Award winning Biographical/Fiction sequel to Flowers and Stone. Luke and Darlina find their love severely tested as they struggle to overcome enormous odds.
When Texas veteran musician, Luke Stone, finds himself behind bars with a seventy-five year sentence, he is filled with hate, anger and rebelliousness. He’s lost everything that he treasures, including the woman who holds his heart.
How has … heart.
How has it come down to this? He’s spent his entire life writing songs and making music, filling dancehalls and bars from Texas to California. But, when he refuses to tell the FBI what he knows about certain bank robberies that he possesses knowledge of, they make sure he pays dearly.
Broken and alone, in a prison of her own, Darlina Flowers struggles to find a way to live without the man she loves so completely.
Over the next sixteen years, Luke and Darlina each search for ways to somehow survive the fate life has hurled them into.
In an effort to dull the pain of living with only half a heart, Darlina gets involved in drugs, then follows a guru and tries different relationships, but nothing fills the void.
Several years pass before Luke makes up his mind that prison will not break him. He crawls up from the bottom one tiny step at a time, determined to be and do something worthwhile and discovers artistic talents he never realized he had.
The Convict and the Rose inspires hope and shows how anyone can turn a negative dark situation into a positive one. But more importantly, the story portrays a love that goes beyond earthly confines and proves how persistence and faith come with their own sweet reward.
Join Luke and Darlina as they continue their epic journey with love as their constant North Star and freedom as the driving force.
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Convicted to 75 years in Federal penitentiary in Leavenworth and The State of Texas – Huntsville for bank robberies in Rising Star, Texas and Bangs, Texas, Luke Stone finds himself not willing to let prison conquer him, but to build himself up and out of it spirituality through his beadwork, art, music, and a great spirit from above.
Darlina must learn to rebuild a life herself without Luke. She stumbles through many different turns, but finally comes out with strength she didn’t know she processed. Her love for Luke never faltered and his freedom she never gave up on.
“It seemed that we’re joined by something bigger and more powerful than human…. Something divine!!”
“The constant North Star of their undying love had carried them over insurmountable obstacles.”
This true love story will inspire its readers to believe in true love and hold on to what the heart truly longs and desires.
Many country artists -Wille Nelson for one, helped make Luke’s incarceration his biggest stepping stone back into his music and the free world, also made him reclaim what he was truly meant to do: Write songs and sing.
Tommy Overstreet wrote a letter to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Rick’s behalf (Luke Stone in the book), asking that he be considered for parole.
Jan Sikes is phenomenal in her writing and the words just pour off the pages right into your heart and soul. I can’t wait to jump into Home At Last, book #3 of this inspiring series. Truly a heartfelt and beautiful love story.
I have been looking forward to reading the second book of this series. The fictionalized true-story continues for Luke and Darlina after he goes to prison–for a crime he didn’t commit. The couple decides Darlina should go on with her life, while Luke deals with prison in his usual rebellious fashion. They go through changes and grow–which keeps you turning the page long into the night to see what happens next. The process of how Luke and Darlina handle this situation is captivating to read. I not only found the physical changes in their lives compelling, but the spiritual process amazing. It’s a book that shows us to never give up and how to make the best of a bad situation while at the same time it’s about a love that can overcome anything. It is beautifully written and I’ll be continuing this journey in the next book. I highly recommend this if you are a fan of love –or like reading about change and the strength of what the human spirit can overcome.
There’s something about this beautifully written love story that lingers long after I’ve closed the book. It’s poignant and a very special personal story of two people destined to be together. I think it parallels true love stories, couples who meet, even marry other people, and find each other many years later. I gave this book 5 stars for its authenticity and poignant uplifting energy even in the midst of terrible circumstances. Kudos to Jan Sikes for the blending of fiction and fact.
A page turner! A must read.