Sea Cliff

by Mary Deal

Rachael Connor has great looks, money and a home of her own, but childhood abuse has left her fearful of men. When Rachael meets Matthew, she begins to rethink her life. He falls in love with her, but Rachael rebukes him, living by the "rules" her father taught her. She soon has an epiphany about how to overcome her father’s grip on her life. The next time she falls in love, she will know how to deal with it. But will Matthew let her get away so easily?

Hardcover

About the author

Mary Deal is an Amazon International bestselling, award-winning, multi-genre author of suspense/thrillers, romance, a short story collection, writers’ references, and self-help. She is a Pushcart Prize nominee, Artist and Photographer, and former newspaper columnist and magazine editor. After losing her beloved partner of 31 years, she is has written a memoir about surviving the grief period. That book is meant to help others and is due out in a few weeks.

She has traveled and has a lifetime of diverse experiences, all of which remain in memory as fodder for her fiction. A native of California’s Sacramento River Delta, where some of her stories are set, she has lived in England, the Caribbean, the Hawaiian Islands, and now resides in Garner, No. Carolina. Also, her paintings and photography are used to create gorgeous personal and household products.

Her Website:
http://www.marydeal.com

Amazon Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/3z8pm31

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/MaryDeal

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sea Cliff is a very appropriate title for this book. Not only is Mary Deal's story about a beautiful area in San Francisco named Sea Cliff, but it's also the way to describe the main character's emotions as she struggled with overcoming a haunting past and accepting love for a promising future. I've read many of Deal's books before, and even though I don't usually read in the love / romance genre, I read this one because the author is just that good of a writer. It did not disappoint on any level.

Main character, Rachael, is an author who finds inspiration in Matthew, a handsome guy she meets in a park. At first, she's hesitant because he's too forward and overly interested. She suspects ulterior motives, but pushes herself to extend her boundaries. She's been emotionally and physically abused in the past which has left her unable to trust others. She lost both her parents, has a difficult relationship with her brother, and isn't able to keep friendships all because of this pain. But life's not all bad... she's published two books, she's inherited some money and a house, and she is starting to open up. As the story progresses, she lets Matthew in but not consistently enough resulting in several moments and interactions that leave them both uncertain of their future. After an emotional and turbulent event changes the course of their relationship for a few months, readers are never certain how it all might end up.

I daresay this isn't a typical romance novel. While there are definitely large chapters and chunks of the book focused on the growing romance and subsequent roadblocks, it's more a study in the life of a woman over the course of about 18 months as she goes through many changes to accept herself. There are several romantic scenes, but it's not a huge piece of the action. It's more of an emotional and psychological tale where we see the ebbs and flows of Rachael's ability to open up. As she meets new characters and takes on bigger roles in her career, we see confidence and pain emerge. She struggling, and we root for her, which makes the story easy to read.

Deal is a very talented writer who can evoke emotion from her readers. I don't want to give away too much more, but there's a climactic event that truly tests Rachael (and Matthew) where as readers, we can't decide what to feel or think... and we want to grab hold of someone and shake them for what they've done... but ultimately, we might be misunderstanding what's really going on. There's a little bit of suspense, a hint of 'coming of age' although Rachael's already a fully grown adult, and a gripping saga about how to move on from damages. Deal pushes readers to explore how they'd react in some tough situations, then provides a calm relief where things seem to be okay. Only they're not... and it takes a lot more to overcome something we didn't realize was so powerful in the past.

Although I'm still not sure romance books are a go-to genre for me, Deal's writing and style makes this a much more genre-crossing story for me that I'd be open to sampling a few others who tread the water in this realm. I'm thrilled with this book and the fact that I devoured it on a 3-hour train ride should show how true it is. I never wanted to put it down nor did I get bored of any plot or setting which I'd been worried about purely because of it being a non-norm genre for me. I should've known better... the genre might spook me a bit, but the author consistently delivers no matter what she writes. If you're read her work before, but don't read in this genre, it's got props and strength - very worth the read. If you love romance and like a little extra, give this one a shot. It's full of depth and hope, sorrow and worry... but the ups and downs the characters go thru are worth it. Solid read... definitely recommended.

[Martha Cheves · Rating 5 out of 5]

All her life, her father reminded that she didn't know how to do anything competently. He'd painfully flick her ear, or slap or kick her when he was frustrated. He'd use a board if he had one in his hand. He destroyed what little self-confidence she had and denied her any opportunities to prove her abilities. In one way or another he'd convince himself he was right... and it wasn't just Rachael that was rewarded with his abuse... He griped about raising two kids alone. He cursed her mother for having died, then mumbled something about it being better anyway because she was another burden to him. He was vicious and self-serving. Rachael's brother Brandon's grades were poor. He had a broken arm and ended up making excuses about how it happened.


