I Am Going Where I Belong Virtual Book Tour April & May 2011

I Am Going Where I Belong

Join Hans Lindor, author of the mainstream literary mystery, I Am Going Where I Belong (Enaz/Seaburn Publications), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in April and May on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Hans Lindor

Hans Lindor

Hans Lindor, novelist, screenwriter and playwright, has a singularly unique perspective on life and has earned many accolades for his fiction and poetry.

Hans Lindor has used his extraordinary life experiences to inspire young people, and has given motivational speeches and workshops to students in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Florida, advocating against guns, drugs and violence and giving students hope for rising above hardship and social struggles.

For more information about Hans, you can visit his website at www.hanslindor.org

About I Am Going Where I Belong

Hans Lindor’s I Am Going Where I Belong is a stirring coming-of-age tale set amidst the backdrop of Haitian history. The main character, Hans Leger hails from a privileged family in Haiti, knowing only the wealth and luxury. When his chauffeur makes a stop in downtown, Leger sees the harsh realities of life: poverty, hunger, despair, piles of waste mounting, infested with flies, and an overall sense of chaos. Unfortunately, many of these realities still exist in Haiti today. In the midst of a democratic presidential election, the victor will inherit a torn country which is battling a cholera epidemic—that has already killed thousands living in remote areas— and is still in the recovery and reconstruction stage after the devastating earthquake. Described in more vivid and grim terms in the book, Hans Lindor sums up Haiti’s existence in one sentence: “The existence of the Haitian people seems based on despair, vicissitudes, and destitution.”

I am Going Where I Belong revolves around the cold-blooded murder of Hans Leger’s father and gang rape of his mother. Removed from their wealthy status, Hans and his family move to Florida where they are essentially the same people that Hans Leger watched from the car in downtown Haiti—destined to poverty. Surrounded by violence, poverty, and racism, Hans manages to launch his writing career and lift his family out of poverty.

Written masterfully by Hans Lindor, one of the moving images of the book—at the beginning—describes Hans Leger looking on as a fifteen-year-old girl is forced into prostitution. Though this is a fictional tale, it is not far from reality. The Miami Herald reports that earthquake survivors are being smuggled into the Dominican Republic and used as prostitutes, drug peddlers, and beggars. It is astonishing to see innocent individuals at the mercy of their grim circumstances. The question arises, however, that if the Haitian Diaspora continues, who will be left to save the nation and restore peace and order?

Despite the tragedy-filled events of the book, I Am Going Where I Belong sends the message of hope, positive thinking, and overcoming adversity and hardship. The fact is that many Haitians have fled the country in fear for their lives. Democracy is practically invisible while the state of nation has been unchanged for decades. To this day, it remains vulnerable, treacherous, and violent.

Ultimately, I Am Going Where I Belong demonstrates that one can overcome social hardships. An award-winning novelist, screenwriter and playwright, Hans Lindor uses his extenuating life experiences to advocate against violence—both in the book as well as public speaking stints in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Florida. His message is clear and simple: never let racial barriers, poverty, or hopelessness rob you of your dreams and prevent you from achieving greatness.

Book Excerpt

The main cemetery is often used as a motel and restroom, shelter and shortcut route to get to the next street; beyond that it is the main haven for streetwalkers and thieves.
“You know what,” she paused and sighed, “sometimes, I think about killing myself.” She was expressionless.
“Don’t say that!” I replied in shock.
“People look at me as if I am non-existent.”
“They must be ignorant. I don’t see you like that. To me you are a wonderful girl.” I avoided making her blush.
“I got my son because I was raped by two men. It hurts me a lot when he keeps asking about his father and I do not know what to tell him.” Her voice cracked and softened, as she turned her head away from me to hide her face.
“It’s…it’s not your fault if you got raped and you did the right thing to give him birth.” I was sad and speechless. I felt the ache in her voice. I slowly took her hand into mine and said, “Listen, God is here for you.”
“How could you say that God loves me, when he allowed these men to rape me in the middle of the afternoon that day, when I was only eleven? Now my son and I live in the streets. We spend days drinking salted water to survive because we can’t nourish ourselves. Nobody cares about us!” By then, a river of tears avalanched her face. She bent her head down to her knees so that I couldn’t witness her crying.
My heart was aching once again. I was silent as I thought to myself, Sometimes you have to question what God is doing. I was upset with God for the first time in my young life. Why would he let this young woman become a rape victim at eleven years old without striking to death her aggressors? Why does he let so many die from hunger when people like me have lavish lives? Doesn’t the Bible say that God loves all of us the same? If he truly does, why are there so many people like Marie around the world dying daily from poverty?
I never meant to question The Almighty’s competence and supremacy, but pain and fury overpowered me. Perhaps this was the devil’s astuteness to get to me, knowing my weakness. Regardless of how much I felt Marie’s soreness, I couldn’t ever completely identify with her grief.

Hans Lindor’s I AM GOING WHERE I BELONG VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ‘11 will officially begin on April 4th and ends on May 27th. If you would like to participate in this tour, please contact Tracee Gleichner at tgleichner(at)live(dot)com. Thank you!