Astronomical Alignment Means Two Hearts Meet

 Scientist and artist disrupt families but find true love at last.

Can two people as unalike as an artist and an astronomer create a harmonious romance? With one person living in his head and the other in her heart, where can they find agreement? It all comes down to alignment: a key concept in science, in art, and in life, according to best-selling author Mara Purl.

Whose Hearts Align is an engrossing tale with the most satisfying and romantic storyline of her saga so far. To celebrate autumn and the upcoming holidays, the novel makes its debut in print, and the Amazon Kindle E-book will be free for three days, October 31, November 1 and 2nd.

Award-winning author Mara Purl weaves compelling facts into her story. “This book is the penultimate of the saga,” Purl explained. “Miranda Jones finally marries astronomer Cornelius Smith. But as they marry, emotions roil in Milford-Haven and in her own family. First, her sister has plunged into a serious relationship with Zack Calvin, whom her sister used to date. Shock, betrayal and judgment land on the celebrants from one side of the aisle, while support and encouragement flows from the other side.

As if this weren’t enough of a complication, yet another wedding of an important character is happening on the other side of the country. “Sally O’Mally owns a popular restaurant on Main Street. The man she loved way back in highschool has reappeared, but Sally is pregnant by someone else, a man who left her. Meanwhile, back in the small town where she and Tony went to school, her mama has taken a fall. Sally and Tony go to Arkansas to care for her, but it turns out to be their only chance to marry before Sally’s child is born.

Purl’s latest opus is full of the entertaining twists and turns that’ve made her a best-selling author. “But what I love are the deeper moments of vulnerability,” Mara confessed. “What makes a beautiful, accomplished woman doubt herself? Why does a successful man question his chances at real acceptance for who he is beyond the accolades? Are a person’s chances at risk because of racism or disability? From my perspective every limitation can be overcome if we align with our core values. But that doesn’t make it easy.”

As always, Purl did exhaustive research as she prepared to write this fourth novel. “My studies revealed multiple uses and layers to the concept of alignment: scientific, emotional, psychological, societal, professional. These all brought a new level of awareness, but what brought the story alive was pairing these with lived experiences, my own as well as others’.”

Whose Hearts Align is part of Purl’s best-selling saga, Milford-Haven, which began as a hit BBC radio drama with 4.5 million listeners in the U.K., and became a multi-award winning book series with 17 million followers in the U.S. The saga is set in California’s scenic Central Coast, where Purl regularly researches her stories and is a frequent speaker.

Trade Reviews:
“Whose Hearts Align is another novel in the Milford-Haven series from esteemed writer Mara Purl. [This book] is a people story for those who love people stories – highly recommended.” – Midwest Book Review

“First-time readers need not fear trying this, the fourth volume of author Purl’s BBC Radio drama converted into a series of engaging novels. With plenty of cliffhangers and red herrings to woo them, readers will be captivated by this small-town tale that will leave them ready for more. And although there’s a lot of backstory, as in all soap operas, readers will be drawn in and hooked by the ongoing saga..”
– ForeWord Reviews

“Mara’s Milford-Haven series goes deep into the life of artist Miranda Jones—her family, her agent, her friends and neighbors in San Francisco and the fictional town of Milford-Haven situated on the Central Coast of California. Intrigue, murder, and betrayal; musicians, murals, and shells; hummingbirds, whales, sea otters; … and an astronomer who shows Miranda how to reach for the stars in life and love.” – Derra Moyers

“What a lovely escape I had reading Mara Purl’s new book! As usual, I’m impressed by how she manages to so skillfully interweave all of the threads of her environmental concerns with spiritual insights while spinning this intricate tale. What I noticed most of all is the sophistication and depth of her thoughts about family, pregnancy, childhood and parenthood. But incorporating all of this so adroitly into the Milford-Haven saga is puzzle-creation of the highest order! BRAVA!! – Marilyn Harris

About the Author:

For her Milford-Haven Novels, Mara was named Top Female Author for Fiction by the Authors Show. To date, her book series has won more than 70 book awards, and has topped multiple best-seller lists on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Her novels, novellas and novelettes with their gorgeous watercolor book covers and engaging mix of romance and mystery are sought after by her mostly female readers, where Mara has become a trail blazer for both Women’s Fiction and Small Town fiction.

Mara, who has appeared on stage and on-camera since childhood, played the recurring character “Darla Cook” on NBC’s Days of Our Lives. She then founded a production company and created Milford-Haven U.S.A.,a serial drama loosely based upon Cambria. The show, co-starring a well-known L.A. based cast including Erin Gray, Linda Purl, Ed Begley, Jr., Michael Horse, and several others, became the first American radio drama to air on BBC radio, where it enjoyed a following of 4.5 million listeners. Purl’s story later came to the attention of New York publishers, who began publishing her novel series in hardcover in 2011. Since then, her books have become national best-sellers.

Mara has been featured in major media including the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, the Today Show, ABC affiliates, The (London) Sunday Times, Billboard, the Hollywood Reporters, and regional press nationally and internationally. She is a frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, and also speaks for the American Heart Association, for women’s organizations, for writers’ conferences and for colleges and universities. Mara and her books have a large following nationally and particularly in California. Along with her work as an author, speaker and performer, she consults for other authors at her well-known company Haven Books.

