Reyna Favis will old a book launch Nov. 5 at the Phillipsburg Free Public Library.
A member of the Search and Rescue Teams of Warren County, Reyna Favis, recently authored a novel called "Soul Search," which she characterizes as a modern tale of the psychopomp.
Reyna Favis with her Plott Hound mix, Zackie-O. (Courtesy photo) The novel tells the story of Fia, a reluctant psychic who can sense the dead, but is hostile to their intrusions in her life. Unable to achieve a normal existence among the swarming dead of the city, Fia joins a wilderness search and rescue team to escape. Unfortunately, searches become recoveries and the lost and missing who were never found seek out Fia for her rare ability to sense them.
The novel takes place in Warren County and readers will recognize many locations used in the story. In addition, pieces of local history underpin the hauntings that the characters must resolve.
"I was inspired to write this book after watching search dogs train to detect human remains," said Favis, a resident of Lopatcong Township. "Search dogs play a huge role in finding both the living and the dead and I wondered what if a search dog could also be a therapy dog for the dead? What if a search dog was also a psychopomp, leading tormented souls who are trapped in this world to the afterlife? The idea wouldn't let go until I wrote the story."
Favis is certified as a canine handler team with her Plott Hound mix, Zackie-O. She has participated in numerous searches both in Warren County and as part of mutual aid efforts in other regions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
As a way of giving back, Favis is donating half of her earnings from the sale of the book to the Search and Rescue Teams of Warren County and to Wayward Plotts, a breed rescue organization.
"Soul Search" is available for purchase in eBook and softcover formats on Amazon. A book launch event will be held 2 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Phillipsburg Free Public Library and will include a search dog demonstration.