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The Last Drive

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In the sequel to Eternal Road - The final stop, Sam and James are reunited to look for two souls, Ryan and Eddie. Ryan was killed in Afghanistan, trying to avoid a schoolyard with his crippled plane. Eddie Rickenbacker, Ryan's hero, is to guide Ryan to his Eternal Home, and now both are missing.
The higher-ups believe that there has been some interference in Ryan and Eddie's journey by Lucifer, so Sam and James have the task of finding Ryan and Eddie to get them back on the road despite the evil interference. Unfortunately, the machinations designed to prevent Ryan and Eddy from completing their journey take the pair to horrifying testing grounds. The places visited represent the best work of the Devil. They are the trenches of World War I in France, gladiators at the Roman Coliseum, the sinking Titanic in 1912, Hiroshima 45 minutes before the bomb, and the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1943.
This book is for you if you like plenty of action, strong characters, time travel, and a touch of spiritual and historical fiction. So, join Sam and James as they try to find the missing souls while staying one step ahead of the Prince of Darkness, who is determined to destroy all that is good.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2011

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About the author

John W. Howell

10 books92 followers
John 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.

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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for D. Peach.
Author 24 books176 followers
January 11, 2023
This book follows the adventures of Sam and James of The Eternal Road, but it stands alone perfectly well with the same level of imagination and detail. Spirits James and Sam return to the Eternal Road to search for Ryan, a recently deceased pilot, and his guide Eddie. The two men have gone off track while looking for Ryan’s eternal home. Lucifer has his fingerprints all over this book as he’s determined to have Ryan “join his team.”

Similar to the first book, the search takes Sam and James, and eventually Ryan and Eddie, to quite a few major events in time including the first Super Bowl, the California gold rush, 9/11, the sinking of the Titanic, and the horrors of Auschwitz. Some places they travel to on their own, but in most cases, Lucifer sends them there, wanting them to trade Ryan’s soul for a reprieve.

In some ways, Sam and James are on a quest, tasked with challenges they need to puzzle out as they operate in the past without changing the future. The directive not to fiddle with the future generates some heartbreaking scenes and tough moral decisions. Howell’s research into the tragedies of the past is notable, and there are some brutal scenes including sexual abuse.

Any heaviness in the book is initially countered by Lucifer. He’s sarcastic, snarky, and completely without verbal restraint, at the very least. His banter, particularly with Sam, was entertaining, though it became easier and easier to completely dislike him toward the end. The plot doesn’t follow a straight line, nor is it always logical, but it’s highly imaginative and recommended for fans of fantastical stories about the afterlife.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Gauffreau.
Author 8 books67 followers
January 26, 2023
As the sequel to Eternal Road, The Last Drive by John Howell features the two main characters from the first book: James, a young man who was recently killed in an car accident, and Samantha (Sam), a now-grown friend from James’s childhood, who was murdered when she was seven years old. In Eternal Road, Sam served as James’s spirit guide to help him find his eternal home.

In The Last Drive, Sam has been asked by the Archangel Michael to find Eddie Rickenbacker, the World War I flying ace, and Ryan Sanders, an Air Force pilot who was recently killed in Afghanistan when he stayed in his burning plane to avoid crashing into a civilian settlement. Eddie is serving as Ryan’s spirit guide to find his eternal home; however, the two have gone missing. The Archangel suspects they have crossed paths with Lucifer, who is forever trolling for souls who haven’t yet found their eternal home.

Sam’s response to the Archangel is the same as mine would have been: “ ‘I’m surprised God and yourself don’t keep track of this kind of thing.’ ” Including this exchange in the opening chapter is a good demonstration of Howell’s skill in suspending the reader’s disbelief in the fictional world he has created.

The Archangel’s response to Sam’s question raises thorny questions of free will, predestination, and Divine intervention. These questions hover over the four main characters’ subsequent interactions with Lucifer. In fact, at one point, Sam proposes a deal with the Devil that took me completely by surprise–but was oh, so right.

As the prime mover of villainy, Lucifer chooses to torture Sam, James, Ryan, and Eddie with a series of moral dilemmas by plunking them into horrific historical events, including the sinking of the Titanic, the Auschwitz concentration camp, and the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. For people who are essentially good, this would be the equivalent of being dangled over a lake of fire by one ankle.

However, the Lucifer of The Last Drive tries to present himself as the charming rogue or, at times, the cartoonish, mustache-twirling villain–all in an attempt to manipulate the souls he is going after into underestimating him.

One aspect of the novel I particularly appreciated was that, although the same afterlife “rules” were carried over from Eternal Road to The Last Drive, new ones were introduced that surprised me, in particular that education continues into the afterlife. Although this feature of the afterlife is used as a plot device to give Sam and James the knowledge they need to extricate themselves from Lucifer’s clutches, I think it’s more than that. If we think of the afterlife as eternal paradise, then it makes perfect sense that the ability to learn and gain new knowledge would be a part of it. Learning for its own sake is, at its heart, a joyous and life-affirming act. (Take THAT, Lucifer.)

To sum up, I found The Last Drive an engaging and satisfying read. The stakes of the plot are high, the action fast-paced, the historical research thorough, and the main characters well-developed and likable (with the exception of Lucifer, of course). In addition to the other surprises I’ve noted, the ending of The Last Drive also surprised me–in the best possible way. I highly recommend this surprising sequel to Eternal Road!
Profile Image for Jan Sikes.
Author 31 books257 followers
January 8, 2023
In this follow-up novel to The Eternal Road, we find Samantha being given a mission by Archangel Michael to help find two souls who have gone missing on their journey to find the eternal resting place for Air Force pilot, Ryan Sanders. His escort, the infamous Eddie Rickenbacker, is also missing. With the angel's permission, Sam chooses to take James with her on the mission. Of course, that leads them to the magical 1956 Oldsmobile.
The journey brings Sam and James face-to-face with their arch-enemy, Lucifer. No doubt the devil is behind the missing souls. He lives up to his evil reputation when he insists on claiming the soul of Ryan Sanders.
When Sam and James finally catch up to Sanders and Rickenbacker, the four are sent on a horrifying soiree through history, each stop growing more intensely painful than the one before. From the battle of Gettysburg to the sinking of the Titanic and Auschwitz prison camps, their faith and fortitude are tested over and over. They cannot let Lucifer win.
This is truly a story of good vs. evil. I love how Sam and James stayed focused and steadfast throughout each trial. Their relationship strengthened as they went, while Lucifer became more evil and degenerative. If you are looking for a historical adventure of epic proportions and the ultimate test of faith, you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Sally Cronin.
Author 23 books190 followers
February 6, 2023
Having read Eternal Road I was eagerly anticipating the sequel The Last Drive and loved it.

You do need to buckle up for this road trip, not just of a lifetime, but several lifetimes, as Sam and James reunite for a mission to save the missing soul of military pilot Ryan, lost in time, along with his idol flying legend Eddie Rickenbacker. Time is of the essence, as the malicious involvement of the devil is believed to be behind their status, and that can never be a good thing.

The characters of Sam and James were well established in the first book and it was easy to pick up their close relationship. The author does a great job in bringing the two missing souls and the evil, crude and manipulative devil together, for an adventure that spans hundreds of years from Ancient Rome to present day.

The places and times where they find themselves, were not known for peace and harmony, and often portrayed mankind at its worst, but also in some cases at their best. They are times in history that most of us are familiar with, but we are taken backstage to the events, to focus on the people involved, often as they too, like the heroes, face their final journey.

The theme of good versus evil runs through the story with imagined intereactions between those fighting on either side. The reader is invited in to spectate, and also consider, how closely these two divisions are aligned, and are often present together during the most pivotal moments in our history. It makes for fascinating reading.

It is a fast faced thriller with excellent characters, including the Prince of Darkness, who is dispicable as he should be. There are some scenes where you might be tempted to look away from, as they underline the evil men do, however the author handles these situations very well. Also his wry humour threads its way through the story, lifting the darker side of the narrative and adding a wonderful element to the reading enjoyment.

I can recommend this book to fans of John W. Howell. and those who enjoy an excellent thriller with compelling characters.
Profile Image for Mae Clair.
Author 24 books566 followers
December 24, 2022
In this follow up to the Eternal Road, departed souls, Samantha (Sam) and James are reunited to help a recently deceased pilot. Airforce captain, Ryan Sanders, died in a selfless act. Eddie Rickenbacker (yes, THAT Eddie Rickenbacker) is assigned as his guide on the Eternal Road but when the two veer off course, it’s up to Sam and James to get them back on track.

The four eventually connect, but their problems are far from over. Determined to claim Ryan’s soul, Lucifer lays trap after trap as the four hop through time using a 1956 Buick Oldsmobile as transport (trust me, the car is a brilliant touch).

It’s obvious Howell did his research—and there was certainly a lot! The reader visits Super Bowl I, the Battle of Britain, Gettysburg, Hiroshima, the California Gold Rush and ancient Rome, to name just a few of the highlights. I found the scenes onboard the Titanic remarkably touching, especially when Sam and James interact with the captain and crew.

S & J have excellent chemistry and their devotion to each other (especially when pitted against Lucifer) is part of what makes them such excellent characters. Captain Sanders also gets a personal spotlight, when the four journey into his past to discover what became of a woman he loved before entering the service.

An entertaining mix of history and the supernatural, The Last Drive offers a unique journey with four great characters as guides. The ending is wholly satisfying and left me with a wonderful warm feeling. If you’re ready for adventure, sit back and buckle in while James revs up the Olds. Next stop—history!
Profile Image for Luanne Castle.
Author 11 books51 followers
January 19, 2023
John Howell’s novel The Last Drive, the sequel to Eternal Road, well satisfies my curiosity in the continued journey of Sam and James as they try to accomplish their heavenly tasks amidst interference from the powerful and disgusting Lucifer. In this narrative, the angelic duo enlists the help of Eddie Rickenbacker (a historical figure) to save the soul of his charge, the newly dead Ryan. The four time travel between historical events, such as the Holocaust, the sinking of the Titanic, and WWI. As in Eternal Road, Howell is adept at merging the fantasy of time travel with the details of history. Sam and James are adept at following God’s plan for Eternity and his angels. This book is a thoroughly enjoyable, engaging, and rewarding read.

Merged review:

John Howell’s novel The Last Drive, the sequel to Eternal Road, well satisfies my curiosity in the continued journey of Sam and James as they try to accomplish their heavenly tasks amidst interference from the powerful and disgusting Lucifer. In this narrative, the angelic duo enlists the help of Eddie Rickenbacker (a historical figure) to save the soul of his charge, the newly dead Ryan. The four time travel between historical events, such as the Holocaust, the sinking of the Titanic, and WWI. As in Eternal Road, Howell is adept at merging the fantasy of time travel with the details of history. Sam and James are adept at following God’s plan for Eternity and his angels. This book is a thoroughly enjoyable, engaging, and rewarding read.
Profile Image for Staci Troilo.
Author 35 books163 followers
January 15, 2023
A Stirring Sequel/Series Finale

I’ve long awaited the sequel to Eternal Road: The Final Stop, and I’m delighted to say it was worth the wait. Howell delivers a stirring story that wraps up the series in the perfect way.

When the Archangel Michael gives Sam a new task, one in which she would benefit from James’s assistance, the two once again hop in his classic Oldsmobile. They hit the historical road to find and help guide Eddie Rickenbacker bring his charge, newly deceased military hero Ryan Sanders, to his eternal home before the devil himself can claim his soul.

What follows is an adventure that’s a thrill ride (no car pun intended), the perfect mix of historical and supernatural, of fact and fiction. Howell clearly did his research of past events, and as his characters visit one site of violence after another, the danger grows, the stakes increase, and the devil’s machinations grow more devious and depraved. This is a darker, grittier tale than the first one, but when you’re talking about the prince of darkness, that’s to be expected.

Fans of paranormals, historicals, and thrillers will enjoy this book (and this series). It can be read as a standalone, but readers who skip the first book will miss the history between Sam and James, and their story is a beautiful and poignant one. I recommend both installments without reservation.
Profile Image for D.L. Finn.
Author 25 books304 followers
January 3, 2023
I loved “Eternal Drive” and was eager to see where the second book would go. I wasn’t disappointed and glad to see James, Sam, and the 1956 Buick Oldsmobile reunite. They were tasked to locate a missing guide, Eddie Rickenbacker, and a new soul, Ryan Sanders, who had died a hero in Afghanistan. One of my favorite parts of the story is the history weaved in and how it is navigated by this group, with Lucifer always a step behind or ahead of them. They visit the Titanic, World War l trenches, the Roman Coliseum, a gold mining camp, and the Auschwitz concentration camp. It is obvious how much research went into the story, which brought their journey to life. Some past events are hard to relive as the group was challenged not to change history. Sam was cruelly treated in their travels by not only Lucifer but men in the past. Luckily there is not only some humor mixed in but hope and faith to counter the hopelessness of a situation. Even with the heaviness of some subjects covered, this story left me hopeful. “The Last Drive” was a wonderful blend of history and paranormal that I can easily recommend.
Profile Image for Gwendolyn Plano.
Author 3 books59 followers
December 27, 2022
Author John Howell is a natural storyteller, and this book is an example of his skill. The Last Drive is ultimately a story about good and evil. Some scenes are disturbingly graphic. Other scenes might require readers to shelve their notion of angels and devils to entertain Howell’s depiction of either. Using time travel, readers visit vital historical periods and glimpse the struggles and challenges of specific events. The stops include the Titanic, Hiroshima, Auschwitz, Gethsemane, and more. At each stop, Lucifer has a role, and Howell exposes this horror. Fortunately, the angelic voice in the story dominates. As brutal as evil can be, good prevails in this story -- to my relief and yours.
Profile Image for Joan Hall.
Author 14 books57 followers
January 12, 2023
Having read and enjoyed Eternal Road a couple of years ago, I looked forward to the sequel. And I liked The Last Drive even better than the first book.

James and Sam are back and this time they are assigned to guide Air Force Pilot Ryan Sanders to his eternal home. Ryan’s escort, and his idol, is none other than the legendary World War I pilot, Eddie Rickenbacker.

At first, James and Sam have trouble locating the pair. Their journey, yes in the 1956 Oldsmobile, takes them to the first Super Bowl, then into France during World War I. When they finally catch up with the pair, it’s a struggle against evil as Lucifer is determined to have Ryan’s soul.

The four characters travel through time—past, present, and future—and into places such as Gettysburg, aboard the Titanic, into Hiroshima, ancient Rome, the California Gold Rush, and Auschwitz.

Howell does his research. Not only did I enjoy the historic elements of the story, I learned a few things. The scenes aboard the Titanic were especially touching.

There are some disturbing scenes to read as Lucifer shows his true colors. But in the end, good triumphs over evil. The book is a mix of history, suspense, and paranormal, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys those genres.
Profile Image for Jaye Marie.
Author 18 books58 followers
February 6, 2023
The last drive, the sequel to Eternal Road, follows Sam and James on another mission to help the recently departed to get to their forever home. This time it involves Ryan Sanders, a pilot who died saving others.

Ryan has been assigned a guide to the Eternal Road, but when trouble intervenes in the shape of Lucifer, our heroes, Sam and James, are sent to sort things out.

What happens then goes from bad to awful as they are involved in visiting some awful situations, hoping they will break one of the rules.

This highly emotional story is brilliantly written. Sending Sam and James to these disastrous occasions is a ploy by Lucifer to make them break God's rules so Ryan will be forced to forfeit his soul.

The major problem involves how easy it would be to warn people about these disasters, but of course, that would break the rules and cause chaos.

The ending was a surprise, and one of the best parts of this story for me were the chapters involving the Titanic. That has always resonated with me as one of the worst disasters. To go back there must have been emotionally debilitating and knowing they could not interfere must have been unbelievably tough...
33 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2023
If I’m to be honest, then it’s fair to say that I enjoyed this book more than the last. Not to say that I didn’t enjoy the last one. The addition of Ryan and Eddie brought increased depth and branched the plot line into a more diverse path.

I was always amazed by the boldness James displayed when dealing with Lucifer, and it was nice to see a wingman for him in Ryan.

With each failed attempt to own Ryan’s soul, Lucifer countermoves, using the ugliest historical events like pawns in a sadistic chess game. I often found myself wondering if the victims had to relive their tragedies repeatedly when this occurred. I’d like to think that wasn’t the case.

Though the story touches on various dark parts of history, and in spite of Lucifer’s obsessive drive to spread rot and chaos, he is no match for God. The Eternal Road may not have guardrails, but it has plenty of Guardians!

If you’d love an exclusive road trip of a thousand lifetimes, replete with side road adventures and supernatural encounters of the ‘in your face’ kind; witnessed from the comfort of your favorite reading nook, this book’s for you.
Profile Image for T.W. Dittmer.
Author 2 books39 followers
January 20, 2023
This sequel to "Eternal Road the Final Stop" is engrossing, with an absorbing plot and a great ending.

James and Sam (Samantha) are angels. At the request of the Archangel Michael, they take on the task of rescuing two souls on the Eternal Road who have disappeared. The two lost souls are newly deceased Ryan Sanders, a heroic Air Force fighter pilot, and his guide Eddie Rickenbacker, the famous World War I fighter pilot.

As in Final Road, their task takes them on a journey to many renowned events in history and into the future. The historical events are thoroughly researched and presented artfully. The group also comes face to face with the Devil, who is determined to take their souls into his evil kingdom. The devil presents temptations to the group that could save lives, and because of this they find the temptations difficult to resist. In the end, good triumphs over evil, in what many consider to be the most important event in the history of mankind, the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth.

I thoroughly enjoyed this magnificently written book and recommend it without reservation to anyone who enjoys suspenseful historic adventure, with a spiritually paranormal twist. It is an epic tale of good versus evil in the afterlife.
Profile Image for Dan Antion.
Author 13 books17 followers
March 12, 2023
The Last Drive is one of those books I feel like I could simply say “This is a great book! Go buy it!” Ah, if only reviews were that easy.

Having read The Eternal Road, I was familiar with Sam and James. And I was familiar with Lucifer and his evil quest to trap the souls of the newly departed. The sequel came as a bit of a surprise, but people, including myself, who had read The Eternal Road wanted more. I was thrilled when The Last Drive was published.

Sam and James are looking for two (literally) lost souls, Ryan Sanders a pilot who was killed in Afghanistan while trying to avoid a schoolyard as his plane crashed, and Eddie Rickenbacker, Ryan's hero. Eddie was supposed to guide Ryan to his Eternal Home. The Prince of Darkness doesn’t want Ryan to make it to Heaven. He probably wanted him to crash into the school.

Lucifer, as he is wont to do, tries to trick the group into making the mistake of interfering with history. In doing so, he brings them to some of the most gruesome events from the past. The group must remain strong and aware of the rules, lest Ryan have to give up his soul to Lucifer.
John Howell is well known for well-researched story elements, and the views he shares of these past events benefit from that skill. I could feel the desire to step in and put right the wrongs playing out before them. Watching, knowing that you can’t interfere is such a palpable fear, and John’s descriptions make it all the harder.

The action is swift-paced, the characters are relatable—leave it to Howell to make Lucifer relatable—and the intersection between spiritualism and what some might consider magic, is believable. I was easily caught up in the action as the scenarios in the story came to life. I enjoyed the history almost as much as the story line.

The ending is not what I expected—it’s much better. The book will amaze you. It will make you sad, angry, scared, happy and grateful. Sometimes all at the same time.
Profile Image for Janice Spina.
Author 53 books111 followers
April 28, 2023
I hadn’t read book 1 when I picked up this book. However, even though I didn’t read the previous book I enjoyed this story and found it creative and intriguing. There was plenty of action, adventure, time travel, fantasy, and history, evidence that the author had to do plenty of research to get every bit of his time travel to various time periods exact.

The characters are well-developed, interesting and strong to withstand all they had to endure against Lucifer. It was quite a different story and memorable. This is a change of genre for the author but his work shows that he can do this genre well too.

I look forward to reading book 1 now to connect the stories by this creative and talented author. I have read many of his previous books that were of different genres and enjoyed them all.
Profile Image for Carol Taylor.
Author 2 books7 followers
March 15, 2023
Eager to read the sequel to Eternal Road I was not disappointed...I loved it!
Sam and James were united to look for two lost souls Ryan and Eddie of course the sneaky, evil Lucifer pulled out all the stops as he didn't want them to find their eternal homes he wanted their souls to perform his evil ways... to stop them he landed them smack bang in the trenches(WW1), the sinking Titanic and as gladiators at the Roman Colosseum to name but a few of the hair raising adventures...could they defeat the devil? there was plenty of action, time travel and some history it didn't disappoint me at all it was equally as thrilling as Eternal Road as Sam and James battled to save Ryan and Eddie's souls and stop the devil from destroying all that is good...
Profile Image for Dale Rogerson.
177 reviews5 followers
April 25, 2023
This is a case where the sequel is just as good (if not better) as the original. John takes us on a tour of various historical horrors (think 9/11, Auschwitz and more). It's one thing to read about them; quite another to be there when they take place. And this is all thanks to a certain nefarious Lucifer who is, once again, impeding their voyage to find a forever home with the intention of gaining a new soul.

Our heroes Sam and James are called on to help Ryan and his guide Eddie who have become lost on their journey. You know from the get who is involved. It takes some work but Sam and James do find them only to be tossed about along the way.

There is humour, horror, abuse and lots of love in this book. It is a wild ride worth taking.
Profile Image for C.S. Boyack.
Author 26 books130 followers
February 11, 2023
The Last Drive is a great follow up to Eternal Road. Sam and James are back to help a newcomer on the road find his eternal home. While this is a sequel, I believe readers could easily read this one first if that’s how they came to it.

The story is full of ethical decisions the characters must avoid, and those efforts take place at some of the worst moments in human history. The devil himself is the main antagonist and he doesn’t plop the heroes into any fun places, for sure.

Howell is a master storyteller and this is well worth your time to read.
Profile Image for Joy Kidney.
Author 10 books59 followers
August 28, 2024
Pilot Ryan Sanders is killed in Afghanistan and Eddie Rickenbacker is sent to guide him on the Eternal Road. Two others sent to find them encounter historic times and time travel: WWI, Gettysburg, Hiroshima, on one of the planes on 9/11, the California Gold Rush, the Coliseum, aboard the Titanic, the Tonight Show, Auschwitz, hauling rails for the Transcontinental railroad, and the Mount of Olives where they meet Jesus Christ. Lucifer, who wants Ryan's soul, harasses them the entire time, using crude, sarcastic, and vulgar language, which distracted from the creativity of the story.
Profile Image for Pamela.
Author 7 books43 followers
April 18, 2023
The Last Drive is a wonderful (and asked for) sequel. So many readers of Eternal Road wanted more of Sam and James and their adventures after reaching the Afterlife. In this sequel, readers delve into the characters' struggles with the Devil, their faith in God, all while exploring events and people throughout time. So yes, in one book we get theology, time travel, adventure and suspense. Great sequel!
Profile Image for Jacquie.
Author 84 books885 followers
March 21, 2023
Summoned by the Archangel Michael, Sam is sent on a quest to find a lost soul and his guide on earth before Lucifer can interfere with their journey to Heaven. She calls upon her old friend, James, to help and so begins a search that will lead the duo through a series of calamitous events in time as they work to evade the devil and survive some of history’s most horrendous events.

All of which must be accomplished without doing anything to change the future!

There was a lot of research put into this novel and the author does a commendable job of integrating it into the storyline. My favorite parts are those including Lucifer. His evil charm is palpable- so good!
Profile Image for Roberta Cheadle.
Author 19 books126 followers
February 2, 2023
This book is a unique and entertaining adventure about two souls, Sam and James, who are sent on a mission by Archangel Michael to help find two missing souls. A recently deceased young pilot named Ryan has disappeared, together with his spiritual guide, Eddie Rickenbacker. Eddie is a war pilot hero and he and Ryan were last seen together at the Super Bowl One in 1967. Lucifer is understood to have had a hand in their appearance at, and disappearance from, the football game.

Sam and James set off in the Oldsmobile to track the pair down. Their visit to the Super Bowl One is the first in a series of historical visits facilitated by Lucifer. The devil is determined to trick Ryan into forfeiting his soul and he attempts to manipulate Sam and James into inadvertently helping with the achievement of this goal. The devil's word sparring matches with Sam and James and Ryan and Eddie are amusing and I thought this read was on the lighter side despite the dark historical undercurrents.

The book is fast paced and exciting with the main characters travelling to scarier and more challenging historical situations as the book progresses and Lucifer becomes more determined and desperate to achieve his goal. The history of each event is fairly brief but is well researched and factually accurate and does not go into any of the gory detail or political and emotional complexities of the time or place. It is an intriguing idea to put four angels in the path of human induced destruction and describe their reactions.

This is the second book in the series but it can be read as a stand alone. I have not read the first book and had no trouble following the story or working out the relationships and dynamics between the various characters.

An enjoyable and light read with plenty of colourful historical events to spice up the plot.
15 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2023
Having read two other novels by John Howell, Circumstances of Childhood and Eternal Road, I was sure to get an engaging story when I picked up The Last Drive. While this story is an excellent stand-alone, I’d recommend reading its predecessor, The Eternal Road, to get the full flavor of this novel.

Sam and James, two main characters from Howell’s previous book, are sent on a mission to find two lost souls. Ryan Sanders, an Air Force captain, died trying to protect others in a courageous act of selflessness. Eddie Rickenbacker, a well-known American fighter pilot who Sanders has always idolized, is assigned to find Ryan and help guide the captain as he decides on his Eternal Home.

Lucifer renews his rivalry with Sam and James and offers many temptations in exchange for Ryan’s soul. Part of the devil’s plan is to get any of their group to try and alter history, thus creating a whole series of chaotic world events. Lucifer sends the four to many memorable historical places and events to lead them astray. Howell’s substantial research shows in each of these scenes. One of the first stops on The Eternal Road is Super Bowl 1, but it only escalates when Lucifer continually challenges the characters by putting them in difficult circumstances.

This story of good vs. evil has some disturbing scenes, but considering Lucifer is one of the primary characters, I understand why Howell made these choices. Readers will find plenty of suspense, mystery, time travel, and even moments of humor within the story. Car enthusiasts may find delight in learning that the primary means of transportation throughout is a 1956 Buick Oldsmobile. I suspect anyone who likes a combination of world history and suspense will enjoy this novel.
Profile Image for Darlene Foster.
Author 19 books220 followers
January 17, 2023
I loved the first book, Eternal Road, and was happy to see that James and Sam are back battling the nasty old devil. This time they are joined by Ryan (a recently deceased pilot) and Eddie (as in Eddie Rickenbacker, decorated WW1 fighter pilot). The devil wants Ryan's soul and James and Sam will do anything to prevent him from getting his hands on it and seeing Ryan find his eternal home. Along the way, they encounter some terrible times and places in history like Hiroshima, the Titanic, the Roman Collesium and Auschwitz. Will the devil win this time? This is a battle between good and evil that seems impossible to win. The author has created an incredibly strong female character in Sam, one of the toughest angels I've encountered. Although this book can be read as a stand-alone, I would suggest reading Eternal Road first, you'll be glad you did.

Merged review:

I loved the first book, Eternal Road, and was happy to see that James and Sam are back battling the nasty old devil. This time they are joined by Ryan (a recently deceased pilot) and Eddie (as in Eddie Rickenbacker, decorated WW1 fighter pilot). The devil wants Ryan's soul and James and Sam will do anything to prevent him from getting his hands on it and seeing Ryan find his eternal home. Along the way, they encounter some terrible times and places in history like Hiroshima, the Titanic, the Roman Collesium and Auschwitz. Will the devil win this time? This is a battle between good and evil that seems impossible to win. The author has created an incredibly strong female character in Sam, one of the toughest angels I've encountered. Although this book can be read as a stand-alone, I would suggest reading Eternal Road first, you'll be glad you did.
Profile Image for Teri.
Author 8 books177 followers
April 19, 2023
I was so excited when I heard the author was releasing a sequel to Eternal Road. That novel featured an incredible journey with deceased characters Sam and James as they search for James’s eternal home. One of my favorite things was the historical places they visited along the way. I was anxious to see where they’d stop in this novel.

It felt like the gang was reunited when Sam and James brought out the 1956 Buick Oldsmobile. This time, they’re on a quest to locate two souls, Ryan and Eddie. And it looks as if Lucifer might be involved in their disappearances. Lucifer provided some comedic moments in the last novel. Not this time. Now he’s downright mean and nasty (I mean, he is Lucifer) and makes horribly lude comments to the characters – especially Sam. Sam endures a lot in this story, but she’s strong and also able to dish it out. She’s really the star, in my opinion.

The group visits several places over the course of the novel, but most represent Lucifer’s work – World War I, the Roman Coliseum, Hiroshima, and Flight 93 to name a few. I’ve always been fascinated by anything involving the Titanic. When the characters arrive on board, some want to warn the captain about what’s in store for them but changing history is against the rules. What they’re able to offer the passengers and crew is heartfelt and touching.

Real life historical events play out wherever these characters find themselves, and it’s clear the author did his research. The Last Drive ends perfectly, and I was happy for the glimpse at what becomes of these characters. If you enjoy a clever blend of history and supernatural genres, this is a series to add to your reading list.
Profile Image for Colleen Chesebro.
Author 15 books89 followers
March 31, 2023
This is the second book in the series, and Sam and James, two heavenly souls, are back to help Archangel Michael find two other missing souls. This time, they’re hunting for a pilot named Ryan and his spiritual guide, Eddie Rickenbacker. Of course, old Lucifer is back flexing his bag of evil tricks. It’s suspected that he is the reason the pilot and guide are missing. Sam and James take off in the Oldsmobile to find the missing souls.

Traveling back into time, readers visit significant historic periods as Sam and James try to find the lost souls. They visit the Titanic, Hiroshima, Auschwitz, and a few other places. The theme of good vs evil resonates with the story.

If you enjoy time travel, history, and even some old car lore, you will enjoy this suspenseful tale to redemption.
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