Best-selling author Mara Purl's latest novel, 'When Hearts Heal,' concludes her five-book Milford-Haven series with themes of personal and community healing that mirror current societal trends. Purl observes that people are seeking higher ground rather than common ground, creating opportunities for reconciliation. The novel features romantic storylines achieving traditional 'Happily Ever After' endings while addressing deeper personal hurts that inspire healing within the fictional coastal town.
'When Hearts Heal' follows a couple whose relationship develops from teenage acquaintance to adult romance, facing challenges that lead to separation and eventual reconciliation in California's iconic locations including Avila Beach, Esalen, and Big Sur's Post Ranch Inn. Parallel to this personal journey, the novel depicts reconciliation between two long-standing enemies in Milford-Haven whose opposing build versus no-build stances had divided the community until a personal revelation creates possibility for compromise.
The book makes its debut in print and digital formats, with the ebook available free for three days on Amazon Kindle October 9-11 and included in Kindle Unlimited for members. Purl will join colleagues for a performance of scenes from their works at Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay, California on October 12, an annual event that engages readers in the Central Coast region where her novels are set.
Purl's series has won more than 75 book awards and evolved from a BBC radio drama with 4.5 million UK listeners to a book series with 17 million US followers. Literary Titan's review notes the novel's 'lived-in world' where 'relationships are messy, often painful, yet also full of grace,' while reader comments highlight the balance between harmonious home life and mystery elements with through lines of kindness and community.
The importance of this release extends beyond literary achievement to reflect a cultural moment where fiction addresses real-world divisions. Purl's research into small coastal towns reveals trends toward healing that translate into narrative form, offering readers not just entertainment but models for reconciliation. The series' transition from radio to print to live performance demonstrates evolving storytelling methods that maintain reader engagement across formats and decades.
