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Eternal Road: The final stop
James Wainwright picks up a hitchhiker and discovers two things 1. The woman he picks up is his childhood sweetheart, only Seventeen years older. 2. He is no longer of this world. James began a road trip alone in his 1956 Oldsmobile. He stops for a hitchhiker only to discover she is his childhood sweetheart, Sam, who disappeared seventeen years before. James learns from Sam falling asleep miles back caused him to perish in a one-car accident. He also comes to understand that Sam was taken and murdered all those years ago, and now she has come back to help him find his eternal home. The pair visit a number of times and places and are witness to a number of historical events. The rules dictate that they do no harm to the time continuum. Trying to be careful, they inadvertently come to the attention of Lucifer who would love to have their souls as his subjects. They also find a threat to human survival and desperately need to put in place the fix necessary to save mankind. The question becomes, will James find his eternal home in grace or lose the battle with Satan for his immortal soul and the future of human life with it? If you like time-travel, adventure, mystery, justice, and the supernatural, this story is for you.
- GenresParanormalFantasy
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2020
25 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
John W. Howell
10 books92 followersJohn W, Howell began his writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive business career. His specialty is thriller fiction novels, but John also writes poetry and short stories. His first book, My GRL, introduces the exciting adventures of the book's central character, John J. Cannon. The second Cannon novel, His Revenge, continues the adventure, while the final book in the trilogy, Our Justice, launched in September 2016. Circumstances of Childhood in October 1st 2017. The fifth book, The Contract co-authored with Gwen M. Plano was launched the week of June 4th, 2018.
John’s sixth book, Eternal Road – The Final Stop, launched in September 2020. In search of their eternal home, Sam and James discover a threat to human existence. They also encounter the prince of darkness. The question is, can they save humankind and their eternal souls? John’s latest book is The Last Drive, a sequel to The Eternal Road. Once again, James and Sam must confront Lucifer in order to save not only their souls but those of two others. Lucifer tests them to the limit, and the challenge they face may be more than they can handle.
John’s latest is Detour on the Eternal Road where Sam an James are called into action to thwart Lucifer’s designs on making Sam his Queen, as well as, save the world from a devastating war that would mean the end to humankind. All books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.All books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.
John lives in the Austin, Texas area with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.
John’s sixth book, Eternal Road – The Final Stop, launched in September 2020. In search of their eternal home, Sam and James discover a threat to human existence. They also encounter the prince of darkness. The question is, can they save humankind and their eternal souls? John’s latest book is The Last Drive, a sequel to The Eternal Road. Once again, James and Sam must confront Lucifer in order to save not only their souls but those of two others. Lucifer tests them to the limit, and the challenge they face may be more than they can handle.
John’s latest is Detour on the Eternal Road where Sam an James are called into action to thwart Lucifer’s designs on making Sam his Queen, as well as, save the world from a devastating war that would mean the end to humankind. All books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.All books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.
John lives in the Austin, Texas area with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 1, 2021
Wow, what a unique twist on a life after death book! James picks up a hitchhiker on a lonely road, only to find out that the hitchhiker is his childhood friend, Sam, who disappeared and was murdered at the age of 7. Then he is shocked to discover he is dead too, having fallen asleep while driving. Together James and Sam go on a time-traveling journey on the eternal road, searching for his forever home.
The friends’ trips through time include the Gunfight at the OK Corral, the Alamo, and the Battle of Normandy. Through it all, the reader meets famous historical figures and gets a lesson about each event. They also visit the future and the present, and James is pursued by Satan himself as he makes decisions about his final home.
This is quite a genre mashup, as we see elements of historical fiction, the paranormal, spirituality, and even crime/thriller.
My only criticism is that the novel is written in the present tense, which I thought made the reading of it a bit less comfortable. However, that being said, I truly enjoyed this book. This is a fascinating and imaginative multi-genre novel that will literally take you on a ride you won’t forget.
I downloaded a copy of this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
The friends’ trips through time include the Gunfight at the OK Corral, the Alamo, and the Battle of Normandy. Through it all, the reader meets famous historical figures and gets a lesson about each event. They also visit the future and the present, and James is pursued by Satan himself as he makes decisions about his final home.
This is quite a genre mashup, as we see elements of historical fiction, the paranormal, spirituality, and even crime/thriller.
My only criticism is that the novel is written in the present tense, which I thought made the reading of it a bit less comfortable. However, that being said, I truly enjoyed this book. This is a fascinating and imaginative multi-genre novel that will literally take you on a ride you won’t forget.
I downloaded a copy of this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
October 18, 2020
When James wakes up from a single-car crash, he meets a hitchhiker named Samantha. It turns out that James has not survived the accident, and Samantha, who has also passed, has arrived to help James travel to his eternal home. The trip involves travel through time and locations, and the many “roadblocks” they face are erected by the Devil himself. This book follows in the time-honored tradition of The Devil and Daniel Webster and Dr. Faustus. James discovers that issues involving right and wrong are complicated and the answer can be difficult to find. While some might describe this book as a fantasy because it involves time travel, ghosts, angels, and the Devil, to me the book moved from one fascinating hold-your-breath adventure to the next—all the while a love story between James and Sam unfolds. Eternal Road has an appeal for all readers because of this skillful mix of genres, but also because at the heart of the book are the spiritual questions of life after death—and how we choose to live our lives while alive.
