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Edward and the Bricklayer #1
One More Life to Live
"This story held my heart from the beginning." — Reader ReviewThousands of readers have praised this heartfelt and uplifting novel, calling it powerful, moving, and unforgettable.
Audiobook narrated by Linda Jones, the multi-award-winning performer honored by the One Voice Awards, Independent Audiobook Awards, Voice Arts Awards, and more — bringing over 150 audiobooks to life with her acclaimed voice.
For a man who thought love was lost forever, an unfathomable miracle is still to come.Edward Stubbins is an orphan in post-war England. Shipped to Australia at ten, he’s offered hope—then abandoned—again and again. A kind nun, a wealthy patron, a girl who promises forever—each walks away when he needs them the most. By the time he’s grown, his heart is sealed shut. When the end finally comes, it is quiet and bitter.
But grace keeps its own strange clock. The emptiness Edward expected in death never comes. Instead, a luminous stranger offers him the chance to live again—in a new body, in a new life, with a chance to rewrite his story.
One More Life to Live is a historical romance with a spiritual twist—a moving story of love, redemption, and the choices that define us. Perfect for fans of Mitch Albom, Laura Hillenbrand, and Nicholas Sparks.
Audiobook narrated by Linda Jones, the multi-award-winning performer honored by the One Voice Awards, Independent Audiobook Awards, Voice Arts Awards, and more — bringing over 150 audiobooks to life with her acclaimed voice.
For a man who thought love was lost forever, an unfathomable miracle is still to come.Edward Stubbins is an orphan in post-war England. Shipped to Australia at ten, he’s offered hope—then abandoned—again and again. A kind nun, a wealthy patron, a girl who promises forever—each walks away when he needs them the most. By the time he’s grown, his heart is sealed shut. When the end finally comes, it is quiet and bitter.
But grace keeps its own strange clock. The emptiness Edward expected in death never comes. Instead, a luminous stranger offers him the chance to live again—in a new body, in a new life, with a chance to rewrite his story.
One More Life to Live is a historical romance with a spiritual twist—a moving story of love, redemption, and the choices that define us. Perfect for fans of Mitch Albom, Laura Hillenbrand, and Nicholas Sparks.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2024
147 people are currently reading
14346 people want to read
About the author
Steven Decker
27 books3,610 followersSteven Decker is the author of many novels, including the bestselling Time Chain series and Child of Another Kind. His love of writing was born on the day he threw a spitball at one of his 5th-grade classmates. Rather than punish him, his wise old teacher, Mrs. Brewer, called Steven to the front of the class and handed him a book of poetry. She quietly instructed him to memorize “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” by Robert Frost and informed him that he would be reciting the poem in front of the class the following day. Mrs. Brewer hit a home run.
Inspired by Frost’s ability to paint a picture and generate deep emotion with the written word, Steven fell in love with reading, writing, and storytelling. As an 8th grader, he read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, for fun. It wasn’t a homework assignment. As a student at the University of Virginia, he was thrilled at the prospect of writing a thesis as the culmination of his undergraduate studies. While traveling the world for work, Steven kept writing, and his experiences around the globe have influenced his novels in many ways.
When living in Appalachia while writing his first novel, Steven studied and practiced the art of storytelling. Since that time, he always edits his books by reading them aloud to himself. Novels are a story and need to sound like one. Fiction readers want to escape from their everyday lives when they read a novel. Thus the true job of a novelist is to imagine special things, sometimes even spectacular things, then write about them in a way that inspires the reader to go there, too, leaving the ordinary behind.
Steven lives and writes in both Arizona and Connecticut and travels throughout the world looking for new ideas and settings for his books. He enjoys spending time with Karen and Mr. Wilson, the beagle, walking in the countryside, and being with his family.
Inspired by Frost’s ability to paint a picture and generate deep emotion with the written word, Steven fell in love with reading, writing, and storytelling. As an 8th grader, he read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, for fun. It wasn’t a homework assignment. As a student at the University of Virginia, he was thrilled at the prospect of writing a thesis as the culmination of his undergraduate studies. While traveling the world for work, Steven kept writing, and his experiences around the globe have influenced his novels in many ways.
When living in Appalachia while writing his first novel, Steven studied and practiced the art of storytelling. Since that time, he always edits his books by reading them aloud to himself. Novels are a story and need to sound like one. Fiction readers want to escape from their everyday lives when they read a novel. Thus the true job of a novelist is to imagine special things, sometimes even spectacular things, then write about them in a way that inspires the reader to go there, too, leaving the ordinary behind.
