The Last Man at the Inn: One Man’s Quest to Believe by R. William Bennett: Blog Tour Review

Product Details

Publication Date: 10/8/19

Hardcover

ISBN: 9781629726038

Retail Price: $17.99

Page Count: 208

Fiction / Christian / Historical

Book design: © Ensign Peak

Art Direction: Richard Erickson

Design: Barry Hansen

Cover photo: Jim Zuckerman / Alamy Stock Photo

***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher.

 All opinions are my own***

Book Summary

Simon considers himself fortunate after securing the final room at the inn in Bethlehem. While eating his supper, he sees a younger man and his pregnant wife denied lodging at the door of the inn. Simon momentarily considers giving up his space, but he is weary from his travels as a spice merchant and turns away from the thought.

Over the ensuing years, Simon traverses the popular trade routes and each time he passes Bethlehem, he is reminded of that evening and plagued by guilt.

In time, the Savior begins his ministry, and Simon begins the life-changing process of trying to understand and believe the teachings and miracles of this man called Jesus—said to be the promised Messiah.

The Last Man at the Inn is the story of a journey of conversion we all take in one form or another, told through the eyes and heart of a common man. It is written to affirm the believer, to lovingly beckon to the undecided, and to call out to those who may not even know they are looking for something—only that there is a space in their soul that somehow needs to be filled.

My Review

At first glance, this book may seem like a Christmas book but truly it's a book of one man's journey of developing faith and his belief in Jesus Christ. This novel is about Simon of Cyrene who is well known because of his carrying the cross when Jesus was too weak. This story is based on what perhaps his life story was that led to that moment of Simon stepping in to help Christ that day on his way to Golgotha. 

The story starts on the night of the Savior's birth. Simon in his travels to Bethlehem took the last spot in the inn. Mary and Joseph come to the inn and are turned away while Simon watches. All of his life he is racked with guilt about not giving up his place at the inn. Throughout his life, he hears of this Christ who is spreading a message of goodness. Simon falters in fully accepting this message. This novel shows his journey as he grows older, raises his family, and struggles to believe if this man Jesus is the prophesied Messiah. This novel takes the reader on a journey of spiritual awareness. I know anyone that enjoys reading biblical fiction will enjoy the story of Simon on his journey to believe. 

Meet Author R. William Bennett: 

R. William Bennett grew up on the Jersey shore and in Connecticut. He is the author of the best-selling Christmas novella Jacob T. Marley and the award-winning book The Christmas Gift. He works as a division president of Franklin Covey. He and his wife are the parents of four children, and they live in the Southwest.

Purchase The Last Man at the Inn: One Man’s Quest to Believe HERE: 

Purchase Links:

Deseret Book:https://bit.ly/2B88wpK

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2opYQEp

Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/33rk3fO

“Bennett (Jacob T. Marley) recreates the life of the cross-carrying Simon of Cyrene in this enchanting historical...Simon struggles to accept this new faith—until he is visited by the words of the Holy Spirit. Now preaching Jesus’s message, he follows his family toward Jerusalem. Fans of Mesu Andrews will love this earnest exploration of Simon of Cyrene’s struggle with faith.”

-Publishers Weekly