September 29, 2020
I am a fan of John Howell’s books and as always was looking forward to his latest. The story of this road trip undertaken by the delightful characters James and Sam does not disappoint, as it crosses timelines and genres with ease and entertaining as well as thought provoking results.
It is an accepted truth that at some point we will die, but the question has always been about our destination after that defining moment. Religions have for millennium offered their own versions of heaven and hell, with various incentives for one and warnings about the other.
John Howell creates a middle world between death and your final destination that offers infinite possibilities, and tantalizes with the thought that perhaps some of our worldly emotional and physical pleasures might be still be enjoyed. And, perhaps an opportunity, particularly following an unexpected departure, to tidy up some loose ends.
The devil of course is in the detail, and in this case the charismatic Lucifer is recruiting likely prospects for one of his key employment openings, and will stop at nothing to get his way. Thankfully Sam who is guiding James through this confusing limbo he finds himself in, has a few tricks up her sleeve and a back up team.
During this interim period, the two travellers get to visit times in man’s recent history that could use some fine tuning, provided it does not compromise the time continuum. However, sometimes it might just be devilish meddling. There is adventure, mystery, humour, romance and some just desserts served up across the last 200 years, and it makes for a lively read with plenty of action.
As an alternative to what is currently on offer from the established authorities on the matter, I would happily take advantage of John Howell’s interim world. To have extra time to get used to the idea of passing on and to revisit events and people in my life to tidy up some loose ends. Temptingly, whilst you are not allowed to influence the events that have taken place already in history, the author hints that there might be a way to prevent a catastrophe in the far distant future.
I recommend that you suspend accepted belief for a few hours and try this world on for size.
It is an accepted truth that at some point we will die, but the question has always been about our destination after that defining moment. Religions have for millennium offered their own versions of heaven and hell, with various incentives for one and warnings about the other.
John Howell creates a middle world between death and your final destination that offers infinite possibilities, and tantalizes with the thought that perhaps some of our worldly emotional and physical pleasures might be still be enjoyed. And, perhaps an opportunity, particularly following an unexpected departure, to tidy up some loose ends.
The devil of course is in the detail, and in this case the charismatic Lucifer is recruiting likely prospects for one of his key employment openings, and will stop at nothing to get his way. Thankfully Sam who is guiding James through this confusing limbo he finds himself in, has a few tricks up her sleeve and a back up team.
During this interim period, the two travellers get to visit times in man’s recent history that could use some fine tuning, provided it does not compromise the time continuum. However, sometimes it might just be devilish meddling. There is adventure, mystery, humour, romance and some just desserts served up across the last 200 years, and it makes for a lively read with plenty of action.
As an alternative to what is currently on offer from the established authorities on the matter, I would happily take advantage of John Howell’s interim world. To have extra time to get used to the idea of passing on and to revisit events and people in my life to tidy up some loose ends. Temptingly, whilst you are not allowed to influence the events that have taken place already in history, the author hints that there might be a way to prevent a catastrophe in the far distant future.
I recommend that you suspend accepted belief for a few hours and try this world on for size.
March 15, 2021
I was one of the lucky ones given the chance to beta read this wonderful story. When it became available officially, I decided to wait to read it as I'm not one of those "re-readers" and wanted to give some space.
I am rather glad I did because I remembered the story without feeling like I was watching a rerun. Plus, John made some changes here and there which helped with the flow of this already wonderful story all the more.
I can't remember the last time I read a whole book written in the present tense. It took me some getting used to.
While there is a huge amount of spirituality in this book, it never feels like it's being forced down your throat. Which is important to me because I just can't get into anything preachy. I know now that when my time comes (not anytime soon, please) I would love to have a guide to help me on my journey to find my eternal home. I love that wherever that is, it will be something that makes me happy. Pretty cool thought.
If you are a history buff, this will have additional enjoyable features for you as James and Sam travel back and ahead in time during their search, even, while trying not to cause a tear in the time continuum, ensure that humanity does not get eradicated.
This was a fun and enjoyable read with likable characters and a satisfying ending.
I am rather glad I did because I remembered the story without feeling like I was watching a rerun. Plus, John made some changes here and there which helped with the flow of this already wonderful story all the more.
I can't remember the last time I read a whole book written in the present tense. It took me some getting used to.
While there is a huge amount of spirituality in this book, it never feels like it's being forced down your throat. Which is important to me because I just can't get into anything preachy. I know now that when my time comes (not anytime soon, please) I would love to have a guide to help me on my journey to find my eternal home. I love that wherever that is, it will be something that makes me happy. Pretty cool thought.
If you are a history buff, this will have additional enjoyable features for you as James and Sam travel back and ahead in time during their search, even, while trying not to cause a tear in the time continuum, ensure that humanity does not get eradicated.
This was a fun and enjoyable read with likable characters and a satisfying ending.
September 4, 2020
James dies and ends up with a girl he hasn’t seen since they were children. This is only the beginning of his journey. I loved the places they traveled together, and the history weaved into them. Each stop had a different story they had to maneuver through without making any changes that could affect the future. I appreciated the relationship between James and Sam how they fell back into the connection they had as children that worked now that they were adults. Then having to deal with Lucifer, who interfered with their travels, was both amusing and a bit chilling to me. Their time travels were not only action-packed with lessons weaved in, but each place they visited was an engaging tale within the main story. The attention to detail and research was well done. Many parts had me laughing and a couple that left me teary-eyed. The ending surprised me, but I was satisfied with its conclusion. This is a story I won’t soon forget, and I highly recommend it!
