Starting Over Is Never That Simple
Imagine moving to a new town, meeting new people, and trying to build a normal life, only to discover that the danger you left behind has not disappeared. That is the situation facing the LeMay family in US 98: Destination Dade City by Paul Dean Moore. After becoming targets of a crime syndicate, they enter the Witness Protection Program and take on new identities. Their fresh start in Florida gives them a chance to move forward, but staying safe means keeping their past hidden.
What makes this story stand out is how it combines crime suspense with the everyday experiences of a family trying to settle into a new community. There are trained dogs, murder, law enforcement investigations, and the excitement of Florida high school football. At the center of it all is a family trying to survive while a young athlete discovers new opportunities on the field. Just when life starts to feel normal, the past reminds them that they are not entirely out of danger.
He started out running track for at the Boys and Girls Club. By the time he was a student at Miles Garrett High School he had become a true track and field competitor until his body played a cruel trick on the freshman and he grew six inches and gained fifty pounds of muscle. He was no longer just fast, now he was quick and huge. Six-foot five weighing two hundred forty-five pounds at age sixteen.
Between a Fresh Start and an Old Threat
The story follows Ashley and her son Jamal as they adjust to life under new identities. For Jamal, moving to Dade City means entering a new school, making friends, and finding his place in the football program. His athletic ability gives him an opportunity to stand out, but becoming part of a new community is not as simple as showing up for practice. He must also learn to live with the circumstances that brought his family there.
Jamal’s journey on the football field gives the story another layer. As he develops his skills and earns the attention of his coaches and teammates, football becomes more than just a sport. It gives him a sense of belonging and something positive to focus on. His relationship with Nimitz, a dog with military training, also adds an interesting element to the story, showing how trust, patience, and teamwork can make a difference.
Meanwhile, the danger surrounding the family continues to develop through the actions of criminals, federal investigators, and law enforcement officers. Each group has its own goals, and their decisions affect the safety of the LeMay family. Through these connected storylines, Moore explores survival, loyalty, courage, and the difficulty of starting over when the past refuses to stay behind. The story reminds readers that a fresh beginning takes more than a change of location. It also requires strength, careful choices, and the willingness to face whatever comes next.
Meet the Author, Paul Dean Moore
Paul Dean Moore presents his third story set in the small towns along Florida’s US 98. His characters are inspired by four decades of ministry, during which he worked with individuals and families facing crises in a variety of situations. This experience gives him a foundation for writing about people dealing with difficult circumstances, complicated relationships, and the challenges of everyday life.
Moore took up fiction writing after his youngest daughter, Adina, challenged him to try something new. He dedicates this book to his six children and his in-laws, Clifford and Vernette Oberg, as well as Jerry and Barbara Miller. He lives with his wife, Sue, near US 98 in Lakeland, Florida. Through his stories, Moore continues to bring small-town Florida settings and memorable characters to readers.
Every New Beginning Has Its Challenges
A new town can offer a fresh start, but it cannot always guarantee a peaceful life. US 98: Destination Dade City by Paul Dean Moore brings together family struggles, crime, law enforcement, and high school football in a story about people doing what they can to survive and move forward.
US 98: Destination Dade City
A family in hiding. A town to call home. A danger that refuses to disappear.
| Fiction | Thriller | Crime | Suspense |