"A story of deeply complicated people having a deeply human experience." --Laura Kate Whitney, Editor at Large, Good Grit Magazine
It's never too late to find purpose.
Woody Barker steps out of prison planning to live out his years on his houseboat docked on the Alabama Gulf Coast. As a defrocked priest with a heart condition and an ex-wife who still runs his life, he needs peace and a path to redemption.
Caroline Boyer is seventeen, pregnant, and stuck in a loop of bad choices. At her mother's deathbed, Caroline finds herself at the center of an unexpected plot that has the potential to turn her world upside down. At the funeral, she discovers a father she's never known . . . Whether she likes it or not, her life will never be the same.
Soon Woody, Caroline, and an emotional support goldfish named Gary are on a grand adventure through the Deep South. Chased by the men who are desperate to learn what Caroline's mother told her before she passed away, they use every skill they have as a new family to stay one step ahead of danger. To make it worse, former parishioners of the church that cast Woody out are determined to throw him a welcome home party. As Caroline and Woody look for answers and try to avoid disaster, they also learn how to redefine family, hope, and faith they thought they'd lost.
With dry humor and compassion, beloved writer Sean Dietrich highlights the good of humanity and the light that's always just around the corner. This standalone novel includes discussion questions, which makes it perfect for book clubs. Also by Sean Dietrich: Kinfolk, The Incredible Winston Browne, Stars of Alabama, and You Are My Sunshine
About the Author :
Sean Dietrich is a columnist, podcaster, speaker, and novelist, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, The Tallahassee Democrat, Good Grit, South Magazine, Yellowhammer News, The Bitter Southerner, Thom Magazine, and The Mobile Press Register, and he has authored ten books.
Review :
'A heart-pumping and heartwarming story of redemption--with car chases. This book was a sweet, sad ride, which is my favorite kind.'
'OVER YONDER is a story of deeply complicated people having a deeply human experience. It's a love story for the tender-hearted, full of unexpected grace. Sean Dietrich brings to life a cast of Southern characters searching for meaning--and finding it in the most unlikely places. I hugged every single page.'
'When Sean appeared at the (Grand Ole) Opry a second time, he followed Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson . . . I encouraged Bill to stand side stage and watch Sean do his thing--tell tales of the South and tie them together with old-time favorites . . . In many ways, I'd describe Sean's latest work the way I described Sean's on-stage persona to Mr. Anderson that night. It goes without saying we'll be entertained. More specifically, we're introduced to characters we won't soon forget, we'll all likely both chuckle and tear up, and we could very well reflect on the purpose of our lives. I am convinced Mr. Dietrich has found his, both on the Opry airwaves and by sharing his written words, not the least of which are those in OVER YONDER.'
