The Gate by Dann A. Stouten ~ review

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Revell (April 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800721098
• ISBN-13: 978-0800721091

This book is also available as an e-book.

Publication Date: April 1, 2013

When an ad for a vacation cottage catches the eye of a man on the edge of burnout, he impulsively sets off to visit the property while his wife and daughters are away. When he arrives and is ushered through the gate, he finds something far different from the typical vacation retreat. In fact, it seems he may have found the back door to heaven. The proprietor and people from his past welcome him with food, rest, and conversation until what started out as a little escape from everyday life turns into an experience he will never forget.

This imaginative novel explores the big questions we all have about what lies beyond this earthly life. Readers hungry for a taste of heaven will find in The Gate hope, encouragement, and pure joy.

My take on this book:

Schuyler Hunt is really feeling stressed, in addition to losing several people over the last year to death, the car lot that he owns with his brother is in trouble with the bank. Sky decides that a weekend away might help so he plans a week off so that he and his wife Carol can do just that. Plans get changed though when Carol decides to do a shopping weekend with their daughters. At loose ends Sky sees an online ad for an old cottage that reminds him of the one his family rented each summer of his childhood. He learns that it is called "Angel's Gate" and there is an open house planned for that weekend. He decides to check it out and quickly realizes that there is much more going on than meets the eye.

An interesting fiction tale that gives the reader a glimpse of what heaven might be like. The people that Sky meet along the way as the story progresses each had a lesson for him. I found this book to be a very well written thought provoking read. The style is easy, and I found myself reflecting upon the many life lessons that Sky learns as the story progresses. While this is a quick read, and I do admit I read it in a few hours, I am now rereading it just to savor the experience of Sky's adventure.An out of this world story that grabbed my attention and left me glad that I had read it!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.