RENO, Nev., Sept. 7, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Since September 11, 2001, when dust fell over lower Manhattan, it continues to fall over all of us wherever we live. This reality fiction parallels the plight of America as it searches for solutions to a senseless war with a couple struggling to work through their own self-created conflict. Set amidst pre and post 9/11, Pilgrim Souls is the intimate story of California Attorney General Kyle Anderson and his partner, Jenny Roberts, a couple deeply in love but struggling to find harmony amidst their differing views toward their relationship. With Kyle's twin brother working in the U.S. Secretary of State's office, he has insider information about how the current administration misled the United States into an ill-conceived war.
Major General Antonio Taguba, the Army general whose 2004 investigative report about detainee abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison sparked worldwide outrage, speaks out about Pilgrim Souls: "I found this fictional story to have the depth to make anyone relate to the facts on one of the great tragedies in U.S. history. Very convincing and devastating to America's image as the beacon of democracy."
Weaving together this story of love and politics, bestselling author Rene Reid offers hope for America as her characters fictionally interview leading presidential candidates such as Barack Obama. She offers hope for the couple who, through their separate journeys, discover that peace begins with awareness of what caused the other side's outrage. In her background research, the author examined the works of more than a dozen recognized authorities in their fields of global relations. Through staged interviews, these experts present plans for moving America through its international crises into a more hopeful future. Applying their wisdom to his own life with deep soul searching, the hero speaks out: "Until we as Americans look inside of ourselves and ask what part we have contributed to the hostility other cultures feel toward us, we will never regain our standing in the world. Is it possible that it has something to do with America's self-absorbed need to preserve our lifestyle and consume an exorbitant share of the world's resources to the detriment of other countries? Until each one of us begins to live our lives with a concern for others' needs as well as our own, we will never create peace out of the conflict that exists." At this moment, the hero not only embraces an attitude that will help establish a new and better foreign policy for the next presidential administration, but he finds himself reflecting on his missed opportunities to apply these same principles to his personal relationship with the woman he loves.
Whether the issue is healing the grievances between countries or the fall-out between individuals, the author proposes that the options are the same. Set against one of the greatest tragedies in U.S. history, Pilgrim Souls beautifully shows how understanding the other side is an essential step toward healing rifts between individuals as well as nations.
Having served as a Catholic nun and an elected public official, Rene Reid brings a fresh perspective to what it takes to bring peace amidst conflict. As a former TV and radio talk show host, the author will make a great guest. Whether your show is conservative or liberal by nature, this topic can make for controversial interview material. Although a fictional love story, the historical reality of this book makes it a must read for political buffs, romance readers, and all book lovers.
Pilgrim Souls * by Rene Reid
A Search for Peace Amidst Conflict
Publication Date: September 11, 2007
Trade Paperback; $ 24.99; 464 pages; 978-1-4257-8117-0
Cloth Hardback; $ 34.99; 464 pages; 978-1-4257-8129-3
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