Rachael is a writer and the book she is working on at the moment is about the life of a fictional woman who has gone through abuse as a child. Her character finally meets a man who seems to be able to take her as she is, hang-ups and all. But due to her abuse, the character has a hard time accepting affection of any kind... just like Rachael herself.



I don't normally read romance novels. Most seem to be the same - girl meets guy, they have their problems, they have their heated intimate times, fight, finally get together and live happily ever after. This book was so different. The author talks about the abuse and the damage it can do to a child and how it carries on into adulthood. And on top of that, she has written a beautiful story that I, who doesn't like romance novels, had trouble putting down.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story, although a romance, has much more to offer to readers. Mary Deal takes readers into the life of Rachel Connor. A woman who is a writer and who has had a rough time in her past. It would seem the rough times and the rocky moments in Rachel's life are continuing as she tries to deal with her brother, and also a new man in her life, Matthew Knight. The author has a great way of giving readers characters that are developed and interesting. This is a tale that will satisfy readers of many genres and anyone who loves a well written story.

[Sandra J Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sea Cliff is the story of child abuse survivor Rachel Connor. Rachel is also an author working on a new book. The story she is writing revolves around a female character who shares many of Rachel’s history including abuse and emotional scars. Without having had a personal experience with men and relationships, her male character is based on a man she regularly sees at the park where she like to spend her time writing. The problem is, this man, Matthew, has noticed Rachel, and she feels as though he is hitting on her. Something Rachel is not comfortable with.

As the weeks and months go by, Rachel and Matthew become more than just acquaintances, but can their relationship withstand Rachel’s past? Will Rachel’s novel become the success she hopes for and will it help heal her scars?

Sea Cliff is a well written and touching story with some interesting turns, and I wasn’t always sure where the story was going.

I do have to say I couldn’t get stuck into this book as I have with other stories by this author. It is a good story and the pace was fine, but there were times where it didn’t hold my attention. And yet other times I wanted to find out what happened next.

In any case, if you do like a nice story with a happy ending this is a good read.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sea Cliff: Mary Deal
Children grow up in many different environments with parents with various ideologies in ways to bring them up. Rachel and Brandon are products of abuse both physical and mental which left marks on both of them as adults. Brandon did not do well in school and was more than hurt and made to feel inferior to others. Rachel never lived up to expectations even though she was smart and a great student. Always wanting to please their father, it never quite happened.
Working to help her father with his books and other areas did not give her any hugs, thank you’ s or kindness. Brandon became a rebellious teen and life in the present has left its mark on how he lives his life as opposed to Rachel. Rachel is authoring her own book called Sea Cliff based on her childhood and the characters both have qualities of herself and her brother. Sad but true relationships and trust are hard for her to commit to and when Matthew meets her in the park and seems bent on taking her time, learning about her she at first thinks he is being intrusive.
As Rachel and Matthew share their pasts and each one processes what they are being told, you realize that both have issues from the past that might hamper the present. Taking her to the Rahab to watch the kids play basketball, meeting some of them and then deciding on a date night. The evening was unusual, and the questions asked by both very comprehensive as Matthew tells her about Linda who wanted to see him at the basketball games and was barred leaving notes in his car. The conversation heats up and he delves deep into her past, present and thoughts about many areas most would not share at first. He wants to know her from top to bottom, learning about Linda, her lies, drug habits and the ring she refuses to return, its hard it seems for him to let go no matter how difficult the person is and Rachel explained two of her relationships and it appears the conversation is intense and he has a road map or booklet for what he feels a relationship should be.
Then Matthew invites Rachel to spend time with his parents on their boat and go sailing where she gets to understand his feelings more and his parents treat her as part of the family. Rosa her maid is my favorite who keeps her house spotless, gives her advice about her life and dealing with Matthew and Rachel reflects on her time at Lisbon House and focusing on those that call in , are abused and need her help and guidance. Memories of her childhood flood back and then more time with him and his parents but he is bent on getting a thirty-thousand-dollar marquis ring back from Linda and the end result is horrific as they crash, she’s on drugs and he is flown into the hospital she is torn apart, but will he survive, and Rachel is falling apart. Telling more before the accident about what her father did to her and showing him the horrible scars and more brings out the anger in him and then why is that ring so important? A matter of what’s right, how to have closure or something else?
Then the unthinkable happens and Linda’s mother comes to the hospital demanding that someone pay for what happened to her daughter and Rachel sees the ring that Matthew wanted back on her finger. Unconscious for two months, hooked up to so many machines, surgery, legs in cast, arm in sling, speech impaired and more, Rachel and his parents bonded but then when he leaves the hospital it’s as if she no longer counts and is now focused on her new novel Sea Cliff with characters that are really her and Matthew. Then her company has a party and an earthquake hit what is next for Rachel? Author Mary Deal takes us deep inside Rachel’s mind, her despair and frustrations and helps readers realize the gravity of his injuries and the research done in order to show how he was hurt and the treatments and more needed.
Relationships take time and work plus understanding in this case as Matthew goes through distinct phases of frustration and fears that he won’t get well but Rachel is right there, and his parents consider her one of their own. Things go up and down, they separate for a time, the holidays are stressful, and her brother does not really want her there with his friends. Christmas Eve and Christmas day plus now New Years and an elaborate party and repairs needed from the earthquake and Christmas gifts that are different, expensive and heartwarming. But Rosa and her crew supply the food, decorations and more as she explains in her own way why Rachel needs to move it ahead with Matthew, but will she get the message. Repairs are needed everywhere and tensions at times rise but New Year’s Eve might change it all for Matt and Rachel but in what direction the pressure is on for her to complete Sea Cliff her newest title and two more.
Misunderstandings, or wrong impressions can change the course of their relationship and when Matthew is completing the changes in her house, she is asked to do commercials for his business and then things heat up as she pulls no punches and acts quite interested in the men along with her in the commercials and dealing with her book not realizing she is being foolish and not really grasping the situation and how he feels. He is still not one hundred percent, using her book to create the scenes for Melissa and Hunter that portray her relationship with Matthew just what will happen in the end, and will she realize that she is ruining something perfect and special? Sometimes childish behaviors and not getting angry make the world you were once in hidden from truths.
Life changed, her titles published and Sea Cliff soaring to the top but what about her relationship with Matthew and the fact she had misunderstood something? Time passed and then the incredible happened and Matthew explained the time was now and her father could no longer belittle her, betray her, abuse her or make her feel unworthy of love. Some endings are unique, and others change the tide as Rachel needs to reconcile her feelings for Matthew, decide where she wants to be and know that sometimes people change and sometimes you have to accept who they are as a wedding start, the party walks down the aisle and Rachel gets a special surprise.
Families are precious, people change and imagine the beauty of Sea Cliff where she lives, the neighbors she just gets to know and the fact that Rachel understands in her own heart the meaning of perfection as author Mary Deal combines Rachel’s real life with that of Melissa and Hunter in this heartwarming, heartfelt novel that will embrace your understanding of love trust, betrayal, love and what’s the definition of relationship and hope.
Fran Lewis just reviews

[Brian Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love conquers all, or does it?

Sea Cliff is the name of the house where the beautiful Rachael lives alone, closeted with memories of a repressed childhood under the controlling influence of her late father. Into her life comes Matthew, tall, rugged and handsome, who slowly finds himself fallibg for her. A strange relationship blossoms between them as Rachael's inhibitions force Matthew to accept a frustratingly platonic friendship despite his true feelings.

Rachael is a would-be author and begins to model the leading characters of her new book on herself and Matthew. When a terrible accident leaves Matthew in a coma, close to death, Rachael still finds herself unable to accept her true feelings and though he recovers eventually her insecurities lead her to make a fateful decision. Erroneously perceiving Matthew to have committed an act of indiscretion she devises a plan of revenge that will have a profound effect on both of their lives. I can say no more without giving away the ending of this extremely well-written tale that perhaps illustrates how the sins of the father may come back to haunt us in later life. An excellent read with some surprising twists, and turns.

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book had me hooked from start to finish. It had me in so many emotions. I love this story. I wish to know more of Matthew and Rachael relationship after their ceremony. Overall it was a really good story to listen to.

[Coco.V]

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[Grant Leishman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Rachael Connor, outwardly successful and a budding author, to the outsider seemed to have it all. An inheritance from her father had assured her financial stability and she was able to choose when she worked for wages and when she indulged in her one true passion, writing. In Sea Cliff: A Love Story by Mary Deal, we find that Rachael has a dark secret that rules her life, even now, as an adult and long after her father has died. Rachael and her brother Brandon were brought up by a tyrant and abusive father who ruled their lives with both physical and mental abuse that Rachael still carries to this day. She is unable to form lasting relationships with men as she simply doesn’t know how and consequently has resigned herself to a life of solitude, with writing and meditation as her solaces. Enter, Matthew Knight, a successful, ridiculously handsome and well-adjusted young man, who sets his cap at winning Rachael’s heart. True love, though, rarely runs smoothly and both Matthew and Rachael have to overcome the many barriers that life and their pasts put in their way, before they can truly find each other.

