It was during his early education, courtesy of St. Veronica's Catholic School, that the seeds of disbelief were sown. Every lesson, every lecture, every function at the school was laced with the grace of God and the authority of the church. God could take care of you, but only with the permission of the church...One wrong move, one errant word, and damnation!

An abuse victim struggles to overcome his traumatic childhood in James A. Lewis's heartrending debut novel, Stained.

Still reeling over the death of his sister, and constantly fighting with his overbearing mother, Anthony finally seems to have found a kindred spirit in his new choir director, Ron.

But his newfound friend proves to be a monster, molesting Anthony and tearing down his Catholic faith bit by bit.

As Anthony grows up, completes college, and launches a successful career, it seems that he has put his past behind him. His string of tattered relationships, torturous struggles over his sexuality, and looming depression, however, prove otherwise.

His sessions with a patient therapist lead Anthony toward a crushingly painful awakening that leads to a meeting with his abuser-but can it ultimately lead to forgiveness?