Sweet Velvet Grace

The story follows a traveling evangelist, Simon Trelease, who is actually a con artist. He preys on churches of every denomination and size, gaining the congregants' trust by spinning a tale of Camp Hope, an idyllic home for orphans in the bend of a river. His story, and his delivery, is so compelling that listeners are always inclined to chip in whatever they can afford to keep this camp from going bankrupt. Simon meets his match, though, when he encounters Velvet Grace, a ten year old orphan runaway. She has been secretly camping out in Simon's latest target church, surviving by picking pockets and conning old ladies. Being quite the grifter herself, she sees right through him. Having stolen his wallet, she is able to blackmail him into taking her with him and teaching her the trade. Many adventures ensue as they bond as parent and child in a manner reminiscent of Ryan and Tatum O'Neal in the Academy Award-winning "Paper Moon." In an amazing surprise ending - which illustrates how God has been using Simon as his agent all along - the two miscreants receive grace and find redemption. It is heartfelt and feel-good in a most satisfying way.