Book release announcement: "The Angel of Maryville

Today, “The Angel of Maryville”, a novel by PD Curasi, is being released worldwide on Amazon.com and other online booksellers.*

THE STORY:

The tale of ‘The Angel of Maryville’ is an intricate one, abundant with a seasoning of murders, false identities and self-enlightenment. The story is embedded with an odd collection of personalities, spotted with checkered pasts, burdened with the strains of an uncompromising fate. Soon, everything about their tiny, unremarkable world is about to change. Mysteriously, all of their outstanding issues will be reconciled, on that special New Year’s. A force is about to descend heavily upon the quiet, little, seaside village of Maryville with a natural justice about to have its day, for better or worse, rewarding some, while punishing others harshly. Who will win, good or evil? Who decides between the two?

The cast of Maryville are not the molded characters of an advertised, popular culture. Rather, they are seemingly simple, ordinary people trudging through the nuances of a simple, ordinary life. But don’t be deceived! These are not ordinary people… and there is nothing simple about their lives!

Roni is the dominant character thread of this complex story. She runs the Coffee Café, the cultural hub of this small Maryville town. Once the reader becomes introduced to the host of players it is easy to see the overall tapestry being woven from each personal thread… Bonnie haunted by the unsolved death of her husband…Burt, who has easily blended in with the other enigmatic, small town folks…even the ancient Lena Benton somehow seems to be caught up with the others in Maryville’s vortex of injustice…Captain Bilby, Professor Turnbuckle, Pastor Brown, the famous Lonnie-Lang Banks, and many others are also integral parts of this entangled story with unexpected bumps and turns from every revelation along the way.

“The Angel of Maryville” story is told in a traditional storyteller’s casual way, armed with a colorful array of characters, from eccentric, to ruthless, to endearing. PD Curasi’s story style mixes subtle humor with a deep insight into the common human soul, always with a meandering, down-home, sarcastic wit. The ironic twist of the plot displays the high regard for storytellers like, Joseph Heller, Mark Twain and Garrison Keilior, as well as an appreciation for the Agatha Christie precision of mystery.

Here are some early impressions: Notes from the editor…

“This is a delicious story. PD Curasi has created …a “universal” prototype of small town and café. I dare say that most people who yearn for a simpler life, to be surrounded by good people, would long for such a place as Maryville.”

“PD Curasi has created compelling, complex, realistic characters and managed to make them each unique. He had me looking up the famous singer on the internet! That’s how real his story read.”

“He has made the improbable feel possible, and we believe.”

“His story was a delicious read. I can’t think of a better word to describe the many-faceted story, like a great meal with several courses, including dessert!”

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

As an ardent student of human observation, I am often inspired by the abundance of goodness in people I meet; those who best define the promise of our society, yet often have little representation in today’s media. Many of these folks are found in the smaller communities, away from the clutter and noise of urban centers. I wanted to tell their story of hope and triumph against overwhelming odds in a seemingly dominant world of evil. I admire their honest instincts that provide them with the power to survive-and to ultimately win over monumental odds!

I began writing “The Angel of Maryville” as a simple, two-character story which slowly evolved into a small universe populated with composites of many real acquaintances that I have known along my personal journeys. Each of these characters embodies the struggle with common burdens that bind all people together, while, with humility, they are grateful for every small victory. They represent a proud and hopeful people.

In their naturally unique style each individual portrays something from which we can always learn… perhaps even something we have always longed for in ourselves.

BIO: P. D. Curasi

“The Angel of Maryville” is the first novel to be published by P. D. Curasi.

He graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Visual Communication. He worked as a Designer, Animator, and as a Producer/Director, including twenty years at the Walt Disney Company.

He taught at University of Central Florida in the School of Fine Arts, Film and Digital Media designing a new series of curriculum entitled “Visual Language,” an area of study which emphasizes visual storytelling.

Mr. Curasi, now retired, lives in the quiet farm country of Kentucky, spending much of his time writing, in between the calling of farm chores.

He is currently working on his next fictional novel, “Tropical Err,” an international finance mystery. He is also working on a nonfiction project, “Visual Language-the Art of Storytelling,” based on his ten years of university lectures.

P. D. Curasi illustrated the cover art for “The Angel of Maryville.” 

Books available at: www. BookSurge.com, www. Amazon.com, www. Abebooks.com and www. Alibris.com.

The book’s listing will appear on www. BooksinPrint.com and www. GlobalBooksinPrint.com