One day several individuals would participate-either by design or by fate-in an evil experimental initiative in rural Minnesota.

But first, they would each face trials, and these are their stories: an abduction and the disruption of life goals; the provocations of a jealous family member; confrontation by an old friend; redirection along a career path; addiction and the perils of the drug world; deception and coercion by a beautiful woman; liberation from corrupt authorities.

And the revelation of closely-guarded secrets in the ancestral line of the man who would eventually attempt to manipulate their world.

Offering interpretations of the principles of each of the biblical Beatitudes, these eight short stories provide glimpses into the lives of ordinary people who confront life-altering crises which demand response.

Eight-year-old Jarrod Kastle is traumatized when he witnesses the attempted sexual assault of his mother by the trusted pastor of his family church. When the pastor denies any wrongdoing and the local church hierarchy protects him, Jarrod and his parents are forced to leave their community, their lives irreparably damaged.

As an embittered adult distrustful of organized religion and its leadership, Jarrod is determined to avenge the wrong done to his family. His new career with the Triston Foundation is providing the perfect means. In charge of the foundation's social justice initiative, the Expulsion, Jarrod has the opportunity to eliminate all churches and their leaders from the test-case rural community of Cedarfield, Minnesota. After that, the pastor from his childhood church will be his next target for elimination.

But as Jarrod mingles with Cedarfield's citizens, he is forced to confront his personal strongholds. Furthermore, attacks on the churches from the outside the purview of the Expulsion put him in mortal danger. Who or what else is involved? As the insidious tactics get worse, the warning voices of Cedarfield's local prophets go unheeded-with disastrous consequences for those opposing God.

This thought-provoking and inspirational suspense thriller is a dramatic and engaging illustration of how authorities in contemporary society persecute persons and organizations of faith. It relates both the glories and the challenges of ministry in a small community, and demonstrates that God always prevails. 

When Calvin "Sid" Sidney finds himself marked for death by the nefarious Triston Foundation, he knows he must act swiftly to save not only his life but also those he holds dear.

The key to his survival lies in a secured device containing files that can topple the mighty empire led by the relentless Dr. George Stanhope. In Moving Shadows, the stakes have never been higher, as Sid embarks on a journey -filled with suspense, deception, and peril. But Sid's struggle isn't just physical or natural; it's spiritual.

On the run and desperate, Sid faces an existential crisis that forces him to confront the very fabric of his being. With every twist and turn, he wrestles with questions of identity, purpose, and the weight of responsibility.

Is he willing to pay the ultimate price for true freedom?

Haunted by his past, Jarrod Kastle faces a deadly threat after discovering a corpse in his home. As danger looms and trust erodes among friends, he must confront hidden enemies and personal demons to find safety, healing, and peace in a chaotic world.

In A Menacing Dance, Jarrod's life spirals into chaos when he stumbles upon a lifeless body in his dining room. This shocking discovery forces him to confront the dark legacy of his involvement with the Triston Foundation and its sinister leader, George Stanhope. As he grapples with the repercussions of his past, Jarrod realizes that he is not alone in his peril; a shadowy figure lurks in the background, orchestrating a deadly game that threatens not only his life but also the lives of those he holds dear, including his close friend, Marie.

With bullets flying and hidden eyes watching, Jarrod must navigate a treacherous landscape where trust is a luxury he can no longer afford. Friends may not be what they seem, and betrayal lurks around every corner. As he fights for survival, Jarrod's journey becomes a battle against not only external threats but also the internal struggles that have haunted him for years. He must confront his own spiritual strongholds and the emotional scars that bind him.

Can Jarrod untangle the web of deceit and danger that surrounds him? Will he find the strength to overcome his past and achieve the peace he desperately seeks? A Menacing Dance is a gripping tale of suspense, friendship, and the quest for redemption, where every choice could mean the difference between life and death. Join Jarrod as he races against time to uncover the truth and reclaim his future.

author
Mark Andrlik