Family Secret Revealed Brings Healing

 

Adoption, Betrayal, and Hurt Overcome When the Truth is Revealed At Last

Can anyone in Milford-Haven keep a secret? What’s at stake when a secret it kept? Will someone be hurt if the truth is revealed? Will others be damaged if the secrets stay buried? Or does a generational secret revealed at last bring healing to a man, two families, and a town?

Why Hearts Keep Secrets is an engrossing tale with the most satisfying and romantic storyline of the year. To celebrate No More Secrets Day, the book makes its debut in print, and the Amazon Kindle E-book will be free for three days, April 13, 14, and 15th.

Best-selling, award-winning author Mara Purl weaves compelling facts into her story. “This book is at the apex of the series,” Purl explained. “Miranda Jones finally finds the love of her life. But in the process, she discovers members of her own family have been concealing important facts. So have other characters in the story, for reasons of their own.”

One part of the saga’s ongoing storyline involved a secret adoption. “A son doesn’t know he was adopted; a mother doesn’t know her son lives nearby; an adoptive father promised his late spouse to keep quiet; and an investigator stumbles across the truth,” the author explained. “This may sound like a soap opera, but this kind of family story occurs more often than people may realize.”

On the surface, Purl’s latest opus is full of the entertaining twists and turns that’ve made her a bestselling author. “But what I love are the deeper moments, the hidden motives,” Mara admitted. “Why would a parent abandon her child? Why would an adoptive father conceal his son’s true lineage? Fear, hope, promises, compromises, and betrayals—all these are part of this complex story,” she continued. “Why do people keep secrets? That’s what this book is all about.”

As always, Purl did exhaustive research as she prepared to write this third novel. Finding hundreds of press articles detailing stories of adoptees who chose to investigate their own birth parents, she conducted interviews with organizations and individuals. Some people were extremely satisfied by their searches; others were disappointed, or even devastated by what they found. But most could not resist the compulsion to find the answer to a core question: who am I?

Why Hearts Keep Secrets 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:
“Why Hearts Keep Secrets by Mara Purl is a compelling romance that draws readers into a world of mystery, suspense and intrigue. Set in the coastal town of Milford-Haven, the story continues as buried secrets and hidden agendas combine to create an electrifying plot that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Readers will fall in love with Purl’s masterful plotline and stunning use of descriptive imagery. In addition, the characters are memorable, original and believable, with unique, well-developed backstories. An interesting, engaging read that could be read as part of the series or as a standalone.”    – Maincrest Media Reviews

“The writing flows easily and the characters are compelling. . . . Purl has expertly interwoven her characters’ lives into a colorful, fascinating tapestry of mystery, romance, and suspense. Readers will find it fun to pass the time with the inhabitants of Milford-Haven, and will want to know more about their fates.” – ForeWord Reviews

“I found this continuation of Mara Purl’s Milford-Haven series to be every bit as captivating and revealing as all the others. The way Purl composes her novels, this series could go on for a long, long time. And true to form, the last chapter is another bit from Samantha Hugo’s journal. Purl uses this journal to tie the story all together and it works well. Another wonderful read.” –  Linda Thompson, Host of The Authors Show

Reader comments:

“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   

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. 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 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:

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

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Milford Haven Museum to Receive Surprise Grant

Celebrating Milford Haven, UK and Milford-Haven USA, American author gives back on 30th anniversary visit

Mara Purl, the American author of the best-selling Milford-Haven Novels, will visit the original namesake town in Wales. To celebrate, she’ll be providing a grant to a local organization.

The recipient will be the Milford Haven Museum. Five organizations submitted proposals at the invitation of the Milford Haven Town Council. The winner will receive 5,000.00 Pounds. Mara will present the cheque in person on Thursday, May 19th at 3:00pm, in the Chamber Room of the Town Hall. The event will be attended by the Mayor and the Councillors. “We’re very pleased that an excellent local project will be fully funded by Ms. Purl’s grant,” said Barbara Fitzgerald, the Council’s Clerk and Financial Officer. “And we’re delighted to welcome her to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of her first visit.”

“I am so thrilled to be able to help this local organization,” said Purl. “All the proposals were excellent, and my advisory board and I discussed each at length. Ultimately, we feel we can provide the most help to the project we’ve chosen.” Mara will be accompanied by her husband, Dr. Larry Norfleet, who also endorses the project.

The Museum submitted a detailed proposal for a “democratic, inclusive project for the community of Milford Haven.” It met the two key grant criteria—history and environmental protection. In addition it’s a creative writing project that will draw upon the talents of local writers and be offered at seven local schools. “It spoke to my author’s heart,” Purl confessed. “I hope they’ll allow me to be one of the contributing mentors as the project gets under way.”

The project will be a pilot program of eight 3-hour workshops held from June - September during school hours. Mentors will include accomplished writers Nicola Davies, author of the children’s environmental book “The Song That Sings Us,” and Eva John, former literacy advisor for Pembrokeshire County Council’s Education Services. To complete the project, the best student offerings will be published as a book “Cynefyn Aberdaugkeddau” or “Cultural Pride of Milford Haven.” The book will be available as a permanent legacy.

“The proposal described a ground-breaking project, and we agree,” said Purl, after conferring with fellow members of her Milford-Haven Enterprises organization, located in Los Angeles. “It’s an opportunity to honor the local environment, culture, and history; and it’s a collaborative project to encourage the talents of young people. The prospects are thrilling.”

Giving back, or “paying it forward” is a core value for Purl, who taught her original radio drama curriculum for fifteen years in American high schools and universities. She has also served on numerous boards and earned community awards for her service, including being named Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women. “When I first visited this special town of Milford Haven, the people here were kind beyond description. They welcomed me with a reception and a series of lovely events, showing me their own generous hearts. I was grateful at the time, and even more grateful now that I can give back in a meaningful way.”

The author’s first visit took place in 1992, when her American radio serial had just become a hit on the BBC, with 4.5 million listeners. The popularity of her show led to interest from publishers, and she eventually began writing the Milford-Haven Novels. After twenty years, which the author describes as her “overnight success,” they began hitting best seller lists. Her blog tours attracted as many as 17 million followers in the U.S. Her most recent book, the series prequel When the Heart Listens, hit Amazon’s #1 in multiple categories as of February 22, or 2-22-22, National California Day.

In 1999 Mara visited again with her husband. On the eve of their trip, Mara received a call from her aunt. “‘We have people from there, you know.’ I’d had only a vague awareness of an ancestral connection to Wales but nothing specific. When Aunt Madelon said that a great-great-grandfather had lived in Milford Haven, I felt chills. ‘I thought you knew!’ my aunt continued. She thought I had chosen the town and its location based on family genealogy.” Both startled and fascinated, the author delved deeper with the help of her mother’s cousin. “Oh yes,” Gene Mergy confirmed. “The family has two lines that go back to Wales.” With that, he presented Mara with pages of print-outs showing her Pembrokeshire ancestor John Dafydd born there in 1682, as well as another line tracing back to the 1500s in Glamorganshire.

Since then, Mara has maintained friendly relations with both Milford Haven, Wales, and Cambria, California, where she’s part of a local writing community and frequent speaker. The Cambria Historical Society invited her to present “Roots and Branches,” a historically researched program tracing the actual connections between the two towns.

Her research also turned up a little-known connection to Milford-Haven, Virginia, founded prior to the American Revolution by people from the original Welsh town. Mara visited, met with a local historian, and is weaving her discoveries there into her saga as well. “Milford-Haven, Virginia is on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay,” the author explained. “Oddly enough, my father spent his childhood summers just down the road, at his grandmother’s home. It seems there’s a Milford-Haven in both sides of my family.

“What does it mean? Is there cellular memory? I don’t know. I do feel a sense of guidance. When these extraordinary synchronicities are revealed, I know I’m on the right path, doing what I’m here to do. I trust my intuition.”

Meanwhile her fictional series is based on extensive research into environmental issues as well as her own personal experiences, woven into the engaging stories that are domestic dramas laced with romance and an ongoing mystery.

When the Heart Listens is the latest book in Purl’s best-selling saga, which to date has won more that 60 book awards. Milford-Haven U.S.A. began as a hit BBC radio drama with 4.5 million listeners in the U.K., and became the best-selling book series with series is set in California’s scenic Central Coast, where Purl regularly researches her stories, and is a frequent speaker.