Steven lives and writes in both Arizona and Connecticut and travels throughout the world looking for new ideas and settings for his books. He enjoys spending time with Karen and Mr. Wilson, the beagle, walking in the countryside, and being with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 20, 2024
Steven Decker's One More Life to Live series begins with Edward and the Bricklayer, a gripping well-written book. Decker skillfully examines how war and personal sorrow influenced Edward's life from childhood to old age. Time travel and a coming-of-age romance are brilliantly combined to create a unique tale that poses important concerns about life's decisions. This book stands out because of Decker's writing, which is full of spiritual and metaphysical topics and appeals to readers of various genres. This book is a solid start to a new series.
August 17, 2024
Interesting and original story. I understood why Edward wanted revenge. When I selected the book, I didn't expect things to turn out the way they did. I liked the ending.
September 3, 2024
Loved it! I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys second chance stories.
September 20, 2024
One More Life to Live: Edward and the Bricklayer is the first of the One More Life to Live series and I found it absolutely riveting. I couldn't wait to reach its conclusion but knew that pacing myself was of the utmost importance in case I missed out on an explosive discovery. Edward was a trip; his intelligence, resilience and wit was something I found extremely endearing. It was a beautifully written novel containing an explosive storyline and I could tell from the start that a lot of thought was put into the plot and characters. I strongly recommend it to fans of drama and romance. I am most definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this addictive series!
September 24, 2024
A thought provoking book
An inoculation of happiness and sadness, where you, as the reader, feel part of the story. It made me think deeply of the happiness and sadness in my life, too.
I recommend reading this book.
An inoculation of happiness and sadness, where you, as the reader, feel part of the story. It made me think deeply of the happiness and sadness in my life, too.
I recommend reading this book.
September 2, 2024
There was something about this book that was somehow extremely depressing. I couldn't call it an inspirational "Romance" either, and as for the end, well, after all this guy went through, he could have fared a lot better than he did. Craziest ending I've ever read. I'm pushing it at giving it 3 stars.
September 5, 2024
Not at all what the synopsis made it out to be, but it was still a good story (stories?).
November 8, 2024
This was an interesting story about how life can go bad and setbacks can sour a person. Edward is the main protagonist who seems to get a second go around but it’s more a lesson in attitude. I was invested in this story until Edward died and then the wheels sort of fell off and the whole thing devolved into a wholly unbelievable glimpse of the hereafter. There’s a lot about morals and how people should treat others but it was somewhat trite in the delivery. And as an Australian I found the author’s attempts to portray the Aussie accent annoying in the extreme. And, while I appreciate that this is a work of fiction, giving us an Australian President may be a step too far.
August 17, 2024
‘The world is a cruel place, lad. You’ll learn that soon enough’ – a fascinating new novel!
Connecticut author Steven Decker is a world explorer - for business, for sport (he has been a traveling triathlete), and for the pleasure of examining and appreciating other cultures. He has published sixteen novels to date - DISTANT FINISH, PROJECTOR FOR SALE, CHILD OF ANOTHER KIND, the TIME CHAIN series, the ANOTHER KIND series, WALKING INTO DREAMS, and now ONE MORE LIFE TO LIVE – the initial volume of his new series TIME TRAVEL SECOND CHANCE.
Decker has mastered the paranormal and science fiction arenas, always in his own way - and always quite successfully tackling subject matter few authors can acquiesce. In this new novel, subtitled EDWARD THE BRICKLAYER, he creates a character whose childhood difficulties are portrayed as the book opens in an orphanage classroom: After an episode of flatus, a nun beats him – ‘But Edward Stubbins believed his insolence was fully justified, not only by the fate he’d endured thus far in his young life but also from sheer hatred of the institution where he’d been imprisoned. “Wail away, sister,” said Edward with calm confidence. “Beating children is after all, one of your few great joys in life.” Creating a completely credible lad, Decker sculpts a life of youthful adversity capped by adult success in business, yet Edward dies a lonely, bitter man. But, he is offered the titular ’second chance’ – a new life vastly different from his original one, a life of uncertainty, without his control, and the question is posed as to the value of this ‘miracle.’
Ever creative, Decker demonstrates yet another possibility of time travel, this time the quandary of the benefits - or adversities - of a second chance for pursuing an alternative life. The novel works on so many levels, opening a strange and fascinating new series that challenges our imaginations! Very highly recommended.
