No Longer Alone

Manhood arrived prematurely. At the tender age of fifteen, Prentis lost both his father and his confidence that God loved him. He grew up fast after that day, abandoning his education to take on the responsibility and hardship of supporting his mother and siblings.

Now, in Prentis’s twenties, Avery reenters his life. A Sunday School teacher with a passion for learning and theology, she is intelligent with a captivating spirit. Prentis finds her irresistible. The audacity of attempting to court such a woman in no way weakens his resolve. He’s determined to win her heart. But male competition, vicious gossip, Avery’s unspoken fears, and the ruin of his livelihood hinder his efforts. How can Prentis win her? And if he does, how will they overcome their differences, the hard life on the Oklahoma plains, and a world at war?

Self published By Melinda Inman

Pages: 328
Pub Date: 06-26-2017
Softcover: 18.95 978-1-63393-423-8

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The reviews are in…

"Soft stunning and lyrically captivating, "No Longer Alone: Based on a True Story" grabs onto the reader as quickly as a prairie thunderstorm. Avery and Prentis's journey to love and renewed faith in the days leading up to World War I resonates as much today as it did one hundred years ago. A wonderfully engaging reading complemented by Inman's vivid depiction of Oklahoma history and richly layered Christian characters."

L. B. Johnson, Award Winning author of Small Town Roads
"In No Longer Alone, Melinda Inman imagines what her great grandparents' early marriage and courtship were like a hundred years ago when men courted women and worked to earn their heart. Set between the Oklahoma Land Rush and the beginnings of World War I, her novel explores how people lived as pioneers who wrestled with the land, the weather and their own history. I cared deeply about Prentis, Avery, their families and even their animals because they were so well drawn.

No Longer Alone is a fast, lyrical read that explores how people on the eve of the Great War worked out their salvation, with as much thought, prayer and angst as we do today. Even though happiness is nearly impossible to write, Inman draws a beautiful portrait of a couple who fall in love and start a happy marriage, that was as refreshing to dive into as mountain lake."

Katie Andraski, author of The River Caught Sunlight
It was a pleasure to read this book from start to finish. Readers who come from a background of the homestead era and prairie farming traditions will recognize this story as an authentic portrayal of the dreams and struggles of a young couple as they forge a life together. The author's descriptions of everyday life on a farm in the early 20th century are rich in detail. It is as if we were there, witnessing daily occurrences. The conversations in the story come across as genuine and underscore the importance of constant communication in any relationship. One section that was particularly delightful involved the young couple discovering things about each other they didn't know before they married. So true to life!
The incorporation of historical events lends additional authenticity to the story. It demonstrates how people's personal lives are affected by both positive and dire circumstances at home as well as on the other side of the world.
The faith element of the story is especially strong. There are many couples who enter into marriage hoping to meld their families' different religious beliefs into a healthy whole. This is not an easy process, as all of us are influenced by our early experiences. Many families keep the peace on religion by not getting involved in any faith tradition. The author has used Avery and Prentis as models of not giving up on God and seeking a way to live together in faith for the benefit of their future family.
No Longer Alone is an outstanding example of family memories incorporated into an intriguing novel.

Carol Johnson Parker, Educator