I got about a quarter of the way through this title, and could not persist in my reading. Part of it may be that I am working through grief and couldn't read another book where loss and grief are a central theme.

This story was amazing to me and having traveled through grief myself, I could totally relate. I loved the spiritual theme.
Many thanks to Open Road Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Doug Zimmer wasn’t mad; he was furious. He had just unjustly lost his job “with cause” and his wife, Ruth, had died after a short fight with cancer. All of this just before Christmas. The last thing his wife had asked for was that he take a trip - seven stops she had laid out, an eighth stop was yet to be determined.

He was traveling north along the coast of California along state highway 1 and then east toward Chicago. God was not going to make it an easy trip. Of course it was not all God’s fault. Doug’s decision to make the trip on a new recumbent bicycle was part of the problem. But God was also putting people who would challenge his faith (or rather his lack of faith) across his path adding to the challenge. Ruth had plenty of faith, but Doug had never understood and, now with the loss of his job and his wife, faith made even less sense. During the journey he hears one of the worst presentations of the Gospel ever given (Chapter 15) and one of the best (Chapter16). To this reader the contrast was meaningful, but to Doug it was less so.

The author does a great job describing the setting as Doug travels up the coast and then East across the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains. This part of the book would make a great movie with all the color and sights described along the way. Doug would have decisions to make - hard decisions.

This book is only the first of a series describing Doug’s journey - both on his bike and in life. I will look forward to more stories to follow. The book was a bit of a slow starter. With this minor distraction this reader gives the book a reluctant four-stars. Here’s looking forward to learning more of Doug’s life.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Persistent Road is a Christian fiction that doesn't read like one. I found this book to be engaging, interesting, and intriguing on all levels. If you had told me this was a faith based book I wouldn't have agreed. I really like Mr. Bishop's writing style and how he presented the book to the reader. I've not read many books like this yet highly recommend this one. Until next time Happy Reading!

When Doug loses first his job and then his wife, he takes up cycling and ultimately decides to head off on an indefinite cycling tour, starting off up the Pacific coast. He hopes to find some sort of escape, temporary or permanent, but when an accident makes him start to rethink things, he finds more than he ever expected.

The premise of this book was interesting and some of the characters were great examples - like Ruth and Pastor Jim, not to mention Chuckie. Unfortunately, while I didn't dislike the book, I didn't feel like it lived up to my hopes. I think my two main problems with this were that I didn't see anything really in Doug to like (except perhaps at the end), and I always felt 'outside' the story rather than immersed in it. Part of the reason for my not liking Doug was that he was clearly engaging in various behaviours I'd object to, though there's nothing too objectionably explicit (he's not a Christian at the time) - and his attitudes to Christians didn't help. Kind of interesting as a travelogue, but didn't go into much detail most of the time. The accident part was well done and did hold my interest, but if I hadn't agreed to review, I'm not sure I would have kept going long enough to get that far. Could be something that would appeal to others, but wasn't really my cup of tea. I'd also be a little careful who I recommended it to because of Doug's behaviour.

Content warning: several incidents with suicidal thoughts, one suicide attempt.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

This was a very interesting and engaging adventure, with lots of twists and turns and wonderful characters. I can’t wait to see what Mr. Bishop will bring us next.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

There is a lot of story packed into this book that keeps the reader interested. There's the story of Doug and his wife's death, his loss of a job, this journey of self-discovery that his wife sends him on, and the internal monologue that Doug's continually processing, urging him to end it all. And that's just the beginning of the book!

As he begins his bike ride through the Pacific Northwest, we are introduced to other characters and their backstories as well as other places and situations. Each is carefully crafted to allow Doug to ponder their meaning and significance to him and his own life. But for much of the book, he wrestles with suicidal ideation and a sense of hopelessness and grief over the loss of his son many years earlier and his wife in recent months.

Confronted with Christian believers everywhere he goes, it seems, Doug finds himself frequently frustrated by others' desire to talk with him about matters of faith. But when a crisis occurs, he has to question who and what will sustain him through it.

Overall, there's a lot of good stuff to chew on in this book and some interesting conversation starters. However, there is too much "telling and not showing" that tripped me up as I read. It kept me distanced from Doug and made it hard to immerse myself in the story, especially in the earlier parts of the book. Midway through, when Doug was alone less often, dialogue served to carry more of the story, which helped.

Because suicide does play a significant role in this book, there are a lot of dark parts to it. In many ways, that lends a realism to it, but I found myself having to take frequent breaks to step away from that for a bit. So, this story won't be for everyone.

