Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson

 

Book Summary

Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson has Julia Durant moving to Tompkin’s Mill, Missouri.  Julia needs a fresh start and she likes the cozy feel of Tompkin’s Mill plus her brother, Nick is the police chief.  She gets a job at Bowman & Son’s Handcrafted Furniture working for Eli Bowman and his son, Luke. Luke returned to his Amish upbringing after experiencing the world.  He is attracted to Julia from the beginning and Luke knows that he will have to do his best to avoid temptation.  Julia suffered a terrible trauma a few years ago that still causes her to have flashbacks.  A friendship develops between Luke and Julia that could easily become something more if they were of the same faith.  Then something unexpected happens to Luke that brings Julia closer to him.  They each have a choice to make that will forever change their lives.

My Thoughts

Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson is the debut of Tompkin’s Mill series.  I found Turning Home to be well-written with complex, realistic characters.  Julia Durant needs a new beginning after a traumatic event.  Her brother, Nick is the chief of police in Tompkin’s Mill, Missouri.  Julia pays Nick a visit and finds herself drawn to the small town where Amish and Englischers coexist.  Julia gets a job at Bowman & Sons Handcrafted Furniture runs by Eli Bowman and his son, Luke.  Julia learns her new job quickly and begins making suggestions that have a big impact on the business.  I loved the descriptions of the beautifully crafted furniture.  Eli and Luke were not carpenters, they are craftsman.  The apartment Julia rented sounded gorgeous with the hard wood floors as well as other historic details in the renovated schoolhouse (I wanted that apartment for myself).  Turning Home is a touching story.   The story moved at just the right pace.  The chemistry was present between Luke and Julia, but it was mild which suited this story.  It was wonderful the way the Bowman family embraced Julia.  I liked seeing Julia expand her horizons.  I liked seeing her change as the book progressed.   I enjoyed how this tale played out.  Turning Home is the first novel that I have read by Janice Kay Johnson, and it will not be my last. 

Turning Home publishes on September 29 and is available from Amazon*.  You can find Janice Kay Johnson's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  On Sunday, September 27 I am sharing Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke.  It is the 26th A Hannah Swensen Mystery. I wanted to let you know that Witching for Joy by Deanna Chase is now out.  It is the 3rd novel in the Premonition Pointe series.  I hope that you have an agreeable day.  Take care of yourself, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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