Book excerpt: Charley Alcott has always lived in the shadow of his older brother John. Compared to the handsome John, Charley was soft spoken, average looking and most likely to be ignored by people. But Charley was about to embark on a life-changing journey that would take him back to Charley’s Lake. Readers can follow him in this fascinating novel by Art Zahn. Brother John was taller than Charley and quite handsome. He was outgoing, suave, and shrewd—a carbon copy of their mother, Claire. He was clearly Claire’s favorite while Charley was the often-neglected second. Charley never understood his mother’s cold treatment of him, but it left him feeling insecure despite his achievements. The only place that he truly felt welcome was Lake Charles, which he has fondly nicknamed Charley’s Lake. When Charley became a lawyer, he was given a position with the prestigious law fi rm, Penicutt, Black, Rivers, and Penicutt. Due to his timidity, he was given menial tasks for three years. A rare chance in the courtroom resulted in a blunder, which sent Charley into the claims department of family owned Vesuvius Insurance Company. Claire and John had no idea what surprises were in store for them with this change. And at age twenty-eight, Charley Alcott decided he would search for his true identity. Will he fi nd the answers he is looking for in his haven, at Charley’s Lake? Readers can fi nd out as they follow his metamorphosis in this captivating read.