cover image Holy Rider

Holy Rider

Warren La Coste. New Horizon Press, $22.95 (200pp) ISBN 978-0-88282-114-6

In this clumsy memoir, former Roman Catholic priest La Coste tells of his dalliance with a motorcycle gang at an indeterminate time. Shortly before his ordination, the author crossed paths with Mickey Manuel, a family friend who was running with the Renegades, a group of New Orleans bikers. Soon La Coste, by then a priest, was riding a Harley-Davidson with the Renegades and providing the bikers with spiritual guidance. While keeping his self-imposed mission secret from his colleagues and parishioners, La Coste bumbled through one misadventure after another, experiences that he recounts here with little insight. A growing attraction between La Coste and Mickey's wife Cheryl was not consummated, but led the priest to question his commitment to celibacy. Eventually he left the Renegades and then the priesthood, becoming a salesman. (Jan.)