October 20, 2020
The prologue to Eternal Road reads like any good murder mystery, followed by a quite normal beginning to chapter one, but that's when normal left the building!
Eternal Road is a beautifully written and unique story in so many ways. A love story, an exhilarating adventure, and variations of history, all rolled into one.
This story encompasses all your different emotions, as it explores life and death, good versus evil, and considering the afterlife can be such a sad subject, I found no sadness in this story.
On the contrary, I found the chemistry between Sam and James heart-warming as they try to make sense of their predicament and learn how to handle it. The ending was a surprise for me, being a lifelong romantic at heart, but I understood the reasoning behind it.
And because of this, I have the feeling there could be more from John Howell on this theme and that's fine by me!
Eternal Road is a beautifully written and unique story in so many ways. A love story, an exhilarating adventure, and variations of history, all rolled into one.
This story encompasses all your different emotions, as it explores life and death, good versus evil, and considering the afterlife can be such a sad subject, I found no sadness in this story.
On the contrary, I found the chemistry between Sam and James heart-warming as they try to make sense of their predicament and learn how to handle it. The ending was a surprise for me, being a lifelong romantic at heart, but I understood the reasoning behind it.
And because of this, I have the feeling there could be more from John Howell on this theme and that's fine by me!
June 10, 2021
I’ve always been fascinated by time-travel, so when writer and fellow blogger John Howell announced it would be the premise of his next novel, I was both excited and intrigued. I was pleasantly surprised to learn this book had so much morel. The story is a wonderful mix of not only time-travel, but romance, mystery and paranormal. I enjoyed riding along with the well-developed characters Sam and James as they take us to some fascinating destinations. In the end, the triumph of good over evil left me smiling. I highly recommend this action-packed story, but don’t skip over the beautiful words of wisdom written in the dedication.
January 21, 2021
Never have I come across such a blend of genres in a book – supernatural, paranormal, theological, mystery, sci-fi, historical. I would have told you it couldn’t be done. But this author pulls it off with style.
The overall premise is a bit sad with MCs James and Sam both being deceased and leaving this world behind. Sam’s life came to a tragic end at the age of seven, but she’s come back years later to escort childhood friend James to his final resting place. That’s where their adventure begins. Time-traveling in a snazzy 1956 Oldsmobile, they visit some historical sites and meet a few well-known characters along the way. But they don’t just venture into the past, their travels take them several centuries into the future as well. Lucifer himself even shows up in the Sin City of Las Vegas – where else would he be?
I enjoyed the “rules” of the plane between Earth and the afterlife, and they caused some humorous and awkward moments between Sam and James. Both characters are delightful, and I was particularly happy to see something resolved in Sam’s life. This story evokes many emotions and, as a mom, I nearly needed a tissue a couple times. The ending is beautiful and wraps things up nicely – but I can also see the potential for another book in the series, which I would immediately grab. A unique and fascinating take on the afterlife.
The overall premise is a bit sad with MCs James and Sam both being deceased and leaving this world behind. Sam’s life came to a tragic end at the age of seven, but she’s come back years later to escort childhood friend James to his final resting place. That’s where their adventure begins. Time-traveling in a snazzy 1956 Oldsmobile, they visit some historical sites and meet a few well-known characters along the way. But they don’t just venture into the past, their travels take them several centuries into the future as well. Lucifer himself even shows up in the Sin City of Las Vegas – where else would he be?
I enjoyed the “rules” of the plane between Earth and the afterlife, and they caused some humorous and awkward moments between Sam and James. Both characters are delightful, and I was particularly happy to see something resolved in Sam’s life. This story evokes many emotions and, as a mom, I nearly needed a tissue a couple times. The ending is beautiful and wraps things up nicely – but I can also see the potential for another book in the series, which I would immediately grab. A unique and fascinating take on the afterlife.
April 6, 2021
There is a lot packed into this gripping novel. A combination of time travel, mystery, paranormal and romance. There are laughter and tears as James looks for his eternal home with the help of his deceased childhood love, Sam. I love time travel and enjoyed following James and Sam as they travel back to the days of the Wild West and WWII as well as into the future controlled by robots. The main characters are very real, even though they are spirits. The book is well written and flows well, with a satisfying ending. It left me wanting more.
October 20, 2020
Eternal Road: The Final Stop by John W. Howell is paranormal fiction with a fresh take on the genre. The novel unites mystery, suspense, thriller, supernatural, metaphysical sub-genres. It begins with a road trip across different centuries, where the main characters – James and Sam – are determined to live eternal life (after death) to the fullest. It isn’t often that people feel free enough to live the life they want. Society has too many constraints. Plus, there’s no travel machine yet… So, John W. Howell is inviting us to experience something we can only fantasize about.
The story is an odyssey of two broken or, let’s say, lost souls. An odyssey in any historical event, where you can meet anyone: from Wyatt Earp to Lucifer, from Hitler to Florence. A trip in the dark corner of your soul. A journey with unique and individual lessons.
One of the things I admired about John W. Howell was that he could harken back to a golden age of mystery and historical fiction and still keep this work relevant and exciting to contemporary times. I loved the supernatural elements, which were woven seamlessly into the text and dialogues. I also thoroughly enjoyed the character development of James as he continued to figure out his place and purpose on that Eternal Journey. I felt that Sam brought out many new sides to James’ personality, which were fun to see and explore. Especially erotic sides…
There’s no road in this book without peculiar meetings and experimental spooning. haha
There’s no page without a deep bond between the two main heroes. ouch!
