NEW NOVEL DELIVERS A LOOK AT RACISM IN AMERICA THROUGH THE EYES OF A THIRTEEN-YEAR OLD GIRL

The Sanctum
by Pamela King Cable

NEW NOVEL DELIVERS A LOOK AT RACISM IN AMERICA
THROUGH THE EYES OF A THIRTEEN-YEAR OLD GIRL

Set in a volatile time in America when the winds of change begin to blow,
The Sanctum bestows sanctuary, invokes the healing power of second chances,
and inspires to overcome prejudice.

For most white Americans, it would be hard to imagine being stripped of freedoms – restricted to certain bathrooms, neighborhoods, schools, restaurants, and store entrances. However, for black Americans who grew up in the south prior to 1964, ‘choice’ was not an option. Ending up in the wrong part of town after dark, could be a fatal mistake. Even today, there are places in America where African Americans are warned to avoid after the sun goes down.

Racist Skinheads and the Ku Klux Klan are alive and well in this country. Hate crimes and racism rears its ugly head in today’s headlines. The Paula Deen scandal, Trayvon Martin’s death, racial slurs against the first African American President, the Charleston SC Church massacre, no black nominations at the Oscars—the subject of racial conflict has never lost its draw. Even in fiction.

Now, we bring its dark history into the light.

On a November day in 1946, Neeley McPherson turned five years old and accidentally killed her parents. Thrown into the care of her scheming and alcoholic grandfather, she survives by her quick wit, and the watchful eye of an elderly black man, Gideon. In 1959, as equal rights heats up the South, authorities accuse Gideon of stealing a watch and using a Whites Only restroom. Neeley, now thirteen, determines to break him out of jail. 

The infamous Catfish Cole, Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon of the Carolinas, pursues Neeley and Gideon in their courageous escape to the frozen Blue Ridge Mountains. After Gideon’s truck hits ice and careens down a steep slope, they travel on foot through a blizzard, and arrive at a farm of sorts—a wolf sanctuary, where Neeley crosses the bridge between the real and the supernatural. On this cascading landscape she discovers her grandfather’s deception, confronts the Klan, finds her faith in God, and uncovers the shocking secrets of the family who befriends her. 

Set in a volatile time in America when the winds of change begin to blow, The Sanctum bestows sanctuary, invokes the healing power of second chances, and leads Neeley to tragedy once again but in doing so, grants the desire of her heart.

In pitch-perfect voices, Cable’s emotionally rich novel, with extraordinary twists and hairpin turns, creates remarkable characters who stay with the reader long after they finish the book.

Cassandra King Conroy, Bestselling author of Moonrise “Pamela King Cable has created an unforgettable heroine in Neeley McPherson …Thoroughly enjoyable book!” 

Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of the Christy Award winning novel of year, Into the Free “This coming-of-age tale, The Sanctum, brings readers deep into the underbelly of the Carolinas, introducing us to a spunky young woman named Neeley who captures our hearts and breaks them at the same time … In this gothic but inspirational tale, Pamela King Cable thrills readers with her tight plotline, lyrical scene descriptions, and complex character development. She also leaves us aching for more.”

When author Pamela King Cable was a little girl someone in her family taught her respect for all people, informing her she was related to the great Martin Luther King since after all, her maiden name is King. She soon realized it wasn’t true but she never forgot the conversation. Later, she discovered blatant prejudice had incubated for decades within her family. Her southern grandparents believed wholeheartedly in segregation.

Scheduled to hit bookshelves on May 23rd, The Sanctum unveils dramatic story and character twists, and occasions when the supernatural should not be confused with reality. Cable’s novel highlights prejudice and racism not just for the African American, but also the Native American. The idea of a mysterious, yet faithful God, weaves itself throughout.

Cable says, “For over a decade I lived near Summerfield, North Carolina, located northwest of Greensboro. By chance I discovered James W. Cole (1924-1967) was ordained into the ministry in Summerfield at the Wayside Baptist Church in 1958. He toured as a tent evangelist and broadcast a Sunday morning radio program, becoming an active member of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, and eventually the Grand Dragon of North and South Carolina. The man intrigued and appalled me, and since the first part of the book takes place in Summerfield during that time period, I wrote him into the story. The International Civil Rights Center and Museum is located in the recently restored Woolworth’s building in downtown Greensboro, a Woolworth’s that also found its way into my story.”

The plot takes on themes of racism, alcoholism, abuse, murder, friendship, family, and redemption. The Sanctum also reveals how the balance of power can be tipped and lives destroyed in an instant.

Born a coal miner’s granddaughter and raised by a tribe of wild Pentecostals and storytellers, Pamela King Cable is a multi-published author whose novel, Televenge, attracted national attention from Fox News, CBS Atlanta, as well as book bloggers and media outlets worldwide. Writing fiction steeped in Bible-belt mystery and paranormal suspense, Cable has gained a reputation for piercing the hearts of her readers. She has taught at writing conferences, and speaks to book clubs, women’s groups, national and local civic organizations, and at churches across the country. Cable and her husband reside in southern Alabama.

To learn more about Pamela and her novels, please visit her website at www.pamelakingcable.com

REVIEW COPIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

###
The Sanctum
Author: Pamela King Cable
ISBN: 978-1-938499-03-6 (trade paperback)
Firefly Southern Fiction, An imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
6 x 9 • 317 pages
Pub Date: May 23, 2016
Price: $14.95
Available in print from your local bookstore, online, or from the publisher at: www.lighthousepublishingofthecarolinas.com

Born a coal miner’s granddaughter and raised by a tribe of wild Pentecostals and storytellers, Pamela King Cable grew up in Ohio where she caught lady bugs and fireflies, ran barefoot, and practiced cheers in her driveway. Today, she is still fascinated with lady bugs and fireflies, sometimes wears shoes, and talks about the day she traded in her pom-poms for a beat-up typewriter.

Pamela is a multi-published author whose novel, Televenge, attracted national attention from Fox News, CBS Atlanta, as well as book bloggers and media outlets worldwide. Writing fiction steeped in Bible-belt mystery and paranormal suspense, Pamela has gained a reputation for piercing the hearts of her readers. She has taught at writing conferences, and speaks to book clubs, women’s groups, national and local civic organizations, and at churches across the country.

Contact: Paige Boggs
Electively Paige Author Services
Paige@electivelypaige.com

Publisher Address:
2333 Barton Oaks Dr
Raleigh, NC 27614

This release was published on openPR.