A disgruntled millennial. A mysterious wanderer. Together they will seek redemption and purpose on a journey across the American landscape.Ryan Collins is at the end of his rope. He’s been fired from his retail job, been berated by his overbearing father, and to top it off, his four-year relationship has come to a crashing end. At 24, he’s a broke college graduate with no clue where he’s going or even how he became the failure he is today. Lost only begins to describe just how hopeless he feels, yet it is in this moment that the unexpected transpires.Driving aimlessly in his hometown of Clearwater, Florida, Ryan sees a homeless man in an orange Tommy Bahama shirt holding a sign: Heading home for Christmas. Anything will help. God Bless. He pulls his Jeep even with the man and asks where home is. The response? Spokane. Against all logic, he knows his next step. Together, Ryan and his passenger, Bo (B-O, not B-E-A-U, as Ryan is reminded), travel from Florida to the Pacific Northwest in a story that begins and ends in a Sioux Falls pawnshop. Along the way, Ryan searches for trust, understanding, and purpose while confronting the choices and circumstances that led him to this place. But the past is not the only time in play, as an encounter with the headstrong Mel in a South Dakota town challenges Ryan’s future ahead. And what of Bo? Is he truly a vibrant and outgoing vagrant, or a man with secrets of his own?Framed through flashbacks and counted down by remaining mileage, A THOUSAND MILES FROM SPOKANE is a novel of self-reflection, self-discovery, and search for purpose on the road to redemption. Through deepening suspense, eclectic dialogue, and three unforgettable leads, author S.D. Goldman frames not only the story of a journey, but also a glimpse into generational struggles amid an ever-changing society.The journey awaits. The road is ready. It is time to uncover the truths that lie a thousand miles from Spokane. Goldman writes with an impressive hand, using clear, descriptive text that provides a full picture and engages the reader. - The BookLife Prize
