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    The Face of the Earth
    The Face of the Earth
    The Face of the Earth
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Face of the Earth

    Written by Deborah Raney

    Narrated by Celeste Ciulla

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    What if she never came home . . . ? When Mitchell Brannon' s beloved wife sets off for home after a conference, he has no idea that his life is about to change forever. Mitch returns from work early that evening, surprised that Jill' s car isn' t in the garage. But her voice on the answering machine makes him smile. " Hey, babe, I' m just now checking out of the hotel, but I' ll stop and pick up something for dinner. Love you." Hours later, Jill still hasn' t returned, and Mitch' s irritation turns to dread. When the police come up empty, Mitch enlists the help of their next-door neighbor, Jill' s best friend, Shelley, to help search. As hours turn into days and days into weeks, Mitch and Shelley' s friendship grows ever closer-- and decidedly more complicated. Every lead seems to be a dead end, and Mitch wonders how he can honor the vows he made to a woman who has seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateNov 15, 2013
    ISBN9781470379865
    The Face of the Earth
    Author

    Deborah Raney

    Deborah Raney’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched her writing career after twenty happy years as a stay-at-home mom. Deb now has more than two dozen published novels. She and her husband, Ken Raney, recently traded small-town life––the setting of many of Deb's novels––for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita, Kansas. They love traveling to visit four children and five small grandchildren who all live much too far away. Visit Deb on the web at www.deborahraney.com. Twitter: @authordebraney

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    Reviews for The Face of the Earth

    4.5/5

    12 ratings6 reviews

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    • 5/5
      "The Face of the Earth" by Deborah Raney is an amazing book. From the moment I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. I loved everything about the authors writing. I also had to find out how the book ended because while I was reading the book I couldn't figure out was going to happen like I can with some of the books that I read. In this book you follow along with Mitchell as he looks for his wife who just disappears one day. I loved it because I spent the whole book wondering if anything would happen between Mitch and his wife's best friend Shelley. The author does a great job at making me understand how the characters are feeling and making you feel as if you are there with them.
    • 4/5
      Jill and Mitchell Brannon appear to be happily married, now empty nesters since their last child has just gone off to college. Jill, a 3rd grade teacher, attends an educational conference in Kansas City, but never returns home. It seems she disappears off the face of the earth with no clues to her whereabouts. There is no plausible explanation for Jill's disappearance. The family tries their best to keep up their faith, to hold and hope, and keep believing - and the story unfolds ---Mitch, Jill's husband, is the Principal at Sylvia High School. Mitch tries hard to hold his family together through this nightmare. Jill's best friend and neighbor, Shelley, becomes very supportive of Mitch and his kids. Over the next five months Shelley and Mitch become very close as they eventually start to talk over other things - their kids and jobs - dreams and disappointments. Shelley becomes Mitch's confidante and sounding board and he begins to treasure their close friendship that is growing between them. And yet, they both start to feel they are headed towards an uncomforted zone that could complicate their lives. The author launches into this captivating story with sensitivity and grace - a story about tragedy, loss, faith and hope. The resolution comes about as a complete surprise after many twists and turns throughout. One or two negative comments - parts of the book moved too slowly making the book a bit long. I thought it was inappropriate for Matt to allow his romantic feelings, for Shelley, to surface so soon after Jill's disappearance, although it was handled well. This was a huge part of the storyline. The writing is simple and flowing - a good, easy read that I do recommend. Truly a heartwarming story. My rating is 4 stars.
    • 5/5
      I've been reading Deborah Raney's books since her first, A Vow to Cherish, was published. I've not once been disappointed. Not once. I ALWAYS buy her books. I hate waiting so long between books, but every time I read one, I know why and don't mind. She writes with such a depth of emotion that it's truly astounding.Mitchell Brannon looks forward to his wife returning from a teacher's conference, but she never makes it home. Police get called, searchers get sent out, Jill's disappearance is on all the news media, but no news at all. Nothing. How can a family cope in a situation like this? Not knowing, wondering all the time what has happened to their loved one?Shelley Austin lives next door and has been Jill's best friend for 15 years. Shelley starts helping Mitch look for Jill and the two become closer than they always had been. Feelings begin to flow between them.Mitch feels like he's betraying Jill and Shelley decides to move. What else can they do? Things are forever up in the air, no resolution.What would YOU do if your spouse disappeared with no clues, nothing to go on? How would you live your life day in and day out? I know my life wouldn't even be worth living. I'd never have any peace, never any closure. But God...that is a wonderful sentence, though not a complete sentence. God is able to give peace even in the depths of despair. Mitch learns this along the way and so does Shelley.This book moved me and as I sat finishing it at the breakfast table, I was actually sobbing, then smiling, then sobbing. It moved me so much. Deborah Raney has a God given talent to write books to minister to people. It's clear from her writing that she herself has a deep relationship with Christ. THAT is only one of the reasons I will always buy her books. If you miss this book, you've missed a blessing. flag Post a comment »Comments
    • 5/5
      A story that makes you think...all that we take for granted. No matter who in your family doesn't come home, there is a sense of panic. Going around for about a year with no answers has got to be heart wrenching.I could not imagine my husband's voice on our answering machine, saying he would be home shortly, and then vanishing with no trace. What length would you go to to find your loved one?We find Mitchell Brannon's wife Jill showing up in unexpected ways...but where is she? Will Mitch make it through this trauma. What will happen to his college age children?? How do you deal with school when part of your family is missing. Did Jill take off of her own free will? Where is she?I don't think I could, and know Mitch didn't without God's help! As time goes on by, you wonder how her reappearing in their lives is going to effect them, or if she never comes home.The not knowing has got to be the horror of this book. It becomes a real page turner trying to see where the answers are going to come from. I highly recommend this mystery....it is a great read.I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 4/5
      The Face of the Earth is a edge of your seat mystery that left me wondering till the end. I knew HOW the story would end about 1/2 way through but I wasn't sure exactly what would cause the ending if that makes sense. The story moves slowly and yet has enough intrigue and emotion that I didn't want to put the book down. I loved how both of the main characters stayed true to their faith and how Mitch stands up for what he knows is right in the end. It made the relationship that forms in the story even more believable.This book would make a great small group read and includes discussion questions at the end of the book. You can pre-purchase it on Amazon right now for $11.61 or for your kindle for $9.72. Personally I would splurge and get the actual book so you can keep it on your bookshelf - and share it with friends. It's wonderful!I rated this 4 stars for the story and the strength of faith in this book. It did run a little slow although I felt that added to the passion and depth of the story due to the level of sorrow and worry that the main characters went through - you could actually feel the emotions. Outstanding book!Disclaimer: I was given a copy of the book to read and review on GivingNSharing. I was not required to have a positive review and no money exchanged hands. Thanks for reading!
    • 4/5
      I can't really say much outside of what the synopsis shares, but what I can say is Wow! A great word to sum up Angela Hunt's The Offering. I was riveted to this book and paralyzed to my seat the entire time getting lost in the drama and heartbreak of Amanda's world. I adored the relationship she had with her husband and his family and grieved with her during the hard parts even when I knew they were coming.The Offering was an emotional roller coaster of a book, the writing was fantastic, the story-line amazing. While I wish the marketing had left some mystery in its gripping plotline, as the synopsis gives away over half the plot, it was in the end an amazing read. There are very few Inspy novels that make impressions on me as of late and Hunts realistic, moving and authentic portrayal of the military, marriage, grief and relationships was a breath of fresh air.