About This Book
Heart patient Bernie Higgins is offered a deal on the operating table. The Grim Reaper, represented by the night orderly named Joe, will spare his life if he becomes his apprentice and will turn into a greedy, unscrupulous person for his old age. There is only one thing between Bernie's eternal perdition and a perhaps blessed salvation, his conscience, represented by Diana Artemis, the daytime nurse and minor divinity and the protector of trees, who dwells deep in the Florida woods and unending swamps. Bitter and disappointed with his life Bernie seizes the opportunity the dark side offers and convinces his wife, Sonja to liquidate their assets, buy a Winnebago and going to plush resorts, start hustle people and swindle them out of their money. Great prospects and unlimited vistas open in front of them, and they successfully commit several insurance frauds and money is pouring in. On the initial proceeds Bernie buys himself a lucrative financial administrator position at a large bridge construction project in Eastern Europe with huge possibilities to embezzle and cheat. Bernie and Sonja develop different agendas and their marriage suffers, they separated and Bernie falls in love with Diana and Sonja allows several suitors to approach her. Joe, the Grim Reaper is pleased with Bernie's progress, turning into a bad person, but he wants all the profits and kidnaps Sonja and in collusion with a shady group demands a huge ransom from Bernie. Will Bernie steal big time, pay the ransom and save his ex-wife or will he be happy with her demise. On whose side will Diana stand, will she be able to convince Bernie that being good is more rewarding than being bad and will Diana help Bernie to find and rescue Sonja from her horrible predicament in the hands of the mob, swamp farmers and the devil himself. Will Bernie become a better man at the end, will he live happily with Diana and write his book, and will Sonja find her real calling in life, her spiritual freedom based on the wisdom of Zen and in the perfect union of mind and material?