The newest book hit #1 on Amazon in February of this year, and is a prequel to the series. “Once again Purl pulls out all the stops and goes straight to the heart of the story. This is where it all began – Miranda’s quest for the life she wasn’t aware she wanted and needed. , , It’s comforting to know that listening to your heart over your common sense is, at times, the right thing to do.” – Linda Thompson, The Authors Show

Reader comments:

“Sinking into the world of Milford-Haven’s core family, it’s such fun to get to know them better and learn that I like them all, albeit for different reasons. There is a true brilliance to your work, your vision, and the only thing needed is to carry on and finish each segment and braid them all together. I am cheering you on!”
– Laurie Jameson, WILLA award-winning author

“I have enjoyed so much reading When the Heart Listens. It was so lovely I didn’t want it to end . . . and I see the series doesn’t end! I will continue to read your beautiful writing! And I will share with my mom and my sister and friends!”
– Julie Scroggs, Seattle

“Reading When the Heart Listens made me realize how important it was for me to have [the protagonist’s] history. I am really captivated by Miranda. [Having read some of your books before,] now I’m at a place where I want to go back and really read them in order from start to finish.”
– Carol Schmidt, Shell Beach, California

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

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Artist Listens to Heart, Creates Dream California Life

Celebrating California Day 2-22-22, Wildlife And Landscape Painter Miranda Jones Finds Haven in Central Coast.

Honoring National California Day, best-selling author Mara Purl offers two of her award-winning books during a special campaign.

Can an artist change the course of her life by listening to her “heart”? Is the California dream still alive? Does Small Town USA Offer Treasures the Big City can’t? The answer to all these questions is “Yes” according to author Mara Purl.

When the Heart Listens is a throbbing, vibrant novella that takes readers into the heart of family pressures, sibling rivalry, and the courage to create the California Dream. The Amazon Kindle E-book will be free for five days, February 22 through 26.

“I wrote this book at the request of my readers,” Purl admitted. “Three Central Coast book clubs had read the first two novels in my series, but wanted to know why my artist-protagonist had moved to Milford-Haven in the first place. I knew why—but I hadn’t written that part of the story. It turned out to be so important to the entire saga! It was a wonderful challenge and a joy to write this prequel.” The book went on to win ten book awards including the American Fiction, International, Independent Press and Global EBook Awards.

Best-selling, award-winning author Mara Purl weaves compelling facts into her story. Based in part on her personal experience as a successful journalist who left New York City to return to her own artistic roots, Purl delved into her own heart to find the resonating truths of this story.

The campaign will also feature the first novel in the series, What the Heart Knows, at a reduced price. In this book, as Miranda settles into her new home, we meet two other women who become her good friends. We also meet journalist Christine Christian who agrees to meet with a shady contact and then goes missing, which begins the series’ ongoing mystery storyline.

When the Heart Listens 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 series is set in California’s scenic Central Coast, where Purl regularly researches her stories, and is a frequent speaker.

Reviews:

“Once again Purl pulls out all the stops and goes straight to the heart of the story. This is where it all began – Miranda’s quest for the life she wasn’t aware she wanted and needed. It’s comforting to know that listening to your heart over your common sense is, at times, the right thing to do.” – Linda Thompson, The Authors Show

“When the Heart Listens by Mara Purl is a novel featuring two wildly different sisters. This book highlights the importance of maintaining family bonds even in one’s adult life as we are taken through the many highs and lows of the Jones family and the relationship between the Jones sisters. Above all, the message of following your heart and dreams is embedded very well in this story and will undoubtedly influence readers in a positive way. Overall, Mara Purl’s family saga is a captivating story with a fully developed plot, detailed descriptions, and heartwarming characters.” – Elite Choice Reviews
– Elite Choice Awards (Winner-Gold-Fiction)

Reader comments:

“Sinking into the world of Milford-Haven’s core family, it’s such fun to get to know them better and learn that I like them all, albeit for different reasons. There is a true brilliance to your work, your vision, and the only thing needed is to carry on and finish each segment and braid them all together. I am cheering you on!”
– Laurie Jameson, WILLA award-winning author

“I have enjoyed so much reading When the Heart Listens. It was so lovely I didn’t want it to end . . . and I see the series doesn’t end! I will continue to read your beautiful writing! And I will share with my mom and my sister and friends!”
– Julie Scroggs, Seattle

“Reading When the Heart Listens made me realize how important it was for me to have [the protagonist’s] history. I am really captivated by Miranda. [Having read some of your books before,] now I’m at a place where I want to go back and really read them in order from start to finish.”
– Carol Schmidt, Shell Beach, California

When The Heart Listens will be available in e-book format at no charge from February 22 through February 26, 2022 at https://www.amazon.com/Mara-Purl/e/B07PZT64XX/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1.

About Mara Purl:

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. 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
https://www.facebook.com/mara.purl/
https://twitter.com/MaraPurl

Leia Mais…

Missing Woman Speaks To Investigator In Lucid Dreams - Journalist Presumed Dead. Or Is She?

