The Fire that Calms the Storm

 
Anthony Wood

Life as a husband and father back on the family farm in Choctaw County is everything Lummy Tullos hoped for, bringing him some measure of peace after the horrors of war. Unfortunately, his respite looks to be short-lived. Tensions are on the rise throughout the South. On one side are those who wish to put the war behind them. On the other are those who want to keep the Confederacy—and everything it stands for—alive. It’s only a matter of time before the storm breaks, and when it does, Lummy finds himself directly in its path.

Caught in this whirlwind of tragedy, Lummy grapples with the thin line between vengeance and justice. The emergence of Captain Tom Ford, an infamous ex-Confederate bent on killing Lummy and all those he loves, makes his struggle even more personal and immediate. In a defiant stand, Lummy rallies a motley crew of steadfast friends dedicated to ushering in the new world he has always dreamed possible—one where freedom is for all regardless of color. The once-clear lines between friend and foe blur amidst a series of deadly skirmishes, laying bare the unpredictable nature of family and friendship in a divided land. Amidst the chaos of battle, though, a haunting question emerges—will Lummy ever find lasting peace, or is he destined to walk the path of death and bloodshed forever?

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Publisher: Hat Creek
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About the Author

Anthony Wood

Anthony Wood grew up in historic Natchez, Mississippi, fueling a life-long love of history. Not long after high school, he lived and worked in Alaska for several years. He returned to the South and ministered for nearly three decades among the poor, homeless, and incarcerated. Leading an effort that planted five urban churches inspired him to co-author Up Close and Personal: Embracing the Poor about his work in Memphis, Tennessee. He also authored a number of articles and stories about inner city ministry.

Anthony is a member of Turner’s Battery, a Civil War re-enactment group, the Civil War Roundtable of Arkansas, the Oghma Creative Media board, and serves as secretary for White County Creative Writers’ group. His short stories and poetry have won awards and have been published in Saddlebag Dispatches, The Vault of Terror, and The Avocet: A Journal of Nature Poetry.

When not writing, Anthony enjoys roaming and researching historical sites, camping and kayaking on the Mississippi River, and being with family. Anthony and his wife, Lisa, live in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Contact Anthony at awoodxulon@yahoo.com or find him on Facebook.

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