Assured his destiny is in his own hands, John crosses the globe in pursuit of a religious artefact which has remained hidden for two thousand years. Presented with an antique box containing maps, parchments and a bag of leaves, John returns to the UK and witnesses a miracle. With the box in his possession, John and his family find new friends and enemies; lives are threatened and people die, although some will be healed. With the help of many different people, from all walks of life, John's journey will finally lead him to the discovery of an extraordinary and mysterious tree.
But what will this Eden tree mean to John, his family, their faith and their future? The Eden Tree is author Peter Worthington's first novel; a fictional account based on his own experiences with his son, John Wesley, who underwent treatment for cancer but sadly passed away shortly after his seventh birthday. The Eden Tree has allowed Peter to give his much-loved son "a happier ending."
I was born Peter Worthington in Congleton in Cheshire on Feb 14th in 1950, the youngest of three boys. My dad worked for the Automobile Association and my mum was mostly a housewife but did various jobs to aid the family. I had a very happy childhood often spending time climbing trees, making rafts on the canal and playing with friends. From such a raft - made from a door and oil drums - we set fire to a wasps’ nest and had to dive into the black canal waters. We emerged covered in mud, scum and weeds. I also have a big scar on my leg from crashing out of a tree when scrimping for pears.
Highlights of my life were either at home or at my grandparents who had a small-holding in Somerford near to Holmes Chapel. I spent many summers washing lettuce, collecting tomatoes or serving on their stall at the markets. In those days markets had livestock auctions which emitted wonderful sights and sounds and unpleasant smells. Fascinating times for a youngster.
After passing my 11 plus I attended Sandbach Grammar School and left in 1966 with five O levels to work for ICI a pharmaceutical company. Jobs were plentiful and I moved several times. Experimenting with alcohol and gambling I think I was searching for more meaning to life. At 19, working for a couple as a Dental laboratory assistant, I surprisingly to many, became a Christian and attended Bible College in Kenley, Surrey, from 1971-73 where I met my wife Margaret. We married on August 18th in 1973 in South Wales and honeymooned on the Gower peninsular.
Our first pastorate was in Louth a lovely market town in Lincolnshire. Our second church was in Ipswich, Suffolk. The Full Gospel Church grew and expanded its facilities, attracting USA service personnel from nearby bases. Rachel our daughter was born in 1975 in Louth and Wesley in January 1977 two weeks before we moved to Ipswich. Calvin, our third child was born in 1980.
During our Wesley’s illness from 1980 I left full-time Christian ministry in 1981 to better cope with the transient nature of our lives. It is difficult to describe the disruption as every other week Wesley was in either GOSH or the Ipswich Hospital. My wife and I were often separated for days as I also struggled with looking after our other children. I devoted myself to sales until Wesley passed away in 1984. I remember speaking at his funeral as six hundred crowded into Bethesda Baptist church to give Wesley a good farewell. Afterwards the hearse had to be pushed in heavy snow towards the crematorium.
To be nearer to my ageing parents we moved to Dudley in 1987 where we lived for fifteen years. I worked mainly in Financial sales but it was also in Dudley I obtained A levels in Psychology and English Literature. I was bitten with the learning bug and have continued Further Education until this day.
When we moved to Bromsgrove in Worcestershire in 2002 I was running an internet business until I retired when diagnosed with prostate cancer. Since treatment -which continues - my health has been restored. Now I keep busy with my two remaining children, three grand-children, study for an OU degree, voluntary work, playing World of Warcraft, serving on the board of a housing association, and writing.
The Eden Tree is my first novel. “In my novel I am able to give a happier ending as my characters encounter a mysterious box with healing leaves. I’ve always been fascinated by religious mystery and have wondered many times what would happen if the tree of life in Eden still existed. In my novel I explore that theme and the consequences of discovering The Eden Tree.”
About Peter Worthington
Today Peter Worthington lives in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire with his wife Margaret. Peter has enjoyed a bright and varied career as a church minister, financial adviser and internet consultant. Now retired he is busier than ever thanks to his three grandchildren, studying for an Open University Degree in Creative Writing, voluntary work, playing World of Warcraft, serving on the board of a housing association and writing. He has previously published short stories in a number of Christian magazines.
