Conviction

Ten years ago, Braden believed God promised his family would stay together. That promise has proven false: his older brother Trey has been estranged for nearly a decade, and his father—Braden's only parent and a well-known Christian radio host—has been arrested for murder. The arrest has drawn national media attention, and Braden is the key witness in his father's upcoming trial. Braden has always found identity through baseball. As the star pitcher in the small town of Ornette, his ninety-four mile per hour pitch has already attracted minor league scouts during his junior year. Now his sport—once his refuge—becomes complicated. He must play against Alex Reyes, the nephew of the police officer his father is accused of killing. Facing an impossible choice that will shape the rest of his life, Braden must navigate questions of family, faith, and conviction in this debut novel.