Publisher's Synopsis
John Stanic is not who he appears to be, and his unforgettable story is a fantasy tale with vivid characters that you will remember a long, long time. Most people spend a lifetime without defining a primary reason for the time they spend on this earth. A miniscule percentage of others, have unknowingly been appointed to serve a much higher purpose. But, despite all the signs and omens, they continue to question the reason for their very existence, or accept who and what they truly are. Most usually die without ever finding the peace they yearn for. John Stanic was about to become one of them. John Stanic was a member of the very first Army Ranger battalion during WWII and is now ninety years old and spending his last remaining days in a nursing home. On the surface, he is simply a vulgar old man with one foot in the grave who shuns relationships of any kind. But, hidden deep inside he is hiding a past that is intriguing, mysterious, and sinister. John's life is now devoid of most pleasure and he has little to look forward to or dream about, until the day he is befriended by a young, ambitious small town Catholic Priest determined to save John's soul from hell's fire and damnation. The priest is urging his reluctant new friend and sinner to take confession before the old soldier dies. However, since he has done things so horrific during and after the war in an attempt to strike down malevolence of all kinds, he is reluctant to share his dark confession with the priest. Eventually, after much prodding by Father Shawn O'Donnell, John agrees that in lieu of a traditional confession he would memorialize his fantastic life journey in writing and have the priest receive the manuscript after his death. This novel, the first book of a series, is his confession, and takes you on a voyage from John's tragic childhood, to an orphanage and straight into the horrors of war; a war that would mold him into an assassin and alter the course of his life forever. After being discharged his life was filled with religious doubts, tragedy, love, murder, reconciliation and finally redemption. Intent on avenging all that is good and stomping out all that is evil, you are left to ponder; Is John Stanic simply a deranged seeker of justice and vengeance, or actually an ordained mystical warrior here on earth to eradicate those intent on harming others from wherever fate, or a power beyond his understanding has placed him. How does a man of God seeking forgiveness for others and a vigilante seeking RETRIBUTION become kindred spirits? The answer lies in the deep recesses of the mind of each man that is only revealed by the uncommon bond they establish with each other. John finds an unexpected peace with his past and the priest finds a true and surprising meaning for his life.
