Sean Paul Bedell launches ‘Shoebox’
Join Sean Paul Bedell for the launch of his second novel, Shoebox.
In this gritty and emotional exploration of the human condition, Steve Lewis, a dedicated paramedic, faces the devastating aftermath of a fatal collision that casts a dark shadow over his once-passionate commitment to saving lives.
Plagued by guilt and grief, he finds his career, family, and very existence hanging in the balance as he navigates the complexities of trauma both personal and professional. As Steve grapples with the high stakes of his job amidst the scrutiny of a community that admires yet questions him, each life he saves rekindles his passion for his work, reminding him of the profound connections he can forge through compassion and care.
A compelling and visceral journey of personal redemption and triumph over adversity, Shoebox explores the human spirit’s capacity for healing.
“Buckle up for a Code One adrenaline rush! Harrowing yet uplifting, Shoebox puts us inside the skin of a first responder, exposing the highs and desperate lows of life on the front lines. Sean Bedell speaks truth to trauma and vulnerability as only an insider can. A gutting love letter to loyalty, the frailties that make us human, and the true meaning of heroism. “ —Carol Bruneau, author of Brighten the Corner Where You Are and Threshold.
“In this riveting novel, Sean Paul Bedell tells the story of Steve Lewis, a paramedic who works crummy hours for crummy pay but on many days saves someone’s life. On other days, he comes face to face with death. Unexplainable. Unavoidable. Crushing. “I thought about all my calls and congratulated myself for this and cursed myself for that,” Steve says. “I relived every ugly and beautiful scene.” Bedell has written a powerful book that draws you in; he keeps you deeply invested in a complex personal journey. Shoebox never slows down. Bedell masterfully weaves in secondary characters. “From the second I met Robert Warner, everything about him reminded me of a giant slug. I named him The Slug.” He takes the reader places. “This shoebox, this slice of paradise, was my home away from home for forty-eight hours at a time.” Steve is heroic, flawed, and human. He juggles his high-pressure job with family and sometimes drops the ball. If an ambulance ever pulls up to your home, if you are ever at that cataclysmic juncture where you are relying on prayer and hope and a medical miracle, think about Steve and how much he wanted you to make it. Think about the price he paid.” —Elaine McCluskey, author of Rafael has Pretty Eyes and The Gift Child