The Missouri Ozarks are a place of rugged beauty and deeper secrets -- something Truly has known all her life. Reclusive, lonely, and misunderstood by her strict, tradition-bound parents, she finds comfort only in the woods. But one evening, her solitude is shattered by a colossal, fur-clad figure whose gentle eyes reveal not menace but kinship. In the Bigfoot she names Able, Truly discovers a bond she never expected: a listener, A guardian, and a friend who sees her clearly in a world that never has.
Years later, when her parents force her into marriage with a cruel, controlling man, Truly's world collapses into terror. One violent night, her cries echo into the forest -- and Able returns. His act of protection leaves her husband dead and sparks a community-wide manhunt fueled by fear, rumor, and rage. Now both fugitives, Truly must summon a strength she never knew she had and lead Able into the hidden wilderness most people only whisper about.
Together they vanish into the deepest hollows of the Ozark, where danger and beauty intertwine. As they evade hunters, old friends, and the past itself, they carve out a sanctuary built on trust, compassion, and a devotion that defies the world around them.
The Ozark Guardian blends Southern Gothic atmosphere with emotional suspense, telling a story of trauma, healing, and the unexpected families we build when the world turns its back. A gripping tale for fans of literary thrillers, survival narratives, and folklore-infused fiction.
Stephens, Richard J.: - Retired County Sheriff, Richard Stephens has spent a lifetime serving the people of the communities he lives and works within. Not known for shying away from challenges, Richard has filled numerous roles throughout his thirty-year career in Law Enforcement including Detentions Officer, Shift Supervisor, Patrol, Investigations, Swat commander, Training. Mayor, Program Director, County Sheriff, Consultant, Academy Instructor, and Liaison. Richard obtained his master's degree in management and leadership in 2012 from Liberty University out of Lynchburg Virginia and has lead teams of men and woman through a wide variety of incidents including: The Columbine High School Shooting aftermath, Multiple natural disasters including floods, Ice storms, and tornados. Additionally, Richard has led multiple major search efforts and managed major crime scenes, Officer involved shooting scenes, critical incident management scenes as well as event and special celebrity event management. Feeling a deep desire to ensure our men and women wearing the badge receive not only the tools required for carrying out their job effectively but the resources to do so Richard has spent over twenty-five years instructing groups both large and small. Upon retiring from active enforcement, he has taken on the role of Criminal Justice Liaison within the behavioral health industry. This role has allowed him to introduce the behavioral health industry to the mind of the Law Enforcement Officer and how we work, feel, and derive motivation. While simultaneously ensuring that the resources necessary for ensuring Officer wellness and resiliency are afforded to every officer and first responder. Discovering a love for writing, Richard has not only found purpose in sharing his story as a public servant with others struggling through the battles, they so often face he has also found solace in the process. Authoring multiple books, this vivid storyteller strives to take his readers on a journey of discovery through the pages of his offerings.