Connecticut author Steven Decker is a world explorer - for business, for sport (he has been a traveling triathlete), and for the pleasure of examining and appreciating other cultures. He has published sixteen novels to date - DISTANT FINISH, PROJECTOR FOR SALE, CHILD OF ANOTHER KIND, the TIME CHAIN series, the ANOTHER KIND series, WALKING INTO DREAMS, and now ONE MORE LIFE TO LIVE – the initial volume of his new series TIME TRAVEL SECOND CHANCE.
Decker has mastered the paranormal and science fiction arenas, always in his own way - and always quite successfully tackling subject matter few authors can acquiesce. In this new novel, subtitled EDWARD THE BRICKLAYER, he creates a character whose childhood difficulties are portrayed as the book opens in an orphanage classroom: After an episode of flatus, a nun beats him – ‘But Edward Stubbins believed his insolence was fully justified, not only by the fate he’d endured thus far in his young life but also from sheer hatred of the institution where he’d been imprisoned. “Wail away, sister,” said Edward with calm confidence. “Beating children is after all, one of your few great joys in life.” Creating a completely credible lad, Decker sculpts a life of youthful adversity capped by adult success in business, yet Edward dies a lonely, bitter man. But, he is offered the titular ’second chance’ – a new life vastly different from his original one, a life of uncertainty, without his control, and the question is posed as to the value of this ‘miracle.’
Ever creative, Decker demonstrates yet another possibility of time travel, this time the quandary of the benefits - or adversities - of a second chance for pursuing an alternative life. The novel works on so many levels, opening a strange and fascinating new series that challenges our imaginations! Very highly recommended.
August 7, 2024
What if, after our life is over, we could live it again? But differently. In a body and under the circumstances we have no power to influence. Probably those who had an easy – even if a little boring – life would feel cautious. Why spoil what has already worked out quite nicely… Edward Stubbins has nothing to lose when, after he has died, he is offered a second chance.
Edward’s life has been controversial. He’s been through so much that the good things that happened to him couldn’t erase the hurt and the disappointment. Even so, he doesn’t jump at the offer to live again without thinking. For him, life doesn’t have anything worth going through its troubles again. Some kind of inner spark, which doesn’t die out completely even in the worst cynics, makes him grab the unique opportunity. And then, Edward receives the most extraordinary gift – one more life to live.
“One More Life to Live” by Steven Decker is surely a magnificent gift for readers. I’ve read other books by this author, and every time, I’m amazed at how masterfully he combines a page-turning story with the deep undertones that make readers think. Often, a meaningful narrative means a long and boring text. It isn’t so in the books by Steven Decker! His stories make you turn the pages even after your eyelids have been drooping for a while, at the same time planting musings about the significant things in life in your head.
You’ll want to read “One More Life to Live” as quickly as possible to find out how the story ends for Edward and Rufus. And both characters will evoke strong – absolutely different! – emotions in you. At the same time, you will keep thinking about the questions this book raises for a very long time after you read ‘The End’.
Edward’s life has been controversial. He’s been through so much that the good things that happened to him couldn’t erase the hurt and the disappointment. Even so, he doesn’t jump at the offer to live again without thinking. For him, life doesn’t have anything worth going through its troubles again. Some kind of inner spark, which doesn’t die out completely even in the worst cynics, makes him grab the unique opportunity. And then, Edward receives the most extraordinary gift – one more life to live.
“One More Life to Live” by Steven Decker is surely a magnificent gift for readers. I’ve read other books by this author, and every time, I’m amazed at how masterfully he combines a page-turning story with the deep undertones that make readers think. Often, a meaningful narrative means a long and boring text. It isn’t so in the books by Steven Decker! His stories make you turn the pages even after your eyelids have been drooping for a while, at the same time planting musings about the significant things in life in your head.
You’ll want to read “One More Life to Live” as quickly as possible to find out how the story ends for Edward and Rufus. And both characters will evoke strong – absolutely different! – emotions in you. At the same time, you will keep thinking about the questions this book raises for a very long time after you read ‘The End’.
October 21, 2024
"One More Life to Live" by Steven Decker is a gripping and reflective book that examines the concepts of atonement, second chances, and the strength of self-transformation. A protagonist at a pivotal point in his life who has the opportunity to alter the path of his future is at the centre of the narrative. Decker asks readers to consider our decisions and the possibility of regeneration at any point in life by combining philosophical contemplation with emotional depth.