Author Spotlight
I was born Peter Worthington in Congleton in Cheshire on Feb 14th in 1950, the youngest of three boys. My dad worked for the Automobile Association and my mum was mostly a housewife but did various jobs to aid the family. I had a very happy childhood often spending time climbing trees, making rafts on the canal and playing with friends. From such a raft - made from a door and oil drums - we set fire to a wasps’ nest and had to dive into the black canal waters. We emerged covered in mud, scum and weeds. I also have a big scar on my leg from crashing out of a tree when scrimping for pears.
Highlights of my life were either at home or at my grandparents who had a small-holding in Somerford near to Holmes Chapel. I spent many summers washing lettuce, collecting tomatoes or serving on their stall at the markets. In those days markets had livestock auctions which emitted wonderful sights and sounds and unpleasant smells. Fascinating times for a youngster.
After passing my 11 plus I attended Sandbach Grammar School and left in 1966 with five O levels to work for ICI a pharmaceutical company. Jobs were plentiful and I moved several times. Experimenting with alcohol and gambling I think I was searching for more meaning to life. At 19, working for a couple as a Dental laboratory assistant, I surprisingly to many, became a Christian and attended Bible College in Kenley, Surrey, from 1971-73 where I met my wife Margaret. We married on August 18th in 1973 in South Wales and honeymooned on the Gower peninsular.
Our first pastorate was in Louth a lovely market town in Lincolnshire. Our second church was in Ipswich, Suffolk. The Full Gospel Church grew and expanded its facilities, attracting USA service personnel from nearby bases. Rachel our daughter was born in 1975 in Louth and Wesley in January 1977 two weeks before we moved to Ipswich. Calvin, our third child was born in 1980.
During our Wesley’s illness from 1980 I left full-time Christian ministry in 1981 to better cope with the transient nature of our lives. It is difficult to describe the disruption as every other week Wesley was in either GOSH or the Ipswich Hospital. My wife and I were often separated for days as I also struggled with looking after our other children. I devoted myself to sales until Wesley passed away in 1984. I remember speaking at his funeral as six hundred crowded into Bethesda Baptist church to give Wesley a good farewell. Afterwards the hearse had to be pushed in heavy snow towards the crematorium.
To be nearer to my ageing parents we moved to Dudley in 1987 where we lived for fifteen years. I worked mainly in Financial sales but it was also in Dudley I obtained A levels in Psychology and English Literature. I was bitten with the learning bug and have continued Further Education until this day.
When we moved to Bromsgrove in Worcestershire in 2002 I was running an internet business until I retired when diagnosed with prostate cancer. Since treatment -which continues - my health has been restored. Now I keep busy with my two remaining children, three grand-children, study for an OU degree, voluntary work, playing World of Warcraft, serving on the board of a housing association, and writing.
The Eden Tree is my first novel. “In my novel I am able to give a happier ending as my characters encounter a mysterious box with healing leaves. I’ve always been fascinated by religious mystery and have wondered many times what would happen if the tree of life in Eden still existed. In my novel I explore that theme and the consequences of discovering The Eden Tree.”
About Peter Worthington
Today Peter Worthington lives in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire with his wife Margaret. Peter has enjoyed a bright and varied career as a church minister, financial adviser and internet consultant. Now retired he is busier than ever thanks to his three grandchildren, studying for an Open University Degree in Creative Writing, voluntary work, playing World of Warcraft, serving on the board of a housing association and writing. He has previously published short stories in a number of Christian magazines.
His first novel, The Eden Tree (published by Clink Street Publishing 19th July 2016 RRP £8.99 paperback, RRP £2.99 ebook) is available to purchase from online retailers including amazon.co.uk and to order from all good bookstores.
For more information you can follow Peter @CatshillPeter or visit http://www.edentree.co/
Magdalena, Thank you so much for featuring my debut novel on your blog as part of my Blog Tour. I am thrilled! I appreciate the time and commitment you give to writers and wish you every success.
ReplyDeletePeter