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Beyond the Lies: A Novel
“Guys...this is Missile Morgan.”
Surpassing the expectations his father had for him, Anthony Morgan is poised to be the biggest phenomenon baseball has seen in years. Anthony’s future is set. He has worked hard for it, dreamed about it all his life, and can practically taste it! However, what Anthony could not foresee was the untimely death of his father—his mentor and hero. This tragedy started a downward spiral of bad decisions, which ultimately threaten Anthony’s life and future in baseball.
Seeking to overcome the scars from her abusive, alcoholic father, Jesse Cartwright, Anthony’s best friend from childhood, is determined to make something of her life. Tomboyish in every way, at times her stubbornness puts her in direct conflict with Anthony’s other friends. A born fighter, she ultimately proves to be tougher than every boy in the neighborhood and the only friend Anthony can really count on. As Anthony battles his inner demons in his march toward glory, and Jesse struggles through her own personal tragedies and loss, their paths grow apart. Eventually the two discover their lives are somehow intertwined and neither will truly realize his or her dreams without the other.
Beyond the Lies is as captivating as The Natural, as compelling as Love Comes Softly, and at times as humorous as Diary of a Mad Black Woman. It’s a coming of age story that will appeal to the young and old, the sports enthusiast, the romantic, those gripped by human tragedy, and those who celebrate the triumph of the human spirit.
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. Beyond the Lies is his second novel.
Surpassing the expectations his father had for him, Anthony Morgan is poised to be the biggest phenomenon baseball has seen in years. Anthony’s future is set. He has worked hard for it, dreamed about it all his life, and can practically taste it! However, what Anthony could not foresee was the untimely death of his father—his mentor and hero. This tragedy started a downward spiral of bad decisions, which ultimately threaten Anthony’s life and future in baseball.
Seeking to overcome the scars from her abusive, alcoholic father, Jesse Cartwright, Anthony’s best friend from childhood, is determined to make something of her life. Tomboyish in every way, at times her stubbornness puts her in direct conflict with Anthony’s other friends. A born fighter, she ultimately proves to be tougher than every boy in the neighborhood and the only friend Anthony can really count on. As Anthony battles his inner demons in his march toward glory, and Jesse struggles through her own personal tragedies and loss, their paths grow apart. Eventually the two discover their lives are somehow intertwined and neither will truly realize his or her dreams without the other.
Beyond the Lies is as captivating as The Natural, as compelling as Love Comes Softly, and at times as humorous as Diary of a Mad Black Woman. It’s a coming of age story that will appeal to the young and old, the sports enthusiast, the romantic, those gripped by human tragedy, and those who celebrate the triumph of the human spirit.
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. Beyond the Lies is his second novel.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2019
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
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 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 26, 2020
Summary
Beyond the Lies is a coming of age drama by Vanderbilt Brabson III. The story revolves around Anthony, his family, his friends, and his love for baseball. Anthony aka Missile Morgan has always been a great baseball player, a great son, and a great best friend. But when his father died of lung cancer, he started detaching himself from people as he developed a habit of drinking, and eventually became an alcoholic. His father was his mentor and hero, and in losing him, he also lost his faith. Being a local celebrity that a lot of people looked up to, he kept his alcohol addiction to himself. When the people who cared about him found out, he had to conquer the addiction that he has been denying for a long time, or else he will lose himself, and his future in baseball.
Review
This book made me cry three times! These three events that failed my attempts in holding back my tears were: (1) The part when Anthony’s father died, (2) When Louise finally came to pick up Jesse, and (3) The way that the story ended. Aside from these, there were memorable parts in the story that became my favorites: (1) Whenever Anthony hung out and played baseball with his friends as a kid, the dialogues were adorably funny, (2) The prom made my heart melt like a teenage girl, (3) The detox treatment was insanely unconventional, and (4) Margaret’s conversations with Jesse and Anthony during the latter part were adorably entertaining.
I’m giving this 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed this wonderful book very much because of its well-developed characters and remarkable storyline. It is very heartwarming, inspiring, and teaches the value of family, friendship, and relationship to God. I recommend this book to ALL readers, most especially those who are suffering from grief and alcohol addiction.
Beyond the Lies is a coming of age drama by Vanderbilt Brabson III. The story revolves around Anthony, his family, his friends, and his love for baseball. Anthony aka Missile Morgan has always been a great baseball player, a great son, and a great best friend. But when his father died of lung cancer, he started detaching himself from people as he developed a habit of drinking, and eventually became an alcoholic. His father was his mentor and hero, and in losing him, he also lost his faith. Being a local celebrity that a lot of people looked up to, he kept his alcohol addiction to himself. When the people who cared about him found out, he had to conquer the addiction that he has been denying for a long time, or else he will lose himself, and his future in baseball.
