Book Jacket

 

rank 1065
word count 15640
date submitted 20.02.2010
date updated 25.04.2010
genres: Fiction, Thriller, Romance, Popular...
classification: adult
complete

From Which We Stem

Patrick Xavier

Stem cells that cure cancer, but only when farmed from the fully-grown fetus. Black market mayhem, mother-hen heroine, and lawyer-doctor lover team in treacherous maze.

 

I found my girlfriend in the garage -- door closed, motor running. I dialed 911, dragged her outside, and started CPR, but by the time paramedics arrived, she was gone.

That was twenty-five years ago, at a time when I was already overburdened with what would prove to be the strangest case of my legal career.

I went into a tailspin, and so did the case. We both survived, but the whole affair would continue to haunt me until I finally put it to rest by writing From Which We Stem.

It’s the story of an estranged couple – a trial attorney and his childless doctor-wife – in a fight for dear life. Ruthless men running a shady surrogate mother scheme are sacrificing fully grown fetuses in order to sell their cancer curing embryonic stem cells on the black market. Somebody has to stop them. Intrigue abounds and a lawsuit leads to an explosive jury trial, while lawyer and doctor rekindle their love, and make their own little miracle of life.
First 10 chapters uploaded. Book is complete at 70,000 words.

 
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tags

abortion, embryonic stem cells, faith, intrigue, jury, legal, love, medical, morality, murder, redemption, religion, romantic, science, suspense, tria...

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197 comments

 

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billysunday wrote 459 days ago

Good dialogue and very fast-paced. At times, I got confused and had to reread. You did have interesting phrases and a great plot. Would recommend. Dina of 33 and Halo of the Damned

billysunday wrote 461 days ago

Great imaginative intro. Very interested-backed and ready to read. Love conspiracy and you sound like a favorite author of mine, Robin Cook. If a chance, a return read would greatly be appreciated. Dina of 33 and Halo of the Damned

Jaye Hill wrote 469 days ago

A complex tale, intriguingly told. You have managed to create a considerable air of menace without anybody, as yet,(chap 5) actually getting hurt which is a great achievement in my book. I'm really looking forward to seeing how all your plot strands mesh together. I didn't find any glaring typos or grammatical glitches. the dialogue was natural and appropriate, if a little sparse, and the settings were authentic (Kelsey's dressing room for example). There were some wonderful lines but I would take another look at 'Their walks were a pabulum that nourished their spirit.' I suspect that one half won't know what pabulum is and the other half will be rather alarmed at the thought! Just joking. I am sure you will have great success with this. Have watchlisted and will shelve when a slot becomes available. Jaye

name falied moderation wrote 660 days ago

Dear Patrick
This is one of the best long pitches on this site, well up there for sure, CONGRATS......Yes i have commented and backed your book, however cannot find the backing so will do it again, because it is WORTH IT and just to make sure
the VERY best of luck
If you have not already , please comment on my book and BACK it if not that is OK also
Denise
The Letter

Owen Quinn wrote 758 days ago

I love this. The pitch is fantastic, shrp, concise and leads you right into the story. This is on pitch alone, worthy of being a movie along the lines of Along came a spider silence of the lambs/ seven. The themes are breathtaking and disturbing. The prose sweeps along and I don't agree with overblown,. This work does not strike me as that of someone who is trying to use big words and narrative to show off, for me it expands the story, not detract from it. But that's the joy of reading, no two people take the same thing from the story, each has their own perspective. Excellent. hope this actually makes it.

CraigD wrote 759 days ago

Nice feeling of foreboding here. I've got your back.
Please consider looking into my book, The Job.
CraigD

plip wrote 761 days ago

Read to the end of ch5, and found a good story unfolding in smooth writing. Except for ch3, where the language jarred. Your language in the first three paragraphs is overblown and the quasi-poetic style does not come off. Okay, that's a personal opinion only, of course. Others may love that. Also I personally think the prologue is redundant. It is possible that you tie in to later chapters with something from that, but if you need anything from that you could work it in elsewhere.
phil/plip

plip wrote 761 days ago

Read to the end of ch5, and found a good story unfolding in smooth writing. Except for ch3, where the language jarred. Your language in the first three paragraphs is overblown and the quasi-poetic style does not come off. Okay, that's a personal opinion only, of course. Others may love that. Also I personally think the prologue is redundant. It is possible that you tie in to later chapters with something from that, butIf you need anything from that you could work it in elsewhere.
phil/plip

mvw888 wrote 762 days ago

I really hope the conservatives don't catch wind of your plot...yet another set-back for stem cell research! This is very well written. I think that the arrangement and execution of your first three chapters is masterful--first the personal introduction to Maria, with an eerie vibe. Then the Chinaman's surveillance, setting the scene for intrigue, both with the surrogate mother place and of course for the Chinaman's role in all of this. And why do they call him that if he isn't? Or is he??? Then you introduce another character in Matthew, the attorney. One minor issue I had: you use the term "defense counsel" without an article like "the." Now, my husband is an attorney so I know that this is how y'all speak but to the general layperson this might be strange. But maybe you do this on purpose because although it's third person, it's Matthew's story. Anyone who has ever watched Law and Order or something similar (most people) would probably be fine with this. Just thought I'd mention. You do a great job of giving us a succinct and detailed view of Matthew in this chapter, both his personal and professional life. Great first three chapters. I would definitely keep reading this if I picked it up at the store.
---Mary
The Quallities of Wood

CarolinaAl wrote 762 days ago

Great premise. Strong characterization. Your descriptions are vivid. For example, your description of Matthew. You enrich your fluent narrative with well-focused metaphors such as 'the sea inside her.' Your dialogue is believable and relevant. Your pacing had me riveted.

Nit:
'Like a lion approaching its prey' is cliche.

This is a masterfully-crafted, gripping thriller. Backed.

robf wrote 763 days ago

Beautiful, powerful, intriguing - definitely worth a spin on my shelf. Robert.

DP Walker wrote 763 days ago

Hi Patrick
Potentially huge. It is so well written you have obviously either done your research well or this is close to home. It flows really smothly and is very professionally written,
Backed
DP Walker
Five Dares

Micheal O'Durcain wrote 764 days ago

Hi
I don't know if the textbooks you quote are real, but they certainly impressed me as well as the jurors (Ch.3)
This so well written and carries such authority that that it reads like an actual account.
Your pitch implies a strong base and that adds to the quality of the book.
I'm putting it on my shelf now.
Naturally I hope you can return a read/back.
Well done and good luck
Backed
Micheal O'Durcain
Murder on the Menu.

Roe wrote 764 days ago

An excellent premise and I am struggling to stop reading. I love this type of book and would definitely buy it.Backed

Mitch Kelly wrote 765 days ago

Patrick,

I was stunned at how quickly you drew me in mate. From the tight prologue to the two very different scenes that follow, you kept hooking me back in.
Really good stuff, definately deserves to be published.

Prologue:
Wow, great start. Twisting the age old 'listen to a shell' into a back-story flashback worked really well, and the hook at the end was brilliant, made me want to read on!

Chapter one:
- After awhile - (a while)
Great tension with repeatedly going for the scope.

Chapter two:
Just kept going strong, couldn't fault anything.

Cheers,
Mitch

Patrick Xavier wrote 765 days ago

Thanks TG

You are tackling a huge story here, Patrick, and you are well equipped (and I will add gifted) to write this story. I was thoroughly engrossed in the first three chapters and I enjoy the crisp, almost objective tone in a story that is ripe with emotion. There is a paced quality here - and when it is in print - it will be a classic page-turner. I think Chinaman is one of the most interesting antagonists, and your matter-of-fact portrayal of him actually adds to what I can only describe as quiet horror. This is excellent work, worthy to be published. I will be reading on.
Backed,
Lizzi
(Out of Sync)

Patrick Xavier wrote 765 days ago

Thanks kb

Wow! Pretty terrific. Normally I am a prologue hater, but you use it the way its intended to be used!

I totally dug your 25 words, lost a little interest in the pitch (mine sucks so I'm not being mean!;-)) But so glad I started reading. I've made it through 8 and am bummed have to stop for now.

Would love a read back--but can see from your popularity--may be in vain!

Love it!
kb

Backing.

Patrick Xavier wrote 765 days ago

Thanks KC

Dear Patrick,
I did not see any evidence of brain damage. You have a grab your seat thriller here. Very, very, riveting. Best of luck with this explosive novel. I think you have a winner. Congratulations.
Caroline
KC Hart
Summer Rose

Patrick Xavier wrote 765 days ago

Thanks John

Dear Patrick

I have read the first few chapters and you do an excellent job of establising the characters. One of the most enjoyable thrillers I have read on this site.

John

LeahPet wrote 765 days ago

This is good work; you write with skill and talent. I don't have nitpicks. I will say that the prologue didn't work for me. There were gems in it, like the first sentence. But as a whole it felt melodramatic and contrived to me.

Still, the writing is great and the first chapter was gripping. Best of luck to you.

Leah Petersen - Mourn the Sun

Caroline Hartman wrote 765 days ago

Dear Patrick,
I did not see any evidence of brain damage. You have a grab your seat thriller here. Very, very, riveting. Best of luck with this explosive novel. I think you have a winner. Congratulations.
Caroline
KC Hart
Summer Rose

Caroline Hartman wrote 765 days ago

Dear Patrick,
I did not see any evidence of brain damage. You have a grab your seat thriller here. Very, very, riveting. Best of luck with this explosive novel. I think you have a winner. Congratulations.
Caroline
KC Hart
Summer Rose

ccpup wrote 765 days ago

Your writing is, for the most part, tight. There's an interesting rhythm in your words which draws the Reader in and captures them, giving only glimpses of what might lie around the corner. And your chapter endings are exactly what they need to be: exclamation points which prompt the Reader to turn the page and continue the journey. I suspect with another thorough edit, you'll have a very strong book.

Happy to give it a spin on my shelf.

Jonathan
MARTUK ... THE HOLY

Thunderbird wrote 767 days ago

Dear Patrick

I have read the first few chapters and you do an excellent job of establising the characters. One of the most enjoyable thrillers I have read on this site.

John

TheMoorecroftDazzlers wrote 767 days ago

Wow! Pretty terrific. Normally I am a prologue hater, but you use it the way its intended to be used!

I totally dug your 25 words, lost a little interest in the pitch (mine sucks so I'm not being mean!;-)) But so glad I started reading. I've made it through 8 and am bummed have to stop for now.

Would love a read back--but can see from your popularity--may be in vain!

Love it!
kb

Backing.

glenn1862 wrote 767 days ago

I have backed this story before... I liked it then, and I like it now.

Paddy Tyrrell wrote 768 days ago

Well written and gripping from the first chapter. You keep up the tension and when time allows I'll read more. Hope you make it to the Ed's desk. Paddy

johnjoch wrote 769 days ago

A good start to a story, was the hit man going to shoot? We don't know why he wants to kill her, that comes later but for a first chapter really great. I am backing this and ask you to look at my book, Three Stayed Home. A different story but hope you enjoy it. I cannot understand why my book keeps ging down, then up as if it has a life of its own. I read and back but never seem to get very far. I suppose at 80, I need some instruction for this site, if you can help I would be very thankful. JohnJ

Mike Lynch wrote 769 days ago

Great long pitch, definitely made me want to read on.

There is no other word for your writing that "slick". It already feels like the genuine article and i wish you luck with the top 5 slot.

Cheers,

Mike

Wilma1 wrote 769 days ago

What a brilliant opening line- ‘Maria’s breasts, abdomen and ankles were so swollen that all she could carry was the life inside her’
You really have an incredible talent and I a in awe of your writing ability. I read two chapters and went to read more but kept getting an Authonomy error message. So I will have to come back and find out what Joan does and if the Chinaman will shoot anyone. This is bound for the Ed desk
Sue Mackender
Knowing Liam Riley

alison woodward wrote 769 days ago

this is realy good, into the story from the start, wel written, backed

alison

Patrick Xavier wrote 770 days ago

Thanks Helen!

Pace, pace and more pace. This is slick and polished. I was interested in the overall theme, now I'm hooked on the plot. Already on my shelf and staying there so i can find it, to read more.
Cheers Helen.

Patrick Xavier wrote 770 days ago
Patrick Xavier wrote 770 days ago

Thanks Sari.

Hi Patrick

What a great story and it immediately put me in mind of John Grisham, but with your own style.
This is fast paced and the story had me absolutely hooked from the very start. It is also very thought provoking.
I would definitely buy this for myself and others if I saw this in a book shop.
Backed with pleasure.
Sarah. T-cup and the Dream Team Fairies

Patrick Xavier wrote 770 days ago

Thanks Rakhi !

This truly captivated me. It has all that I like to read- mystery, drama and romance. You write extremely well and this makes the reader simply enjoy the book. Your characters are very well portrayed and you create such tension through them that the reader gets completely drawn to the characters. This is a great thriller and I hope to see this in publication soon. Backed earlier and I'm happy to read more and comment.
Rakhi (Sir William...)

Patrick Xavier wrote 770 days ago

Thanks Mary!

Get this out there! This has to be published. You are a master of the crafts of writing and your plot and theme is gripping. IT MUST BE PUBLISHED. Let me know when it is, I will buy it. Well done, backed without hessitation, love Mary

M. A. McRae. wrote 770 days ago

You have a good story very likely, and yet I found it awkward to follow. After reading 5 chapters, I'm still unsure who is your MC, or if you actually have one. Your spelling is impeccable, even that you used 'complemented,' spelt correctly and used correctly. 99% of the population would say it should have been 'complimented.' I found the Boldface font in the early chapters irritating, and yet in Chapter 16, it was also an unattractive font. I think you need to amend your presentation, and look at making the story more clear. The easiest way of course, is to have a defined MC, with whom your reader can identify. Good luck with it. It has already climbed high in the ratings, and it's been less than 2 months. Marj.

