The Forgiven

About the Book

The Forgiven begins with the tumultuous childhood of the protagonist and his experiences in the Vietnam War, both of which contribute to his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcoholism. Eventually, he overcomes these problems, and he learns to forgive his parents for their past transgressions. As time goes by, he becomes the owner of a landscaping business, which he sells to two Mexican brothers, and moves to southern Illinois, where he becomes an organic farmer. In the process, he is reunited with a former lover.

About the Author

Mike Shepherd is retired from the State of Illinois where he worked as a speech writer and public information officer for various agencies. He presently resides in the country near Springfield, Illinois with his wife Jane and four cats. He is a freelance writer who contributes to a variety of publications, including Vietnam Magazine, having been a war correspondent for Armed Forces Radio (Air Force) in Vietnam.