Synopses & Reviews
Shifting in and out of reality, this inspirational story follows 12-year old John Greber, who with his mother, Ellie, suffers abuse at the hands of John's father, whom he calls The Beast. The Beast abandons his family and kidnaps John's six-year old sister, Marny. John vows revenge as he seeks to confront his father and rescue his sister. Jeffrey B. Allen takes us on a fantastic journey into a Land where John and his mother become embroiled in a civil war that could destroy the Land and the World, so John must tread carefully. This coming-of-age novel travels a totally different path than expected. With both poignancy and adventure, it proves that the strength of the human spirit can overcome all odds. Jeffrey B. Allen lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he consults in the field of architectural design, although most of his time is devoted to writing. He is a member of the Lehigh Valley Writers Symposium, a contributing author for the Lehigh Valley Home and Living Examiner and a contract edition editor for Awareness Audiobooks. Allen holds his 50-ton Coast Guard Captain's license and has captained numerous ocean-going sailing adventures. In 2006, Mr. Allen was awarded the Holt Businessman of the Year award by the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce. GoneAway is quickly being accepted by school boards, English departments, church groups, libraries, and community outreach organizations as a unique way to invoke meaningful and productive discussion about some of the problems that plague our modern society. For more information about Jeffrey B. Allen, his writings and accomplishments, please visit www.jeffreyballen.com.
Synopsis
KILL THE BEAST, JOHN KILL IT - Meet twelve-year-old John Greber, who describes the dark clouds of daily life he, his mother, Ellie, and six- year-old sister, Marny, live under. The fear and loathing that exist within a home ruled by the iron fist of an abusive father is established on the very first page. It is impossible not to feel, in the pit of your stomach, the inevitable onslaught of catastrophe. Johns beast of a father is unpredictable and dangerous. He takes the storybook villain to a whole new level of greed and ignorance. The beast finally goes too far when he disappears, taking Marny with him. The search for her leads John and Ellie into the Land, a place they couldnt have imagined in their wildest dreams. (Think of Candyland crossed with Gregory Maguires vision of Oz and youll have something of an idea.) Allen skillfully combines the everyday world with the fantastic, a seemingly seamless combination which reminds the reader of the very best of fantasy novels. Yet, after all of the tragedies and triumphs are said and done, Goneaway, Into the Land, will leave you with a feeling of hope and a yearning for more. Author Website: www.jeffreyballen.com Book Webpage: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/GoneAway-IntoTheLand-Book1.html Publisher's website: http://www.strategicbookgroup.com