Stone House Pitch

After a ten day scouting trip through Kansas, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio, I have pinpointed the specific locations for The Stone House Legacy. In doing so, I have been able to tighten the plot and fully develop the characters.   I am excited to finish the story so I am targeting a release date in early 2015. But I need your help.  I am including a brief pitch for the novel below, and I would love to hear from you.

• Have I piqued your interest?  
• Does it make you want to pick up the book to find out what happens? 
• What kind of cover art would enhance the intrigue and add to the mystique? 
• Does anyone out there know a good book cover designer?

I'm also soliciting beta readers who would be willing to read the final draft and provide feedback before it goes to print.  I'll supply a Word file, but in exchange, I would like you to provide a brief (45 word) endorsement that I could print in the book. Let me know if you're interested.  I'd love to hear from you.

Wanda DeHaven Pyle

The Stone House Legacy

For nearly a century the old stone house has kept its secrets hidden deep in the limestone hills of southern Indiana. But when an idealistic young minister decides to develop the site as a religious retreat for ecumenical thought, the secrets of its past cast a dark shadow over his plans.

Set in the birthplace of the John Birch Society during the turbulent years of the early 1960’s, The Stone House Legacy, reveals mankind’s stubborn determination to repeat the mistakes of past generations.

When he returns from Vatican II in Rome as a protestant observer, the Reverend Simon Kingsley is filled with radical new ideas concerning long-held religious beliefs.  He envisions a new order of religious and political thought where people of all races and religions can come together to seek common understanding.  Unfortunately, there are forces working against him who see this as a threat to their way of life and a direct link to communist thought.

When the Simon joins the struggle for civil rights, he becomes a target for radical groups seeking to stop the movement in its tracks by discrediting and destroying its leaders.  Simon dreams of a sanctuary for rational thought and understanding, but his eloquence and the strength of his convictions are no match for the fear, distrust, and hatred that runs rampant through society.  His outspoken opinions soon place the reverend and his family in grave danger. Eventually, Simon must choose between his religious and political beliefs and the safety of his family.

The Stone House Legacy explores the issue of separation of church and state during a time of religious and political upheaval. It is a fast-moving tale of youthful idealism in conflict with mid-western isolationism against a backdrop of fear and greed.