Sea Cliff: A Love Story is a simple, carefully crafted romance, but what lifts it above others in the genre is its willingness to address societal issues that might otherwise be glossed over. Author Mary Deal has imbued her character of Rachael with all the angst and fear a sufferer of an abusive childhood would feel. As, a reader, we want to take Rachael and shake her, telling her to “get with the programme.” She has a man who clearly adores her and yet she looks for and finds myriad ways to push him away. Although both of the main characters are too perfectly beautiful/handsome for my liking, there was no stopping me from enjoying the twists and turns their convoluted relationship took. The concept of combining the feelings and actions of the characters in this story with the characters in the story Rachael was writing had the potential to be trite and clichéd and yet Deal made it work well. The writing style is simple and unpretentious, which I did enjoy and I found myself flying through the read. I can definitely recommend this read to lovers of romance.

[Laverty Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

IRONY AT ITS BEST

The author cleverly incorporates her characters into characters for the book protagonist Rachael Daye is formulating in the story. Once you begin reading, this will make sense!

Throughout the pages, I felt myself right alongside Rachael as she struggles with establishing an intimate relationship. Because her lousy background faces her at every turn, forcing her to ask some serious questions in regards to the future.

I admire Mary Deal for the way she utilizes description and narrative to construct this prize-winning story. Kudos!

[Peter Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A modern courtship?

Can you explain love? When one of my favourite crime writers boldly announces a romance novel, I had no choice but to read the book. I’ve read all Mary Deal’s books and love her intricate plotting, scene setting, and absorbing narratives.
So, how will a romance work?
I was not disappointed, this is no ordinary romance novel. Of course the clue is in the title; ‘a contemporary romance.’ Not quite a dysfunctional story of two damaged lovers attracted to each other, Rachel scared, Mathew hypnotically fascinated.
Maybe this is a modern courtship?
“Letting go of fears is healthy” Mathew says as he tries to find out about why Rachael is reticent, despite an obvious attraction.
The story unfolds via a book that Rachel is writing, names changed to protect the players. The book is a cathartic experience for Rachael, it enables her to channel her thoughts, but then does it drive her actions? A wonderful concept. Here is a man who cares enough to not rush her. Cares enough to help her spiritually. We learn that Rachael has been abused as a child and in adolescence. How can Mathew help her emerge from her shell?
Like most ‘real’ relationships, bodice ripping is replaced in this case by sensitivity; Mathew is going nowhere and, he has his own history. How do they both break free of their past:
Rachael, “I want to be alone” she thought of herself as Greta. Will the book bring her closer or close her further. Will it open up her heart and break down the barriers. Her book was mirroring her relationship with Mathew, at first unaware, but soon it becomes a hidden expression; safe. Her writing, this book was the most important thing, yes?
Mathew, How to distinguish between desire and a growing love?
As I would expect from such a consummate writer, the narrative is beautifully, and sometimes painfully, exquisite. I found myself totally absorbed. Recognising feelings that so often get ignored but need to be understood and dealt with in order for a true loving relationship to be formed; a foundation on shaky ground set in the earthquake risk zone of San Francisco and Mathew is determined in his task until his own past catches him up.
My word, what a mess we weave when we try so hard to do right, to break down barriers constructed over years, and of course there will be collateral damage, the ‘modern’ part is how to deal with this.
Sea Cliff is a swirling cauldron of emotions that had me engaged from start to finish – maybe crime writers’ should write more romance? Thank God for a ‘real’ love story – recommended – 5 stars.

[K.J. Simmill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Racheal was fine by herself, working, renovating, and writing. Last year, when a particularly scrumptious man caught her eye she even began to weave him into the book she was writing. Never did she imagine they would talk, that he would see something in her even she herself could not. Years of abuse from her father had taken their toll, leaving her unable to trust, unwilling to risk herself on a relationship. But Matthew wanted to change that, to open himself up to her, be vulnerable in the hope that she would take a chance in him. But trust is never easy, nor is breaking down years of conditioning, but he can see the person she is and seeks to free her from the prison forged by her past.