But it tackles a big question many people must face eventually, "Why am I here?" and provides some pretty decent answers...

Thank you to Tim Bishop, Open Road Press, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

3.5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the approval to read this book.

This beautifully written book is a work of hope for those who feel hopeless.
In the face of one challenge after another, heartaches without a break, the story shows us clearly how, no matter what, there is always a reason to live.
Being in a season of "editing" my life, this book really made me think about my own life and the path I can choose and the path and plan that is already pre-destined for me me by God, and the acceptance of both.

A must read!.

Through a series of life changing circumstances and loss, Doug, our main protagonist in this novel, is led to a point where he needs to escape the world to process all that has happened. We may associate with that feeling, however, his solution is a little more radical than we may consider – he embarks on a mammoth cycling journey across the USA, destined to bring him peace, one way or another.
We discover that his journey through life has not been an easy one and not far beneath the surface is a history of mental health issues that mean his take on “peace” may be one we find challenging. If the topic of suicide is a trigger for you, then I suggest you approach this book with caution.
The impact of the trauma on his mental health is evident, with suicidal thoughts naturally clouding his judgment, leading him down a few wrong paths. As the journey carries on his story unravels, revealing a difficult past with plenty of scars. But all through his life there is a history of God always being on his case. He is presented with many opportunities to hear the Gospel, just none of them quite being the right time.
The journey takes several twists and turns accompanied by a series of incidents that pull Doug into the chaotic lives of others. He faces some tough emotional challenges alongside the harsh physical journey, a helpful reflection on the spiritual journey that Doug faces.
At pretty much his lowest point, when a major incident occurs, he has the right people around him to support, refocus, and ultimately bring him back to God, which finally brings him the release and relief that his soul needs.
The theme of God being on our case, always, never giving up on us, is a strong one and a lesson for us all. Sometimes through the people who He brings across our path, sometimes more subtly, through the evidence around us in the form and beauty of nature, where His greatness is so evident.
This is a good read, an engrossing story with a strong redemptive message.

It is not often that I start reading a book and find that I just can't stop. The Persistent Road is so well written that I was drawn in after the first few pages. A truly inspirational storyline that had me looking at my own life journey. Our main character, Doug finds himself on a journey of self discovery after being fired from his job and losing his wife to cancer. With encouragement from a letter written by his wife before she died Doug starts off from LA. on a recumbent bike. Along the way at certain stops he opens a letter with a special message from his wife, Ruth. She was a christian with tremendous faith the opposite of Doug. Throughout his journey Doug encounters a strange voice encouraging him to end it all. A battle of good against evil for his soul. A truly inspirational read. Who wins? Read it and see.

This novel is excellent in its look into the soul of a man in turmoil, in denial of what he needs to live an authentic life without the restrictions of doubt and despair.
I was taken on a journey of self discovery with Doug a man who lost his wife to cancer but lost himself much sooner than that. At the request of his wife he begins a road trip — on a recumbent bike — with specific destinations.
Along the way he meets people who stir up his emotions, reflect things he isn’t prepared to see in himself, and bring him face to face with the only One who can bring redemption and heal his broken heart.
The Gospel is presented organically through other characters in the story as they preach at Doug causing offense, empathize and share making him curious, live out their faith stirring his desire for the Savior.
I’m reminded of a modern day The Pilgrim’s Progress as he struggles with his inner demons opposing the desire for change. This is a new classic I highly recommend for every personal library.
I was given a copy courtesy of the author. This is my honest opinion of the book.

The rather slow first half of this debut novel reads like a travelog for California and the Northwest. Donald, who is biking a trail his deceased wife designed, struggles with depression and survivor's guilt. About halfway through the book, Donald is caught up in a tragedy. The book makes a distinct shift as he and others face what's happened. It's almost like reading two different books.

Throughout the book we learn Donald's backstory. Normally I would applaud that, but I think it was a disservice here. I had a hard time connecting with the character because I had an expectation of who he was based on the beginning only to discover that he was actually quite different.

This is Christian fiction. Expect a lot of prayer, proselytizing, and discussions of faith and scripture.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. However, depression and suicidal thoughts play a big part in this story so it may not necessarily appropriate for everyone.

Family friendly except for the themes mentioned above.

Intriguing Christian novel that highlights the many challenges and changes in life's journey. Well written story and a very enjoyable read that deserves four stars.

Sometimes it's a very long road until you find your way. This novel shows how God sometimes uses tragedy to reach us, to show us the way and to save us.
The problem with this book is that those who need to read it probably won't. As soon as it becomes a bit preachy they will put it aside - just like Greg who did not like to hear about needing salvation.