I would highly recommend Eternal Road: The final stop by John W. Howell as an accomplished work of historical paranormal fiction with a theological aspect that fans of the genre won’t want to miss out on.
The story is an odyssey of two broken or, let’s say, lost souls. An odyssey in any historical event, where you can meet anyone: from Wyatt Earp to Lucifer, from Hitler to Florence. A trip in the dark corner of your soul. A journey with unique and individual lessons.
One of the things I admired about John W. Howell was that he could harken back to a golden age of mystery and historical fiction and still keep this work relevant and exciting to contemporary times. I loved the supernatural elements, which were woven seamlessly into the text and dialogues. I also thoroughly enjoyed the character development of James as he continued to figure out his place and purpose on that Eternal Journey. I felt that Sam brought out many new sides to James’ personality, which were fun to see and explore. Especially erotic sides…
There’s no road in this book without peculiar meetings and experimental spooning. haha
There’s no page without a deep bond between the two main heroes. ouch!
I would highly recommend Eternal Road: The final stop by John W. Howell as an accomplished work of historical paranormal fiction with a theological aspect that fans of the genre won’t want to miss out on.
October 20, 2020
Mr. John Howell began the book with the scene of Sam being killed, but her body was not found. It grabbed my attention right away. James picked up a hitchhiker, Sam, who turned out to be his grade school friend missing 17 years ago. During their conversation, James realized he was dead when his car crashed while falling asleep driving.
Sam received the assignment to take James on an eternal road to his final destiny. They had a time-travel ability by closing their eyes to focus on a time and location, and it would transport them in just seconds. Sam knew all the places they traveled, O.K. Corral Gunfight site in Tombstone, Arizona, and Alamo in San Antonio, Texas because she studied history for seventeen years while waiting for James to arrive from the other side of the world. They had fun communicating with people in the 1800s of the different terminology and technology over time.
Sam and James seemed to pick up their childhood affection where they left off, and the care for each other grew. Along the journey, Sam visited her parents to let them know she was fine and that they would reunite with her one day. James also played a visit to his mom and stepfather to let them know he was dead, but he was fine. One last person Sam faced was her murderer. It was a relief to know her killer got what he deserved.
There were decisions to make before James reached his eternal home. I also wanted to find out the relationship between the two. The ending came as a surprise. Mr. John Howell created many scenarios and evoked thoughts and emotions. I highly recommend Eternal Road: The Final Stop to all readers.
Sam received the assignment to take James on an eternal road to his final destiny. They had a time-travel ability by closing their eyes to focus on a time and location, and it would transport them in just seconds. Sam knew all the places they traveled, O.K. Corral Gunfight site in Tombstone, Arizona, and Alamo in San Antonio, Texas because she studied history for seventeen years while waiting for James to arrive from the other side of the world. They had fun communicating with people in the 1800s of the different terminology and technology over time.
Sam and James seemed to pick up their childhood affection where they left off, and the care for each other grew. Along the journey, Sam visited her parents to let them know she was fine and that they would reunite with her one day. James also played a visit to his mom and stepfather to let them know he was dead, but he was fine. One last person Sam faced was her murderer. It was a relief to know her killer got what he deserved.
There were decisions to make before James reached his eternal home. I also wanted to find out the relationship between the two. The ending came as a surprise. Mr. John Howell created many scenarios and evoked thoughts and emotions. I highly recommend Eternal Road: The Final Stop to all readers.
January 24, 2022
Imagine Marty McFly driving Doc Brown’s DeLorean through the afterlife rather than traveling through time. This is kind of what you get in John W. Howell’s uniquely original take on eternity and life beyond this realm.
Eternal Road begins with a taut, suspenseful prologue set some seventeen years in the past. Sam, a young girl, is murdered, though her body is missing.
Seventeen years later, James stops to pick up a hitchhiker. Soon, he discovers this young woman is his childhood sweetheart, the missing Sam. It’s at this point that James realizes both he and Sam are no longer among the living.
This is where Howell takes readers on a unique and original journey through an ultra-strange world of the paranormal. James’s old 1956 Oldsmobile serves a similar role as McFly’s DeLorean, as it carries James and Sam through different times and places. The first stop is 1881, where James is introduced to Virgil Erp, Marshall in Tombstone, Arizona. Wyatt Erp and Doc Holliday are there as well. James and Sam witness the gunfight that made the OK Corral famous. Asked to stick around for the inquest, the pair settle into the local hotel. Adolf Hitler makes an appearance as a representative of the devil.
With Sam as his assigned guide, James travels the Eternal Road toward his ultimate destiny, making stops at the Alamo, Las Vegas, a visit to Sam’s parents, and an encounter with Lucifer.
John Howell has created a mind-bending reality that is fun and entertaining. There are elements of romance, mystery, paranormal, and historical fiction at play here. I thoroughly enjoyed this long, strange trip—and I mean that in every sense of that phrase. A good read.
Eternal Road begins with a taut, suspenseful prologue set some seventeen years in the past. Sam, a young girl, is murdered, though her body is missing.
Seventeen years later, James stops to pick up a hitchhiker. Soon, he discovers this young woman is his childhood sweetheart, the missing Sam. It’s at this point that James realizes both he and Sam are no longer among the living.
