SURRENDER to the DRIFT

BY MORGAN CRONIN

In his novel “Drift of Fate,” John Bernhard begins by situating readers in the heart of West Texas. We are introduced to Brett Beasley, a wandering man in the throes of divorce and tragedy. Brett, a middle-aged Ad-Executive and former Navy SEAL originally from Houston, finds himself stranded in the West Texas desert near the fictional town of Yellow Spring. In Yellow Spring, Brett meets a fellow traveler, a beautiful young woman named Kathy, who is set on hitchhiking to California. For the few days that Brett is stranded in Yellow Spring, he and Kathy foster a passion and romance that, little do they know, sets in motion the story and unfolding of their interconnected lives.

When we meet Brett in the middle of the West Texas desert, we are presented with a mirror that reflects not only the vast landscape, but the complex interior of Brett’s inner life. “I had almost become a living corpse, alive only under the influence.”

This is a man who has suffered some blows from a brutal divorce. Understandably, Brett feels as barren as the terrain, that is until he meets Kathy. “Kathy was a complex woman, a blend of society and artistry.” It is Kathy who gives Brett a glimmer of hope and serves as a North star, always too far to touch, but bright enough to navigate in the dark.

After Yellow Spring, we follow Brett to sunny San Diego where he reconnects with his Navy SEAL friends and starts a new life and career as a writer, drawing inspiration from greats like Hemingway. In writing Brett contextualizes his past experience. He produces a best seller that opens doors, bestows new opportunities, and puts his life on a different path. www.salustiano.com

Through a series of fortunate twists, Brett finds his way back to Kathy and their story unfolds with a poignant realization— life’s crucial moments often defy our expectations, and destiny has a way of revealing itself in unexpected ways.

The novel’s strength lies not only in its narrative arc but also in the layers of inspiration that influenced its creation. The first layer, a deep love story, serves as a guiding light for those in pursuit of love. Bernhard’s prose delicately captures the enduring strength of love, urging readers to fearlessly chase their dreams. Through Brett’s journey, love emerges as a transformative force that transcends time and circumstance.

“Drift of Fate” by John Bernhard takes readers on a journey through an intricate tapestry of love and marriage, the storm of divorce and grief, and the foundational pillars of life that inevitably lead each of us to our fate and fortune. Though there may be missteps along the way, these are the footprints that guide us toward our most profound experiences. “Drift of Fate” succeeds not only as a love story but as a nuanced exploration of the human experience.