TITLE: "THE BOOK OF OBEAH"

GENRE: Commercial fiction/spiritual suspense

WORD COUNT: 91,200; finished

DESCRIPTION:
While fulfilling the final request of her departed Grandmama, Melody Bennet, a young professional raised in the genteel suburbs of North Carolina, is plunged into the clandestine world of an ancient West African religion -- via the Louisiana bayou. In unearthing a mysterious religious manuscript, Melody collides with those seeking powers believed to be contained within the text, from The Vatican to individuals claiming it as their legacy. She accepts the task of safeguarding the book and finds lives are threatened, including her own, sometimes from unexpected directions. As her knowledge grows and perceptions shift, Melody's path is fused with that of the sacred book. She risks body and soul to protect both and, unbeknownst to her, secures the future of an esoteric, divine prophecy.

EXTRA INFO:
There are timely messages regarding current and historical events, with impressive market potential and societal impact. Messages contained within address modern interest in sophisticated spiritual novels. All are interwoven in an engaging, suspenseful narrative, with a likeable, sympathetic female protagonist. While The Book of Obeah stands on its own, the subplots lay the foundation for three other novels in this four-part series, all subtly moving toward the legendary Mayan Prophecy of 2012, already growing in media coverage. In addition, the manuscript referred to within the novel, the "book within a book," is foreseen to generate its own following which could be explored further.

BIO:
A native of Italy, with poetry published there as a young adult, I grew up in a fascinating spiritual environment: my father was Catholic and my mother a voodoo priestess. My knowledge of the world of voodoo is practical and comprehensive and has evolved through the years. I have crafted my own path in the realms of the secretive world of Obeah, making me uniquely qualified to author this story. I work closely with an editor/research specialist, as our perspectives and skill sets are a perfect complement to one another.