Doug Small was always destined to be a good father. However, the 1980's would be a decade of rebuilding his life after his marriage to Rowena ends in failure. For their son Simon, the decade would be one of survival, living with his mother in their home in Gosford, north of Sydney, Australia. Forced to watch helplessly as his mother's life spirals downward into a cycle of depression and violence, Simon becomes aware of a guiding presence in his life. Is this same presence also at work in his father's life, and could it in fact be an Angel guiding both of them towards their destiny? Life is a journey sometimes waiting to lead us The Long Way Home.

Phillip Overton was born in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia the setting for his debut novel The Long Way Home. He has been writing since his teens, mostly concentrating on poetry and short stories.

A keen train enthusiast, expect to see trains mentioned at least somewhere in his future novels. He is also a passionate Australian Rules football supporter of the Brisbane Lions.

Unlike the characters in his book, his family though scattered around the country are all very close to him. He has called the sunshine state of Queensland in Australia his home for the past 16 years, living in the house he has renovated with his wife of 14 years Denise and their two children Rochelle and Brandon.