Review
This book made me cry three times! These three events that failed my attempts in holding back my tears were: (1) The part when Anthony’s father died, (2) When Louise finally came to pick up Jesse, and (3) The way that the story ended. Aside from these, there were memorable parts in the story that became my favorites: (1) Whenever Anthony hung out and played baseball with his friends as a kid, the dialogues were adorably funny, (2) The prom made my heart melt like a teenage girl, (3) The detox treatment was insanely unconventional, and (4) Margaret’s conversations with Jesse and Anthony during the latter part were adorably entertaining.
I’m giving this 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed this wonderful book very much because of its well-developed characters and remarkable storyline. It is very heartwarming, inspiring, and teaches the value of family, friendship, and relationship to God. I recommend this book to ALL readers, most especially those who are suffering from grief and alcohol addiction.
March 23, 2019
I love a really good read, and this book does not disappoint. It's about a young boy--Anthony, who seemed to have it all--great parents, great friends, unusual talent and popularity, and a very promising future in professional baseball. It is also about his best friend--Jesse, a girl who up until the age of ten was forced to live in an extremely dysfunctional home with an alcoholic father who terrorized both Jesse and her mother before being arrested by the legal authorities. Ironically, Jesse's life gets much better as she fights to overcome the scars of her past, while Anthony's life begins to spin out of control after he faces a tragic lost that he never saw coming. Angry and upset at God, while in college Anthony's future in the majors becomes more and more threatened--that is-- until he finally seeks help from the only one, he trusts--his best friend Jesse, who following college had become a nurse. This coming-of-age inspirational, romance book is very inspiring as the author weaves through its pages a wonderful story of love and faith, defeat and victory, and the salvaging of not only a young man's career but his soul as well. A really excellent read. Lee C.
June 8, 2019
Highly Recommend
This was an awesome read! I love the attention to detail in this book. Like the characters, the story itself has so many wonderful layers. It deals with pain, loss, deep addiction, strength, courage and unconditional love. It reminds us that no matter how lost we may feel at times, we are never beyond hope. We are never beyond God’s abundant grace. The richness of this book is the lessons it teaches about the TRUE, redemptive power of uncondtional love...and about how we can be used by God to demonstrate the power of His love for His greater glory. This book was excellent in every way.
This was an awesome read! I love the attention to detail in this book. Like the characters, the story itself has so many wonderful layers. It deals with pain, loss, deep addiction, strength, courage and unconditional love. It reminds us that no matter how lost we may feel at times, we are never beyond hope. We are never beyond God’s abundant grace. The richness of this book is the lessons it teaches about the TRUE, redemptive power of uncondtional love...and about how we can be used by God to demonstrate the power of His love for His greater glory. This book was excellent in every way.
April 2, 2019
This book is amazing! It's a modern day story of a prodigal son who had everything and lost it all when tragedy struck home. It's a story based on second chances and how love overcomes all obstacles. This book sent me on an emotional roller coaster, from heartache to laughter to rooting for the girl to get the guy. I absolutely love this book!! I can't wait to read other works by this talented writer.
May 6, 2019
The book entitled Beyond the Lies is a reminder just how vulnerable we are when we try to correct our lives without the divine intervention of Jesus Christ. We not only lie to other but to ourselves. Beyond the Lies is a moving, powerful and spiritually based book which describes how Jesus Christ can turn our mess into a message.
I highly recommend reading Beyond the Lies.
I highly recommend reading Beyond the Lies.
July 31, 2019
I received a complimentary copy.
A bonding and love experienced through faults and pain. You get humbled along with a mix of other emotions and this book would be great for older ages that could really connect and feel the moments.
A bonding and love experienced through faults and pain. You get humbled along with a mix of other emotions and this book would be great for older ages that could really connect and feel the moments.
January 10, 2020
Received this book personally from the author. Was reluctant to read it, as it seemed to be based on baseball. But, WOW, it was great! I cried four times. Yes, four times and I'm not ashamed to say it. The last time I cried this much while reading a book was the Bridges of Madison County!
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June 8, 2019Highly Recommend
This was an awesome read! I love the attention to detail in this book. Like the characters, the story itself has so many wonderful layers. It deals with pain, loss, deep addiction, strength, courage and unconditional love. It reminds us that no matter how lost we may feel at times, we are never beyond hope. We are never beyond God’s abundant grace. The richness of this book is the lessons it teaches about the TRUE, redemptive power of uncondtional love...and about how we can be used by God to demonstrate the power of His love for His greater glory. This book was excellent in every way.
This was an awesome read! I love the attention to detail in this book. Like the characters, the story itself has so many wonderful layers. It deals with pain, loss, deep addiction, strength, courage and unconditional love. It reminds us that no matter how lost we may feel at times, we are never beyond hope. We are never beyond God’s abundant grace. The richness of this book is the lessons it teaches about the TRUE, redemptive power of uncondtional love...and about how we can be used by God to demonstrate the power of His love for His greater glory. This book was excellent in every way.
May 5, 2019
Enjoyed reading this very powerful book which is God centered and biblical based. Highly recommended reading book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews