GIL MERRICK
AUTHOR
Ryan Jackson is a shy, scrappy teenager from a poor Appalachian town. Kip Reynolds is a talented high school polo player from a wealthy family living in the suburbs of Detroit. Sharp and stunning, Claudia Kinzler wins the admiration of both young men before her world is shattered by her father’s death in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.
What follows is a sprawling, deeply human journey through grief and rage, addiction and healing, and the struggle to attain retribution for unfathomable acts of cruelty. Over the course of seventeen years—from the stables in Bloomfield Hills to the Appalachian Mountains, from corruption on the docks of Hong Kong to the underworld of South American drug cartels—Come September is the story of three people’s journey to maturity, told through the lens of love, loss, and hardship, all tarnished by the long shadow of terror.
With unforgettable characters and emotionally charged storytelling, this novel explores what binds us and what breaks us, the power of strength and perseverance, and how truth and forgiveness can be the key to reconciling the pain of our past and building a new life.
A small and effeminate boy—bullied for years while growing up in an alcoholic family in suburban Cleveland—Gil finds refuge in the equestrian world. A coach instills in him the dream of going to the Olympics and becomes his mentor, his guide—and his predator.
Gil survives rape, betrayals, setbacks, and the loss of family and friends—all while on a quest to fulfill his dream. This book is not only about surviving; it's about the resilience of the human spirit and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. Gil makes it to the Olympics, but not in the way he imagined. He discovers what happens when a dream ends, and all you have left are your addictions.
What does it take to finally realize that our lives can’t go on as they are? How do we put an end to our self-destructive ways? Is it even possible to grasp the complexities of untreated and unrealized trauma? How do we come to terms with the cost of the abuse we suffered?
Gil tells his story with a breadth of detail and thought-provoking insights rarely shared by male victims of sexual abuse. Readers will find a story of hope, determination, and the transformative power of confronting one's past.
Author's Bio
Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Gil Merrick attended Hiram College, earning a BA in International Finance and German. Upon completing his MBA at Cleveland State University, he began a forty-year career managing companies throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. An avid horseman with credits as Team Leader for the U.S. Equestrian Federation at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2008 Olympic Games, he now devotes himself full-time to writing in South Florida.
WHAT READERS SAY
COME SEPTEMBER
“Come September is a book that I hated to see end…I came to care for each of the characters and the trials and successes of their lives. I am looking forward to hearing more of these characters’ stories in the future.”
“The four protagonists of this book embark on an exhilarating and perilous adventure in the wake of 9/11, and the reader can relish in witnessing how each of them surmounts their individual challenges. Chock full of pathos and ethos, twists and turns, the depth and complexity of this narrative make for an engaging read that tugs at your soul. Can’t wait for more!”
“The author brilliantly intertwines multiple themes and storylines in a believable and gratifying way, with an ending that brought me to tears. Now that my new friends are all grown up, I am dying to know what fate has in store for them - when is the sequel?”
“I did not want this book to end! I already miss the characters now that I’ve finished it. There was drama, thrills, secrets, and crime. One of my all-time favorite books I have ever read!”
HAUNTED VICTORY
“For anyone grappling with their past, or those simply in search of a story that champions the human spirit’s capacity to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Haunted Victory offers not just solace but also inspiration.”
“…this book is a triumph—a triumph of storytelling and the human capacity for healing and growth. It reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is the potential for light and that whatever we experienced in the past, we can turn around and create a new life of health, peace, and fulfillment.”
“Despite the sad stuff, his story is also one of redemption, and following dreams, no matter how rocky the path.”
“What sets this book apart is its honest and raw depiction of the complexities involved in confronting one's past while trying to forge a path forward. The narrative gracefully addresses the psychological impacts of abuse and the often-circuitous path toward recovery, painted against the unique and picturesque backdrop of the equestrian world.”
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© 2025 by Gil Merrick