9 Days 'Til Sunday (PB) (2008)

It would seem that Randall Carter, known to his family and friends as Randy, was a target of fate. An African-American young man, he was hit by a vicious rumor that he was dating a white girl. Although it was a lie, his family's life was turned upside down and they were forced to move from their comfortable home. His many problems with women made Randy celibate, but then he met a beautiful girl who seemed his perfect soul mate and loved him in return. Then a tragedy occurred that affected him so much he renounced his religious convictions and fell into a deep depression. Randy had an accident and near death experience that made him a changed man. He became a preacher, telling people how he had been to Hell and back. He also became a successful businessman, author, educator and prominent citizen in his community. But a long buried secret from his eighteenth year surfaces and once again his life is turned upside down.