The Betterton Fracture tells the story of the town of Betterton, North Carolina, which is under siege by a swelling number of outsiders. The new residents are filling up an abandoned neighborhood which used to house the workers of the now-closed Mulldune Mill. These intruders are arriving by invitation and under the leadership of Delbert "Beech" Bethune- an outside businessman with starkly extreme views on race, among other prejudices. Tension mounts as the newcomers grow in number and local, political influence. Relationships are born and shredded, social and civil unrest mount, and the town reaches a violent crescendo as the two camps face off. Finally, one act of violence threatens to bring the town to its knees. Faith and justice, racism and corruption, love and deception are all on display in this, once sleepy, southern town.
About the Author: W. Marshall Harvey was born February 21, 1981 in Newberry, South Carolina. His parents knew that at a very young age their son was a born storyteller.
He was active in church and school choirs, acted with the local community theater and never missed the chance to take center stage and sing or talk to anyone who either wanted a good tale or simply needed a good laugh. His faith has always been a great source of comfort and guidance in all aspects of his life.
Harvey is a member of the LGBTQ community. He also grew up working in amature theater where he harnessed the skill to change character, persona, and even his voice at a moment's notice to suit the audience and situation in which he found himself. He used this skill to survive adolescence and to find success on the amature stage. In high school he even became fluent in Spanish so that he could more easily communicate with more people and understand other cultures.
Marshall pursued a career in teaching after high school, earning a B.S. from Newberry College, and two M.Ed. degrees from Columbia College and Winthrop University. He teaches advanced Spanish, and does his best to be a shining beacon of hope to students who may be struggling with some of the same social barriers he faced in youth as a member of the LGBTQ community. He has a firm belief that diversity and acceptance are strengths when we learn to always seek the good in people.
Harvey's writing style is somewhat different from many authors. He writes his work in first person through the perspectives of the characters he develops and uses their views to drive the stories. He says it is as if the characters have to speak their truths through him.
When not writing, Harey very much enjoys traveling the world with his husband, Christopher Harvey, fishing, collecting wine, and spoiling his niece and nephews. He views family as God's greatest gift.
