From amazon.com...

In a painfully earnest attempt to pluck heartstrings, Hutton's brief debut novel succeeds only in twanging out a tale rife with clich?s and coincidence, employing supernatural visitations to advance a story of loss, grief, acceptance and renewal. Anna CarrollAa psychologist, author of self-help books and host of the popular radio call-in show Get a Grip!Ahas lost three friends to cancer in the last three years, most recently her best friend, Beth. Anna never married, and her friendship with Beth has been the one constant in her life, from their days at Catholic school through their college years and on into Beth's married life and Anna's high-powered career. Afraid she herself is losing her grip, Anna escapes to a cottage on Martha's Vineyard to come to terms with her grief. While there, she meets a mysterious stranger. So easy is he to talk to, she ends up telling him her life story without once asking his name. This stranger turns out to be a priest and the brother of Anna's "one true love," Kevin, who was killed in the Vietnam War. The stranger informs Anna that Kevin always loved her, and Beth's ghost assures Anna that she is "always with you." Readers in search of soft-serve sweets for the soul will enjoy this easy weeper.

After looking through my books for several to relase on an upcoming trip to Mexico, I thought this one would be a good companion to my other travel guides and travel memoirs. Eternal Journey, however, is not about traveling in the traditional sense. It's about the journey that one takes through the grief process. In this novel, psychologist Anna, finds herself grieving the death of lifelong friend Beth to breast cancer. And along the way, Anna's journey yields many surprises, some believeable, and some perhaps are dreams.

One of my favorite passages from the book:

"I can't stay with you much longer, Annie. Before I died, John told me what he had been so troubled about that day. He said he was thinking of leaving the priesthood, that he felt unfulfilled and unsincere in his work. He told me that afternoon walk changed his life, too, and he realized that our meeting was not at all coincidental. John said he had never really reconciled the losses in his life, and that he and I had connected for a purpose. He helped me find my soul and I help him revive his. I realized that during my last hours on earth that I had chosen this life I had, and I died knowing that losing my mother was all part of the lesson I needed to learn. I also died understanding that life is all-- no, only-- about relationships, Annie. You and I have a connection that knows no boundaries. Just as my mother was and is a part of my soul, so are you. I love you, Annie." (pp. 103-104).

Eternal Journey is apparently Hutton's first novel, but her background as a consultant and counselor (and, I suspect, her life in general) obviously has prepared with a keen knowledge of grief. It's only 150 pages, but a really moving read.

RELEASE NOTES:

Released on the shelf at the reception desk. :)