Novelist Jeff Keene II Imagines the Story Behind the Gadarene Demoniac in Yamin: A Novel of a Demoniac, the 2nd volume in his Go and Sin No More Series

Author Jeff Keene II and WordCrafts Press are celebrating the unveiling of Keene’s latest novel, Yamin: A Novel of a Demoniac, which released in March, 2023, in hardback, trade paperback, and all major ebook formats. The novel, set in 1st century Palestine, examines the plight of the unnamed wretch who lived among the tombs in the region of the Gadarenes. Feared, hated, tormented by the locals, the man’s life was transformed after a brief encounter with a wandering prophet named Jesus.

The story immediate resonated with fans, debuting on Amazon.com’s Hot New Releases in Historical Fiction chart at #77, with readers calling the tale “intense,” “riveting,” “mesmerizing,” and “highly recommended.”

“I wrote Yamin as a direct result of my success with my first novel, Pericope,” Keene said. “As an unnamed biblical character saved by Jesus, I felt the Gadarine demoniac needed a name (Yamin) and a backstory explaining how he became possessed by a legion of demons. The research for Yamin took me to places I never thought I’d go. From studying about exorcisms to how pickle barrels were made in ancient time, I’ve grown as a biblical fiction author.

“I hope readers will feel Yamin’s struggle as they become immersed in his 1st century adventures. The roller coaster ride will reveal how loss and pain get transferred to hope and gain.”

From the Novel

“My name is Legion, for we are many.”

Yamin ran until he found the nook in the wall where he spent his first night in the city. He plopped onto the ground, curled up, and wept.

“What is wrong with me? Am I going mad?”

The voice answered him. “Yes, you are.”

“Get out of my head. Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”

“I’ll never shut up.” The voice caressed his mind like a grotesque lover’s kiss. “I am part of you – Yamin.”

About the Author

Jeff Keene II holds degrees in biology, chemistry, and linguistics. His writing path began when his high school teacher assigned him the task of creating an original screenplay. Twenty-five years later, that screenplay was published as a short story in a Long Island newsletter. But the writing bug really began when developing a textual criticism about a New Testament story in a master’s level seminary course in 2012. Since then, Jeff has had the undying urge to write about unnamed characters in the Bible who’ve met Jesus.

He has served as a volunteer firefighter where he suffered a line-of-duty injury resulting in the loss of his right foot below- the-knee, worked on a NOAA research vessel for 17-days at sea, and even applied to the NASA Teacher in Space program. He currently serves as a public school teacher.

Jeff lives with his wife, Andria, in Central Florida. They have two adult children. Connect with Jeff online at:
peglegpenman.com