The Lost Saints of Tennessee

By Amy Franklin-Willis

Publication date: 02/01/2012

ISBN: 9780802120052

Ezekiel (Zeke) loads a few things into his pick-up truck, lifts his late brother's dog, Tucker, onto the front seat and begins his one-way trip. Grief over his twin brother's death ten years earlier, a failed marriage, longstanding family problems and major disappointment in the direction his life has gone bring him to the conclusion that his life must end. Zeke has just enough money, clothes and pain pills to end his misery. He and Tucker arrive in Pigeon Forge, TN to put his plan into motion, but at the last minute, everything goes wrong. The desire to live wins out and Zeke embarks on a memorable journey reviewing his life and heading toward new possibilities.

Not wanting to resume his life in Clayton, TN, Zeke drives on into VA. He arrives at the home of his cousins to find unconditional love, acceptance and a chance to heal his wounded soul. Facing the past, dealing with new sorrows and planning for a future he never imagined, Zeke confronts the demons that have plagued him since childhood.

This book is a rare, heart-warming peek into the unbreakable and uncommon bond between twins. Zeke's undying devotion to his twin throughout their childhood and the vivid memories recalled in this story add such strength to this character. A delightful, yet tender account of one man's journey from absolute failure to the promise of forgiveness, renewal and hope.

Review: "The Girl in the Box" by Sheila Dalton

Amidst the war and genocide in the jungles of Guatemala, a visiting Psychoanalyst discovers a young teen chained inside a wooden box. The girl is mute and appears to be mentally damaged. After the pleas of her parents to take her away with him, Dr. Jerry Simpson takes the girl back to his home in Canada. Enlisting the help of his close friends and colleagues, he attempts to unlock the mystery of her past.

When the doctor is later found murdered by the girl, Jerry's long-time friend and lover, Caitlin, sets out to find why it happened and what went wrong.

I found this book to be very well researched, as evidenced by the author's thorough knowledge of the mental health community and the vivid descriptions of the settings used in this book. The question "Why?" will keep you turning the pages in this well-written psychological mystery.