Decker's writing is perceptive and multi-layered, encapsulating the protagonist's journey's internal conflicts and exterior events. Along the way, the protagonist encounters difficulties, regrets, and periods of intense reflection, all handled with tact and sincerity. Readers are captivated by the characters' pursuit of purpose, meaning, and, eventually, a better life as the narrative progresses.
Readers who like lessons of emotional fortitude, personal development, and the prospect of second chances may find resonance in this book. It is a touching and uplifting book that encourages and hopes for readers going through difficult times in their own lives.
Decker's writing is perceptive and multi-layered, encapsulating the protagonist's journey's internal conflicts and exterior events. Along the way, the protagonist encounters difficulties, regrets, and periods of intense reflection, all handled with tact and sincerity. Readers are captivated by the characters' pursuit of purpose, meaning, and, eventually, a better life as the narrative progresses.
Readers who like lessons of emotional fortitude, personal development, and the prospect of second chances may find resonance in this book. It is a touching and uplifting book that encourages and hopes for readers going through difficult times in their own lives.
October 27, 2024
I’ve read a lot of Decker books over the years, and all of them showcase the author’s creativity. This one is no different, however it stands out as a new kind of book for Decker. Sure, he’s toyed with time travel (the Time Chain series) and fantastical elements of different worlds (Child of Another Kind, anyone?) but this is the first time that I’ve read something that is rooted more in the real world all of us know.
The classic Decker traits—Strong world building and interesting characters—exist here, but the plot moves in a different way. It’s paced well, not too fast, and allows the reader to kind of dream of a reward. Edward is unique in that he overcame so much and it still didn’t seem enough, so he gets another chance. The cycle of doubt and loss overcome him no matter where he goes, and the message is loud and clear: the grass is not always greener, we take ourselves with us wherever we go. The real issue in this book is the character: Edward.
Great book, on the top of my list of good Decker stories!
October 23, 2024
ONE MORE LIFE TO LIVE: EDWARD AND THE BRICKLAYER by STEVEN DECKER
Feels like I got two stories for the price of one. Story starts out with Edward as a young child, loses his parents and is placed in an orphanage. By the age of 10 he is sent to Australia with others. He has a hard life being bullied and molested. He is able to get to safety and finds a great home, for the time and learns about love with the owners daughter.
Love all the travel, things he sees and experiences the good life considering how his young life was so tragic.
If you have one chance would you come back?
He choose to do so and hopes to live a better life than previous.
I like the Second Life he is able to lead and how he makes retribution with forgiveness. Love all the super explanations of how the brick layers do their job and what the terms mean and the techniques.. Great story can't wait to read more from this author
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
Feels like I got two stories for the price of one. Story starts out with Edward as a young child, loses his parents and is placed in an orphanage. By the age of 10 he is sent to Australia with others. He has a hard life being bullied and molested. He is able to get to safety and finds a great home, for the time and learns about love with the owners daughter.
Love all the travel, things he sees and experiences the good life considering how his young life was so tragic.
If you have one chance would you come back?
He choose to do so and hopes to live a better life than previous.
I like the Second Life he is able to lead and how he makes retribution with forgiveness. Love all the super explanations of how the brick layers do their job and what the terms mean and the techniques.. Great story can't wait to read more from this author
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
October 20, 2024
This was a brilliant, captivating tale about second chances, and what can happen with a leap of faith. Edward has had a hard life, and once he dies he’s presented with the chance to reincarnate, and have a second chance at life, but where he pops up for a new life is completely out of his hands. I thought the choice to drop him into another hard start was an interesting choice, but I appreciated it. It really lets us see his character, and is a true test of whether he’ll grow and change. Decker makes it feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you read, enveloping you in history. Edward is such a complex character, and watching him over the course of the book was fascinating. If you enjoy second chance story arcs, you’ll want to grab this!
August 27, 2024
The premise of this book is a lie.
The main character doesn’t get to re-live his life and correct his mistakes. He’s told he’ll “inhabit the subconscious” of someone else in his life. Which really means we just get the life story of another character, one that’s only slightly connected to the first. The protagonist is functionally dead since he has no agency, no voice.
This is boring. Edward’s original life wasn’t that interesting, and we’re subjected to yet another boring life story. It doesn’t help that all the dialog in the book is borderline robotic.
