{"id":611389,"date":"2026-09-02T11:12:42","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T11:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/story\/611389\/alaska-honeymoon-couple-saves-eagle-then-husband-saves-wife-from-drowning-under-kayak.html"},"modified":"2026-09-02T11:12:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T11:12:42","slug":"alaska-honeymoon-couple-saves-eagle-then-husband-saves-wife-from-drowning-under-kayak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/story\/611389\/alaska-honeymoon-couple-saves-eagle-then-husband-saves-wife-from-drowning-under-kayak.html","title":{"rendered":"Alaska Honeymoon Couple Saves Eagle Then Husband Saves Wife from Drowning under Kayak"},"content":{"rendered":"

United States – September 2, 2026 –<\/strong> The bald eagle—America’s national bird—lives under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. But not even a act of Congress can protect an eagle, or one of its offspring, from harm in the wild.<\/p>\n

Wildlife artist Miranda Jones finds this out during her honeymoon at a wilderness lodge in Alaska. Wisely, she calls the Alaska Department of Fish and Game when an eaglet falls from its nest high in an arctic spruce. Happily, her friend Dr. Joy Aderyn happens to be in nearby Homer, and she joins the rescue party.<\/p>\n

Though this scenario is fictional, it’s based on the extensive research author Mara Purl did as she wrote her latest book. The tale is also based on her own experiences both teaching and traveling in the great northern state. She also called on her friend Dr. Lori Blanc, a conservation biologist and avian ecologist, to vet the technical details of the eagle rescue.<\/p>\n

Mara Purl’s new When Eagles Roost<\/em> is by turns a riveting adventure story, and a romantic tale that includes three couples at different stages of their lives. Miranda’s new husband is astronomer Dr. Cornelius Smith with an exciting career at NASA. The artist and the scientist have equal passions for nature . . . and for each other.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile an older couple take an Alaskan cruise to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Originally from farms in California’s Central Valley, they’ve retired to live in San Luis Obispo and have encountered Miranda Jones in previous adventure novellas in the series. One more couple who’ve also appeared in previous books are the flight attendant and the business man with a job in commercial shipping. In this tale he finally finds the courage to propose during their Alaskan cruise.<\/p>\n

Is this book more romance, or more adventure? “It’s a romantic adventure!” Purl replied with a knowing twinkle. “When my husband and I traveled through much of Alaska, I knew I wanted to write about our wonderful trip. For the first month I was a resident professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, but I certainly learned as much as I taught. Alaskans are self-reliant, generous, knowledgeable and rather courageous. Even in their cities, they’re living at the edge of a frontier.” The novella features a Yupik student, based on a real native Alaskan student who was in Purl’s class. “Many people from his village came to the university to watch a performance of the play I wrote with my students. They were very proud of what their young member accomplished with his writing and performing.” Purl also met with a long-time friend Etok, a leader of the Inuit tribe from Barrow who served on the International Whaling Commission.<\/p>\n

This is the fifth of Purl’s adventure novellas. It debuts on Amazon October 1st, and the ebook edition will be free October 1, 2, and 3. The ebook will also be in Kindle Unlimited, a free read for members. https:\/\/bit.ly\/WhenEaglesAmz<\/a><\/p>\n

On October 3rd and 4th Purl and a long-time friend and colleague will perform scenes from their latest works at Salty Pages Bookstore in Cambria and then at Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay, California, part of the region where many of their novels are set. “It’s become an annual event that all our readers and followers enjoy so much,” she explained. “The value of writing series is that readers always want the next installment. It adds to the fun.”<\/p>\n

Her colleague is Tony Piazza, author of old-time Hollywood mysteries. They’ll be joined by two accomplished professional actors who will also take roles in the performed scenes, Linda Wilson and Chester Perryess.<\/p>\n

Purl’s novel series has won more than 95 book awards. When Eagles Roost<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

Trade Reviews:<\/p>\n

“…Mara Purl’s When Eagles Roost <\/em>is a romantic adventure wrapped around an Alaskan journey, with newlyweds Miranda Jones and Cornelius Smith discovering what it means to begin a marriage while both remain fully engaged in the work and interests that define them. Their honeymoon starts with professional commitments at the University of Alaska, then opens into a road trip through Denali, Valdez, Homer, and Sadie Cove before ending aboard an Alaskan cruise. Along the way, Purl folds in several familiar Milford-Haven characters, including Francine and Will, whose relationship takes a major step forward, and Cedric and Ezme Worthington, whose fiftieth-anniversary cruise becomes its own affectionate story. The result feels less like a single straight-line adventure and more like traveling alongside several couples who are each figuring out how love changes over time. – Literary Titan Reviews<\/strong><\/p>\n

“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<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reader comments:<\/p>\n

“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<\/p>\n

“BIG fun! Loved the exciting, overturned kayak adventure, eaglet rescue, Carl Sagan being ‘just one of the guys,’ and never tiring of how handsome husbands can be!! The romance of the Captain’s dinner . . . sigh! And remembering after the fact how alone I’d been before marrying my wonderful husband. I’ve been enjoying Miranda’s adventures, of course — all the details of wardrobe, scientific verbiage, insomnia, insights, and growth — as well as appreciating finely turned phrases such as a “black night tossed with stars,” and commentary on the need for order — specially poignant during these dis-ordered times — and other hallmarks of your distinctive writing voice. BRAVA dear storyteller! Long may Eagles Roost!” – Marilyn Harris<\/p>\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n

For her Milford-Haven Novels, Mara was named an Author Laureate by the American Book Fest, as well as Top Female Author for Fiction by the Authors Show. To date, her book series has won more than 95 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. For her radio drama, Mara was named an Audio Influencer by the Library of Congress.<\/p>\n

Mara, who has appeared on stage and on-camera since childhood, played the recurring character “Darla Cook” on NBC’s Days of Our Lives<\/em>. She then founded a production company and created Milford-Haven U.S.A.,<\/em>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.<\/p>\n

Mara is a frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, Her most recent appearance was on KTNV La Vegas Morning Blend kicking off October as National Book Month. She has been a guest on The Today Show, and the L.A. Times wrote a front page article about her in their Calendar arts section. She 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 for other authors at her well-known company Haven Books.<\/p>\n

Www.MaraPurl.com<\/a><\/p>\n

MaraPurl@MaraPurl.com<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mara.purl\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/instagram\/MaraPurl<\/a><\/p>\n

#MilfordHaven #MaraPurl #Eagles<\/em><\/p>\n

Media Contact<\/span>
Company Name:<\/strong> Literary Titan
Contact Person:<\/strong> Mara Purl
Email:<\/strong> Send Email<\/a>
Country:<\/strong> United States
Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.marapurl.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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