Helen Ducal wrote 771 days ago

Pace, pace and more pace. This is slick and polished. I was interested in the overall theme, now I'm hooked on the plot. Already on my shelf and staying there so i can find it, to read more.
Cheers Helen.

SareyFairy wrote 771 days ago

Hi Patrick

What a great story and it immediately put me in mind of John Grisham, but with your own style.
This is fast paced and the story had me absolutely hooked from the very start. It is also very thought provoking.
I would definitely buy this for myself and others if I saw this in a book shop.
Backed with pleasure.
Sarah. T-cup and the Dream Team Fairies

SusieGulick wrote 772 days ago

Dear Patrick, I got so excited when I saw that you had backed, "He Loves Me." Thanks so very much. :) Since I have already "backed" & "commented" on your book, I came to your "comment" page to help it advance more. I will also put it on my "watchlist" to hopefully help it move up (everytime someone comments/backs my book, it moves up. Could you please take a moment to back my unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories." I'd be ever so grateful. :)
Love, Susie :)

marywood18 wrote 773 days ago

Get this out there! This has to be published. You are a master of the crafts of writing and your plot and theme is gripping. IT MUST BE PUBLISHED. Let me know when it is, I will buy it. Well done, backed without hessitation, love Mary

Rakhi wrote 774 days ago

This truly captivated me. It has all that I like to read- mystery, drama and romance. You write extremely well and this makes the reader simply enjoy the book. Your characters are very well portrayed and you create such tension through them that the reader gets completely drawn to the characters. This is a great thriller and I hope to see this in publication soon. Backed earlier and I'm happy to read more and comment.
Rakhi (Sir William...)

Patrick Fox wrote 774 days ago

Author with an unimpressive talent spotting rank spots a damn good thriller here. ;)

Lulubanks wrote 775 days ago

This is a good read...your characters are so well drawn they grip my heart...your prose solid and your narration power is quite skilled...backed

SusieGulick wrote 775 days ago

Dear Patrick, I love romance, fiction, & thriller - what a combo. :) Your story is a good read because you create interest by having short paragraphs (you may want to cut the longer ones into 2 or many more for a faster easier more enjoyable read) & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm backing/commenting on your book to help it advance. Could you please return the favor by taking a moment to back/comment on my TWO books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & the unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories." Thanks, Susie :)

Brittany Engstrand wrote 775 days ago

Great writing! Very catchy :) The only thing I'm stuck on is "de la bella mar, mi bella maria"... I was trying to figure out if it's italian or spanish, and I'm thinking italian?? But the translation (in italian) is "the fair mar (or teusday), maria me beautiful." lol... which I also may be a bit wrong and off, but other than that you have an interesting concept, wonderful characters and vivid descrptions. Happy to support this on my shelf!

Brittany
My Last Notes

Patrick Xavier wrote 775 days ago

That is a GREAT pick up on your part. Not sure if it was a typo on my part of if I'm just so used to everyone else in the courtroom saying counsel that I just put it in the docs mouth too.

This is great stuff! Very Dean Koontz-esque with the abrupt shift in plot and short chapters. The plot seems very complex, but you have handled it well and kept your readers hungry for new developments.
One thing that I would suggest is this: when the lawyer has the doctor on the witness stand, the doctor replies to the lawyer and calls him "Counsel." I am just not sure that a doctor would know to call him that. I think perhaps "Counselor" would be a more familiar word for the doc. I know that the judge called the laywer counsel, but in my opinion, that is because that term is familiar in the lexicon so particular to that type of person.
I think this book is sizzling hot, and I enjoyed it very much!
Backed!
Jessica L. Degarmo
How to Meet a Guy at the Food Lion

Jessica L Degarmo wrote 775 days ago

This is great stuff! Very Dean Koontz-esque with the abrupt shift in plot and short chapters. The plot seems very complex, but you have handled it well and kept your readers hungry for new developments.
One thing that I would suggest is this: when the lawyer has the doctor on the witness stand, the doctor replies to the lawyer and calls him "Counsel." I am just not sure that a doctor would know to call him that. I think perhaps "Counselor" would be a more familiar word for the doc. I know that the judge called the laywer counsel, but in my opinion, that is because that term is familiar in the lexicon so particular to that type of person.
I think this book is sizzling hot, and I enjoyed it very much!
Backed!
Jessica L. Degarmo
How to Meet a Guy at the Food Lion

cat5149 wrote 775 days ago

Hi Patrick,

From Which We Stem is a very well written absorbing story. Your writing flows smoothly and your use of description is excellent. Shelved.

Carol

Patrick Xavier wrote 776 days ago

Belated thanks Luke for your kind comments.

Loving it, Patrick, clear, enticing stuff. It kept drawing me on. You have that Michael Crichton knack of finding an up-to-date story and a lucid writing style. Deservedly backed, Luke.