Burning Sand

<p>Michael Delaney was tired of living with the wolves. Orphaned at a young age by a mysterious car explosion he had grown up the adopted son of a vicious small-time crime family. Forced to learn their treacherous ways in order to survive Michael never felt he belonged. In his heart he knew there was a better way. His real parents had taught him that. Desperate and determined he concocts a scheme to leave his life of crime behind him forever. But something goes terribly wrong. Michael's attempt at escape ends in a fiery disaster from which he is burned beyond recognition. He wakes up months later with a new face a new identity and no memory of his previous life.</p><p> </p><p> <em>BURNING SAND</em> follows Michael into his new life as Pro Beach Volleyball champion Quinton Squid. It is the early 1990's and the sport is entering a new heyday.</p><p> </p><p> As Michael struggles to live up to the dead man's legendary stature he walks a tightrope of celebrity trepidation and a budding relationship with his former adversary women's number one player Holly O'Connor. Coming to grips with his innermost demons he strives to create a new self with which he can live all the while unaware that the dark forces of his past are closing in behind him. His struggle brings him to a standoff from which there can be no turning back - the knowledge of what really happened to his parents his true identity and his very life hang in the balance...</p><p> </p><p> From the dimly-lit alleyways of Boston's North End to the sun-drenched beaches of Southern California <em>BURNING SAND</em> is the action-packed soul-awakening journey of a man who discovers who he is only after forgetting who he thought he was.</p><p> </p><p> <em>BURNING SAND</em> is the first novel from R.J. Ruggiero a screenwriter and playwright living near Boston. R.J. has written and developed screenplays for the Academy Award-winning producers of <em>Rocky</em> <em>Raging Bull</em> <em>The Right Stuff</em> and <em>Ender's Game</em> and was a comedy writer for <em>The Tonight Show with Jay Leno</em>.</p>