Book Description
Set in Washington, DC and the US island territory of St. Croix, Tithe of Blood is the coming of age story of Hope Taylor. Growing up in Contentment, a small, close-knit community in St. Croix, Hope is a feisty, energetic, beauty who develops an early interest in public service. In high school, she is valedictorian and president of her senior class and voted most likely to succeed by her peers. One thing is clear--her political aspirations have no limits. When Hope arrives on the Howard University campus in Washington, DC her freshman year, she meets and falls in love with Wes Carter, a former Army Sergeant. Hope's ambition is equaled only to Wes' and the relationship is doomed. Later, when she gets the coveted White House intern position, she meets the political insider Trent Williams. After a brief courtship, Hope marries Trent in a lavish ceremony in St. Croix. All of Contentment attend the wedding and cheer their beloved daughter. Hope is not aware that on the surface Trent appears to be a successful attorney and political advisor to Washington's elite, but underneath he is a functional manic depressive with dark secrets from his childhood. It is not long before Trent's deteriorating mental condition endangers her life and she becomes a victim of his psychotic, violent episodes. Hope has a choice to make. She can choose to seek help or continue the charade in order to prevent a public relations nightmare and jeopardize her political career. Her choice will forever change her life and the lives of the people around her. Tithe of Blood is written with bluntness as it follows the timely political and emotional journey of Hope Caryn Taylor.