Cookies must be enabled to use this website.

FORBIDDEN LOVE is the true love story of Father William Grau, a black Catholic priest, and Sister Sophie Legocki, a white Polish-American nun who, in the segregated fifties, defied the church and society with their passionate secret love affair that lasted for nearly a decade and produced a son, Joe Steele.Through a series of heart-wrenching conversations with his birth mother Joe learns how she, as a young nun, fell in love with his birth father and about their life together in the rectory as secret lovers. During these conversations, Joe also shares his life growing up in Cincinnati with the loving Steele family who had adopted him as an infant. FORBIDDEN LOVE will resonate with anyone who has been touched by adoption and anyone who has refused to let society define who they can love.

FORBIDDEN LOVE is a true story told in 54 poignant and at times hilarious chapters, featuring the hot button topics of race, religion, adoption and sexual orientation. Told through fond memories, flashbacks and heart-wrenching conversations between Joe Steele and his birth mother, Sophie, FORBIDDEN LOVE is the inspiring story of a love that would not be denied, proving true love will always triumph.

Lisa Jones Gentry is an NAACP Image Award and Literary Critics nominated writer and screenwriter. She worked as a television executive producer in Hollywood and has produced over a hundred hours of television programming. She is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. 

Joe Steele is a Harvard College and Harvard Business School graduate and successful global development consultant and executive coach. He is the child of Father William Grau, a black Catholic priest, and Sister Sophie Legocki, a white Polish-American nun. Joe was raised in Cincinnati as the beloved youngest son in the nurturing and loving Steele family.