This is where Howell takes readers on a unique and original journey through an ultra-strange world of the paranormal. James’s old 1956 Oldsmobile serves a similar role as McFly’s DeLorean, as it carries James and Sam through different times and places. The first stop is 1881, where James is introduced to Virgil Erp, Marshall in Tombstone, Arizona. Wyatt Erp and Doc Holliday are there as well. James and Sam witness the gunfight that made the OK Corral famous. Asked to stick around for the inquest, the pair settle into the local hotel. Adolf Hitler makes an appearance as a representative of the devil.
With Sam as his assigned guide, James travels the Eternal Road toward his ultimate destiny, making stops at the Alamo, Las Vegas, a visit to Sam’s parents, and an encounter with Lucifer.
John Howell has created a mind-bending reality that is fun and entertaining. There are elements of romance, mystery, paranormal, and historical fiction at play here. I thoroughly enjoyed this long, strange trip—and I mean that in every sense of that phrase. A good read.
February 1, 2022
Eternal Road: The Final Stop begins with a suspenseful prologue where, years ago, a young girl named Sam was murdered. Seventeen years later, James stops along a stretch of highway to pick up a hitchhiker. Before long, he realizes this young woman is his childhood friend, Sam. The two realize they are no longer alive, but dead.
Howell’s premise is good. He takes readers on an unusual journey into the supernatural afterworld where Sam and James battle for their souls. He rewrites the rules concerning heaven and hell, leaving it up to his characters to decide their futures.
James’s old 1956 Oldsmobile drives the couple to different places and times. These elements of time travel sometimes drag the storyline along until the characters catch up. Sam acts as his angelic guide while James travels the Eternal Road toward his transcendent destiny, with stopovers at Tombstone, AZ, Las Vegas, a visit to Sam’s parents, including a scary encounter with Lucifer.
I could compare James’ trip on the Eternal Road to the Buddhist concept of the Bardo, intended to guide the newly deceased person through the death bardo to gain a better rebirth, and also to help their loved ones with the grieving process.
Howell created an alternate reality you won’t soon forget. There is plenty of romance, mystery, and paranormal events to keep you guessing. I enjoyed this read!
Howell’s premise is good. He takes readers on an unusual journey into the supernatural afterworld where Sam and James battle for their souls. He rewrites the rules concerning heaven and hell, leaving it up to his characters to decide their futures.
James’s old 1956 Oldsmobile drives the couple to different places and times. These elements of time travel sometimes drag the storyline along until the characters catch up. Sam acts as his angelic guide while James travels the Eternal Road toward his transcendent destiny, with stopovers at Tombstone, AZ, Las Vegas, a visit to Sam’s parents, including a scary encounter with Lucifer.
I could compare James’ trip on the Eternal Road to the Buddhist concept of the Bardo, intended to guide the newly deceased person through the death bardo to gain a better rebirth, and also to help their loved ones with the grieving process.
Howell created an alternate reality you won’t soon forget. There is plenty of romance, mystery, and paranormal events to keep you guessing. I enjoyed this read!
September 13, 2020
A combination of paranormal suspense, fantasy, and time travel, Eternal Road delivers on multiple levels. James dies in a car accident and finds himself on the "eternal road" where his soul offers ripe pickings for Lucifer. James hooks up with Samatha (Sam) a soul he knew in grade school, now a woman, who partners with him through numerous learning experiences that take them through various moments in history--the OK Corral, the Alamo, WWII--and even decades into the future, where the human race is at stake.
What stood out for me in this story was the spiritual aspect of good vs. evil, the love and protection of God, and the choices the characters have to make. The love between James and Sam transcends that of mortal scope, and many of the scenes related to their family (when they're able to reach those moments) are beautifully written and heart warming. Eternal Road delivers adventure, history, fantasy, and spiritual warmth in equal measures. Although the ending delivers a solid wrap to the events, I could easily see this becoming a series, and would eagerly sign on for future stories!
What stood out for me in this story was the spiritual aspect of good vs. evil, the love and protection of God, and the choices the characters have to make. The love between James and Sam transcends that of mortal scope, and many of the scenes related to their family (when they're able to reach those moments) are beautifully written and heart warming. Eternal Road delivers adventure, history, fantasy, and spiritual warmth in equal measures. Although the ending delivers a solid wrap to the events, I could easily see this becoming a series, and would eagerly sign on for future stories!
September 20, 2020
John W. Howell paints pictures with his words. He takes us on a page turning adventure with Sam and James bouncing through the afterlife. Sprinkled in are some notable historical events with a prediction for the future. I'll stop here to avoid any spoilers from me. My rating: Two thumbs up and a recommendation that you read this little gem. You'll be glad you did.
January 4, 2021
A skillful mix of genres, engaging characters, exciting action... What more could I want? Check it out.
June 1, 2021
An imaginative story of one man’s entrance and journey in the afterlife. This is quite different than St. Peter standing before the pearly gates and checking a book to see if you can enter, or if you’re sent downward.
James Wainwright dies in a car wreck early in the story. As a spirit, he’s still driving, and he picks up a hitchhiker — who turns out to be Samantha Tourneau, with whom James had a childhood love. Samantha (mostly going by Sam) has grown up in the afterlife, as she was killed when she was in the first grade.
So a trigger warning: a girl is murdered at the beginning of the book. More depth comes to that plot line toward the ending.