Mary Deal's Sea Cliff is an insightful addition to the romance genre which deals with not only loving another but loving oneself as well. I enjoyed how part of this journey was into the characters knowing and loving themselves before being ready to fully embrace a relationship. Having been abused by her father the reader witnesses the ramifications on Racheal, not only to herself and her trust issues but also the strain it put on the relationship between herself and her brother, who had also suffered the effects of their father's temper. I enjoyed watching the relationship unfold between Racheal and Matthew and how each step she took closer also brought with it baggage from her past, and each advance made was reflected not only in that relationship but in her life and other interactions as well.

[Berk Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Deal's mysteries absorbed me. Another of her books gave me a sense of sea animals I never had before, it being fiction, but thrilling nonetheless. In Sea Cliff she has created a love story which absorbs, thrills, frustrates, but I won't tell you how it ends. Suffice it to say that Rachel and Matthew are two beautiful people with pasts which have measurable impact on their romance. Mary's characterization of Rachel leaves the reader wondering if she lived some of the troubles attributed to the character? One small portion of the book struck me as being pure Mary Deal, that being frustration felt by Rachel over an interruption in her writing. Every author puts something of themselves in each book they write. It is not possible to avoid doing so. It may be an attitude or an action, or a thought process, no matter it is there. Reading more than one of Mary's novels gives one the impression she has shown her readers many things about her life in the guise of her characters. This story is well constructed, maintains flow, allows the characters to weave through its threads seamlessly. Any reader will enjoy no matter their age. A tour de force from Mary Deal.

[Eve Gaal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed me by the collar, as if I were there, experiencing the deep emotions felt by the main characters. Lovely Rachel, is a bookkeeper, novelist and the owner of a stunning home perched above the bay, called Sea Cliff.

Handsome and hunky Matthew Knight wants to sweep the redhead off her feet, but wasting time with some guy who might be playing the field, isn’t her style. Before she gives away her heart, Rachel has to make sure he’s the one. Her past is riddled with hang ups about her father and bad memories. The more time she spends with Matthew, the more these memories play with her mind. Plus, there’s Linda, Britt and old boyfriend scars from a guy called Rodney.

Without giving away too much, I have to shout praise to the author for sublime, poetic descriptions of the Sacramento River, earthquakes, a car collision, even New York and San Francisco.

Meanwhile, Rachel needs to free up her mind, clear away the internal clutter and study some books she picked up at the San Francisco Public library. Only then, can she finish writing her novel, also titled, Sea Cliff. Will it be a bestseller? Read this book and find out!

[Michele Northwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sea Cliff : by Mary Deal

The beautiful Rachael Connor appears to have it all: good looks, money and a beautiful home called Sea Cliff, but despite outer appearances, she is hiding something. Her domineering father has left her scarred in more ways than one. She has a huge hang-up regarding relationships and isn’t prepared to throw herself at the first man to cross her threshold.

When Rachael meets Mathew, she believes he could be “the one” but the good looking builder also has a past and Rachael becomes embroiled in it.

Due to her father’s strict rules and constant preaching about saving herself for marriage, Rachael spends the entire novel edging towards him and then backing away. One step forward and three steps back. At times I wanted to scream at her: “He loves you, damn it! Just go for it!” but I realised it was her abusive childhood upbringing that held her back. Her fears and past rejection constantly playing on her mind.

Rachael’s hang-ups are so well documented that I found it hard to believe this was pure fiction. Throw an arrogant brother with problems of his own into the mix and you know you are in for a good read; one that you shouldn’t miss out on.

[Vicky Whedbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a minute to get a feel for the main characters, Rachael & Matthew, but once I did I couldn't put the book down for long before picking it back up!

It's an interesting and complicated tale of their relationship over the course of a few years, that forever kept me guessing as to the outcome until the very end!

An otherwise successful business woman, being a victim of childhood abuse made for a rocky and uncertain adult life for Rachael when it came to personal relationships. Her journey traversing the uncharted waters when Matthew comes into her life is was a well rounded story that will invite a gamut of emotions, from betrayal to ecstasy.

I look forward to reading more by this author!

[Lois Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sea Cliff

Very interesting title and the description of the sea cliff home was great. The story line held the attention through to the end. This is a picture seen thru the eyes of the characters lives so affected by their upbringing. Rachael and Brandon raised by a violent father, Matthew by loving sometimes overprotective parents, seeing life conflicted by the differences. Enjoyed the emotional descriptions.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful Story

This whirlwind of storytelling included pain, suffering, heartbreak, and healing. Not a typical love story, Rachael has an abusive past to overcome before she loses the one man she has come to love.

[Julie McManamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Enjoyed , kept me wondering what would happen.The characters were very different , always something happening that you did not expect.