New Novel Explores Possibility of Life After Death, Extends Best-Selling Milford-Haven series into Paranormal Genre

Can a journalist haunt her own life? Can a person be living life with no clue she’s actually passed on? Can she make herself heard by someone who’s still alive?

These are among the key questions posed by best-selling author Mara Purl in her new book, What the Soul Suspects. The story tracks the progress of Christine Christian, a character who suffers memory loss from a minor head injury. Yet as the tale continues, Christine’s ongoing disorientation leads to more confusion.

She meets with investigator Deputy Delmar Johnson of the SLO County Sheriff’s Department, thinking they’re working the same case from two angles. He, however, is investigating her disappearance, and the “meeting” takes place in a lucid dream.

Both the journalist and the investigator are in for major shocks.

When author Mara Purl launched her novel series, it began with two protagonists: artist Miranda Jones, and journalist Christine Christian. But during the prologue—even before Chapter 1 began— Christine met with an accident. Following a lead in pursuit of an important story, she took a nasty fall and was never heard from again.

The narrative then follows painter Miranda Jones. Faced with a difficult life choices, Miranda follows her heart, using her intuition—even when it seems to be leading her away from parental advice, comfort and success. But Miranda’s story—which has legions of followers in the Women’s Fiction genre—leads to adventure, success, and eventually, personal happiness.

“Thematically both characters are of key importance to the series,” Purl commented. “Miranda represents ‘heart’—intuition becoming a reliable guidance system. Each book in the series has the word ‘heart’ in the title. But in the background, there was the question: what about logic? Christine represents the ‘head’— logic overriding intuition, stubborn resolve suppressing warning signals. And there will be more books focused on Christine as the series continues.”

The series now has six novels following the progress and adventures of Miranda and several other characters. And although an investigator had nominally reviewed the case of the missing journalist, her case has gone cold. No body has ever been discovered, and Ms. Christian often traveled internationally for extended periods.

"It was time to get back to Christine," Purl confirmed. "She's a character with a rich background that’s mostly been unexplored until now. She’s had many adventures that will be explored in some upcoming flashback stories. But first, we needed to see where she is now.”

The result is a tale that’s “spooky . . . with wisdom,” as one reader put it. “The story takes Christine on a breathtakingly beautiful journey to four lighthouses in California’s sumptuous Central Coast,” explained the author. “These visits offer guidance and inspiration, and yet they’re rather terrifying at times.”

Book reviewer and host of The Authors Show Linda Thompson wrote: “Mara Purl is a master at drawing you into a story and keeping you in it until the very last page.”

Reader comments:

"I LOVE this book! Spooky stuff told in a very provocative way . . . with wisdom! It's a wonderful book, so rich and nuanced with exploration of time, space, mind-states and special sensitivities. Much as I've enjoyed Mara Purl's writing in the past, there's something really special about this book that sparkles with conviction, mystery and beauty. There is something so elegant and inviting in this prose . . . really magical! It's not just the substance of the story but also the way it's being told. We're really there with Chris . . . as she drives through the Central Coast. I'm swept up into her world. It captivated me!" – Marilyn Harris, Singer, Songwriter, Composer

"Cool ghost story with two compelling characters, lots of real-world and metaphysical intrigue and even a dose of Laura Nyro. What’s not to like! I found the prose style to be precise and painstakingly visual. The overall atmosphere of the narrative, almost a third major character, also comes to life effectively, as do the lighthouses and spiritual Native American influences, and the notion, at the end, of Chris actually teaming up with Del from the Afterlife to catch her murderer is quite provocative. Purl's imagination and craft keep getting better and better." – Mark Kudlow, screenwriter

“The voices and personalities are clear and well crafted. The plot unfolds with just the right amount of mystery and strangeness, but never too bizarre as to be unbelieveable. I was yearning for more...thus showing me that it was very compelling from beginning to end. I kept thinking ‘great insight’, ‘very wise’, or ‘aha!’ as I read. I love learning new things in a story!” – Laurie Jameson, WILLA Award-winning author

“The book is so intriguing and very good! It was so fun to read about an area that I actually lived in. I think you described it beautifully and I felt as if I was there once again.” – Antoinette Burns

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 40 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.

About Mara Purl:

Mara Purl, 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, Book one “What the Heart Knows” and book two “Where the Heart Lives” have both become national best-sellers, as have her novellas, “When Hummers Dream” and “When Whales Watch.” and her latest, “When Otters Play”. Her Milford-Haven saga has won more than 30 book awards.

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

bellekeep@gmail.com

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