Stephanie Lavenia Swinnea

Stephanie L. Swinnea holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Texas Womans University in Denton, TX and a Master of Divinity Degree from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX. She is an ordained a priest of the Episcopal Church USA. Before becoming a priest, Stephanie was an annual performer as a musician and storyteller at the North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas, TX. She was also an educational consultant for the Texas public schools presenting programs of Irelands stories, history, culture, geography, art, and especially music. While searching for stories about the legendary Saint Patrick, Stephanie discovered the real man behind the myths, Patricius Magonus Sucatus, whose Confession told a story greater than all the myths combined. After four years of research she felt compelled to tell his tale in a medium that makes biographical fi gures come to life, the historical novel. Stephanie is currently developing another historical novel. She has written several screenplays, has received an option on one and is currently working with a producer on another. She also develops Christian Education materials for her parish, which she intends to publish for wider use at a later date. by photographer Tom Cubbage A mature readers adventure into the life of a complicated Saint caught between fear, faith, passion and restraint during the dark days of the crumbling Roman Empire and primitive Ireland.