A Story of Love, Survival, and Systemic Failure
United States, 29th Nov 2025 – Author Dan D. Phillips brings forward a deeply grounded and revealing account of love, loss, and healthcare inequities in his new book, Beauty and the Malignant Beast. The memoir documents his late wife’s four-year battle with Stage 4 colon cancer, while critically examining the systemic gaps that continue to affect countless patients and families across the United States.
The story centers on Celeste Holden Phillips, a respected North Carolina entrepreneur and founder of Celeste’s Interiors, a design boutique that operated successfully for 44 years and was featured in Southern Living magazine. Known for her creativity and work ethic, Celeste built a brand defined by trust, craftsmanship, and authenticity. Her cancer diagnosis in 2019 changed everything, tu...
