Hey, Readers! Today I welcome back a very special guest, John Howell. John is a friend and fellow contributor at Story Empire and he has a new release. The Last Drive is the sequel to his novel, Eternal Road The Final Stop. I looked forward to this book for a while. My review follows.
Welcome, John, and take it away!
I am so pleased to be with you today, Joan. Thank you for helping spread the word about The Last Drive. Each month on your blog you feature fascinating stories of the unsolved or unexplained. There are always well received by your readers and most of them can cause the hair on my neck to rise. This book is not that kind of horror story. Although when you have an antagonist who bills himself as the Prince of Darkness one could get that idea. The truth is Lucifer is a rather ordinary character until he decides to let out his menacing and crass side.
Here is the blurb and then we can get to a short excerpt from the book.
Blurb
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 takes 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.
Excerpt
The explanation seems to satisfy the sentry, and he calls to them, “Continue toward the trench.”
They stay low and, finally, reach the edge. The sentry guides them to a place to enter and touches his helmet. “Do you mind showing me your papers?”
Sam pokes James and takes the lead. “The krauts took everything we had.”
“You’re a woman.”
“Yes, a nurse.”
The sentry lowers his rifle. “I’m sorry. Of course, they would take your papers, and there are a lot of nurses on the front.” He looks at James. “Your patch tells me you’re part of the third Infantry Division.”
Janes snaps to attention. “Yes, we are.”
“I have an old friend in the third. Maybe you know him?”
James stands at ease. “Who?”
“Ralph Beeker.”
James rubs his chin. “Hmmm. I don’t believe I ever met him.”
“That’s too bad. He’s a hell of a guy. You two look as if you could use some breakfast.”
James smiles. “That would be swell.”
“Okay, then. Follow me.” The sentry leads Sam and James to a sandbagged dugout toward the rear of the trench. Sandbags make up the roof as well. The sentry says, “Duck your heads. The entrance is low.”
Once inside, the dim light makes looking around less than productive. “Your eyes will get used to the light in here. This is our mess hall. Just go up to that table on the side wall and help yourselves. I have to get back to my post. The name is Fredrich—not to be confused with those guys over there.” Fredrich snickers at his joke and walks away.
James wipes his face. “Let’s get some coffee. My nerves are about shot.”
Sam can’t help but laugh.
Buy Links
The Last Drive is available in paper and Kindle editions on Amazon. Here are the universal links. The Kindle edition is on sale for 99¢ through mid-February.
Kindle https://mybook.to/FYmkKr
Paper https://mybook.to/BCsWV
Author Bio
John is an award-winning author who after an extensive business career began writing full time in 2012. His specialty is thriller fiction novels, but John also writes poetry and short stories. He has written Six other books that are on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.
John lives in Lakeway, Texas with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.
Author links
Blog Fiction Favorites, http://johnwhowell.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/john.howell.98229241
Twitter –https://www.twitter.com/HowellWave
Goodreads –https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7751796.John_W_Howell
Amazon Author’s page –https://www.amazon.com/author/johnwhowell
BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/john-w-howell
Eternal Road Buy links
Kindle Universal link mybook.to/EternalRoad
Paper universal link mybook.to/Eternalroadpaper
My Review
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.
60 Responses
Wonderful spotlight on John and his new release, Joan. Thank you for sharing your review and offering glimpses into The Last Drive. Congratulations, John, on this latest achievement. 😊
Thank you for the support, Gwen. I loved Joan’s review and yours as well.
Thanks for stopping by, Gwen. This book really grabbed me. John has a winner on his hands for sure.
A wonderful review, Joan. Thank you for hosting John today!
Thank you, GP. It is always great to have you visit. 😁
You are welcome, GP. Thank you for stopping by.
All these posts whet my appetite to dig into this one.
I’m so glad, Craig. I do appreciate your help in bringing the story to life.
Shhh! I didn’t think we were talking about that part.
You are in for a treat, Craig.
I enjoyed reading your review, Joan. Thanks for hosting our sweet friend, John! Wishing him all the best!
Thank you for your beautiful comment, Jill. 🤗
You are welcome, Jill. It’s always a pleasure to host John.
Thank you so much for helping spread the word, Joan. I appreciate your help, and since you are launching your own book, your support is even more meaningful. Your review is so lovely and gave me a big smile. 😁 Thanks for taking the time to read The Last Drive and for letting folks know you liked the story.
I am happy to have you. We both have been busy this month! I really enjoyed the book. Congratulations and best of luck!
😊
Good trailer. I enjoyed your review, Joan, and I enjoyed Howell’s book, too!
It was a good book, Priscilla!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Priscilla. Thanks for letting us know. 😁
Congratulations to John on another excellent review! It’s great to see what a good reception The Last Drive is getting.
Thank you, Liz. I am thrilled at the reception as well. 😁
You’re welcome, John.
I agree, Liz. This book (and John) deserve high praise.
Huge congratulations on this fantastic review, John! Wishing you every success with your new book. Joan, thanks for sharing. Hugs 💕🙂
Thank you so much, Harmony. 🤗
Thanks so much, Harmony!
I love this review of this wonderful sequel. I enjoyed both books tremendously!
Thank you, Dale, and also for adding your recommendation.
🙂
Thank you, Dale. 😁
My pleasure!
😊
I love how James and Sam can enjoy human things even in their ethereal bodies. I hope there is coffee in my Eternal Home. 🙂 Another great stop on the tour, John! Thanks for hosting, Joan.
My belief says there is coffee. VooDoo Ranger too. Lot’s of chocolate and no calories.
I’m hoping for iced tea, Jan! 🙂
Another great post and review! I love how Lucifer can just seem like everyone else, until he isn’t.
Thanks for hosting, Joan 🙂
Lucifer is a pretty complex character. He has a little case of FOMO, which is odd for a powerful spirit. Thanks for the visit and lovely words.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing for sure!
Another great review. This blog tour is going well.
Thanks, Darlene. Wishing John much success with this one.
Thank you, Darlene. I think it is going well too.
Great review, Joan, and it’s nice to come across your blog. Congratulations, John, on another great review and more attention to this fantastic book.
Thanks so much for visiting. T. W. I agree, this was a great book.
Thank you, Tim. Joan’s blog is a great place to visit. She has a terrific blend of different subjects.
I’m following her blog. 🙂
You’ll like it.
Thanks for the follow!
Great review, Joan – congrats to John! I’m especially looking forward to the scenes on the Titanic.
Having always been fascinated by the Titanic, I found those scenes especially moving. I think you’ll like them.
Thank you, Teri. Joan’s review is excellent. I hope you enjoy the book when you get to it.
Congratulations to John on that awesome review! It’s great to see him here in the spotlight with The Last Drive. I throughly enjoyed this novel. The mesh of history, supernatural, and superb characters hits home runs all the way around. Highly recommend!
Thanks for hosting today, Joan!
Thank you, Mae. I appreciate your supportive words. 😁
Totally agree, Mae.
I’m pretty sure that review made you happy, John. Congratulations on your book tour!
Thanks for stopping by, Jacqui!
It’s a delightful book, and yours is a wonderful review, Joan.
Thanks, Dan. I agree. It is a wonderful book.
Fab review, Joan.
I’m looking forward to reading The Last Drive.
I enjoyed “Eternal Road” a lot.
You said you like “The Last Drive” better.
I can hardly wait!
You’re in for a treat, Resa. Thanks for stopping by.
Oboy & welcome!