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For fans of shows like The Closer or Major Crimes, or the movie The Natural, the book 18: A Novel of Ruin and Redemption delivers the intrigue and mystery that keeps them on the edge of their seat, as strong, intelligent male and female characters work through coverups and deception to uncover the truth.
There is ruin here. There is disgrace. Banishment. Golfer Craig Cantwell needs to find redemption, but his path is fraught with broken glass and closed doors. Until a young woman -- dealing with serious emotional pain of her own -- finds Cantwell and together, with love, determination, and hope, they journey forward.
* * * *
"Mom, we have to go!"
The boy said it again, louder this time. His mother looked up at him with a dazed look in her eyes. She was bleeding from her nose and her mouth, the left side of her face badly swollen.
* * * *
18: A Novel of Ruin and Redemption is the story of one man's life, and the power of the passionate people in his world to either rescue him or ruin him. Set in the world of golf, the deeper tale is Cantwell's journey as he searches for truth, for light, for redemption. The path forward leads him to a daughter he never knew he had, and a personal growth guru with a past more shocking than any fallen hero.
Starting with a chilling flashback, we see twelve-year-old Craig and his mother locked in the cellar of their home. Craig is determined to do anything he can to protect his mother. His father is screaming at them from above -- determined to finish what he'd started. But Craig won't let that happen.
That beginning portends so much of what happens years later. Cantwell becomes a renowned pro golfer. But he's plagued by self-doubt and a sense of unworthiness. And then, one day, for reasons he can't share, he assaults another golfer and gets suspended from the PGA Tour.
Craig discovers, over time, that his fight is not with the scions of the tour, the public, or other great golfers. He must prevail over the toughest of adversaries - himself.
And now there is a daughter to consider. He doesn't know how to be a dad. He'd barely come to terms with the profession of his daughter's mother, an officer of the law, forever in harm's way. How does he fit this new person into his life? What does it all mean to a man still trying to figure out his own life and the role he wants to play in it?
• Follow Cantwell through his journey to gain self-respect, as he seeks inner peace and a return to the life he loves.
• Meet his daughter, Kelly, and watch her struggle with the idea of a dad in her life. Feel her pain and self-doubt when she's attacked by a man who knows her father well.
• Meet Seth Reade, criminal, prisoner, and personal growth guru with a past more shocking than even Cantwell could imagine.
• Follow the FBI, journalist, and detectives in the story as they pursue a wanted criminal with ties to Cantwell and Kelly.
"In writing this book," John says, "I had two desires: to entertain and to inspire. I have always been a storyteller, so there are plenty of plot twists and drama to peak interest. But to inspire, I wove in characters who could be anyone - you, me, a neighbor, a relative. As Cantwell learns to ask himself the hard questions and comes to realize he does not have to go on this journey alone - I hope to show that none of us, no matter our struggle, is alone."
The Reader's Guide at the end is designed to help readers explore their own inner truth, guiding them to ask some hard questions and accept whatever answers come.
"Grabbed my attention and held it to the end!... Brought tears to my eyes seeing men being there for women. I believe this book will change lives!"
-- Sherri Overstreet, MA, LPC
"A beautiful story about personal redemption and the power of love. This is a must read!"
-- Susan Richards
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