Born of the Heart

Piety Barlow lives in an oppressive village ruled by her father, Reverend Barlow. A venerated man, he appears next to sainthood for his stirring sermons delivered to his devoted flock. But looks can be deceiving—after all, even the devil can quote scripture.

Piety’s ill-fated life seems destined for one of utter servitude, destined that is, until mysterious Mayans from deep within the folds of the Yucatan arrive, magnetic strangers with a desperate message regarding Piety’s imperial heritage—a secret her devout father would break all commandments to conceal.

Alone and terrified amidst a quagmire of lies and uncertainty, Piety seeks comfort in a forbidden affair. But fighting for love in an unaccepting decade isn’t the only battle in store for Piety. She must endure a death-defying journey of self-discovery from her roots of the former emperor of France to the deepest, darkest jungles of a lost empire.

About the Author:

Angela J. Townsend is a filmmaker and a traditionally published, award-winning author of gothic suspense. Angela is a proud member of the Author’s Guild in NYC. Angela is represented by the former Vice President of Paramount Pictures, M. Kenneth Suddleson. She has a motion picture, the Forlorned based on one of her books and many others coming soon.

In 2018 Angela won a notable trademark lawsuit over her book title, The Forlorned. The person who sued Angela is a convicted child sex offender who had filed dozens of malicious and frivolous lawsuits against other innocent parties. The case ended up in the US Supreme Court, and winning freed Angela from years of harassment from what the press is calling “Trademark Trolls.”

Angela wants you to know: If you or someone you love is being stalked, sued and or harassed, please get professional help. Stalking can be deadly–often victims feel alone. Angela recently formed Authors Unite Against Bullies. She hopes to help others who are being bullied and victims of frivolous lawsuits. To read more about her inspiring story of courage and hope.