles. 2021 Winner of NY Big Book Award, Distinguished Favorite, 2021 indieBRAG Award. 2023 Winner of Speak Up Talk Radio, Firebird Book Award for Best Revenge Novel.
Her third, Violet's Violin, published under the pen name of Jameson-Sims, is a civil war ghost story told through the diary entries of a young woman between 1860 and 1864. Winner of Best Historical Fiction, and Best Southern Fiction from Speak Up Talk Radio, 2024 Firebird Book Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 23, 2017
The blurb of the book may be a lengthy one, but it did intrigue me. Some theories state that there is indeed a threshold that we need to cross before we ‘cross over’ to the afterlife. Having a plot set up in that threshold, or ‘waystation’ as the author puts it, made me wonder what it would be like.
I liked the way the author introduces the readers to the ‘Waystation’. It was quite interesting and had the hook in it. The concept of caretakers of the waystation also seemed quite appropriate. It fit. The book then moves on to tell us the stories of a few characters - Cara, Tony, Rachel, & Marco. Their lives are their own yet their stories are forever entwined. It is through their stories that the author raises quite a few social issues on the side as well, like abuse.
There are two particular points that I would like to point out. One, you do not have to be a spiritualist to enjoy this book. Second, there is some violence in this book that may be trigger for some.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
I liked the way the author introduces the readers to the ‘Waystation’. It was quite interesting and had the hook in it. The concept of caretakers of the waystation also seemed quite appropriate. It fit. The book then moves on to tell us the stories of a few characters - Cara, Tony, Rachel, & Marco. Their lives are their own yet their stories are forever entwined. It is through their stories that the author raises quite a few social issues on the side as well, like abuse.
There are two particular points that I would like to point out. One, you do not have to be a spiritualist to enjoy this book. Second, there is some violence in this book that may be trigger for some.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
October 18, 2017
This book gave me an internal peace in the end after living through the pain and experiences of the characters. Life takes us through many twist and turns in its journey but, what happens from here I truly believe the author and her vision is spot on. I look forward to many other adventures from Laurie Jameson and The Waystation.
November 8, 2017
Let's deep dive into what worked and what didn't work for me:
Characters: There is a rich cast of characters. The story is told from the point of view of almost every character. The author tells us the background of every character. The character development is great but at times, she divulged unnecessary details which seemed irrelevant to the story.
Plot: The plot of the book was rather abstract. The first half of the book was fast-paced and the story seemed to be heading somewhere. But it takes an unexpected turn towards the second half and not much happens. The two halves felt a little disconnected. The plot could have been tighter and there could have been more flow. But, at no point the book got boring. I was constantly wondering about how a particular character will react now.
Language: The language was lucid. There were a few mistakes in my copy but the author had inserted a handwritten note ensuring that they are in process of getting corrected.
In a nutshell, pick up this book if you want to read something light and interesting.
PS: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Characters: There is a rich cast of characters. The story is told from the point of view of almost every character. The author tells us the background of every character. The character development is great but at times, she divulged unnecessary details which seemed irrelevant to the story.
Plot: The plot of the book was rather abstract. The first half of the book was fast-paced and the story seemed to be heading somewhere. But it takes an unexpected turn towards the second half and not much happens. The two halves felt a little disconnected. The plot could have been tighter and there could have been more flow. But, at no point the book got boring. I was constantly wondering about how a particular character will react now.
Language: The language was lucid. There were a few mistakes in my copy but the author had inserted a handwritten note ensuring that they are in process of getting corrected.
In a nutshell, pick up this book if you want to read something light and interesting.
PS: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
October 23, 2017
For a first time author, I thought it was a riveting book, it kept my attention, and I was anxious to see what would happen next. I highly recommend it!
January 2, 2023
The Waystation is a stopping place on the way to the afterlife. This book follows several characters through significant periods of their lives and then onto the Waystation. I have mixed feelings about this book. The premise was unique, the book well-written and the characters and their stories were interesting. But about half-way through the book it started getting real heavy on the god stuff, which I was not anticipating and frankly could have lived without. I received this book from Goodreads Giveaways.
August 15, 2018
A thought-provoking tale of grace, forgiveness, and redemption. With a great cast of characters and interaction.
I won an autographed copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.
I won an autographed copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.
June 4, 2021
A story that will make you think about the afterlife in a new way. I became so engaged with the characters of The Waystation, moments of heart pounding anxiousness over what they were going through, tears of grief, as well as joy and redemption. A great read that I highly recommend!!
