Temptation of Father Bell (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781977245939)

Priesthood is open to men only. It's been that way for centuries in the Catholic church and is often referred to as a vocation...a special calling by God himself. But men are not perfect. Like the first apostles, they are flawed human beings, and can succumb to temptation. They can seek forgiveness, be sincere in their determination to sin no more, and receive absolution...like all of us humans. But then a secondary temptation may emerge: the cover up.

Meet the friends who went through the seminary together and have known each other for twenty years. They are musically talented and meet each month for the sheer enjoyment of making music. They play on occasion for charity functions to the delight of parishioners. None were for pay until now. This venue is much different. They are asked to do a favor for a friend and fill in for a band of musicians who unexpectedly canceled their slot in a Manhattan nightclub. It leads to three consecutive Fridays, their clerical status a secret.

The lead singer, Father David Bell, is captivated by a female fan, Susie, and after the third Friday performance, the two rendezvous for a cocktail and end up in bed. On the 2AM drive back from Brooklyn to Dave's parked car in Manhattan, Susie hits a pedestrian. The street is deserted, and David and Susie rationalize the decision to flee the scene. David and Susie both have reasons for concealing their involvement and agree that they can call for help once they return to Manhattan. David alerts 9-1-1 but he doesn't provide his name. He justifies this decision as protecting the church from embarrassment should the truth get out.

Law enforcement tracks Father David Bell via his cell phone. After face-to-face interrogation, Dave admits that he was near the scene of the accident that morning, with a woman. He confesses to breaking his vow of celibacy but says that the screech of tires came from behind. The driver of that vehicle stopped so Dave and his companion kept going, under the assumption that an animal ran into the driver's path. He claimed that he had second thoughts when they got back to Manhattan and dialed 9-1-1. The detectives are not convinced, and mention that they can examine cameras located around the tunnel into Manhattan.

Days later, Dave faces extortion attempts. First, Susie pays a reputed Russian mobster to have her car disappear and fabricates a report of theft. She learns that David Bell is a priest and asks him to share the expense. The Russian mobster does his own investigation and realizes that blackmail of a Catholic priest would be simple and low risk. Finally, the homeless man's cousin overhears Dave at the hospital asking the sedated patient for forgiveness and puts two and two together.

Father Bell continues to think he can lie his way out of this mess, even as his plan is unraveling. His brother's unexpected death is the wake-up call. David shares the truth with his bishop, his family, and his friends, along with a plan to make amends. In so doing, he unwittingly makes them a party to the cover up.

And then there's Clare, his brother's wife. He has loved her since the day of his ordination, a twenty-year friendship. A temptation not to be acted upon...again.