David Yates
Author
Together Series/Cancer Sucks
TOGETHER SERIES
ALWAYS TOGETHER
Early in her life, Rosalie Collins knew that one day she would find the one person who would love and respect her unconditionally. And she did, but society objected, and she was disowned by her father, a Pastor at a local church, because of her choice. Rosalie settled into a new life as a single mother, achieved a PHD in mental health, and became a pioneer in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
As a high-school senior, James Johnson was offered a professional baseball contract, but was drafted by Uncle Sam, sent to Vietnam, and became a prisoner-of-war before again setting foot in his hometown of West Palm Beach, FL. Diagnosed with severe "Shell Shock" - later renamed PTSD - he spent the next forty years seeking help for a disorder that the government and most of society refused to recognize, and one that controlled his life.
BOOK 1
BOOK 2
STILL TOGETHER
Rosalie and James had found true love during their high-school years; it swept over them in a way that was undeniable. It filled their souls and never waned. Most people think that the chances of such love are "a million to one" - especially when that love blooms in an era when black and white students didn't mix, didn't talk to each other, didn't even attend the same high school.
The odds were heavily stacked against the young lovers. The possibility of sharing their lives until "death do us part" seemed to have been snatched from their grasp by a society that feared change. Yet, when a love such as theirs exists, there is always a chance they will somehow find one another, no matter how impossible the odds.
But now, the years were passing. Time was running out. And unknown to either of them, there were people searching for the black and white roses, roses that were rumored to tell the location of the Holy Grail, if one existed.
Was there a connection between the two who now held the roses and the Holy Grail? Can their million-to-one love beat impossible odds to bring them together again?
FOREVER TOGETHER
Through a series of astounding circumstances, Rosalie and James are finally together again after fifty-three years of separation, separation that was difficult, but they never gave up hope. For four grateful months, they delight in the deep love they share-but then, there world together begins to crumble around them. Someone still knows about the roses. Is it a stalker from the past, a connection to the Vietnam War, or someone that is now around them? Whoever it is, is out to get James and Rosalie, and perhaps their entire family.
Meanwhile, infighting and intrigue challenge the work at St. Anthony's. Through seemingly impossible circumstances due to COVID, lives are lost, the course of history and therapy must change- all while the women of the family soldier on and James considers his options for keeping his new family safe. Who already knows the secrets the family is holding? How can they get the roses to a safe place and stop their pursuers? Who can take the roses without starting World War III?
BOOK 3
BOOK 4
ETERNALLY TOGETHER
After making a great show of the roses to the Vatican, Rosalie and James felt relieved—after all, these roses represented the Holy Grail, Jesus’ intent for the world to become one and live in peace. But somehow, someone still knew that they had the original roses in their possession—and that someone would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.
After an altar boy witnesses the murder of a bishop, the police believe that Rosalie and James are involved in the boy’s disappearance. The peaceful life they imagined becomes shattered by harassment, arrests, and murders as they attempt to defend themselves, locate the missing altar boy—and in the process, uncovering a scandal within the church that spans generations.
Their search takes them to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where a string of stunning discoveries link children and parents in at least two countries to the scandal. But on their return to the States, James is captured and imprisoned by unknown assailants—except for one man he recognizes. Will he be forced to turn over the roses?
Who is—and where is—the altar boy who appears to be the key to this mystery?
SPIRITUALLY TOGETHER
At long last, Rosalie and James are settling into the togetherness they had planned almost sixty years ago! But in retirement, they aren’t sitting still: Their chosen legacy is to reopen the infamous Holy Heart and make it a non-profit for pregnant women ostracized by family or society. But the mounting opposition to Holy Heart’s reopening makes them wonder: Who’s behind it? Are these people connected to the roses?
Although Professor Martin Loshman—who seemed to be the man behind most of their troubles—was recently reported murdered by a motorcycle gang, is Loshman actually dead? If he is, then who is still searching for the roses?
When James’ curiosity leads him to discover another secret tunnel, he makes a spine-chilling discovery: an underground apartment where pictures of his entire family are posted on one wall, and a series of X-ed out photos posted on an adjacent wall—photos of those murdered in their pursuit of the roses. But four photos still have not been crossed out—why? Who will be next?
BOOK 5
BOOK 6
Love Never Dies
After nearly a lifetime apart, James and Rosalie have been joyously together for over five years—but not without danger, dirty dealings, and direct attempts on their lives. As the excitement of opening Holy Heart seems to settle down, more intrigue is headed their way. Although they have survived and even thrived in their later years, they’re beginning to feel as if being involved in running Holy Heart is more than they can handle.
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Besides new health crises, unexplained dangers plague them as more murders are discovered and more questions arise—even in the sanctuary of Holy Heart. From vicious coffee-throwing attacks to mothers who appear to be in a time warp, to Jana’s complete disappearance and James’s search for her, they seek answers—and don’t always like what they find!
Is one person or several after the roses—and their owners? Do the police care, or are they covering for someone with ill intent? Who might be a Judas among the members of the family? Are James and Rosalie destined to leave this life soon?
Through another round of intense dangers that end up in literal fireworks, the couple and their family remain together, fueled by James’ good cooking, endless pizza, and organic red Chilean and Argentinian wine.