August 28, 2017
MY THOUGHTS
So refreshing. A different book than most. It isn't your normal go to Heaven or Hell. We all live different lives, some good, some bad. We choose what kind of life we live, sometimes. And sometimes life chooses for us. Regardless, everyone's time comes when we leave the good or leave the dark, evil things in life behind. Things such as crime, drugs, racial conflicts, the struggles, the abuse and I could go on. But what happens when your life on earth ends?You can't stop the fact, it will end. You can't hide, you can't run. No matter what, it will happen to us all. Where do you go from here? We have always been told that you go to heaven or hell. But couldn't there be a resting place, a stopping point midway? This is a place where your new life begins, a place where LIFE begins. Whether it be one place or the other where that new life is. But let your imagination think it is a place where there is peace, the struggles are over and you can rest and relax. A place where you don't have to worry about the hustle and bustle, where time means absolutely nothing. The author gives us that place through the lives of the characters. This isn't my story. This isn't your story. It is theirs! So if you want to know what happens when your time is up, grab something to snack on, get settled in your favorite chair and get ready for the ride of your LIFE. Your present life. When you're done, you can rest assured there is The Waystation, waiting for you when your time is up. It will be time to start LIVING! WELCOME TO THE WAYSTATION!
I received a copy of this book from Ms. Jameson and was not required to read or review.
So refreshing. A different book than most. It isn't your normal go to Heaven or Hell. We all live different lives, some good, some bad. We choose what kind of life we live, sometimes. And sometimes life chooses for us. Regardless, everyone's time comes when we leave the good or leave the dark, evil things in life behind. Things such as crime, drugs, racial conflicts, the struggles, the abuse and I could go on. But what happens when your life on earth ends?You can't stop the fact, it will end. You can't hide, you can't run. No matter what, it will happen to us all. Where do you go from here? We have always been told that you go to heaven or hell. But couldn't there be a resting place, a stopping point midway? This is a place where your new life begins, a place where LIFE begins. Whether it be one place or the other where that new life is. But let your imagination think it is a place where there is peace, the struggles are over and you can rest and relax. A place where you don't have to worry about the hustle and bustle, where time means absolutely nothing. The author gives us that place through the lives of the characters. This isn't my story. This isn't your story. It is theirs! So if you want to know what happens when your time is up, grab something to snack on, get settled in your favorite chair and get ready for the ride of your LIFE. Your present life. When you're done, you can rest assured there is The Waystation, waiting for you when your time is up. It will be time to start LIVING! WELCOME TO THE WAYSTATION!
I received a copy of this book from Ms. Jameson and was not required to read or review.
January 14, 2020
I love this book!
My life doesn’t offer many opportunities to sit down for a leisurely session with a book.
I started reading ”The Waystation” at at about 8pm. It gripped me from page 1 and I read straight through till midnight. That’s very unusual for me. Maybe having my Dad pass away less than a month before the reading of it had some bearing on my acute interest in the book, or maybe it was the fascinating telling of “good kids” getting swept up into a terribly dangerous lifestyle, and their unique ways of working through the consequences of their choices, both within society and “beyond”.
For me,the book has a feel similar to “The Shack” by Paul Young.
Full of shocking surprises and paradigm stretching concepts, and though it takes you through the wringer, it is a deeply satisfying work that stays with you.
I highly recommend it!
My life doesn’t offer many opportunities to sit down for a leisurely session with a book.
I started reading ”The Waystation” at at about 8pm. It gripped me from page 1 and I read straight through till midnight. That’s very unusual for me. Maybe having my Dad pass away less than a month before the reading of it had some bearing on my acute interest in the book, or maybe it was the fascinating telling of “good kids” getting swept up into a terribly dangerous lifestyle, and their unique ways of working through the consequences of their choices, both within society and “beyond”.
For me,the book has a feel similar to “The Shack” by Paul Young.
Full of shocking surprises and paradigm stretching concepts, and though it takes you through the wringer, it is a deeply satisfying work that stays with you.
I highly recommend it!
August 23, 2017
Not a book I would normally pick up and read...but on a co-workers recommendation I thought I would try it. So glad I did...Started reading it late one afternoon, thinking I'd read a chapter or two. But it's one of those books that has you saying "Just one more chapter." The characters and their backstories, the dialogue, that's what gets you. But as you keep reading, you realize there's more to uncover. Someone asked me how I would describe the book, and all I could really say was worth the time to read it. It's enlightening, different, not really supernatural, but...
Find the time to read this book...hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I did. Looking forward to what else is in Ms. Jameson's imagination!
Find the time to read this book...hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I did. Looking forward to what else is in Ms. Jameson's imagination!
August 11, 2017
What a unique premise! This is one of those books you don’t want to put down. Jameson has created a cast of rich characters and takes us on a journey through their lives, deaths, and the beyond. Some will get redemption and others will go to hell. The path that gets them there is the true heart of the story, and what sets it apart from other books in the genre. It is a mix of crime, suspense, and spirituality that seamlessly flow together into one of the fictional finds of the year.
