Return to Mormonville: Worlds Apart

by Alan Call

It has been almost two years since Luke Manning joined the Church, and just over a year since he married his one true love. Once a cynical New York reporter trying to get the "scoop" on the Mormons, Luke is now one himself, and determined to live a Christ-like life. On a new assignment in Sudan, Africa as part of a humanitarian project, Luke realizes this isn’t "Mormonville" anymore, in fact, Sudan is one of the most dangerous places in the world. But with a goal to further his career and be of good service, he plows ahead. Seeking an injured man outside the safety of a refugee camp, Luke and fellow workers are ambushed and kidnapped by terrorists. Now he will learn what it means to be a true Christian as he tries to build relationships with his captors, modeling compassion and kindness in hopes of a release. But days turn into weeks and months, and Luke wonders if he’ll ever hold Hayley in his arms again. A timely look at a troubling situation, Jeff Call takes us on a journey of profound importance, especially for all of us who want to learn what it means to stand for the right and yet, "turn the other cheek."

Genres: Lds Fiction, Fiction, Religion

179 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Brayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Mormonville is a great sequel to Mormonville. The story is very stirring and even intense at times. I thought it was very well written and gives powerful insight to having an eternal perspective. It is a perfect precursor to the third book in the series, "Mannings of Mormonville". This is the best LDS fiction series out there!

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story!! I relate to the protagonist in the sense that I too am a convert of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I felt the spirit while reading this. It’s a tear jerker even for a grown man. Jeff Call…you are a great writer!!

[Rebecca Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the 4 stars indicate, "I really liked it!" Good book and fun follow-up to Mr. Call's first book. I highly recommend this book.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Not what I expected and better than I thought it would be. A former investigative reporter is on a new assignment, through his Ward (local church congregation) to see what happens to all the humanitarian stuff his Ward has collected for the people of Sudan. He gets connected to another Christian group who have the contacts and current path into the Sudan, but our hero gets caught trying to save a man and is captured by terrorists and is held for months. His story includes how he tries to build relationships with his captors while remaining a good, pure Mormon so when he returns to Hayley, his wife, he will be truly free

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humanitarian effort and terrorists too! We all second-guess ourselves and hind-sight is 20/20 vision. Luke, Hayley, and Ben both feel like they are to blame for Luke's capture in the Sudan--should Luke have gone to Africa in the first place? Fasting, prayer, and singing the LDS hymns are a daily routine for the eight months that Luke is held captive, wondering whether he and Hayley will ever be together again. Even T-shirts get printed with "I love you forever."

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as much fun as the first, but deeper on so many levels. The subject is not a humorous one, but because of the characters (and the author's talent), you feel the Light brought to the characters by the circumstances. (that isn't very well said, but it's hard to put my feelings on this one into words)

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though not the most well written book I've ever read....including many typos I noticed, and I am not the type that looks for those kinds of things....this was an uplifting story and a fun continuation of the first Mormonville book. It was rather predictible but I like the character of Luke Manning and it was fun to see him grow from where he started at in the first Mormonville book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually the second book is not as good as the first, but in this instance it is just the opposite. I loved this book. It explored more on faith and hope and friendship. You can be a missionary where ever you are with out that formal calling. Thanks Jeff this was a great book.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad little book. I don't think I read the first one, that this is a sequel to, but this was okay. I thought it was a little simplistic, and it had some grammatical errors and typos, but overall it was interesting and nice.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected but an interesting story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the prequel to this book, so I was a little worried, but it stands fine on its own. Good story about keeping faith in very difficult situations.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is not nearly as funny, but more touching. It shows we are being looked out for when we least realize it.

[Hollie Robb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not like this one like I did the first one. But it was still a must read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Not like the first book. Much more serious.

[Karlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was a quick read. I didn't read the first one so I cannot say how well it led into this book but I found it interesting enough.