Michael Hawkes was born in England to an Irish mother. She returned with Michael and his twin sister to Ireland only to be taken by the Catholic Church. They then trafficked him to California where he was abused by the most powerful priest in Los Angeles, The Right Rev. Monsignor Benjamin Hawkes. Michael’s powerful inspirational memoir Isle of Hope follows his search for his birth family, and to find redemption and peace. A gripping and powerful story.

While Michael Hawkes has spent his life as a graphic artist and copywriter, the story of his life has always been his biggest project. He thanks his wife Susan for walking with him every step of the journey from California to Ireland and back again. It was a joy as they pieced together the origins and history of the story. Finding people’s names and bringing the names to life was incredible. It has been the career he was meant to pursue. May you all find your clan as he did.