UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum Published January 24, 2006  

A California prison evangelist is preparing for the publication of his life story, which entailed drugs, prison and then conversion to Christianity. 

"Once Life Matters: A New Beginning" chronicles the story of Marty Angelo, a one-time entertainment industry executive who was convicted and sentenced to six years behind bars on a cocaine charge. 

The topic of the book, which is set for release Jan. 30, is similar to that of James Frey's best-selling "A Million Little Pieces," recently revealed as containing numerous factual embellishments. 

Whereas Frey's book, says Angelo, is about how addicts can "white-knuckle it through recovery on their own strength, my book is a testimony to God's saving grace and the real redemptive power he performed in my own life." 

Angelo's book focuses on the Christian message of redemption that Jesus continues to change people's lives, one at a time, taking away the yearning for abusing substances and replacing it with love, peace and the desire of one's heart. 

United Press International (UPI) - Religion & Spirituality Forum