Denise Higgins, a college student and lover of languages, is still reeling from the death of her fiancé, a chaplain in the army, when she is introduced to Ben Moreau, a French-Korean 19-year-old three years her junior.

Unlike Denise, who is a staunch Bible reader and a seer of visions, Ben is a jaded profligate surrounded by drug-taking friends. When Denise is hired to be Ben's sober companion, she has a few hurdles to overcome. Least of which are Ben's money, Ben's ability to manipulate her, and her own growing infatuation with him.

When Denise realizes that an ancient curse hangs over Ben's family line, she begins to understand that her destiny is interwoven with Ben's.

Onion is a bittersweet story that follows the spiritual development of cynical but sensitive Denise and contemplative but loving Ben. Their backgrounds could not be more different, both in culture and background, as his wealthy Korean and French proprieties conflict with her poor Jamaican Christian upbringing.

The prejudices of the well-to-do, of Christian parents, atheist parents, and pagan friends also work against Denise, even as she challenges their expectations and what she believes about herself.

But Ben, with his sweet wit and selfish but kind heart, challenges her expectations as well. Together, they grow to discover a fuller and richer life.

Carole McDonnell holds a BA in Literature from SUNY Purchase and is a writer of Christian, supernatural, and ethnic stories.

Her writings appear in various Christian, speculative fiction, and ethnic anthologies. Her reviews appear in print and at various online sites. She is a reviewer for several sites.

Her traditionally-published novels are the alternative history Christian epic fantasy, Wind Follower, and the high fantasy speculative fiction novel, The Constant Tower.

Her short story collection is Spirit Fruit: Collected Speculative Fiction.