When Paths Cross

by C.L. Wells

Marti lives her life as a widow who can’t let go of the past. Until one day, she steps out of her comfort zone only to find she’s the last hope of a homeless woman with a small child.

This is a short story that will take the average reader less than two hours to complete.

41 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2017

About the author

C.L. Wells is a JANE-OF-ALL-TRADES, with a passion for writing and animals. She lives in Kansas with her family, which includes a fat doggie who is not named Toto and a cat who moonlights as an escape artist. Feel free to ask her about the ‘escape artist.’ She plans to write about it someday. She would love hearing from you.

Reviews

[Timothy Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The synopsis in Goodreads doesn't tell you a lot about this book. So I will go into a little more detail. Marti is a widow who has lost a lot. She has not only lost her husband, but her brother as well as others. She is having trouble letting go of her past. She feels pretty much alone. Although she has a friend Ben who wants more of a relationship with Marti; but Marti doesn't recognize Ben's interest as being anything more but friendship. On the bus to work she comes across a young woman and her daughter. She wonders about them. At work a friend recommends a place where she can get good food. She goes to the restaurant and sees the woman from the bus. The young woman's name is Sarah. While she is there she witnesses Sarah's husband/boyfriend (the story doesn't say) come in and dump her daughter, Heidi and all of her belongings in the restaurant and leaves. Marti ends up inviting Sarah and Heidi to live with her. All of their lives are blessed for having crossed paths with one another. Sarah helps Marti to recognize Ben's love for her. It is a very well written story for a Novella. There are no cliff hangers. It is a very heart warming read.

The only thing I disagreed with; but not enough to drop a star is the mention of Joel Osteen and TD Jakes.

[Patricia Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Paths Cross is a heartwarming novella by C. L. Wells. In the beginning, Marti, who is somewhat of a loner, meets Sarah and her daughter Heidi at a bus stop on her way to work. Something about the two of them makes Marti wonder about their circumstances. Later that evening Marti meets the two of them once again under much more strenuous circumstances. Bonds form, situations change, Faith renews, and love is found.

C. L. Wells does a thorough job of tugging on my heartstrings. The compassion that Marti shows for this family in need is truly spectacular. Love can be found in so many places, but I didn’t expect to find such a sweet compassion as shown in this story. When Paths Cross is a truly encouraging tale of not only God’s love, but the love from one hurting human to another. Beautiful job C. L. Wells I look forward to reading more from you.

[Nadine Keels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truth be told, she'd hopelessly isolated herself... In doing so, she wondered how many opportunities she'd missed out on.

Marti copes with memories of the past and her present widowhood by holding on to predictability and aloneness. But meeting a young mother and daughter in trouble brings the sameness of Marti's life to a halt in When Paths Cross by author C.L. Wells.

I was looking for something short but meaningful when I picked up this story, and that's what I got. It's a good illustration of how what we need most in life sometimes is linked to the needs of others.

The story's pacing is a bit awkward in a couple places, and it seems like one twist takes too big a leap without enough time or emotional development to keep it from feeling somewhat trite and too perfect by the end. But overall, the compassion and renewed life in this story make it worth the read.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming novella by C. L. Wells. Marti is a widow and watches a single mom and daughter on the bus. Goes to a restaurant and the same girl is waitress. And story is so sweet