Slow Path to Peace

Sunburned Land #2

by Juliette Duncan

With their lives stripped bare, can Serena and David find peace?

Serena used to be young and beautiful. Now, her face is scarred for life.

Will there ever come a time when she can look in the mirror and not be repulsed by her horrid, ugly, wrinkled skin?

Will she ever see herself as God sees her? As a precious, much-loved daughter of the King?

David is riddled with guilt. He thought that caring for Serena would assuage that guilt. It didn’t. Maybe fighting a raging fire will help.

Unless he dies in the process.

But what does it matter now that Serena has rejected him?

Maggie longs to help her daughter find peace, but can she balance her new marriage to Frank at the same time?

Slow Path to Peace is Book Three in the Sunburned Land Series, a mature-age Christian romance set in the beautiful, rugged and remote Kimberley area of northern Australia. Continue Frank and Maggie’s heartwarming love story today.

Genres: Romance

326 pages, Paperback

Published June 9, 2020

About the author

Juliette Duncan is a USA Today bestselling author of Christian romance stories that ‘touch the heart and soul’. She lives on Queensland's beautiful Sunshine Coast, Australia, and writes Christian fiction that encourages a deeper faith in a world that seems to have lost its way. Most of her stories include an element of romance, but the main love story in each of her books is always God's amazing, unconditional love for His wayward children.

Juliette and her husband enjoy spending time with their five adult children and eleven grandchildren, When not writing, Juliette and her husband I love exploring the wonderful world we live in.

Please feel free to contact Juliette by email (author@julietteduncan.com) or via Facebook.

Reviews

[Margaret Lawton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this installment of the Sunburned Land series. I was drawn in to the struggles that Serena, David, Maggie, and the others went through. I was cheering for Serena to be able to come to terms with her situation. I really enjoyed the little plot twist thrown into the story as well. I would encourage everyone who wants an easy to read book that points to the fact that God is there to not take away our struggles, but walk through them with us to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book, but have freely chosen to share my own thoughts and opinions.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this continuing story so far, still looking forward to the next episode.

[Maxine Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read from Juliette Duncan's series, A Sunburned Land. It's relatively light-hearted but certainly not "fluffy".

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the previous two books in the Sunburned Land series by Juliette Duncan, I was looking forward to continuing Frank and Maggie's story. Slow Path to Peace finds them returning from their honeymoon to face 'real life' again. And real life on an Australian cattle station is hard sometimes and brings worry, worries over adult children and their difficulties, as well as worries about the financial situation of the cattle station and the new adventures that are being set in place to keep it solvent. Maggie's daughter, Serena, and her long time boyfriend, David, are the main focus in this story as they work toward a future together or perhaps even separately. For Maggie to find true peace as she watches the struggles her daughter experience, is coming to recognize that peace is a gift from God. A gift that comes as one recognizes His presence and help in the midst of one's trials. The characters are strong and vibrant and their emotions and actions are realistically portrayed as they deal with the difficulties of depression, bush fires, unexpected circumstances and past tragedies. The author has deftly threaded throughout the book a firm faith in God and the importance of having a personal relationship with Him to find one's purpose in life and to experience the inner peace we all search for. I enjoyed this series and readers who love contemporary Christian romance will not want to miss reading it.
I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another moving story in the life of Maggie and Frank. Serena has stayed at the ranch while Maggie and Frank are on their honeymoon. Depression has become her friend as she has difficulty dealing with the scarring from her injury. David has realized that he pushed Serena too hard when all he wanted was to help her. These 4 make up the main characters in this series but we also spend time with the rest of Frank's family at Goddard Downs the family home. The descriptions of the beauty of the wilds of Australia are so amazing you easily picture it in your mind. This is a Christian book in the lifestyle of the main characters but there is no preaching and no finger pointing only the love that God has for His people. I have truly enjoyed every book of Ms. Duncan's as she writes from the heart about real people living through life experiences that many of us can relate to, in a loving and compassionate way. This is really great book and series.
I received a free download of this book from the publisher. This review is my own honest opinion.

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story that touched me personally. Peace is something we all long for, but don’t always know how to achieve it. I love the way this finale story of Frank and Maggie’s journey weaves in the lives of their families and very realistically includes broken individuals walking through tough times in their lives, trying to find their way. This story focuses more on Serena, Maggie’s daughter, and David, Serena’s on again, off again, boyfriend. Serena and David are trying to find their way in life in their own way and as they stumble over some hard circumstances, they are hurt and broken. But thankfully they have family praying for them. But will it be enough. Can they find their way to God and peace?

Some of my favorite quotes are
-the only way she would ever experience true peace was by returning to the God of peace
-True peace was about wholeness and being one with God

Highly recommend this book. Not only was it a relaxing read, it brought peace to my heart and mind.

[Mrs Judith Darby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eagerly awaiting this book. Having read the first two in the series I was keen to find out what happened to Serena and David. I was not disappointed. This story had me gripped from start to finish. It was inspiring to learn about the methods for tackling the bush fires too. So relevant and up to date. Thank you for reminding us of the challenges faced by the people of Australia. With all the other things going on in our countries it is easy to forget how other problems have caused suffering for so many. Throughout the whole book God's redeeming love shines through. I love Maggie and Frank's relationship and would love to see how their love continues to grow. Hope there's another in the series. Thank you again for get another beautiful story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book but this has in no way influenced my review which is fair and honest.

[Cilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series, I love the glimpses into living life on an isolated station property in the outback and getting to know the family members. Juliette Duncan really captured the joy of the new marriage and family yet how a mother can be pulled in so many directions when there are family issues and how anxiety can really “nibble away at trust”. My favourite quote was “It was a constant battle. A war between trust and worry, faith and fear but she needed to keep her eyes on Jesus because He had it all under His control”. Very readable, not preachy just showing how the only way through life’s battles is by depending on God. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series. I was given an ARC, but this review is entirely my own.

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers the story of Serena, Maggie's daughter, and David. Maggie and Frank's story continues in the background. Serena is a reporter and covering the bombings in Paris, until the day she is caught in one of the explosions. Once beautiful, she now considers herself ugly from the burns and withdraws from everyone. David, trying to be supportive goes overboard in trying to be there for her. When everything comes to a head at Maggie and Frank's wedding, David heads to a wildfire and Serena finds herself at loose end and stays at Goddard Downs. Can God show Serena that she is still loved and has lots to give to others? Can David come to terms with his past and find his faith in God restored? Can the two find their way back to each other?

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance amid difficulties!

This story is far from stilted or mushy. It's instead an easy read, with authentic life in the rural outback of Northern Australia. The rugged mountainous landscape is softened with the natural lake, but their lives are governed by the weather and indeed the laws of the land when live meat exports were stopped. Mad Cow Disease and a faction expressing distaste for the welfare of the cattle exported, brought huge anxiety to station owners, whose sole income was their cattle. Various members of the family suffer awful loss from fires to bomb blasts. Death, struggling relationships and family crises, keep the pages turning. A stand alone, but Im sure that you will want the next!!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliette Duncan’s book Slow Path To Peace:
Serena is struggling after her experience in Paris. When Serena arrives at Goddard Downs the whole Goddard family try to help her. Maggie and Frank are both wonderful people. David knows he has to leave his apartment so he volunteered to help with the fires. Serena is scared that she will loose David all over again. I had the honor to review this book for the author for a honest review. I would give this book a higher rating than a five star review if I could. You will feel God working throughout this amazing story.

You won’t be able to stop reading this book.

[SJ Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wonderful. Loved getting back to Goddard Downs with all the wonderful characters. It was heart breaking as Serena struggled with the scars from being a victim of a bombing. And David struggled to get over the loss of his Mom and siblings from a fire, when he was a child. I cried with sadness and joy throughout this book. I also got a bit of an education in the use of some Aussie words. Had to Google several. Lol But it did make the story more authentic. If you like clean inspirational stories, I highly recommend Slow Path to Peace. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.

[Debbie Blane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as with more experience in life things don't always throw people for such a deep and dark loop, so too the relationships in this book are not as devastating as those for super young people. It was fun to see the rest of the courtship of the main couple play out and go into early marriage, and watch how each of them interacted both with each other and with the dilemmas their adult children found themselves in. There were a few chapters in which background characters found themselves the star of the show, and those were interesting as well. And always faith was intertwined in everything. It was a good read that I recommend.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this faith filled story. I enjoyed how the family members have grown & cried when 2 new believer's came to faith. I know this story is not true but it brings to mind when other's truly come to be believer's & take that exciting path. I liked that this book brought out how bad circumstances can bring us to Christ even though He doesn't cause them He uses them for good. Truly our God is a wondrous God & brings this out in real stories. "Jesus the Bloke" highlighted seems like a very good book to buy.

[Susan Jalosky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuation of Frank and Maggie’s story has a few other twists and turns. Serena and David each have people in their lives that mirror a Christian walk and relationship with God. They help David and Serena find the peace and forgiveness they seek. Maggie is adjusting to living a different kind of life in far reaches of the country instead of city life. Frank is finding his place after giving control of Goddard Downs to his oldest son, Julian. A wonderful story of family and faith. I was given an advance reader copy of this book to review with my own thoughts.

[Sharon Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heartfelt win for this series! I’ve always loved Australia and to continue to read stories taken place in this beautiful part of the country always warms my soul. A story that continues the love in families that grew to be our friends and seeing how God continues to move in their lives. Such amazing grace! Serena battled a path in life that leaves her struggling to go on. Maggie reaches a chapter in her life that fulfills her heart. And families grow and prosper in the most precious ways only God can orchestrate. A lovely 3rd book in the series! Looking forward to more.

[Sharon Tipton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story of love and forgiveness. Serena was in an explosion and messed up the side of her face. She ran her boyfriend of six years off because she was scared. She had turned from God and was trying to get better by herself. Her mother Maggie and new husband Frank Goddard kept praying for her healing. David her ex boyfriend is a fire fighter and goes to help put out a lot of fires. Maggie and Frank are also praying for him. I love the message this brings and I highly recommend reading this book. I was given a ARC of this book and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Maggie and her husband find peace within their families?
This book is so beautifully written, and covers more of Frank and Maggie’s story, as well as Maggie’s daughter’s story. Some things within the book may make you happy, while other things make you sad. It covers a lot of things, including a story of one of the fires in Australia, which Serena’s friend was working in. So, yes, a bit of wondering how that will end. I encourage you to read this, if you have read the others. If not, please start reading the series at whatever point you are at! You will be very glad you did.

[Norma Gorrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow Path toPeace

Another great book in this series of the Australian outback and the people that live there. David a firefighter who lost his mother and siblings in a house fire and Serena a young corespondent who worked around the globe reporting the news. She was in a bad part of Paris when the insurgents stated a war against others and she was caught in a hotel that was bombed and had been trapped in the hallways that were on fire. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill

[Denyse Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is great when you can’t wait to read next book in series to find out what is happening with characters in the book.
Can Serena, Maggie’s daughter and her long time friend be able to work things out now she has been burned in accident overseas? David is a firefighter and wants to help her, but Serena has rejected him. Will hushed ever be able o accept the way she looks and know that she is a precious daughter of God?
Maggie is trying to work out how to balance her marriage to Frank and looking after Serena at same time? Another great mature-age romance.
Book 3 in Sunburned Land series.

[Mary Stalnaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this next episode of the story of Maggie and Frank. As with other stories by this author and about this couple, there are some unexpected things that happen. I love how the author puts her Christianity into her stories. This book, for me was a real page turner. I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this book. You won't go wrong, if you like Christian fiction.
I was given an ARC, but this review is my own opinion. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[Joan Arning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie and Frank begin their life together in Slow Path to Peace. We are always concerned about our children no matter how old they are and this is true of Maggie! Maggie 's daughter, Serena, faces big surprises and decisions in this book! I enjoyed learning more about life on a cattle station in Australia! I received a complimentary e-book of Slow Path to Peace: A Mature-Age Christian Romance from the author. This is my honest opinion.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a continuation of Frank and Maggie's story and their new combined family. It is about the struggles life throws at us and how God can keep us moving forward when we trust in Him. It is realistic in the approach to pain and sorrow and the healing that can only come from God. A very inspirational story as all Ms. Duncan's books that I've read. If you want a clean, romantic, adventuresome, inspirational read you will love this book and the others in the series as well.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serena has lots of insecurities with the face disfiguration she is dealing with and then to find she is pregnant and feeling the stress of being a mother. David's love for her and patience with her is to be admired, even if it is only a story. Taking a step back from their relationship where David was smothering Serena was a great decision. It gave both of them to evaluate and voice what they wanted in a relationship. Smart move. The happily ever after for them was well deserved.

[Bonny Rambarran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming back from their honeymoon - to all sorts of ‘problems’ that need to be sorted out. Families that have lived there forever and have a certain way of doing things. How can she fit it? Can her daughter be healed? Does she want to be healed? Life gives lots of challenges - and only by the grace of God can they be made right and good.

[Edwina Cowgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Sunburned Land Series, "A Slow Path to Peace", is just as captivating as Books 1 & 2. As Frank and Juliette began married life together on the ranch, Juliette's daughter, Serena, and former boyfriend, David, work through their problems. This is a wonderful book with lessons in forgiveness and love.

I was given an ARC copy to review and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie and Frank’s journey continues as they return from their honeymoon. Serena is still recovering from the tragic situation in Paris. Problems arise from every direction, but faith in God and the support of each other brings peace during the trials. Another 5 star rating for Juliette.

I received an ARC of the book for my honest review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story! This heartwarming story will touch your heart and soul. It is full of emotions and the power of God's love, grace and forgiveness. If you are looking for a wonderful inspirational read grab this entire series. It is wonderful! I received an ARC copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Anne Bester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading book 3 in this series. It can be read alone but is best read after you have read the previous two. It had some interesting twists and turns in the story leaving me wondering what was going to happen next. A truly inspirational story and a must read. I received an ARC and this review is my own thoughts on the book.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this installment in Maggie and Frank’s saga. Every time I think their story is over, another book is announced! I really liked that this book was shared with Selena and David and their paths to peace in multiple areas. I’m excited to see what the future holds for all of these characters.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.