Giveaway: Once Upon a Gypsy Moon by Michael C. Hurley
Book Description:
Michael Hurley’s first book, Letters from the Woods (2005 Ragbagger Publishing) was chosen by Foreword Magazine as a Finalist for Book of the Year. Michael returns with Once Upon a Gypsy Moon (August 1, 2012, Ragbagger Publishing) another brilliantly written real and philosophical voyage toward life’s forward horizons. Originally published as private correspondence for a small group of longtime devoted readers and friends in six installments under the title Letters from the Sea, the author chronicles his personal journey, which began when he took to the open sea aboard an aging 32-foot sloop called the Gypsy Moon after he had lost his job, was short of money, and his 25 year marriage had ended. Michael’s odyssey begins in Annapolis, Maryland, and heads south for two years to various ports of call including a 350-mile solo passage through the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” the Outer Banks of North Carolina storied for thousands of shipwrecks, as he searches for perspective in reconciling the events of his past. Seeking to salvage a “life that has foundered,” he recalls poignant personal episodes and draws larger lessons on topics such as faith and disbelief; love, marriage, and affairs; parenting; and the challenges faced by adult children of alcoholics.When rough weather and mechanical problems force him to come ashore, his life takes a favorable tack when he meets Susan, his future wife. This course-correction provides the author a vehicle for describing his past failures in love and the foundation on which he has resolved to build again. Eight months later the two are married and the voyage continues until the Gypsy Moon encounters high winds off the coast of Haiti and is hit by a rogue wave. Hurley then faces a life-altering choice that brings this memoir to its exciting and unexpected conclusion.
Once Upon a Gypsy Moon will resonate with anyone who has had to pick up the pieces after personal failure and loss.
About Michael C. Hurley:
MICHAEL C. HURLEY Mike Hurley is a husband, father and lifelong sailor. Born in Baltimore in 1958, he received his undergraduate degree in English Education in 1981 from the University of Maryland at College Park and a law degree from St. Louis University School of Law in 1984. At age 34, Michael took a year off from practice to work as a professional sailboat-charter captain on the North Carolina coast. A member of the Bar in both North Carolina and Texas, he has also earned success and notoriety as a trial attorney and is listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers every year since 2006. Michael lives with his wife, Susan, and their four children.This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S. and ends on July 14, 2012. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Fascinating. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
traveler said... July 7, 2012 at 11:35 AM
This sounds like an intriguing memoir. I like that it is based on the author's travels and personal growth.
mtakala1 AT yuahoo DOT ocm
Margie said... July 7, 2012 at 2:46 PM
Thanks for the giveaway.
Reading said... July 7, 2012 at 2:57 PM
This sounds really interesting. Count me in, please.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Linda Kish said... July 7, 2012 at 6:04 PM
I love books like this, the ones that get really deep personally.
Susan O'Bryant said... July 7, 2012 at 9:40 PM
Sounds like the letters created a personal memoir of that time for him. See, I knew there was a reason I keep buying stamps! (and melted when my young niece asked if we could be pen pals!)
holdenj said... July 8, 2012 at 4:48 AM
I would love to take a year off to work on a sailboat! Count me in please...
Liene @LLucane at yahoo dot com
Anonymous said... July 8, 2012 at 6:49 AM
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