Liquid Denial: A Novel of Recovery & Redemption

Henry Mueller is a husband, a father, creative and an alcoholic in recovery. After thirteen years sober his business fails and his ego takes a beating. Then the day comes when a drink sounds like the solution. After a fight with his wife he is arrested and faced with court ordered rehab to avoid jail. Twenty eight days later his family is not ready to welcome him home. With nowhere to go and a court date ahead of him, he white knuckles it while struggling with his precarious sobriety. An opportunity presents itself and he accepts an offer from a friend to drive a rental truck from Texas to Maine. It offers escape and some desperately needed cash. His sponsor and wife warn against it. Despite their concerns Henry embarks on a journey with his "Normie" friend Gary. While on the highways and byways of the Eastern United States, Henry struggles with his demons and tries to discover himself on the open road. The only question is - will he discover a man willing to spend his days clean and sober, or an alcoholic searching oblivion in a bottle?

John A. Smyth is an author, artist and speaker. He lives in San Diego California with his family.