DAD: A Novel

It’s a pleasure to share that author Steven Manchester has just released his new heartfelt book, DAD: A Novel!

Three generations of dads, playing traditional roles in each other's lives, arrive simultaneously at significant crossroads. The decisions they make and the actions they take will directly – and eternally – affect each other.

After a life of hard work and raising children, Robert is enjoying his well-deserved retirement when he discovers that he has an illness he might not be able to beat. At 19, Jonah is sprinting across the threshold of adulthood when he learns, stunningly, that he's going to become a father. And Oliver – Robert's son and Jonah's dad – has entered middle age and is paying its demanding price. While reconciling the time and effort it has taken him to reach an unfulfilling career and an even less satisfying marriage, he realizes that it's imperative that he keep it all together for the two men who mean everything to him.

When different perspectives lead to misunderstandings that remain unspoken – sometimes for years – it takes great strength and even more love to travel beyond the resentment.

Dad: A Novel chronicles the sacred legacy of fatherhood.

DAD: A Novel can be purchased at Amazon.

It's become a bit of a signature for Steven to include a poem at the very end of his novels. Here's what I've selected for this one.

The Greatest Teachers

by Steven Manchester

My children have taught me…

that trust is sealed before the first step

and real understanding does not require words;

that a baby’s breath and angels’ wings make the same sound,

and bonds forged on sleepless nights are eternal.

My children have taught me…

that the greatest wonders are found within the smallest moments;

and the grip of a tiny hand slips away much too fast;

that the word “proud” can inspire unimaginable feats,

while the word “disappointed” can scar the soul.

My children have taught me…

that doing something means so much less than being there,

as one day at the park is more valuable than ten visits to the toy store;

that laughter is contagious and can destroy all worries,

and Santa Claus is alive and well—all that’s needed is faith.

My children have taught me…

that the most powerful prayers are made up of the simplest words,

humbled, grateful and spoken from the heart;

and that for most ailments, the best medicine is a kiss

or a hug for someone who wouldn’t dream of asking.

My children have taught me…

that friends can be made with no more than a smile

and real blessings are found amongst family and friends;

that the future promises magic and wonder,

and that dreams must be chased until each one comes true

Meet the Author: Steven Manchester

After returning home from a difficult tour of duty in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, I stepped back behind the walls of a Massachusetts penitentiary where I battled each day as a prison investigator. Needless to say, there was great negativity in my life at that time, and very little opportunity to heal from my wartime demons (or pursue my dreams of being published). I finally decided to return to college to finish my degree in Criminal Justice. During one of the classes, my professor, Barry McKee, detailed police work, but barely touched on other topics. I finally raised his hand and asked, “As the criminal justice system is so vast, what about the courts, probation, parole – corrections?” Barry smiled and told me to see him after class. I thought I’d done it! In his office, Barry explained, “Except from the slanted perspectives of inmates, there’s no real written material out there on corrections, or prisons.” Barry smiled again and then dropped the bomb that would change my life forever. “If you’re so smart,” he said, “why don’t you write it?” It was the last push I needed to get writing. Nine months later, I placed the first draft of 6-5; A Different Shade of Blue (under the pen name, Steven Herberts) on Barry’s desk. From then on, I was hooked. I was a writer.

Today, 25 years later, I am the author of four #1 national bestsellers: Twelve Months, The Rockin' Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island. My long-anticipated, critically acclaimed novel, The Changing Season, has just been released. I’m also the author of the award-winning novel, Goodnight, Brian, while my work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN's American Morning and BET's Nightly News. Three of my short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series and I’m the produced playwright of Three Shoeboxes.

When not spending time with my beautiful wife, Paula, or our four children, I’m either promoting my works or writing.

Thanks everyone for stopping by today during Steven’s visit. Have you ever thought about how several generations of one family could be facing so many issues that are so different and yet so alike at the same time?