When an ad for a vacation cottage catches the eye of a man on the edge of burnout, he impulsively sets off to visit the property while his wife and daughters are away. When he arrives and is ushered through the gate, he finds something far different from the typical vacation retreat. In fact, it seems he may have found the back door to heaven. The proprietor and people from his past welcome him with food, rest, and conversation until what started out as a little escape from everyday life turns into an experience he will never forget. This imaginative novel explores the big questions we all have about what lies beyond this earthly life. Readers hungry for a taste of heaven will find in The Gate hope, encouragement, and pure joy. Many wonder what it would be like to visit heaven before dying. With this in mind, Stouten tells the story of Sky Hunt, a man burdened by the weight of the life he’s built. Needing some time away, he heads into the country to check out a cottage where he vacationed in his youth. What he finds when he arrives is so much more than he expected. Stouten ensures that Sky’s heavenly experience is moving and believable by characterizing the Trinity as three distinct people who each teach Sky something different about the Christian experience. Where The Gate really excels, though, is with the portrayals of the visitors Sky receives during his time in heaven, residents there who had cared for Sky, impacted his life, and offer company and wisdom. Stouten carefully blends their histories with heavenly interactions and life lessons in this engaging Christian novel. For reflective readers, The Gate is a poignant look at life beyond earth and how to use the time we do have here to love others well. --Carolyn Richard Every life is a story. Schuyler Hunt is about to come face-to-face with the author of his. When a planned getaway with his wife turns into a shopping trip for the girls, Schuyler Hunt finds himself looking for something else to do. An ad for a vacation cottage catches his eye, and he sets off in search of a much-needed break. When he arrives, he finds something far different from the typical summer home experience. In fact, he may have found a little slice of heaven. The proprietor--along with a number of unexpected and yet familiar guests--welcomes him with food, rest, and conversation, until what started out as an escape from everyday life turns into something much, much more . . . "There is a real world all around us. We taste and feel it every day. There is also another world where God dwells and those who have gone before us live with Jesus. Dann Stouten helps us discover that these two places intersect more than we often notice. If we pay close attention, we just might see, smell, and learn to taste the goodness of a world beyond this one."--Kevin Harney, author of Reckless Faith Dann A. Stouten is former senior pastor of Community Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan. After a highly successful career in the auto industry, Dann returned to school and earned his DMin in narrative preaching. This is his first novel.