Kevin J. Shawda's latest book, "Tales of Hope and Faith," presents five distinct stories that share a common thread: individuals discovering their strongest sense of purpose after circumstances push them onto unexpected journeys. The collection, released on October 16, 2026, includes "Valley of Hope," "…just because they've never spoken to you," "Jerry Saw an Angel," "Brother Sully, Little Sister," and "As Fate Would Have Us." Each narrative introduces separate characters and conflicts, yet all explore themes of faith, family, forgiveness, and second chances.
In "Valley of Hope," fifteen-year-old Patrick Kavanagh arrives at Ellis Island from Ireland, carrying ambition, loneliness, and anger toward the father who sent him away. America offers possibility but also danger. His journey westward introduces him to Old Joe and a group of rail riders whose compassion shifts his perspective. Later, the Pratts take him in, employ him in a printing business, and nurture his artistic talent. After a violent assault leaves him injured, Patrick experiences a spiritual awakening that leads him to Salt Lake City, baptism, missionary service, and a reckoning with his past.
"…just because they've never spoken to you" follows a stranger named John who arrives in a small town with an unusual mission: to spend time with its animals. Initially viewed as peculiar, John wins admiration as animals respond to him with remarkable calm. His influence also brings people together in service. The story culminates in a wildfire where wildlife gathers near a pond, and John appears to guide them to safety before vanishing into the flames. Authorities report few animal casualties and no human deaths, but John is never seen again, leaving his fate open to interpretation.
"Jerry Saw an Angel" explores grief through the eyes of young Jerry Coolidge, whose mother, Rebecca, dies after an eighteen-month battle with advanced ovarian cancer. Jerry's connection to the Book of Mormon, a pond near the family chapel, and pages he sends across the water form a gentle depiction of childhood mourning. During a gathering of fireflies, Jerry believes he encounters his mother and later reveals details he could not have known, including the location of Rebecca's own Book of Mormon. The experience does not erase sadness but offers a new way to carry it.
"Brother Sully, Little Sister" introduces a hard-drinking drifter whose accidental meeting with orphaned Madeleine "Maddie" Sinclair reveals a hidden identity. Sully's military past and unresolved grief resurface when he promises to escort Maddie to Wyoming. Their difficult trip forges an unlikely sibling bond and ultimately reveals Sully as Brevet Colonel Sully, a decorated Civil War veteran selected to receive the Medal of Honor for bravery at Chancellorsville.
The collection closes with "As Fate Would Have Us," in which brothers Bobby Lee and Willie Hathaway find themselves on opposing sides of the Civil War. Their reunion at Fredericksburg forces a choice beyond politics. Brotherhood prevails, and they leave the battlefield together. Joined by Lillie Waltrop, they embark on a hazardous journey home filled with patrols, hunger, injury, and strangers willing to help, sustained by the hope that something worth rebuilding awaits them.
"Tales of Hope and Faith" offers historical adventure, spiritual questions, family drama, mystery, and humor in one volume. Shawda's characters do not escape hardship unscathed; they emerge with scars, new relationships, changed convictions, and a clearer understanding of where they belong. For readers drawn to inspirational fiction with historical settings, Christian themes, and emotional family stories, this collection presents five journeys united by faith in the possibility of renewal.
