HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA

LOCAL WRITER TACKLES DARK SIDE OF LOVE

Evelyn Cole is currently signing her latest novel, "A Tough Journey to The Heart of Happiness", the story of a son's struggles with himself and against his powerful father in a Southern California city known world-wide for its surfing contests. Their immediate conflict is over the shelter for battered women.

Kirkus review: Photojournalist and artist Bernie Perkins is surrounded by a loving French mother, a truculent father who ís also his boss, an unfaithful wife, and a four-year-old son. In this ardent but uneven novel, he proceeds to lose all. . . . Although the story periodically languishes in melodrama and despite the need for more aggressive editing, Bernieís plight remains compelling. . . . A tale of personal despair and recovery, and a careful look at domestic violence. The grace in Bernie's character lifts this novel well above its flaws.

Reader from first bookfair writes, "I just finished reading your novel, 'A Tough Journey'. I'm almost in tears. It's so tender, so beautiful. I couldn't put it down. It's so sexy, so sweet and a mystery, too. The last two pages . . . .oh my!" Margaret Haak, Arroyo Grande, CA

First reviewer on Barnes and Noble.com: August 18, 2004:

"A plot that weaves through a town's politics and a neighborhood's love affairs, Evy Cole puts her writing fingers on events in an American beach community like no other writer since early Updike. She tells of community politics,a serial dog killer and love affairs that are downtown and dirty.The readers of Tough Journey will feel like they're living next door to the diverse and interesting characters that inhabit her Huntington Beach back drop."

"I finished your novel, Evelyn. I'm well over eighty years old, you know, and your novel works better than Viagra." Don S.

Cole's latest foray shows the power of the unconscious mind to screw up your life. Her first novel, "For The Sake of All Others", delves into causes of teen suicide. "A Tough Journey" shows the effects of violence and love in families over three generations.

The father pulls some dirty tricks on the son in the name of love. One of the characters murders the dogs in the son's neighborhood, the result of misdirected love. City merchants want to close down the women's shelter and bring it to the city council for a vote. The son runs away from conflict and from the woman he loves to a woman he thinks he loves. He tries to run away from his career, his country and himself.

The editor at IUniverse.com, the publishing arm of BarnesandNoble.com, writes, "The story consists of several interrelated incidents that are driven by a struggle between opposing forces. These forces are both internal and external.

"Cole's setting provides a strong sense of story and paints a clear picture. I especially like the juxtaposition of France and So. Cal.-just because you're someplace else doesn't mean that you can run away from your demons.

"It's refreshing to see a protagonist who cheats on his wife and has an affair with a married woman yet evokes compassion. Very nice."

Click here to read Chapter One (Adult) Click here to buy the whole novel for only $6.00 in pdf. format, immediate download! That's a savings of $12.95 plus shipping!

ISBN 0-595-32007-4