Saints and Sinners Book Promotions is proud to present a debut novel by debut author Avelyn Paige!!
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Evie Carter has faced trials and tribulations her entire life. Her teenage years have been ripped away from her as she battles cancer. Just when things can’t get any worse, her doctor delivers the news that it’s finally time to make a life or death decision. Her options are limited and come with deadly consequences. The miracle drug that is meant to save her life changes her on a cellular level. She might not be damaged anymore, but she might just be damned in her new life.
As I return his gaze, my heart seems to stop and time slows to a screeching halt. There’s nothing else that he can do to save me. The only chance I have now is to trust that these researchers in their government funded laboratories have discovered some miracle drug that might give me my life back. I lean back into my pillows clutching the black and gold fleece Purdue blanket my eight year old niece, Shay, made me when my hospital stays increased to weeks instead of days. Touching the soft fleece helps my rapid heartbeat slow down and allows my mind to consider the options. I close my eyes and consider what I have to gain if I could through with the drug trials. It could help me lead a normal life if it works or it could take away the quality of life in the time I have left. I know deep down I want to live and this trial could mean everything in my battle. After what seems like hours, even though it was only a few minutes in reality, I open my eyes and look for my parents. They are both sitting in the blue plastic covered recliners in my room holding each other’s hands with their foreheads pressed together in what I am assuming is prayer. They hear the plastic move on my hospital bed as I shift trying to make myself as comfortable as I can with all the tubes coming out of me and they turn their faces towards me. The look on my mother’s face tells me that they know I’m about to make the decision that will forever change our family. A decision that I don’t even think they would have the strength to make on my behalf. I turn my eyes to Dr. Bob, who is still sitting on the edge of my bed waiting for my decision. It takes me a few seconds to realize that I hold the keys to my life in what I’m about to say. As I open my lips the tears finally begin to flow. I utter quietly as I wipe away my tears, “I want to do the trial. Where do I sign?”
Avelyn Paige is a born and raised Indiana girl. She may be a Hoosier by birth, but she’s a Boilermaker by choice! Avelyn lives in rural Indiana with her pastor husband, 2 spoiled cats, and one very odd looking dog. She’s an oncology research scientist by day and a writer and book review blogger by night. She enjoys reading anything she can get her hands, baking, and spending time with her friends and family.
Never intending on ever writing her own book, the idea behind the Damaged series came to her on a drive to work early one morning thinking about her father who’d recently passed away. His strength during his cancer and rare blood disease battle inspired Avelyn to do something she’s never thought about before. She’s excited to see where this wild ride takes her.
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