CHARLESTON -- Michael Phelps isn't the only one with a happy ending set in China.

Kenova native and attorney Adam M. Dean, in his second book, "The Gate of Heavenly Peace ... and Other Stories," chronicles his trip to Beijing and Shanghai and his main character's "happily ever after."

For Dean, who lives with cerebral palsy that manifests itself in a speech impediment and lame right arm, the second book, which he called "a happy read," discusses in more detail living with a disability than his first, "Dawn, the Alpha Dog." "The Gate of Heavenly Peace" is a 66-page collection of interconnected short stories inspired by Dean's real-life trip to China in March 2002.

"The publication of the first book was a good experience. The feedback people have given me has been positive," Dean said. "Like the first, I wrote the second book for no one other than myself. Writing it filled a need I had.

"That being said, I am glad that the second book will be able to be read by a broader audience."

Dean's first book dealt primarily with more sensitive topics and a male/female relationship. "The Gate of Heavenly Peace" focuses on Adam Chapman, largely based on Dean himself, and his friendship with Eddie North, who travels with him to China.

"One of the things 'Eddie' has to do is tuck Adam's shirt into his pants on the one side Adam can't get to. And, usually, Eddie isn't a man who would have his hand down another man's pants. But he does it for his best friend," Dean said. "In large part, the second book is a celebration of friendship."

Dean himself made the trip to China as part of the People to People Ambassadors Program delegation to discuss Internet commerce and international law with Chinese lawyers.

Unlike the first book, which he describes as having a "not-so-happy ending," the second book has Adam getting the girl in the end.

"In a world this beset with misery, we need all the happy endings we can get," he said.

Dean called the book PG-13 and said it is appropriate for high school students on up, at the discretion of parents and teachers.

His first book signing is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 6 at Taylor Books in Charleston.

For more information, visit www.adammdean.com.