Sherrod, Leslie J.

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Sherrod, Leslie J.

PERSONAL:

Married; children: two. Education: University of Maryland at College Park, B.S.; attended Johns Hopkins University. Hobbies and other interests: Attending community and cultural events, reading, Bible study, museums, movies, food.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Baltimore, MD. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer, novelist, poet, and entrepreneur. Paintbrush Poetry (a gift items business), co-owner and operator. Worked as a human-services professional at an outpatient mental health program in Baltimore, MD.

WRITINGS:

Like Sheep Gone Astray, Warner Books (New York, NY), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS:

Leslie J. Sherrod is a writer and novelist from Baltimore, Maryland. A former humanservices professional in a mental health program in Baltimore, Sherrod is a full-time writer. A dedicated member of the Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries, Sherrod aims to inspire and comfort her readers with "suspenseful, fun, and thought-provoking stories" that give her readers "hope and encouragement to live out their God-given dreams and purposes," commented a biographer on the author's home page.

In her debut novel, Like Sheep Gone Astray, Sherrod tells the story of Anthony Murdock and his wife, Terri, whose lives are shattered by the divisive power of money and greed but who are healed by the power of faith in God. As an account executive at a prestigious development company, Anthony was in a prime position to go after the wealth he had always sought. When he accepts a large bribe for his influence over construction of a railroad corridor in the downtown area, he suddenly has the wealth he had wanted, but is unsure how to react to it. When Terri discovers the enormous windfall, she wonders why Anthony had not told her that they had suddenly become millionaires. Soon, she begins to spend the newfound money on fine clothes, jewelry, and other things intended to make her the envy of all around her. Complicating Anthony's choice is the knowledge that the railroad corridor he has been convinced to support will destroy the plans for a humanitarian project designed to build a shelter for the poor. Struggling with his battered conscience, Anthony must decide whether to keep quiet and enjoy the benefits of his new riches or do the right thing and own up to his mistake. If he chooses the latter, he will have to figure out how to make up for his error without either losing his wife or risking a jail term. "Like Sheep Gone Astray shows readers how one man's actions can affect everyone around him—and how lack of communication between a husband and wife can cause all kinds of unnecessary problems," commented reviewer Margaret Marr on Nightsandweekends.com. Booklist reviewer John Mort called the novel a "fine character study" as well as a "thoughtful examination of the modern—and eternal—curse of greed."