Trevor Stokes

Willow's Reach Trevor Stokes

Publisher Marketing: Resisting the urge to stay in bed, his decision to walk into town for a coffee changes Richard's life permanently and ultimately has a devastating effect on his entire family as well as his neighbours in the tranquil village of Willow's Reach. Meeting Surraya under particularly disagreeable circumstances, the developing relationship exposes the extent of prejudice within both families and among the residents of the Dorset village, possessively trying to safeguard their comfortable way of life in middle England. A siege mentality develops within the small community, unearthing people's natural predisposition toward xenophobia with dire consequences. Simultaneously following the strong developing friendship between a teenage outcast, Andy, and his extraordinary newfound friends, Mally and Ali, whose shared feeling of being marginalised only serves to strengthen the bond between them, enabling the three teenagers to overcome tremendous upheavals in their lives. The two storylines, seemingly unrelated, occasionally cross paths until their connection eventually becomes apparent. Willow's Reach is a contemporary story highlighting the changes taking place in our multicultural society where the myth that people can live together peacefully makes no allowance for outside influences. It's a story of love, friendship, intolerance, hate and manipulation. Contributor Bio:  Stokes, Trevor Karen S. Budd, PhD, is professor of psychology and former director of clinical training at DePaul University in Chicago, IL .