James and Sam embark on a time-traveling journey: jumping into Tombstone, Arizona during the OK Corral gunfight, to the Alamo just before the battle, to more. I don’t want to list all the destinations and give away surprises in the story.
The time-travel locations have a feeling of randomness, but that gives an entertaining unpredictability. Also, these are times and places where James could spend his eternal home. Sam serves as a guide to help James find his eternal home, but the jumping through times is mostly out of their control.
Indeed, the time bouncing makes for a fun story, and it helps James and Sam get reacquainted after not seeing each other for 17 years. Their relationship deepens beyond that childhood affection. And Sam is a good guide to get James acquainted with this stage in his spiritual life.
However, James must face some struggles alone, as Lucifer himself makes several appearances in trying to convince James to join him in the hot place.
The book works on several levels and isn’t simply a time-travel adventure. In the book’s dedication, John talks about a lesson from his father: “we all have challenges in our lives, and those that can succeed in reaching their goals despite them will find happiness.” John certainly wrote a story to describe challenges for James to endure. James needs smarts and courage and assistance from Sam for those challenges. And throughout, he holds on to hope.
James Wainwright dies in a car wreck early in the story. As a spirit, he’s still driving, and he picks up a hitchhiker — who turns out to be Samantha Tourneau, with whom James had a childhood love. Samantha (mostly going by Sam) has grown up in the afterlife, as she was killed when she was in the first grade.
So a trigger warning: a girl is murdered at the beginning of the book. More depth comes to that plot line toward the ending.
James and Sam embark on a time-traveling journey: jumping into Tombstone, Arizona during the OK Corral gunfight, to the Alamo just before the battle, to more. I don’t want to list all the destinations and give away surprises in the story.
The time-travel locations have a feeling of randomness, but that gives an entertaining unpredictability. Also, these are times and places where James could spend his eternal home. Sam serves as a guide to help James find his eternal home, but the jumping through times is mostly out of their control.
Indeed, the time bouncing makes for a fun story, and it helps James and Sam get reacquainted after not seeing each other for 17 years. Their relationship deepens beyond that childhood affection. And Sam is a good guide to get James acquainted with this stage in his spiritual life.
However, James must face some struggles alone, as Lucifer himself makes several appearances in trying to convince James to join him in the hot place.
The book works on several levels and isn’t simply a time-travel adventure. In the book’s dedication, John talks about a lesson from his father: “we all have challenges in our lives, and those that can succeed in reaching their goals despite them will find happiness.” John certainly wrote a story to describe challenges for James to endure. James needs smarts and courage and assistance from Sam for those challenges. And throughout, he holds on to hope.
October 6, 2021
I don’t normally read books about the paranormal, but I found John Howell’s Eternal Road to be an irresistible read for the way it addresses the question of life after death. The premise of the novel is that there is life after death, but our eternal home is not predetermined at the moment of death. We need a guide to find it.
Setting out on the eternal road is James, a young man who has just died in a car accident. He is still driving his prized 1956 Oldsmobile when he unwittingly crosses over and meets his spirit guide hitchhiking on the side of the road. He doesn’t recognize her as the classmate who disappeared without a trace at age seven. Sam, short for Samantha, is the first inversion of expectations in this highly original novel: she is older than she was in life.
Sam leads James on a quest for his eternal home. The quest includes time travel to both the past and the future, interaction of the dead with the living, and the solution to the mystery of Sam’s disappearance all those years ago. Along the way are plenty of plot twists that kept me turning the pages. As well, Lucifer and various emissaries put in their appearance at the most inopportune times for James and Sam.
I particularly enjoyed the world-building in the novel, which took the form of the “rules” for being dead. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything that addresses the large questions of life and death in such an engaging and entertaining fashion. I highly recommend Eternal Road: The Final Stop. Your wheels will be turning from the first page to the last!
Setting out on the eternal road is James, a young man who has just died in a car accident. He is still driving his prized 1956 Oldsmobile when he unwittingly crosses over and meets his spirit guide hitchhiking on the side of the road. He doesn’t recognize her as the classmate who disappeared without a trace at age seven. Sam, short for Samantha, is the first inversion of expectations in this highly original novel: she is older than she was in life.
Sam leads James on a quest for his eternal home. The quest includes time travel to both the past and the future, interaction of the dead with the living, and the solution to the mystery of Sam’s disappearance all those years ago. Along the way are plenty of plot twists that kept me turning the pages. As well, Lucifer and various emissaries put in their appearance at the most inopportune times for James and Sam.
I particularly enjoyed the world-building in the novel, which took the form of the “rules” for being dead. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything that addresses the large questions of life and death in such an engaging and entertaining fashion. I highly recommend Eternal Road: The Final Stop. Your wheels will be turning from the first page to the last!
February 24, 2021
Imagine picking up a hitchhiker who tells you that she is the spirit of someone you knew from first-grade who went missing seventeen years ago. To make this encounter more disturbing, what if she tells you that you have recently passed and she is there to help guide you to your eternal home? Such is James's situation, a young man unaware that he just passed in an automobile accident. Accompanying James on his journey in a 1956 Oldsmobile is his old friend, Samantha (Sam), who appears to be a beautiful young lady.
James and Sam have a special ability to concentrate on a specific place and moment and immediately travel to that location. This includes visits to important historical places and events throughout history, including Dodge City to witness a gunfight, firing muskets at the Alamo, or acting as a captain in Normandy.
The challenges along the way include several encounters with Lucifer, who is tempting Sam with many pleasures so that he can steal his soul. There are moments of romance, suspense, humor, and plenty of drama in this excellent story crafted by John Howell.
It is not your typical time-traveling novel, and I found the plot to be compelling and unpredictable. If you are looking for a great read with an unexpected ending, this is the right book for you.
James and Sam have a special ability to concentrate on a specific place and moment and immediately travel to that location. This includes visits to important historical places and events throughout history, including Dodge City to witness a gunfight, firing muskets at the Alamo, or acting as a captain in Normandy.
The challenges along the way include several encounters with Lucifer, who is tempting Sam with many pleasures so that he can steal his soul. There are moments of romance, suspense, humor, and plenty of drama in this excellent story crafted by John Howell.
It is not your typical time-traveling novel, and I found the plot to be compelling and unpredictable. If you are looking for a great read with an unexpected ending, this is the right book for you.
September 25, 2020
I loved everything about this unique story by John Howell. When James dies in a single-car accident, he is met in the afterlife by a childhood friend who disappeared when they were in grade school, and her body was never found. She has taken the assignment of helping James adapt to the afterlife and find his eternal home. The adventures start when they experience time travel back to pivotal times in history, and all while still in the '56 olds that James crashed in the physical world. From the gunfight at the OK Corral to the Alamo, to a World War, James finds himself placed at strategic moments of time which facilitate self-discovery. He even has a face-to-face encounter with Satan himself. And in the midst of it all, Sam and James learn what it means to love someone. They even have love-making adventures, However, one of my favorite parts of the story is when Sam comes face-to-face with her murderer and he gets the justice he deserves at his own hand. If you are looking for a story that is different from anything you've ever read, have a fascination with a "what-if" scenario about the afterlife and love adventures, you will love this new book from Mr. Howell! It is well-written and fast-paced.
September 20, 2020
First of all let me say that I am not very good at writing book reviews. I tend to say that I liked the book (or not) and what I liked about it (or not). I don’t give a synopsis of the plot or allude to the main characters. Although those are the kind of reviews I like to read. Having said that, here is my take on “Eternal Road: The Last Stop.”
Mr. Howell has a great beginning to his book that just drew me in. It’s not every day that an author kills off his protagonist in the first few pages. And I loved who he has as the antagonist! I found the book compelling to the point of being a “page turner.” The twists and curves he throws at us kept me spellbound. Furthermore, as a lover of history, I found the plot most captivating (and well researched). Then, he out does himself by throwing in a splash of the metaphysical just to keep things interesting. All in all, a five star read. Well done, Mr. Howell.
Mr. Howell has a great beginning to his book that just drew me in. It’s not every day that an author kills off his protagonist in the first few pages. And I loved who he has as the antagonist! I found the book compelling to the point of being a “page turner.” The twists and curves he throws at us kept me spellbound. Furthermore, as a lover of history, I found the plot most captivating (and well researched). Then, he out does himself by throwing in a splash of the metaphysical just to keep things interesting. All in all, a five star read. Well done, Mr. Howell.
January 26, 2021
This is story of a young man’s final journey to his eternal home.
James Wainwright dies of a car crash and meets Sam, the girl he’s loved since they were kids. Sam was murdered years ago, and is in the afterlife to help James settle into his new resting place.
Using James’ ’56 Oldsmobile, the pair wind their way through a variety of times and places, such as The Alamo and WWII. While learning about themselves, they must not do anything to change the outcome of the events or they could change history forever.
When Lucifer makes an appearance, the stakes go up. James must decide whether to wager his soul on the devil or stake his trust in the Lord.
There are heartwarming moments, as well as ones that made me laugh; such as when they woke up naked in the desert. (That can’t be comfortable!)
If you’re looking for a story with a unique plot and a different take on what happens ‘after‘ try Eternal Road today!
James Wainwright dies of a car crash and meets Sam, the girl he’s loved since they were kids. Sam was murdered years ago, and is in the afterlife to help James settle into his new resting place.
Using James’ ’56 Oldsmobile, the pair wind their way through a variety of times and places, such as The Alamo and WWII. While learning about themselves, they must not do anything to change the outcome of the events or they could change history forever.
When Lucifer makes an appearance, the stakes go up. James must decide whether to wager his soul on the devil or stake his trust in the Lord.
There are heartwarming moments, as well as ones that made me laugh; such as when they woke up naked in the desert. (That can’t be comfortable!)
If you’re looking for a story with a unique plot and a different take on what happens ‘after‘ try Eternal Road today!
March 15, 2023
Paranormal fiction is not a genre I ever read and it was a revelation...Sam who died as a child is helping James who is recently deceased to find his eternal home...and then we have the devil who as we no doubt know loves to snare another follower and James is his target. Along the way to discovering where James wishes to stay forever...his eternal home Sam and James discover a threat to the future of mankind however as they cannot alter the course of mankind they have to think of a way they can change it within the heavenly rules that's of course without the devil's interventions...The whole book travelled through time there was the romance between Sam and James, and the devil's antics all of this happened seamlessly and was held together by the author's sense of humour...all in all, it was a delightful read and I couldn't wait to read the sequel.
March 23, 2021
Talk About A Wild Ride
Author John Howell took the concepts of “the road to our eternal home” and “our final stop” quite seriously when he penned this afterlife journey novel. And it was an adventure quite unlike anything I’ve read in quite a long time—kind of Kerouac meets What Dreams May Come.
