New novel examines buried past, present

Sometimes the past is too difficult for people to accept, so they escape. For James Langley, the protagonist of the new novel, Out of the Shadows by Margaret F. Richardson, a tragedy in childhood would keep him running until the past threatens his present life.

In 1939, James Langley was 13. An automobile accident claimed the life of his 16-year-old sister, Shasa. The devastation turned to bitterness that he unleashed on God and Bud Evans, driver of the car. Later, an incident encourages him to leave his past and hometown of Ula, Miss, behind for good.

Years later, he earns a doctorate in psychology and becomes an interim professor. He lives with a beautiful woman named Maris. His life seems perfect until the arrival of an unwanted acquaintance brings his past back to haunt him. Up for a permanent professor position at Chicago University, his fragile life is on the verge of falling apart just like the skeletons in his proverbial closet.

Can he overcome the bitterness that burns inside and learn to forgive? As a passion he thought had long extinguished is found to still be burning, will his love for Maris be strong enough to shield him against it? Will she understand when he tells her about his past? The answers can only come from Out of the Shadows.

Richardson recently moved to Georgia after living for many years in Rhode Island. A nurse by profession, she spends her spare time writing, reading and doing yoga and tai chi.

Out of the Shadows , the author’s first book, is available through 1stBooks.

For more information, visit www.1stBooks. com.