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The Gatekeeper: A Novel
A young woman named Danielle has been given shapeshifting ability as a teenager following an occult ritual. She subsequently assumes the persona of Desiree, a cunning seductress who entices unsuspecting men. Desiree diabolically plots to drain them of everything they have of value--their wealth, their reputations, and their relationships--as a form of revenge for an unspeakable horror perpetrated on her as a youth.
Desiree discovers she is as much a victim of the powers of darkness as the men she seduces. There seems to be no escape for her until she meets Joshua, the director of a local youth center and assistant minister at his father's church. Although the powers of darkness drive Desiree to destroy Joshua through a series of attempted seductions, Joshua stubbornly refuses. He is convinced Desiree can be freed from the dark entity that controls her.
"From the beginning to the end, this book will have you on a roller coaster. You will find yourself not wanting to put this book down. It's a must read!" --Verna V. Nickelberry, Ordinary People Magazine
"From the moment we meet Desiree, the shape-shifting seductress, we are pulled between compassion for the girl she was and open loathing and secret fascination with what she has become." --L. Wilson, TN
"This book will cause you to reflect on...what ministry and discipleship really means as we attempt to lead others to Christ." --Loves Books
Vanderbilt Brabson III was born in Knoxville and graduated from the University of Tennessee. A conference speaker, Vanderbilt is one of the featured writers in Ordinary People Magazine.
Desiree discovers she is as much a victim of the powers of darkness as the men she seduces. There seems to be no escape for her until she meets Joshua, the director of a local youth center and assistant minister at his father's church. Although the powers of darkness drive Desiree to destroy Joshua through a series of attempted seductions, Joshua stubbornly refuses. He is convinced Desiree can be freed from the dark entity that controls her.
"From the beginning to the end, this book will have you on a roller coaster. You will find yourself not wanting to put this book down. It's a must read!" --Verna V. Nickelberry, Ordinary People Magazine
"From the moment we meet Desiree, the shape-shifting seductress, we are pulled between compassion for the girl she was and open loathing and secret fascination with what she has become." --L. Wilson, TN
"This book will cause you to reflect on...what ministry and discipleship really means as we attempt to lead others to Christ." --Loves Books
Vanderbilt Brabson III was born in Knoxville and graduated from the University of Tennessee. A conference speaker, Vanderbilt is one of the featured writers in Ordinary People Magazine.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2018
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About the author
Vanderbilt Brabson III
3 books1 followerVanderbilt Brabson III was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and attended school there and graduated from the University of Tennessee. Vanderbilt met his wife, Doretha, and the two wed in April 1981, and have two daughters (India and Van'esha) and two sons (Vanderbilt IV and Joshua). A conference speaker and writer, Vanderbilt is one of the featured writers in ORDINARY PEOPLE magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 21, 2020
Summary
Carl Steadman seeks help from Joshua, saying that a woman named Desiree has ruined his entire life. Joshua Dawson, minister and director of the local Youth Center, acknowledges his need to talk to someone. Carl then confides that Desiree is a demon-possessed shapeshifter who seduces men and makes them lose everything. He asks for Joshua’s help to stop Desiree from doing this to more men. This request turns out to be Carl’s dying wish as he suddenly shoots himself right in front of Joshua’s eyes. Full of guilt for not realizing that the man who needed his help was so much in despair, he finds strength in his father, a pastor, and asks for guidance in his mission to meet Desiree to find out the truth about Carl’s story. Upon meeting Desiree, Joshua’s faith is put to the test when she seduces him and starts to infiltrate his life.
Review
The Gatekeeper is a supernatural horror thriller by Vanderbilt Brabson III. The prologue instantly pulled me in with its first-person narrative; it seemed like a real testimony from a person who has seen the evil works of a satanic priestess, so I was full of curiosity. The story reminded me so much of my youth days when Linda Blair was the queen of horror because of her portrayal in The Exorcist. I was getting the same exact vibes as I read the book.
I like the characters and the setting, and I love the storyline. As a Christian Catholic, I appreciate how the author wrote something to remind people that there is no evil stronger than God, and that prayers and faith are the most powerful weapons to battle evil.
I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. It gave me chills and despite the contemporary setting, it brought me the kind of emotional aura that only horror classics can give. I recommend this to ALL mature readers who want the same reading experience that I had, and I really wish I could see this modern-day demon possession story in the big screen.
Carl Steadman seeks help from Joshua, saying that a woman named Desiree has ruined his entire life. Joshua Dawson, minister and director of the local Youth Center, acknowledges his need to talk to someone. Carl then confides that Desiree is a demon-possessed shapeshifter who seduces men and makes them lose everything. He asks for Joshua’s help to stop Desiree from doing this to more men. This request turns out to be Carl’s dying wish as he suddenly shoots himself right in front of Joshua’s eyes. Full of guilt for not realizing that the man who needed his help was so much in despair, he finds strength in his father, a pastor, and asks for guidance in his mission to meet Desiree to find out the truth about Carl’s story. Upon meeting Desiree, Joshua’s faith is put to the test when she seduces him and starts to infiltrate his life.
Review
The Gatekeeper is a supernatural horror thriller by Vanderbilt Brabson III. The prologue instantly pulled me in with its first-person narrative; it seemed like a real testimony from a person who has seen the evil works of a satanic priestess, so I was full of curiosity. The story reminded me so much of my youth days when Linda Blair was the queen of horror because of her portrayal in The Exorcist. I was getting the same exact vibes as I read the book.
I like the characters and the setting, and I love the storyline. As a Christian Catholic, I appreciate how the author wrote something to remind people that there is no evil stronger than God, and that prayers and faith are the most powerful weapons to battle evil.
I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. It gave me chills and despite the contemporary setting, it brought me the kind of emotional aura that only horror classics can give. I recommend this to ALL mature readers who want the same reading experience that I had, and I really wish I could see this modern-day demon possession story in the big screen.
June 9, 2019
Wow...this book is ready for the big screen. I’m enjoying what this author has to offer. Whatever the story, it always points back to the awesome power and love of God who can overcome in any situation. Another theme is how God works through His people to heal and deliver others. This book deals heavily with how we literally wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. But God is victorious over it all and we as his children are heirs to this victory!
January 12, 2013
Great read from a local author!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews