Gary E. LaForrest, Novelist -- Dubious Identity
Former Bay Cityan Gary E. LaForrest Publishes Novel, "Dubious Identity"
Seaborne Thriller Turns Love Story After Hero Thwarts Shipboard Assassins
October 12, 2009
By: Dave Rogers
Several years ago Gary E. LaForrest, native Bay Cityan and veteran of U.S. Army service, and his wife experienced stalking by a gang in three countries of Europe.
Their own trials caused the former Consumers Power Company safety and health supervisor to write an adventure novel -- set, however, in the 18th Century.
Instead of Gary E. LaForrest, of Midland, graduate of Bay City Central High and Saginaw Valley State University, the hero is young Henry Cliffer, an English midshipman who rises to commander.
"Based on research, travel and personal adventure, the author brings intriguing warmth to a novel you may not soon forget," states the publisher.
This is an exciting adventure novel of a young English lad in the 1700's who, on a voyage alone to France, who suffers an injury resulting in amnesia.
Not knowing who he is he struggles to survive in France. With his family and sweetheart back in England, meeting the beautiful French girl Angelique gives his turbulent life new meaning as she stands by him and his decisions, including the one to answer an inner call to return to sea.
He ends up back on his training ship, barely escaping death from treacherous fellow officers who had tried to do him in during his first voyage.
The attacks are linked to his father, who had been a ship captain and had incurred enemies unbeknownst to young Cliffer.
Added intrigue is provided by the murder of his mother and the pursuit of the killers, complete with strange embossed leather money pouches providing clues and mysterious strangers who threaten his life.
At the forefront of every thought, however, is the question of his real identity. As a highly disciplined and moral young man, he confronts one challenge after another in his pursuit to find this identity, unaware this will cause his new life to collide with his old world.
Mr. LaForrest's novel will transport you to the swashbuckling days of European adventure, replete with counts, admirals, captains and squires as well as two beauteous maidens, Angelique and Sarah, creating an enviable dilemma for him.
Readers will be delighted by the surprise twist to Henry's dilemma with the two young women and by the happy ending with a glamorous wedding.
The 343 pages of adventure are summed up in the last paragraph of the book: "As Henry looked at the people who were wishing them well, he thought back on the last few years and how he was snatched from the jaws of death, only to be given heaven on earth. Not one minute of his life would he change, even the period of his dubious identity."
The book ($17.95, DuForte Publishing, Midland, Michigan) is available through amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and local bookstores. Mr. LaForrest has another novel slated for release soon entitled "Forged Gentleman."