The main character doesn’t get to re-live his life and correct his mistakes. He’s told he’ll “inhabit the subconscious” of someone else in his life. Which really means we just get the life story of another character, one that’s only slightly connected to the first. The protagonist is functionally dead since he has no agency, no voice.
This is boring. Edward’s original life wasn’t that interesting, and we’re subjected to yet another boring life story. It doesn’t help that all the dialog in the book is borderline robotic.
December 11, 2024
Way too Christian for me. About 20% into the story, it made a turn that told me it was going to be one of those preachy Christian themed books. I went to Goodreads and read a review that said it wasn't a Christian/religious book, so I continued reading. When I got close to the end, the bible verses started coming. Then the God, Jesus and heaven tropes rolled out. The book's simplistic writing wasn't good enough for me to continue for the nice bow to be tied around the feel-good gift of Christian salvation, so I didn't finish the last 5%. I won't be reading this author again.
September 23, 2024
I have read almost every book Steven Decker has on Amazon. I always finish thinking, “This one is my favorite." One More Life to Live is no exception. The beauty of this book is that it opens a whole new world in which he can branch off. Edward Stubbins is orphaned at a time when there were too many orphans for his orphanage to care about. As a troublemaker, Edward is sent from England to Australia. Hopes and dreams are replaced with abuse. Running away gives him new hope when he is taken in, but that is dashed again. Edward becomes bitter and keeps it when he has a chance to live through a bricklayer’s life. When he stands at a crossroads in his life, he gets to decide a direction in his destiny. Will his heart find healing and peace?
January 22, 2025
I completed the book so it must have something about it but I am not sure what that was. The overall concept was good but then the life of Rufus Day was not a second chance for Edward he was merely a passenger. I think the author wanted to get over some Christian message about being good but i am not sure what exactly what that was. All the events were incredibly superficial and rushed over, nothing in life is as simple as the story tried to convey.
October 14, 2024
This was an enjoyable read. The premise reminded me of Shawn Inmon's Middle Falls series. It had a positive message about forgiveness and redemption and a slight Christian message in it as well.
October 27, 2024
interesting
I did enjoy reading this book but I must admit it had me wondering what was happening and who it was happening to. I will admit it was interesting
I did enjoy reading this book but I must admit it had me wondering what was happening and who it was happening to. I will admit it was interesting
December 31, 2024
Wonderful book
This is a modern day Bible story as old as time! Maybe we all could read. Forgiveness and Grace will get us to Heaven
This is a modern day Bible story as old as time! Maybe we all could read. Forgiveness and Grace will get us to Heaven
January 4, 2025
I enjoyed the fairy tale aspect of the story but not being a Christian, when the principles and storyline of Christianity entered the story near the end it was disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2025
"There’s no time here, Edward, so there’s no mathematical answer to your question, but I died in 1349 from the plague. There’s no name for this place. It is simply outside of time. All souls come here when they die."
Steven Decker’s One More Life to Live: Edward and the Bricklayer, took me on an emotional journey of redemption and fate. Edward Stubbins, a character marked by loss, rejection, and bitterness, is presented with an extraordinary offer after his death: the chance to live another life. But there’s a catch, he has no control over when, where, or who he will become.
Decker uses this premise to explore whether a second chance at life can heal the scars of a painful past. The novel delves deeply into Edward’s traumatic youth. Orphaned and shipped to Australia, Edward’s early years are filled with cruelty and abandonment, leaving him cold and disconnected even as he rises to success in business.
This read was a thought-provoking tale that challenged me to think about the possibilities of second chances. With Decker’s powerful storytelling and vivid characters, this novel captivated me from start to finish.
You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.
Steven Decker’s One More Life to Live: Edward and the Bricklayer, took me on an emotional journey of redemption and fate. Edward Stubbins, a character marked by loss, rejection, and bitterness, is presented with an extraordinary offer after his death: the chance to live another life. But there’s a catch, he has no control over when, where, or who he will become.
Decker uses this premise to explore whether a second chance at life can heal the scars of a painful past. The novel delves deeply into Edward’s traumatic youth. Orphaned and shipped to Australia, Edward’s early years are filled with cruelty and abandonment, leaving him cold and disconnected even as he rises to success in business.
This read was a thought-provoking tale that challenged me to think about the possibilities of second chances. With Decker’s powerful storytelling and vivid characters, this novel captivated me from start to finish.
You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews