BENEATH THE FLAMES is the 2019 Gold Medal Award Winner in Fiction-General in The Readers’ Favorite International Book Award competition.

Since his book was published a few weeks ago Renz, who has not personally experienced PTSD, has been surprised by the number of responses from active and retired firefighters regarding the topic of PTSD. It is presented in intimate detail in his novel.

The author draws on the power of forgiveness, hope and redemption in telling a compelling narrative.

Renz’s debut novel tackles such themes as forgiveness, redemption and family. It also provides a behind-the-scenes look at a fire department… Renz’s book was a “realistic portrayal” of how racism plays out both in the city and on the staff.