February 25, 2020
I didn't realize when I started this book that it is in the genre of Christian books. Now that is not a problem for me, however, I was searching for magical realism. The narrative several times mentions Max Lucado whom I know to be a Christian writer so with double-checking I did indeed find it noted as such. Oddly for books in this genre, you won't find many with f-bombs, with the use of MF, or with a fairly descriptive sexual assault in a prison setting. In the audio version the author, at the book's end, translated derogatory remarks that were spoken in Spanish, in to English so we can have an even more enhanced experience. This book has a fascinating premise but it just tried too hard and in the end, left me counting how many times it could benefit from some further editing. If you're The Church Lady you may want to pass on this one.
April 3, 2024
Hard to categorize. It meant well but its theology was so goofed up. It’s an unusual story of 4 people - 2 couples. The guys kill the girls and the girls go to a ‘waystation’ where they wait to go to heaven. In the waystation animals can apparently be killed because they keep having chicken and bacon for meals and such. One of the guys eventually winds up dying and gets captured by demons? The other guy dies later and after some light punishment gets a job manning the waystation.
There’s a long 2nd half of the book where we slowly learn the point of the waystation is to forgive those who have wronged us in life. Which is…ok, sure. Fine.
Enjoyable book? Not really? Different and an unusual concept? Yes. Points for creativity.
There’s a long 2nd half of the book where we slowly learn the point of the waystation is to forgive those who have wronged us in life. Which is…ok, sure. Fine.
Enjoyable book? Not really? Different and an unusual concept? Yes. Points for creativity.
May 26, 2026
I thought this was a Christian book, and it is. Sort of? A little.
I almost put it down after the first couple chapters. The language was horrible. I don’t mean a curse word here and there. I mean repeated bad language and graphic descriptions. I wasn’t expecting that.
I stayed with it out of curiosity, and I thought maybe the language and graphic descriptions were just part of setting up the story. I wish I’d just stopped reading it. The second part of the book was clean, but some of it was goofy and just all over the place.
I loved Violet’s Violin, so I wanted to give another book by this author a try. I wish I hadn’t.
I almost put it down after the first couple chapters. The language was horrible. I don’t mean a curse word here and there. I mean repeated bad language and graphic descriptions. I wasn’t expecting that.
I stayed with it out of curiosity, and I thought maybe the language and graphic descriptions were just part of setting up the story. I wish I’d just stopped reading it. The second part of the book was clean, but some of it was goofy and just all over the place.
I loved Violet’s Violin, so I wanted to give another book by this author a try. I wish I hadn’t.
January 13, 2025
Closer To God
What a remarkable read. This book will make anyone and everyone want to be a better person and seek to connect with God. I am not very religious but my life may have taken a turn. Have always talked with God mainly to thank him for his blessing but just never noticed people around me and wondered what they may be going through. My eyes have been opened. My heart as well. Thank you to Laurie, the author, and to the one above for placing this book into my hands to read.
What a remarkable read. This book will make anyone and everyone want to be a better person and seek to connect with God. I am not very religious but my life may have taken a turn. Have always talked with God mainly to thank him for his blessing but just never noticed people around me and wondered what they may be going through. My eyes have been opened. My heart as well. Thank you to Laurie, the author, and to the one above for placing this book into my hands to read.
January 15, 2024
I wish it was 500 pages
Truly enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure at first, but as I read, the characters and story unfolded as gently as a blooming flower. This is one of those books that Ill be thinking about long after I've read the last page. Enjoy!!! I am enjoying the warm fuzzy afterglow .
Truly enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure at first, but as I read, the characters and story unfolded as gently as a blooming flower. This is one of those books that Ill be thinking about long after I've read the last page. Enjoy!!! I am enjoying the warm fuzzy afterglow .
June 11, 2019
A Fantastical book of fiction
This work of fiction was interesting. But writers of this kind of “Christian” based nonsense are being a stumbling block to people who are seeking God and need to understand truth not fantasies. God sees all and we all will be judged.
This work of fiction was interesting. But writers of this kind of “Christian” based nonsense are being a stumbling block to people who are seeking God and need to understand truth not fantasies. God sees all and we all will be judged.
August 14, 2023
Fascinating and nicely written. What you do in life you reap on the way to heaven or hell. Waystation(s) are for redeeming yourself when you haven't been a total moron. The total morons are sent to hell after witnessing forgiveness of others.
February 17, 2022
Christian but with a lot of cursing and graphic descriptions.
September 19, 2024
Absolutely
Blown away how beautiful and poignant this story is. There were some sad things but in the end the ABSOLUTE Love of God comes shining through. Great read.
Blown away how beautiful and poignant this story is. There were some sad things but in the end the ABSOLUTE Love of God comes shining through. Great read.
May 30, 2020
Quit after multiple curse words in first few minutes. Not a good sign
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews