The Road to Forgiveness

by Leigh Bale

To make amends for his troubled past, Joel Hunter goes back to the Herrera family farm in Nevada. The Herreras believed in him, supported him, and he let them down. Especially Mari, the beautiful girl he grew up with—and secretly loved. A changed man, Joel can now help save their farm and support Mari's mother and two young siblings. The one thing he can't do? Explain to Mari where he's been the past nine years. How can he expect her to understand—or want him around? Until Joel discovers that the road to forgiveness is paved with love.

Genres: Love Inspired

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Leigh Bale is Publisher's Weekly best selling author. She won the prestigious RWA Golden Heart in 2006 and was a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the Write Touch Reader's Award and the Bookseller's Best Award. She is the daughter of a retired U.S. forest ranger, holds a B.A. in History with honors and loves spending time with family, weeding the garden with her dog Sophie, and watching the little sagebrush lizards that live in her rock flowerbeds. You can reach Leigh at www.LeighBale.com.

Reviews

[Leigh Bale]

I wrote this story based on a real live legal case my husband handled years ago. We often hear of poor choices our acquaintances make, but then we frequently lose track of them. Yet their lives go on. I frequently wonder how they're doing now they've gotten their lives turned around. And I wonder if they were able to go on and be happy again. This story shows that difficult journey. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Leigh Bale

[Sarah TheAromaofBooks]

3.5/5

Nice story with likable characters. The greenhouse business was a nice setting. Pace was a bit jerky in places, but overall a comfortable way to while a way some time.

[Janell]

This line of books always has a simple romance and a gentle Christian message. Not a lot of depth but an easy read.

[Susan Hollaway]

Despite the mistakes he’s made, the Herrera family always believed in Joel Hunter and supported him. They showed God’s love in how they lived and in everything they did for him -- and he let them down. He’s back to make amends, especially to Mari the girl he’s always secretly loved. Joel’s a changed man now, and he wants to work on the farm and help support the family. But will Mari let him? Her family embraces him with open arms, but Mari can’t figure out why he’s back and feels in her heart he’ll just leave again.

How can he convince her to understand or want him around when he can’t share his biggest secret with her? He wants Herrera Farms to be home and he wants to be home for good. But will Mari destroy his dream of staying when she finds out where he’s been the last nine years? Will Mari be able to forgive the past in order to see God’ plan for her future?

This is a beautiful story of how God works through people to share His mercy, grace, and forgiveness. This story was very entertaining, but filled with examples and lessons of how God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross can redeem us and change our lives. Through the lives of the Herrera family, Leigh shows how we never know how things we do or say can affect others. Things aren’t always as they appear to be, but God always has a plan for us. This is a wonderful read. I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed, but blessed as you read about Joel Hunter and Mari Herrera, their family, and their journey on the road to forgiveness.

[Gina]

This book was about Joel Hunter, a guy that messed up in his youth and had to pay dearly for his actions. The Herrara family was always nice to him, so he went back there to work after he got out of prison. However, he didn't want Marisol, his secret love, to know that he had been to prison. While he was at the farm, he proved he was worthy by being responsible and loving to the only family that was ever nice to him. Marisol took a lot of work though. She didn't believe him because he was a trouble maker in his youth. Overtime she realized that she loved him and he had been in love with her for years. He just never told her. That was one of the reasons he always scared other boys away from Mari. Mari's heart changed eventually and she told him before it was too late.

He thought she didn't want him because of his past, but he found out in the end that it didn't matter. Joel had a second chance and he remained at the Herrara Farm with Marisol. A very touching story about love, forgiveness, and a second chance.

[Veronica]

I like this book but I was a little disappointed by the ending. It was very rushed. If the author was trying to keep it to a certain length then I think it would have been better to cut out a little of the middle and extend the ending. I was also a little disappointed by just how in the dark Mari was about certain circumstances, it was kind of annoying. It wasn't my favorite book but overall I liked it and it was worth a read.

[Carla Sokotuk]

Nice story of friends falling in love.

[JoAlice]

Loved this book. Totally worth the read. The Bible verse was pretty cool also.