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What on earth is wrong with SARAH?
What awful thing could have happened to
make this once sweet and innocent teenager,
change into a detached and insufferable
person seemingly overnight? These are the
questions that haunt JOSHUA, a shy and
lonely 16 year-old boy who, after hearing
her name spoken in a dream one night, meets
and falls in love with her. Their tumultuous
journey and the mystery behind it is the
basis for “The Joshua Tree”.
What awful thing could have happened to
make this once sweet and innocent teenager,
change into a detached and insufferable
person seemingly overnight? These are the
questions that haunt JOSHUA, a shy and
lonely 16 year-old boy who, after hearing
her name spoken in a dream one night, meets
and falls in love with her. Their tumultuous
journey and the mystery behind it is the
basis for “The Joshua Tree”.
JOSHUA PEELER, a shy, lonely 16 year old youth growing up in the Bronx, possesses a healthy respect for fate and its
inevitability, but he never thinks much about it relative to his own life. Little does he know that fate is about to reveal itself
to him, and in a way that would forever change the
direction of his life. The setting is the Bronx, New York; the year, 1972. Joshua's asleep in his bed when he hears the name of
a girl, Sarah, in a dream. Months later, through a fateful set of occurrences, he meets a beautiful girl whose name,
surprisingly, is Sarah.
SARAH is 16 years old and lives with her father, FRANK EDWARDS, a domineering brute of a man whose wife walked out on
him years earlier. Her leaving, and his being forced to raise their daughter alone in a Bronx project, fuels his bitterness. As a
consequence, he takes much of his frustrations out on Sarah. Frank's bizarre behavior, coupled with the oppressive
circumstances of life at home are a constant source of embarrassment for Sarah. A straight-A student, she's ostracized by
most of
her peers who she views as pathetic ghetto lifers. A self-described agnostic as well, she's methodically mapped out a future
that doesn't include any of those things which she has come to loathe. Her steadfast arrogance on the matter, can't imagine
anything derailing her life's goal. The one thing she
hadn't counted on was love, and it blossoms quickly between she and Joshua as they each discover a commonality in each other's
parochial existence. They're soon rendezvousing in secret, and against the wishes of her father. Sarah's happier than she's
ever been. Then something horrific happens and in
an instant, her life is turned upside down. read an excerpt
inevitability, but he never thinks much about it relative to his own life. Little does he know that fate is about to reveal itself
to him, and in a way that would forever change the
direction of his life. The setting is the Bronx, New York; the year, 1972. Joshua's asleep in his bed when he hears the name of
a girl, Sarah, in a dream. Months later, through a fateful set of occurrences, he meets a beautiful girl whose name,
surprisingly, is Sarah.
SARAH is 16 years old and lives with her father, FRANK EDWARDS, a domineering brute of a man whose wife walked out on
him years earlier. Her leaving, and his being forced to raise their daughter alone in a Bronx project, fuels his bitterness. As a
consequence, he takes much of his frustrations out on Sarah. Frank's bizarre behavior, coupled with the oppressive
circumstances of life at home are a constant source of embarrassment for Sarah. A straight-A student, she's ostracized by
most of
her peers who she views as pathetic ghetto lifers. A self-described agnostic as well, she's methodically mapped out a future
that doesn't include any of those things which she has come to loathe. Her steadfast arrogance on the matter, can't imagine
anything derailing her life's goal. The one thing she
hadn't counted on was love, and it blossoms quickly between she and Joshua as they each discover a commonality in each other's
parochial existence. They're soon rendezvousing in secret, and against the wishes of her father. Sarah's happier than she's
ever been. Then something horrific happens and in
an instant, her life is turned upside down. read an excerpt
L. Steven Rencher
| the |
| official website |
The Joshua Tree Joshua tree reads like an epic. L. Steven Rencher writes an urban tale about relationships in a sincere manner that
captures the voice of youth, happiness and angst. Everything about the story seems tangible and fresh. Joshua and Sarah were meant to
meet, but events provoke and test them. The Joshua Tree is a spiritual novel about fate. It is a captivating read.
Antoinette Dykes
Black Issues Book Review, November, 2005
Author L. Steven Rencher's poignant, compelling and descriptive novel took us transplanted former Bronxites back home. Once there we
embraced Joshua and Sarah as they embarked on an emotional roller coaster ride. The often complex emotions exhibited by both
characters left us searching ourselves for answers to questions no one should ever have to ask or answer. Intriguing, gritty and heart
wrenching dialogue provide all the elements that will surely take this novel to the top of everyone's book list.
R.S.V.P. Book Club
The author's attention to detail intertwines the use of many literary elements. With a skilled hand, his use of imagery assists in visualizing
the sight, sound and feel of New York and all of the characters depicted. He incorporates detail into each and every character, and each
character has a function that is captured within the story of Joshua and Sarah. THE JOSHUA TREE is a classic tale of living and overcoming
social ills, fate, faith and the restoration of love.
Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
Excellent details...reading this book is like being that "fly" on the wall. Mr. Rencher goes above and beyond to give his readers very descriptive
details of the 70s era and characters. The Joshua Tree is a wonderful drama with the bonus of romance. This novel does a wonderful job of
expressing how powerful love is! You journey through the torment of Sarah and the love and effort of Joshua to save her. This book is a
treat for the passionate readers.
Margot Herrell
G.A.A.L. Book Club of Atlanta
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