McKinley: Climb of Hope (Excerpt 1)

I hope you enjoy this first excerpt from my new novel, McKinley: Climb of Hope. I will be writing this story as serialized fiction, so you will be reading it as I create it. But to do so, you will have to become a Paid Subscriber. That’s because my goal is not only to inspire readers, but to raise funds for the American Cancer Society with this effort. Please consider contributing today!

The Sentinel in Zion National Park

Dvora Abate stared up in awe at her mother, Keturah, who climbed, confidentially, above her. It had been more than two years since they first decided to climb the Sentinel, one of the most famous out-croppings in Utah’s Zion National Park. Climbing the Sentinel’s sheer cliff face was extremely difficult, but Keturah made it look easy. She swung confidently from rock to rock, finding her footing with ease.

“She’s twice my age and yet has so much energy!” Dvora thought to herself.

Reaching the top of the cliff face, Keturah reached out over the edge to Dvora, who was only a few steps behind her.

“Could you use a hand?” she asked.

“I’m your daughter!” Dvora said. “I should be at the top, already, offering to help you.”

Pulling her up on the ledge, Keturah offered her daughter some motherly advice.

“The secret is how badly you want it.”

Dvora looked questioningly at her mother.

“I stay focused on my goal,” Keturah explained. “I see myself reaching the top before you and so I do. And, as you can see, it works! I mean, it was my hand that helped you on to this ledge.”

“That it was,” Dvora admitted.

“Now, enjoy the view,” Keturah said. “We worked hard enough to see it.”