Onsted: Mother and daughter team up to write adventure story

ONSTED, Mich. (AP) -- An Onsted woman and her daughter have teamed up to pen a Christian fantasy-themed book of a young man on a journey of self-discovery and adventure. Carol Marsh and her daughter, Deborah, recently self-published "The Birth of a King," a 464-page book that Carol said addresses the topic of morality through a tale of adventure, humor and danger. "The Birth of a King" is the story of a young man, Jaren, raised as an orphan in a scholars' hall. Marsh said the world as he knows it is filled with hopelessness and distrust brought on by the domination of what she calls "ruthless and cruel Dragonmasters." Jaren eventually flees the school and follows a stranger in a journey across the land of Kinthoria. Along the way, Marsh said, he learns about himself and the existence of God, and discovers his purpose in life as he travels with his newfound companions. Carol said the idea for the book was developed by Deborah who, while serving in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, began writing down character traits she admired about her brother, Darin. It was a way to cope with being away from family during her deployment, she said. "Deborah said she really admires him and what an honest and upright person he is," Carol said. Carol said she and Deborah, who is currently serving as a master chief with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves, have worked on the book "off and on" in the years since Deborah's tour of duty in Iraq. The volume was published last year by Xulon Press, a Christian-based, self-publishing printing company in Florida. Carol said friends and neighbors have offered positive feedback on their efforts, adding she is encouraged by the reviews left at online bookstore sites. "We already have 20 chapters written for the next installment," Carol said of her and Deborah's efforts to produce another book about Jaren's adventures. Published: Wed, Mar 30, 2011