Following the death of their mother, sixteen year old Sam Haygood and his eight year old sister, P.J., now orphans, are ultimately thrown into an enigmatic family system where they simultaneously experience the cold apathy of their grandfather, Homer Pettigrew, and the loving warmth of their step-grandmother, Mavis. But while Sam continues to harbor resentment toward Homer, the man who years ago turned his own daughter out because she fell in with a local boy he detested, Sam unexpectedly comes face-to-face with an enlightening secret about his father long held by his mother that changes everything. As he begins a summer job for Victor Dorsey, a man he later discovers is actually a dangerous syndicate kingpin, Sam unwittingly enters a world of danger that threatens the safety of the entire family. Experiencing a myriad of unimaginable, even bizarre experiences in only a few short weeks, Sam finds himself suddenly thrust into a world of chaos. However, it is the love he shares with his new girlfriend, Mary Grace Johnson that keeps Sam focused on maintaining not only a sense of balance in his life, but perhaps even his sanity as well. Panther's Breath. A heart-warming story that contains all of the ingredients readers love to experience...compelling characters, spirited dialogue, sweet romance, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and yes, even murder.