About
I am a writer of dark fantasy from rural Mississippi, currently living a suburban life with my family. "Act of Redemption" is the first of the four-part "Gastar Series," published in 2009. The second of the series, "Children of Discord" is upcoming in the next few weeks. I am an Indie writer, and a history buff, most notably WW1.
Description
<p>FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES<br /><br />At barely nineteen, Angelica Donovan became one of the more successful winners of the T.V. show Our Next Super Model. The world assumed she was destined for a happy, fairy tale life as ‘Angel,’ the beautiful girl who was living the dream; sadly, that wasn’t to be the case. As the years passed, she flashed her million dollar smile to all her fans and fought to stay on top in a profession where you never knew who it was safe to trust while the fashion industry took big bites out of her heart and soul. And trust was a constant challenge for Angel due to the painful childhood secret she guarded as carefully as she did her heart. As a result, she never did find her true love on earth.<br /><br />When she wakes up ‘dead’ from a heart condition a month before her thirty-fifth birthday, Angel is at first relieved to find there is no death, just a change of state, like ice to water, and then she’s scared because her biggest and most important adventure is about to begin.<br /><br />Angelica is chosen to be an angel in training as a spirit guide for three souls on earth! Her assignment is to help two women to gain the courage and confidence to find, recognize and embrace the love that had eluded Angel in life. But her biggest challenge will be to save a very special little girl from the same evil experience that had poisoned Angel’s own earthly happiness and altered the course of her life.<br /><br />Will Angel be able to heal her own shattered soul in the process? And will the three souls she is guiding be able to recognize her, not as a ghostly threat, but as one of those ‘friends in high places’ we all have; the kind who often end up earning their wings.<br /><br /> </p>
Story Behind The Book
I began writing as a creative outlet following the death of my sister due to a domestic violence episode. While I didn't consciously include my sister, myself, or any members of my family while writing "Act of Redemption" input from my readers pointed out that the character Shevata is "stuck" in a curse as a teenager, unable to move on with her life. The series follows her journey to regain her humanity.
I agree that when my sister died, I was in shock and, like the readers noted, was 'stuck' for a long time, unable to accept that she was gone. But faith, family, friends, and creativity enabled me to find closure and the inner peace I needed.
As part of my initial ad campaign for "Act of Redemption," I attempt to increase awareness of domestic violence, as anyone of any age, gender or background can fall victim to it.
Reviews
www.kidzworld.com/.../21615-act-of-redemption-book-review<br />www.mangamaniaccafe.com/?p=4228<br />www.sheknows.com/health-and.../domestic-abuse-dealing-with-death<br />www.hotindienews.com/2009/07/20/105350<br />www.goodreads.com/author/show/4056757.Thomas_C_Stone<br />www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/nov_09.htm<br />www.amazon.com/First...Act-Redemption/.../1434379329
