All in One Place (Faithwords) (Paperback)

by Carolyne Aarsen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Terra Froese has spent most of her
adult life bouncing from job to job,
man to man, and drink to drink. But
when her latest relationship and
job simultaneously fall apart, she
leaves Seattle for rural Montana to
visit her sister, Leslie VandeKeere,
to whom she hasn't spoken in over
a year. If anyone can help Terra
sort out her life, it'll be Leslie, who
has managed success despite family
odds and a recent move from
city to country. With plans to rescue
herself and her sister from the
threat of going nowhere, Terra's in
for a big surprise--Leslie likes her
new country life. When Terra rebels against her sister's
conformity, how much wildness can the VandeKeeres
stand in order to keep the family ALL IN ONE PLACE?

About the Author
Carolyne Aarsen lives in
Alberta, Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (August 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044669682X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446696821
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,098,629 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sequel to The Only Best Place is standout!, August 7, 2007

By	Christina Lockstein "http://christysbookblog.... (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

All In One Place by Carolyne Aarsen is the sequel to last year's The Only Best Place. This book features Terra Froese, the sister of Leslie VanderKeere. Terra is on the run from an abusive boyfriend and turns to the only family she has: Leslie. Unfortunately, she meets Amelia who takes her to a bar and soon Leslie is paying Terra's bail and picking her up from jail. Not a fortuitous reunion. Terra takes a job at the local diner to pay Leslie back and soon finds herself falling for police deputy named Jack. Terra's fear of trust and rebellious ways mean she's in for trouble. I loved The Only Best Place, and I was not disappointed in its sequel. Terra is a wry character always ready with her cynical wit to defuse a situation. Aarsen does an amazing job of writing Terra from a completely different point of view from Leslie. Leslie was easy for me to relate to as a wife and mother trying to make it through each day in unexpected circumstances. Terra is very different, and yet Aarsen is able to make her come alive. Terra's vulnerability cracks through on rare occasions, and when it does, it shines. St. Francis of Assisi said to preach the Gospel always, and if necessary use words. Terra sees the Gospel working through the various denizens of town, and while it frightens her, it also pulls her toward the Lord. The ending with Eric seemed a bit cliched to me, but Terra's will to fight put a different spin on a scene that has been written in many books before. The resolution was never truly in doubt to anyone except Terra. This is a wonderful read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All in One Place ~ Reviewed, January 14, 2008

By	Novel Reviews "www.novelreviews.blogspot.com" (Every City, USA) - See all my reviews

Carolyne Aarsen spins a story that proves blood is thicker than water and that regardless of the past, family ties are strong. There are moments of laughter and times of frustration as the reader quickly passes through the pages of this easy read. I couldn't help but fall in love with the depth Aarsen places into her characters making one think twice about those in need of Christ and how we can affect them. All In One Place is a captivating and enjoyable story spun together with all the perfect pieces.


Reviewed by Cindy Sproles
Mountain Breeze Ministries

5.0 out of 5 stars --, May 29, 2009

By	Christian Review of Books - See all my reviews

All in One Place
By Carolyne Aarsen
Review by Roseanna White





Terra knew she had to get away from her abusive boyfriend. What she didn't know was why she had chosen to go to the backwater town of Harland, Montana. Sure, her sister lived there. But she hadn't so much as spoken to Leslie in months--even though Leslie's son had been battling for his life and Leslie had emailed her time and again. Still, she was here. The question was, would her sister be willing to pick up where they left off? Without demanding to know the secrets that had kept Terra away during the last trying year?

Of course, trouble seems to follow Terra here, too. Within a couple hours she ends up on the wrong side of the law--and hence her sister. To make matters worse, Leslie's spouting something about "faith" and "God." And why is it that the officer who arrested her won't get out of her mind and seems to be popping up everywhere she is? She has little choice but to stick around until her court hearing. Assuming she can survive life in Harland.

All in One Place is, quite simply, a fantastic book. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked it up, but what I found was a story cleverly and wittily written, filled with insight, drama, and a comedic touch. Terra, from whose point of view the story is told, is a realistic, worldly woman, lovable in spite of her biases and foibles. She knows her own failings and is determined to make up for some of them; which is why she finds it so difficult to accept that there's a God out there who cares about her. Struggling with a rough childhood and her own decisions as an adult, she finds a community and friends in Harland that she never expected. I loved the fact that I could believe her, even when I didn't agree with her.

Carolyne Aarson delivers a novel that needs to be read. A hint of romance, lessons in faith, and an intense look into one woman's soul combine into a story that's not to be missed. My heart was touched, my smile was teased, and I hated each time I had to put it down. Quick and easy to read, you'll enjoy it as much as you'll appreciate it.