North to Home

After her divorce, Nolee Burnett leaves the dusty plains of West Texas for an island cabin nestled in spruce trees in the Pacific Northwest, determined to craft a new life for herself. Next door is her mysterious neighbor Keet Noland, who owns and is the Captain of a sailboat charter company. Weary of his own unhappiness, Keet plans to leave the island, and the life he's built there, behind. Rumors surrounding Keet intrigue Nolee; he swims in the cold Salish Sea at night and seems as comfortable in the water as the large male orca Nolee spots swimming in the bay outside her cabin. Keet has an unusual affinity with the local killer whales, and Nolee is drawn into his world, even as she rebuilds her own. As Keet and Nolee get to know one another, they embark on an odyssey of discovery, leading them to experiences neither could have imagined. This is a story about choosing to love despite differences, and the liberation that happens when we tell ourselves the truth.

Reeling from a sudden divorce, Nolee Burnett leaves the dusty plains of West Texas for an island cabin nestled in spruce trees in the Pacific Northwest, determined to craft a new life for herself. Next door is her mysterious neighbor Keet Noland, who is the owner and Captain of a sailboat charter company. Weary of his own unhappiness, Keet plans to leave the island, and the life he's built there, behind.Rumors surrounding Keet intrigue Nolee; he swims in the cold Salish Sea at night and seems as comfortable in the water as the large male orca Nolee spots swimming in the bay outside her cabin. Keet has an unusual affinity with the local killer whales, and Nolee wants to find out more.As Keet and Nolee get to know one another, they embark on an odyssey of discovery, leading them to experiences neither could have imagined. This is a story about choosing to love despite differences, and the liberation that happens when we tell ourselves the truth. Crissi McDonald, who now calls Colorado home, spent her Arizona childhood looking for horses to ride. As a teenager and young adult, she traded barn work for riding lessons and spent summers on cattle ranches and running horse programs at a Girl Scouts of America camp; along the way, she earned a BA in philosophy from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. Now a trainer and a certified Masterson Method equine bodyworker, she travels with her husband, Mark Rashid, offering clinics nationally and internationally.Along with horses, Crissi has had a lifelong interest in writing and photography; her articles have been published in The Bark, and her photographs have been used in several of Mark Rashid's books. Through her blog, she connects with those looking for ways to build deep and trusting relationships with their horses. "Continuing The Ride," is her first book. The "North to Home" series is a trilogy set in the Pacific Northwest. This series is best read in order, beginning with book one, "North to Home." Book Two, "The Clock in the Water" will be released in May 2023. Book three is "Through the Storm Glass," and is set to be released in 2024.

In this second book in the "North to Home" series, Nolee and Keet navigate their relationship with each other, and the complex web of otherworldly family dynamics. The Clock in the Water returns us to Osprey Bay, where Nolee has built a life for herself. When Keet arrives back home, their past relationship is still too fresh for her to ignore. As Nolee figures out if she can trust Keet again, abyssal forces are rising, the turbulent waves of the past pulling them into unfamiliar waters. Surprised by the appearance of a family both known and unknown, Keet and Nolee figure out how to deal with the layers of secrets-and pain-that threaten to capsize their quiet lives on Camas Island. Part love story, part romance, and part character drama, "The Clock in the Water" grafts together several genres to create a mature and engaging story about forgiveness and the beauty of the family we choose.

The Clock in the Water returns us to Osprey Bay, where Nolee has built a life for herself. When Keet arrives back home, their past relationship is still too fresh for her to ignore. As Nolee figures out if she can trust Keet again, abyssal forces are rising, the turbulent waves of the past pulling them into unfamiliar waters. Surprised by the appearance of a family both known and unknown, Keet and Nolee figure out how to deal with the layers of secrets-and pain-that threaten to capsize their quiet lives on Camas Island.Part love story, part romance, and part character drama, "The Clock in the Water" grafts together several genres to create a mature and engaging story about forgiveness and the beauty of the family we choose. Crissi McDonald, who now calls Colorado home, spent her Arizona childhood looking for horses to ride. As a teenager and young adult, she traded barn work for riding lessons and spent summers on cattle ranches and running horse programs at a Girl Scouts of America camp; along the way, she earned a BA in philosophy from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. Now a trainer and a certified Masterson Method equine bodyworker, she travels with her husband, Mark Rashid, offering clinics nationally and internationally.Along with horses, Crissi has had a lifelong interest in writing and photography; her articles have been published in The Bark, and her photographs have been used in several of Mark Rashid's books. Through her blog, she connects with those looking for ways to build deep and trusting relationships with their horses. "Continuing The Ride," is her first book. The "North to Home" series is a trilogy set in the Pacific Northwest. This series is best read in order, beginning with book one, "North to Home." Book Two, "The Clock in the Water" will be released in May 2023. Book three is "Through the Storm Glass," and is set to be released in 2024.

In this gripping conclusion to the North to Home trilogy, Keet and Nolee's bond faces its greatest test as forces beyond their control threaten to pull them apart. Keet has left his sister, Zelka, with a newly discovered branch of their Keykwin family at the mysterious Water Canyon House. As he and Nolee enjoy committing to their relationship in new ways, Zelka begins to uncover the secrets of her underwater kin. Despite their welcoming embrace, she finds herself torn by the attentions of a man she cannot decide to trust or avoid. But the Water Canyon House has its own plans, refusing to release Zelka back to the land until she makes a sacrifice of what she holds most dear. As Nolee becomes consumed by her longing to be something she's not, Keet grapples with unresolved memories from the past that have resurfaced in his present. Their lives are swept up in the powerful crosscurrents of these conflicting desires, forcing them both to confront what truly matters most. Rising From the Sea is a tale that explores the perils of chasing dreams that might not be meant for us and underscores the vital importance of the bonds we share with friends and family.