Every year, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books becomes livelier and brighter due to the growing number of attendees. From book lovers, casual readers, and literary collectors to authors and publishers, people gathered to celebrate literacy.
The largest book festival in the US opened its doors last April for a glamorous two-day weekend celebration with the bookworms. Held at the University of Southern California, many book enthusiasts, book lovers, and book collectors, as well as writers, established authors, and many more, attended the free event.
A lot of bookfair-goers went by the Citi of Books booth to check for their next read and potential favorite book. One of the books that were chosen is “The Healing of Windwalker: A Story of Love, Hate, and Redemption” by Donald L. Chadd. It was displayed on April 20th and 21st at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at the University of Southern California.
The Healing of Windwalker: A Story of Love, Hate, and Redemption is a novel written by Donald L. Chadd. The story revolves around Windwalker, an orphan given to LDS Placement Services by the Navajo Indian tribe. Placed with an adoptive LDS family, Windwalker grows up in a loving and Christ-centered environment. As he matures physically, mentally, and spiritually, he faces challenges, including a vision that compels him to deliver an urgent message to his people. However, forces work against him, leading to hate-filled actions and a spiraling life. The novel explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the impact of choices.
Donald L. Chadd, born in Colorado, has harbored a lifelong interest in Native American history and culture. His fascination began at the age of ten when he stumbled upon a handwritten book detailing the history and illustrations of the Indians in the Four Corners area of Colorado. Driven by curiosity, he dove deeper into this rich heritage.
Over the years, Donald forged personal connections with Native Americans. His experiences were multifaceted, from working as a miner in Colorado’s uranium mines to serving as a registered representative for Prudential Financial in Shiprock, New Mexico. During his time at Prudential, he handled insurance and retirement plans for the Adolescent Treatment Center in Shiprock. Conversations with Navajo elders exposed him to the challenges faced by the youth on the reservation.
These impactful encounters inspired Donald to pen his book, “The Healing of Windwalker: A Story of Love, Hate, and Redemption.” Although a work of fiction, it draws from true-life stories and events—both his own and those of family members and friends. Notably, five of these friends have had life-after-death experiences, contributing to the intricate tapestry of the book’s main character, “Windwalker.”
Like what you just read?