I hope you take a look at my newest book, “The Torment.”  It is a sequel to “The Gift” and the first time I’ve written a sequel.  The character of Brendan, introduced at the end of “The Gift” caught my attention and I felt compelled to tell his story.  I’m not really sure why I couldn’t shake Brendan but I have a confession to make.  I’m a priest-lover.  In my other career, I have had the opportunity to work with several religious-retired and I have yet to meet a priest I didn’t like.  I’m fascinated by the choices that they make and the grace and dignity with which they face health crises.  In my newest book, Brendan tells Angelina that he became a priest because his father had wanted him to, having been denied his own desire to enter the priesthood due to family responsibilities.  This was the true story of one of my patients, a retired priest, who was quite content with his choice in vocation.  His father, had been the one who had really wanted to be a priest but he was called upon to help support the mother and siblings by taking over the family business.  My patient, and all of his siblings, entered the religious life almost as an homage to their father who had died early in life.  Again, the man I knew loved his life and had no regrets but I went a different direction with Brendan.  I had some difficulties with his character development, I must admit.  Brendan suffers from an addiction which prevents him from forming relationships and I had to do several re-writes to make sure that he remained strong and masculine in the face of his weaknesses.  It will always amaze me how just one word or one phrase can entirely change the perception of the character.  I hope you enjoy “The Torment” and keep your eyes peeled for the third in “The Gift” series, coming soon!

The Torment only available on Amazon.com