A tragedy does not have to take over a person’s life.

That’s what “edusuader” Eric Shoars wants people to know and will explain next week when he talks about his new book: “Evil Does not Have the Last Word.” Shoars, an Austin native with a PhD in organization and management will be at Gymocha from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday for his formal book release, where he will read excerpts from his book at about 5:45.

About 13 years ago, Shoars accepted Christ as his savior and has been using faith and presentations to spread positive messages. He has spoken colleges and organizations about his work.

“Evil Does not Have the Last Word” focuses on faith and is a book for those who can’t get over past hardships. Shoars says evil is always around everybody, but what should people do when it gets personal?

“When we as human beings are faced with terror, with trauma, with tragedy, what do we do with that?” Shoars said. “Who do we turn to? Who do we trust?”

Like the seven stages of death to which psychologists refer, Shoars discusses what he calls R8: rage, recrimination, retreat, revenge, regret, resentment, redemption and restoration. He says people often struggle with a cycle of the first seven Rs, but what they are really looking for is the eighth one.

Shoars said his book doesn’t aim to solve someone’s problems, but to steer them toward a more positive thought process and to the right people who can help them.

“Evil Does not Have the Last Word” is Shoars’ third book. Copies and more information are available at his website, ericshoars.com. Paperback copies, $14.95, or digital, e-reader copies, $4.95, are available from Amazon.