Sydney Avey

Dynamic Woman — Changing Times

Writing California: Santa Cruz

Apr 16, 2014 | Writing California, Writing life | 1 comment

Author Sherry Kyle does not want to give away too much, but she will say that West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz plays an integral part in her contemporary story about two women’s journeys to find hope and forgiveness in a season that may change their lives forever.

“The Heart Stone is my second book set in Santa Cruz, ” Sherry says. “My first contemporary novel, Delivered with Love, is set in Capitola, a small coastal town of Santa Cruz. My next novel, titled Watercolor Dreams, is a historical romance set in Carmel, California in 1910 and is set to release in October 2014.

 The West Cliff Drive Bicycle Path is not like any other. It’s over three miles long and has a gorgeous backdrop of ocean waves and dramatic cliffs. The paved trail is fairly flat and winds its way along the coastline of Santa Cruz from the San Lorenzo Riverway Trail, along the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and the Santa Cruz Wharf. As it continues along West Cliff Drive, you’ll come upon Lighthouse Field State Beach, which is home to a surfing museum and the Abbott Lighthouse. People enjoy watching the surfers below at Steamer Lane, as well as the sea lions on the rocks just offshore. The path ends at Natural Bridges State Park.”

 About The Heart Stone 

 TheHeartStone coverWhen the alcoholic father of Jessica MacAllister’s son reappears in their lives, Jessica takes Jacob to Santa Cruz to visit her uncle George for advice and refuge.

Following a year of grief, Evelyn Sweeney is finally ready to move on. As she ponders her new path in life, her mind drifts to her first love, George MacAllister.

When the lives of these two women cross, they discover that one heart-shaped ring binds their stories together. 

Excerpt 

Jessica approached Uncle George and laid a hand on his arm. “Tomorrow is Easter. I’d like to take you to church.”

He sat still, his mouth clamped shut.

She pressed further. “Then we can go to West Cliff Drive and stroll along the path. I’ll push you in your wheelchair.”

The view of the ocean against the cliffs would brighten anyone’s mood.

He glanced her way. “They’re serving ham tomorrow. I want to be back for lunch. No time for church.” His voice held a hard edge.

At least he was open to getting beyond these four walls. That was a step in the right direction. But his words and his body posture told her that he was far from being the uncle she remembered. He’d gone to church every Sunday rain or shine for as long as she could recall.

Being in nature would have to fulfill her need to be in God’s presence. “I’ll be here in the morning, around nine.” Jessica patted his arm. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy the fresh air and seeing the ocean again. It’ll lift your spirits.”

George grunted.

Jessica squeezed her uncle’s shoulder, then moved toward the door and her son waiting on the other side.

“Promise you’ll bring me back if I get strange looks?” Her uncle’s question tore at her heart.

So that was it. He was afraid of strangers staring at him. Since when was her uncle concerned with what other people thought?

An idea occurred to her. “You could always wear your prosthetic leg.” She grinned. “Time to book a hotel for the night. Bye now.” She slipped out the door before her uncle had a chance to protest.

About Sherry Kyle

Sherry Kyle is the award-winning author of The Christian Girl’s Guide to Style, a nonfiction book for 8-12 year old girls published by Legacy Press. Her second book for tweens, The Girl’s Guide to Your Dream Room, released in October 2013. Sherry and her husband Douglas have four children and live by the ocean on California’s central coast. www.sherrykyle.com

 

1 Comment

  1. Calder Lowe

    The Santa Cruz backdrop already makes it a winner in my estimation and the excerpt you include convinces me it’s a book I’d like to read.

    Reply

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Crafting a Novel Around a Real Person: An Interview with Sydney Avey – WRITE NOW!

Crafting a Novel Around a Real Person: An Interview with Sydney Avey – WRITE NOW!

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