There’s love and hope in this novel, but there’s also danger and warning. The paranormal and metaphysical elements are necessary vehicles for the story, but the author doesn’t turn the tale into a religious one. It’s definitely an adventure.
The characters of Sam and James are well-developed and engaging, and the times and places they visit are equally fascinating.
If you’ll forgive the pun, this story was well worth the ride.
Author John Howell took the concepts of “the road to our eternal home” and “our final stop” quite seriously when he penned this afterlife journey novel. And it was an adventure quite unlike anything I’ve read in quite a long time—kind of Kerouac meets What Dreams May Come.
There’s love and hope in this novel, but there’s also danger and warning. The paranormal and metaphysical elements are necessary vehicles for the story, but the author doesn’t turn the tale into a religious one. It’s definitely an adventure.
The characters of Sam and James are well-developed and engaging, and the times and places they visit are equally fascinating.
If you’ll forgive the pun, this story was well worth the ride.
May 17, 2023
As you can imagine, this is a road trip like no other. It’s a journey into tragedy, time travel, love, heart break, redemption, and joy!
As the wheels of that classic car turn, James and Sam square off against some of the nastiest people in history, but they’re just the puppets of Lucifer himself, who makes a number of guest appearances.
The tale is a unique and lively spin (yes, pun intended) on the classic, “good versus evil.” I was fully engaged with the plight of these two, rooting for them at every turn. I think the biggest surprise came at the end, as it should, but I’m gonna’ keep mum about that.
If you’re looking for an entertaining, introspective, and alternative perspective take on the after-life, look no further!
As the wheels of that classic car turn, James and Sam square off against some of the nastiest people in history, but they’re just the puppets of Lucifer himself, who makes a number of guest appearances.
The tale is a unique and lively spin (yes, pun intended) on the classic, “good versus evil.” I was fully engaged with the plight of these two, rooting for them at every turn. I think the biggest surprise came at the end, as it should, but I’m gonna’ keep mum about that.
If you’re looking for an entertaining, introspective, and alternative perspective take on the after-life, look no further!
September 12, 2020
Eternal Road: The final stop is a fantasy that draws readers into various historical events. The two lead characters, James and Samantha, are deceased but they share the same emotions as the living and appear to others as alive. These characters face one challenging situation after another, meet Lucifer in the process, and finally decide their fate. This is a unique story, sometimes perplexing but always intriguing. I hope you'll enjoy the ride as much as I did.
October 7, 2020
Eternal Road by John Howell is everything I like about an Indie book. Would a "mainstream" publisher pick up this title? Would they be brave enough to accept a book that makes use of several genres, all at the same time? The road that 'spirits' James and Samantha (Sam) take to find their eternal place sends us readers on a spirited ride with the help of fantasy, time travel, a love story, suspense, all intertwined with thought-provoking matters of the spirit, and of life and death. I urge readers to buy this book and join the two main character for a ride of their life. Or is it, the ride of their death? Congrats to Howell for taking us on this journey. Five thumbs up.
May 6, 2023
Eternal Road was a creative and intriguing premise to this two-book series. I did not read these books in order but enjoyed both. I actually liked this book even more than the second since I got to know the characters in more detail and less about the devil who kept making several appearances in the second book providing for a creepier aspect in the story.
Though this was a fantasy the author created this tale so effectively that I felt as if I was reading something that could be true or at least could happen. It begins with the tragic murder of a little girl that broke my heart just reading about it.
As the story progresses the author introduced us to a male character who plays an important role throughout the story along with the female protagonist. These two characters comprise most of the story going through tumultuous times in history through time travel.
A thoroughly different and intense story about life after death and what could possibly happen that I found quite enjoyable.
Though this was a fantasy the author created this tale so effectively that I felt as if I was reading something that could be true or at least could happen. It begins with the tragic murder of a little girl that broke my heart just reading about it.
As the story progresses the author introduced us to a male character who plays an important role throughout the story along with the female protagonist. These two characters comprise most of the story going through tumultuous times in history through time travel.
A thoroughly different and intense story about life after death and what could possibly happen that I found quite enjoyable.
November 5, 2020
I liked the book and surprisingly got over my antipathy to stories written in the present tense! There have been many books of the already deceased coming back to aid those offered a second chance. Not so many, that I've read, have both dead and staying that way. So this is for me a unique story.
If you're a person who is fully engaged with the notions of heaven and hell--God and Lucifer, you will be comfortable with the story line. Encounters with Lucifer are another common trope in books, movies and TV shows. They may be thrillers, horror, comedy or drama. This isn't too scary or graphically violent for the most part, so you don't have to worry about that. Still, there is the issue of the kidnapping and death of a child--but without the details.
If you're a person who is fully engaged with the notions of heaven and hell--God and Lucifer, you will be comfortable with the story line. Encounters with Lucifer are another common trope in books, movies and TV shows. They may be thrillers, horror, comedy or drama. This isn't too scary or graphically violent for the most part, so you don't have to worry about that. Still, there is the issue of the kidnapping and death of a child--but without the details.
March 13, 2021
I really enjoyed Eternal Road. This is the kind of mashup that makes independent fiction shine. There are religious aspects, romantic moments, some thriller, a bit of time travel, and more. Books like this help our literary minds expand beyond the borders of distinct genres. Aside from that, it’s a darned good story. Give it a chance and you’ll see what I mentioned.
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