Mighty Orion - Secrets, the second in the series, continues with old Percy and his family's struggle with secrets that have formed relationship barriers. When these threaten to spill over into the next generation, a major taboo secret is revealed.
The saga of the Kilkenny family headed by Percy, an old tall ship sailor, continues to unfold. In Mighty Orion - Fate, the “waters were calmed” following Percy’s unwilling placement in a nursing home by his wife, Clara. Joe, the youngest of five Kilkenny children, has a viable relationship with his father and was made privy to the story of Percy’s painful beginnings; an abusive home, and his escape to sea as a cabin boy. Meanwhile, Joe wrestled with his own difficulties as he re-united with his high school sweetheart, a now-married, Jocelyn.
As father and son grow closer, the crack in Percy’s protective wall widens. Encouraged by Joe’s sincerity, and by the force of his own desire to re-unite with his grown children, Percy notches up his courage in breaking his silence even more. He is willing to share his seaman’s journals which he had kept hidden under lock and key. But the young Kilkenny is not prepared when his father pulls all the stops and opens his “Pandora’s Box” of secrets; one being of a taboo nature. The disclosure effectively launches Joe into an emotional tailspin where he struggles to accommodate his father’s experience.
Meanwhile, at his peril, Joe pursues his liaison with Jocelyn leading to a dangerous confrontation with her supposed husband, T’Guy. When that happens, Joe witnesses the real sinew of Percy, the old sailor. This critical incident spawns further opportunity for family unity where Clara plays a pivotal role.
Excerpt
Chapter 8
Instantly, he felt the warning. It was an automatic response—a tightness in his chest gripped as though his heart would seize up. With his eye still on the vehicle’s silhouette, even the salty tang in the air felt like it had frozen up, as did he, and he blurted a silent expletive, Holy merde! It was a truck, a pick-up, and he saw smatterings of its paint. Blue. The hair on the back of his neck stiffened. His penetrating stare switched back to the newcomer and focused on his gait. He had seen this one before and could almost smell the man’s foulness. Then his thoughts immediately flew to his father, who was still hunched over cutting weed.
Okay, this is gonna be it! A spurt of adrenaline shot into his veins just like a rod of lightning and primed every muscle. His heart pounded and a tremble coursed through his body. He knew for certain T’Guy would relish squaring-off with him, his competition, as the scrapper saw it.
Percy must have attuned to Joe’s tension because he stood up. “What’s the matter?” he queried.
Joe gave no answer. His scope on the man revealed him altering direction. He was walking toward them now and, instantly, Joe surged with an overwhelming protectiveness toward his ol’ man.
Although the scrapper was out of earshot, Joe’s voice lowered and he whispered to his father. “T’Guy Cordeau.”
“What did you say?”
He lifted Percy’s earflap and repeated, more firmly this time, “T’Guy Cordeau is coming down the beach.”
Percy’s eyes widened, his expression stiffened, and out came a snort of disgust. “Jippers jumpin’ crippers!” he exclaimed aloud. “That miserable rascal! What’s he doin’ here?” His words bristled in the cold. “Let’s get off these slippery rocks,” he went on. “Get ourselves over to the packed sand yonder.”
As swift and as cautiously as they could, they left the isthmus.
“Stand your ground, son,” Percy said, as he dropped the plastic bag of seaweed on the ice-marbled ground and watched the bow-legged man draw nearer. As before, T’Guy was dressed completely in black. As he approached closer, Joe saw him halt as though in recognition, after which he slowed his pace. Again, with hand to brow, he shaded his eyes and, unabashed, stared … this time at the two of them. Joe kept a riveted focus on T’Guy’s slightest movement and, over the narrowed space between them, caught the look of surprise on his face. He gave a quiver-like shake to his head—clearing his vision, Joe guessed. Then he saw him fold the rim of his black toque and shove it above his hairline. It was serendipitous. Meeting here? Joe surmised that their timelines had intersected and, as the universe would have it, Percy and he had been squarely placed between T’Guy and the object of the brute’s searching. He’s not looking for me. That’s for sure. But what’s he doing here? What’s he hunting for?
Professional Reviews
Fictional trilogy influenced by factual places, events
The lead character in the Mighty Orion Series is Percy Kilkenny who is upset at being put in a nursing home. A once tall ship sailor, he had lived independently.
He is estranged from most of his five children except for his son, Joe, who visits the most. The main basis of the story is the cold and distant Percy opening up to Joe about things in his past that he never voiced before.
Throughout the novels, Percy's stories help bring a sense of understanding to his children, and the reader, about why he is the way he is. This turns everything around and everybody has to do a retake.
Family dynamics are the same everywhere no matter what culture.
Katherine Hunt,The Northern Light,Bathurst NB
April O., Licenced Psychiatric Nurse
I am on your second book now. Wow!Lots of suspense in the first chapter. I am anxious to find out what happens next.
In the first book (Fate) I enjoyed the psychological aspects. One of the interactions reminded me of somatic experiencing when the father had to spew something up and the son takes notice of the body and soul working together to facilitate redemption. It was well done. I also enjoyed an earlier scene when Clara had hosed the (hung-over) husbands down, and acting stoic because the children were around. Very funny. The whole book engaged me.
Readers' Comments
"I picked up one of the signed copies on Wednesday! I love the descriptive style you have. Very inspiring!" Sarah R.
"Thank you for the copy of Mighty Orion. I'm looking forward to reading it on my next ski holiday"
Ship's Surgeon, & photographer, Tallship Barque Europa
"I just wanted you to know that my friends are enjoying your book. 'Scotty' has recomended it on facebook. She is a moderator for the forum for 'Deadlest Catch' that was on Discovery." Faye G.
"Just wanted to tell you that I finished "Orion".
It was a delight to read but also a bit sad. You understand the human soul so well and it shows in the characters. Also the New Brunswick dialogue makes the people come to life. Now I want to know what will happen next. Will your next saga continue what you started?" Beatrice S.
"I am enjoying your book. It feels like you very much immersed yourself into this world, and you have a great ability to communicate this. The characters seem so real! And I find the background details really make the book come alive!" Krista B., author/entrepreneur
"Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed your novel. I really found it hard to put down. Looking forward to the next one! Mary Ann R.
"There was nowhere in the book that I felt let down. I had to read carefully so that I didn't miss some of Percy's stories. I was not expecting the story of Percy and his parents - but it was good. Will we read more about Percy's wife?" Betty-Ann H.
"A former registered nurse and private therapist, Donahue writes about the reconciliation process, which helps people work on unresolved relationship conflicts to better health and prevent disease.This theme is prevalent in Mighty Orion - Fate, and sequel, Mighty Orion — Secrets."
Kristin Froneman, Journalist Vernon Morning Star
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