The Race

by E Z Monreal, Tatiana Villa (Illustrations), Nicolas Nelson (Editor)

Six years after the Rodney King riots, Earl Williams is stabbed to death at a high school Valentines' dance - one more black victim in the predominantly Hispanic Boyle Heights neighborhood of LA. Jackie Rodriguez surfaces as the prime suspect when former friendsand family members conspire against him in order to save their own necks and retain control of their small but lucrative drug business. Years later, from the visitors' room of the Susanville State Prison, Jackie unloads his life story to Pastor Bill, his long-time pastor and friend. Jackie dreams of walking the streets of his neighborhood again, reconnecting with his life-long friend Teresa, and above all, having his name cleared of murder. But there are powerful forces at work to make sure that never happens. Bobby and Danny, the two witnesses whose testimony resulted in his conviction, are savoring the dream life of drug lords. Jackie's twenty-five year to life sentence looms over him. Only a miracle crafted in heaven could alter his circumstances.

206 pages, Paperback

Published January 30, 2017