"A rare, hopeful crime story that also manages to be deeply honest." - Kirkus Reviews

"The book reads like a memoir, has action and excitement like a thriller, and educates the reader along the way. If you like books with a criminal nexus or are a fan of memoir/"based on a true story" books, this one would be a slam-dunk for you." - OnlineBookClub

Pinnacle Book Award - Best Books in the Category of FICTION

eLit - Silver Medal Award Winner - True Crime



"I'm going to kill you! You Son-of-a-Bitch!"

Sam Capelli stumbled backwards in an effort to get away from Leo Stegner.

"Remember Joe? You bastard!" Leo threw several blows. Capelli staggered and fell to the ground. "You killed my father. You're a dead man Capelli!" He kicked Capelli while reciting John 3:16, "For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son," he kicked him again, "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life," and kicked him again, real hard.



Leo turned quickly, gazing about the prison yard to see if anyone in authority was looking, then when he saw it was clear, struck Capelli a last clubbing blow, then strolled away reciting Psalm 23 to himself. "The lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures..."

* * *

Out of a sense of vengeance for his father, Leo snitched on the killer, Sam Capelli, which got Capelli killed. From thug, to drug dealer, to prison inmate, Leo's life up to this moment has been out of control. Now, only the President of the United States of America can grant Leo redemption, but only if he chooses a better path. A pardon might save him physically, but what must he do to save his soul?

Deadly sins sent Leo to jail; federal prison scared his black ass straight.