VINELAND -- Local resident Thomas E. Pierce never expected to write a book.

Yet, on Saturday, he was found sitting in Booksmith at the Cumberland Mall on Delsea Drive, signing copies of his first book, "The Last Rose: A True Celebration of Eternal Love," released this month.

The book shares the details of the horrific accident that happened in Baltimore's Inner Harbor on March 6, 2004 -- in which a gust of wind capsized a water taxi, killing five people including Pierce's 62-year-old wife and 35-year-old-daughter -- and goes on to describe the uplifting power of love and how the author was able to move on.

In the book, Pierce writes about his strong belief in an afterlife, and all the little pieces of evidence he has seen suggesting his wife and daughter are still with him.

"I know they're still here, around me," he said. "I can't explain it, but I know it's true."

He began to deal with his grief by telling their stories to other people.

Eventually, Pierce began putting the stories, including his own experiences during the first year following the accident, on paper, giving them out to whoever asked.

"When I first started writing these stories, it was just something for me," said Pierce. "Actually, writing a book was the last thing I thought of doing."

However, as copies of his stories were circulated, he began receiving heartfelt e-mails from readers moved by his observations and message of hope.

"I started getting these beautiful e-mail messages, some of which brought me to tears in front of my computer," he said. "I began thinking that maybe there was something to this story, because I was getting such a reaction."

Pierce began publishing the book himself, using his computer. Over the course of two years, he printed 1,500 copies and proceeded to send books to various people.

Pierce said he has sent copies to people in 26 states, as well as Australia, Canada, England and South Africa.

Now Pierce receives e-mail from people of different ages and backgrounds from all over the world, who all gained something from his story.

"I never know when I'm going to open an e-mail and share tears with a stranger," said Pierce. "Everyone gets something different out of the book -- everyone comes away seeing something unique."

Pierce says he has no idea what will happen now that there are 5,000 copies of the book available nationwide.

About a dozen people came to visit Pierce to buy his book. However, he is not troubled by the low head count.

Pierce said he signed about 52 books in 25 minutes at the Book Expo America in New York City last June, and he is confident its message of hope and love will reach people.

"I haven't read it yet, but I hear it's wonderful," said Maryann Mancus, as Pierce signed a dedication into her new copy. Mancus said she worked with JoAnn at SJH-Newcomb in Vineland.

Next up for Pierce is a trip to Texas to set up a media campaign. From there, he's traveling to Arizona for another book signing.

In addition, Pierce is helping to open a new restaurant in Buena called Legacy, which will serve as just that for his wife and daughter.

The article above was found on Google and was published originally on NJ.com