Phoenix
by
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The desert sky slips from sunlit blue to purple. The sun hugs the horizon briefly until extinguished by the lights of the distant Las Vegas skyline. Far, far away in the depths of the desert, Paula, a gorgeous young blonde woman of nineteen years, stands bound and naked on top of a pile of custom furniture, designer clothes, original art, and the latest electronics, all stacked around a candy floss pink Porsche. She looks down on all that she once owned. On a nearby hill, Giuseppe (Joe) Maldonna, 45, observes from the open rear window of a black limo. He sips from a silver flask and draws on a newly lit Cohiba Esplendido. Two men dressed in black stand on the pile beside Paula. One douses the pile and the second flicks a Zippo and drops it on a long white evening dress before running for cover. Flames lick over the dress and through the rest of the clothes and furniture until the Porsche gas tank explodes, scattering wreckage over the desert. The limo window slides shut and drives away.
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About the Book
What happens to a person left destitute with none of life’s normal chattels. Without property, clothes on their back, no money and alone, burned, broken and naked in the desert. Nineteen year old Paula Smythe faces such a world. All that is left her is an indomitable will and spirit to find a way back to a new life and destiny. Follow Paula’s journey out of the desert and into the town of Misery Flats and meet Mary, the town nurse and her son Gary who help her on the road to recovery. Continue with Paula on her journey as she grapples with the demands and rigours of an education she never would have envisioned. Meet the people who help and the others who don’t. But once on her path to a new destiny her inner strength, resources and faith give her the courage to stay the course. The surprise conclusion confirms she has overcome the demons of her past and has now found her place in the world exactly where she wants to be. If you have ever felt completely down and out and need a lift, think of Paula.
About the Author
John Brown is Professor Emeritus, University of Alberta, his working home of twenty-six years. Prior to that time he observed the academic world from the other side of the podium as a student at the University of Saskatchewan, University of Washington and Cornell University. He has also enjoyed international work opportunities in Nairobi, Paris, London, Edinburgh and China that have stretched his world view beyond North America. His background has resulted in a consistent thread of including the world of academe in his writing. Phoenix is his sixth book since leaving the world of higher education. He has now found a writing home in Vancouver.