The Mentor - Paperback

by Ryan M. Shelton (Author)

Vincent Preston is in real trouble. With absentee parents, he raises himself, barely graduating high school, and has one chance to get out of his small town: baseball. He has a strong arm, but unfortunately he is wild, out of control. Thankfully, his English teacher, Mrs. Dean, introduces him to her husband, "Grandpa Dean," a gruff WWII veteran and former Major League Baseball scout who missed his shot when he was injured in the war. He is riddled with cancer and is looking for one last chance at atonement for carrying around his anger for so long. Vincent's mentor teaches him not only how to take advantage of his natural talent, but to trust in God. He'll need his newfound faith in Christ to overcome his shady coach, the coach's bully of a son, and the local drug dealer, all of whom are intent on wrecking his dreams.

Author Biography

Ryan's passion for writing began with his first letter to Santa. He's been writing in some capacity ever since and especially loves to pen stories about the great outdoors and sports. He earned his bachelor's degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and teaches high school English and coaches tennis. A family man, Ryan is active in his church and loves to serve his community. Ryan can be seen booting routine ground balls on the dusty softball fields when he's not on a river, changing his daughter's diaper, or helping his boys with their Pinewood Derby cars. Ryan, his wife Angela, and their three children live in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The Mentor is Ryan's first published novel.