Seraphin Stone: Say Yes to Heaven by Ettenig Sayam is set in Massachusetts during the tumultuous period of 2008 and 2009, a time marked by a cataclysmic global economic crisis where millions lost their homes due to mortgage defaults, faced layoffs, and major banks required government bailouts to stay afloat. This period also saw the historic election of the first African American president of the United States, Barack Obama.The fates of 17-year-old Haitian American Marie Ange Seraphin (Mari) and 31-year-old corporate executive David Stone intertwine under the guidance of the Supreme Being known as Bondye in Haitian voudou and his servant spirit (lwa) Papa Legba, guardian of the realm between Heaven and Earth. "Ayiti gen besoin lòt moun" - Haiti, often called "the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere," needs new people. Mari represents a new generation that will usher in hope, healing, and renewal to the beleaguered island nation of Haiti.The first order of business in a hero's journey is "Know thyself." Mari and David embark on a physical and emotional journey that takes them through Mari's challenges of making it in the ballet world, where Black ballerinas are as rare as unicorns, and David's quest to overcome his genteel pedigree to become a billionaire and venture capitalist. Their journeys take them to local places and then on to Europe, where Mari's backpacking trip turns into a magical and mystical wonderland in search of self and each other. As they navigate a world filled with mystical encounters, cultural heritage, and personal challenges, their bond grows stronger, culminating in a love story that defies the ordinary.Seraphin Stone: Say Yes to Heaven is more than mere Contemporary Romance. It offers an immersive experience of ballet training, tourism, Haitian vodou, social realism, and rich symbolism and evocative settings-from the cliff walks of Newport, Rhode Island to the enchanting streets of Paris and the serene Åland Islands. This novel explores themes of destiny, growth, and the power of human connection. Will Mari and David embrace their destined paths and "say yes to heaven," or will the trials they face pull them apart? Discover the magic and mystery in this compelling tale of love and destiny.
