'Glades Boy

About the Book

Confused, he once more tried to get to his feet – once more, with heart pounding and head spinning he fell between the tracks. The rumble grew louder and the vibrations became stronger. Realizing he had to act quickly, Zack tried to crawl. Though his head spun, he was making a little progress. Now the rumble had become a clopping-clatter, violently shaking the ground as the deadly train loomed ever closer. He had to get off the tracks!

With one track to cross, he decided to try to roll over the formidable steel. Putting all his strength into one final effort, he cried out in terror, “God, please help me!”

Doing a man’s job from the age of twelve, Zack experiences a difficult, fast-paced life, sawing logs in the swamps and dealing with alligators, snakes, bears and other wild critters. He witnesses his father shoot a man for cheating in a poker game, and deals with the trauma of finding his aunt tortured and killed by outlaws who then came to the Bentley home and abuse Zack’s pregnant mother and three siblings.

Zack falls in love with Io, a Seminole Indian girl – a childhood crush. Billy Joe, Io’s uncle has always been a Christian friend, and together, he and Io lead Zack to Christ.

Now running from the law, Zack’s father leaves him with the responsibility of the family welfare. In spite of their poverty, Christmas brings a special opportunity to share their love for each other as well as to show the love of Jesus.

About the Author

I have lived in south Florida and spent time in the Everglades area. My father has enriched my knowledge of life in that particular area and told me many stories from his childhood experiences - 1908-1920. Also, I know first-hand that teenage alcoholism is a curse on our young people today and I have written 'Glades Boy in hope of helping teens and young adults find help with with their addictions through the acceptance of Jesus Christ. At the age of nineteen, my father became a christian and went into the ministry. In those days, his particular church affiliation moved ministers from place to place, and often state to state. As a result I grew up in many areas of the United States, from Florida and Georgia -I won't name them all - to North Dakota and the beautiful Northwest. I deeply appreciate the beauty of each area, but I consider myself a Floridian. I gave my life to Christ as a child - became distant from my Lord as a young adult, but came back to a place of wonderful inner peace. I am an artist and owned a commercial Art Studio most of my adult life. In 2003, two of my short stories were published in "ABC's of foods" by Louise Ulmer. I re-wrote and self-published a novel , ONESIMUS, which was written by my father. I am an ordained minister and December 17, 1993 Reverend Gene Smith, a pastor and middle school teacher, and I were married. We pastored Lynn Haven Church of God until our retirement, December 31, 2007. We are both still active in ministry, filling in where we are needed. I am a chalk-talk artist and enjoy sharing my ministry with different churches when invited. I have four children and three step-children. Together, Gene and I have eighteen grandchildren and ten great-grands.