Catholic author pens adventure novel that combines faith and fantasy

Denver, Colo., Aug 14, 2007 / 10:43 am

A World Away
The Quest of Dan Clay: Book One
By T.J. Smith

It’s been quite some time since an original adventure series was penned and even longer since a Catholic one was written. In A World Away, T.J. Smith successfully ties together fantasy, adventure, and the faith of a boy who wants nothing more than to bring his family back together again.

In this fictional novel, Smith describes the fate of fifty men who, nine hundred years ago, committed such atrocious acts that hell was not a suitable punishment for them.  The men were transformed into half-man, half-serpent creatures and were banished from our world into a parallel universe called the Eldritch Forest.

Dan Clay, the main character of the story, is not your typical storybook hero.  He is often picked on by the town bullies and is quite unpopular.  However, he has several admirable qualities including his strong faith as well as his love for his parents, his brother, his friends, and God. 

Thirteen years ago, Dan’s older brother William disappeared into a nearby forest, never to be seen again.  At the beginning of the story, Dan obtains information that leads him to believe that his older brother has not died, but rather, he has somehow passed through the same portal as the half-man, half-serpent creatures and is being held captive by them. 

Dan’s quest to rescue his brother is fraught with peril and bravery. Our hero and three of his friends brave the dangers of “the place worse than hell,” to free his brother as the ferocious man-beasts try to hunt them down. The reader learns the importance of the virtues of perseverance, courage, and faith as the story develops.

Throughout the book, Dan’s strong faith in God strongly influences each of his friends to grow in virtue and to begin pray.  This is especially true of Sam, a fallen-away Catholic who has vowed never to pray again.

Readers are left on edge as the author leaves the end open for a second and possibly third book as the three friends continue to search for William Clay.

A World Away is a captivating story that creatively displays the importance of faith, being a strong role-model, and heroism.

The book is being released today, August 14th and can be purchased through Tate Publishing at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore or by calling (888) 361-9473