Contact:

https://MaraPurl.com
MaraPurl@MaraPurl.com
https://www.facebook.com/mara.purl/
https://twitter.com/MaraPurl
#MilfordHaven #MaraPurl #Alignment

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Sea Otter Attack Leads to Murder Clue

Multiple award-winning novella, When Otters Play, by bestselling author Mara Purl, reveals connection between crimes against wildlife and human

Can a bullet lodged in the carcass of a Southern California sea otter lead to a connection to crimes against humans?

When Otters Play is a thrilling, award-winning novella that takes readers on a compelling sea-going adventure. To celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week, the Amazon Kindle E-book will be free for four days, September 22, 23, 24 and 25th.

Best-selling, award-winning author Mara Purl weaves intriguing facts into her story. Based in part on researching reports by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service experts who monitor the wild sea otter population near Santa Barbara, Purl found that law enforcement information can and is shared between officers who monitor violent crime against both humans and wildlife.

“Sea otters are highly intelligent creatures who live mostly within sight of the coastline, observing and interacting with humans in marinas and recreational areas,” Purl explained. “They’re the only marine mammals with paws very much like hands. And they’re clever and mischievous. They’ve been known to steal oarlocks, swipe food, and play with beach balls.”

Despite being the cutest and cleverest animals in the area, sea otters have run afoul of commercial fishermen who harvest sea urchins. “I had no idea how controversial this book would be,” Mara revealed. “When I first began research I assumed I’d be learning about migration, mating, feeding and other behaviors. But I discovered two important things. First, the sea otter is an index species.

Second, the sea otter was endangered for many years. In its absence, fishermen began harvesting urchins, and this became a lucrative business for them. Now that the otters are back, they’re competing for that same supply. The fisherman don’t see cute creatures; they see dangerously aggressive competitors.

Sea Otter Awareness Week was founded in 2006 to recognize the vital role that sea otters play in the nearshore ecosystem. It’s only through wildlife advocacy groups that the populations survives, and they’re still threatened by oil spills, fishing gear entanglement, vessel strikes and habitat degradation. The southern sea otter is an ancient species, dating back five to twenty-three million years ago. Their luxurious pelts were so highly valued for fur, that they were nearly hunted to extinction until the 1911 Fur Seal Treaty.

When Otters Play is part of Purl’s best-selling saga, Milford-Haven, which began as a hit BBC radio drama with 4.5 million listeners in the U.K., and became a multi-award winning book series with 17 million followers in the U.S. The story is set in California’s scenic Central Coast, where Purl regularly researches her stories, and is a frequent speaker.

Reviewer and Host of The Authors Show Linda Thompson said: “The big plus about reading Purl’s works is what you learn, particularly about the central California coastal area, but most especially about the wildlife. You can feel the almost-human quality of the otters in this book and your heart aches for little Lulu, who is without her mother. When Otters Play is a wonderful read and I was sad to reach the last page. This is another one on my ‘must recommend” list.’”

Don Barthelmess, Professor Marine Technology Department, Santa Barbara City College, said, “A fun and accurate depiction of the diverse marine communities set in the beautiful Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Mara makes the story come alive!”

Reader comments:

“Mara Purl creates a rich palette in her newest Milford-Haven installment. Artist Miranda Jones heads into the ocean and we meet a raft of otters as well as a mix of interesting people against a backdrop of the lush California Central Coast. All is not well at the coast, and not everyone wants to protect the otters! I love the series not only for the magical setting, but also for the author’s style in bringing delicious detail to the reader. Come to Milford-Haven for the ambiance, but stay for the drama!”
– Victoria Heckman, author of the Elizabeth Murphy Animal Communicator Series

“Mara Purl’s writing style is imaginatively eloquent. She manages to put words together in unique ways that grab my mind and make me see things I’d never thought of before. Her storytelling, simply put, is a joy. When Otters Play is a great read by an author who never disappoints, Mara Purl. Get it, sit down in your favorite reading chair, and enjoy.” – Roger Seiler, Author of Master of Alaska

About the Author

For her Milford-Haven Novels, Mara was named 2019 Top Female Author for Fiction by the Authors Show. To date, her book series has won more than 60 book awards, and has topped multiple best-seller lists on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Her novels, novellas and novelettes with their gorgeous watercolor book covers and engaging mix of romance and mystery are sought after by her mostly female readers, where Mara has become a trail blazer for both Women’s Fiction and Small Town fiction.

Mara, who has appeared on stage and on-camera since childhood, played the recurring character “Darla Cook” on NBC’s Days of Our Lives. She then founded a production company and created Milford-Haven U.S.A.,a serial drama loosely based upon Cambria, California. The show, co-starring a well-known L.A. based cast including Erin Gray, Linda Purl, Ed Begley, Jr., Michael Horse, and several others, became the first American radio drama to air on BBC radio, where it enjoyed a following of 4.5 million listeners. Purl’s story later came to the attention of New York publishers, who began publishing her novel series in hardcover in 2011. Since then, her books have become national best-sellers, as have her novellas.

Mara has an on-line following of 17 million when she does her blog tours. She is a frequent guest on radio talk shows, and also speaks for the American Heart Association, for women’s organizations, for writers’ conferences and for colleges and universities. Mara and her books have a large following nationally and particularly in California. Along with her work as an author, speaker and performer, she consults on other authors’ book projects.

Contact:

Mara Purl

http://www.MaraPurl.com

MaraPurl@MaraPurl.com

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