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Daryl Haskew

Daryl Haskew

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Portersville

Set a Course — Fill the Sails — Weather Storms — Leave a Wake.

After a summer of record-setting heat, the water of the Gulf of Mexico began to boil. She consumed the available fuel, sending giant clouds skyward to the edge of space. As her eye formed, her power increased. Like a hungry beast, she consumed the warmth of the Gulf and drove it skyward, increasing her appetite even more. Soon, she became one of the most feared forces of nature . . . Hurricane.

A lifetime of communing with the sea told him that she would not turn away, and soon it would be too late.

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What readers are saying...

This isn’t just a story about a hurricane; it’s a meditation on nature’s raw power and our vulnerability before it...

What a gripping narrative! The author transforms a weather phenomenon into a character with agency and menace. The pacing is perfect starting with a simmer and building to a full-blown roar. The imagery of clouds reaching the edge of space and winds screaming into the void gave me goosebumps. This isn’t just a story about a hurricane; it’s a meditation on nature’s raw power and our vulnerability before it.

Veronica - Good Reads

The writing is vivid, cinematic, and full of heart...

This book pulled me in from the very first page. The way the author describes the birth of the hurricane is both terrifying and poetic. I could almost hear the wind rising off the Gulf. What I loved most is that it’s not just a story about a storm, but about people how they prepare, react, and survive when nature turns against them. The writing is vivid, cinematic, and full of heart. It reminded me of The Perfect Storm with a Southern edge. Truly an unforgettable read.

Elvira Banuelos - Good Reads

Thank you for a loving tribute to a beautiful area!
I love reading historical fiction. The story hit all high notes with me as I followed along with the timeline of the Papatonis family and friends. I enjoyed having my curiosity piqued about the actual history of Posters bills and early Mobile and Dauphin Island . Thank you for a loving tribute to a beautiful area! - Shanna
From voodoo, family connections, good and rough characters, storms, this book warms my soul.
Fully enjoyed reading this book! Have spent several vacations on Dauphin Island and the story keep me engaged from beginning to end. From voodoo, family connections, good and rough characters, storms, this book warms my soul. Can’t wait to visit Portersville Bay once again. - Debi Whitmire
I felt I was there!
Love this book. The characters are so real and I love the historical references. I felt I was there! - Sandra
The characters truly come to life in Portersville.
Daryl Haskew’s novel Portersville is a fantastic read highlighting the love, struggles, and challenges the family faced not only in Greece, but when their friends are murdered and the Mafia is constantly on their heels, how could they build a life in America, fishing, diving, and boatbuilding? Haskew’s characters truly come to life in Portersville. The reader will develop an intimate relationship with the powerfully built Cy, his beautiful wife Selena, and their three sons Leonidas, Nikos, and Alexi. The town of Portersville could easily be any fishing village along the shores of Southern Alabama at the turn of the century. As each character faces new challenges, situations, or heartbreak, the reader will feel and visualize every nuance. The plot is formulated in such a way as to create intrigue and keep the reader hooked and unable to put the book down until finished. Congratulations on a fantastic book. - Teresa Syms
Cannot wait for the next book to come out.
I love Dauphin Island so when I saw this book I knew I had to have it. It did not disappoint. What an exciting ride this book takes you on. You will fall in love with the characters. It is very well written and takes you on a journey of adventure. I could not put it down. Cannot wait for the next book to come out. - Lynn Khourie

Excerpt…

She crept between Cuba and the Yucatan, parting the waves under a shroud of darkness. Only puddles from her rain, rumbling thunder, and debris on the beaches revealed evidence of her passing. Now, she was free.

After a summer of record-setting heat, the water of the Gulf of Mexico began to boil. She consumed the available fuel, sending giant clouds skyward to the edge of space. As her eye formed, her power increased. Like a hungry beast, she consumed the warmth of the Gulf and drove it skyward, increasing her appetite even more. Soon, she became one of the most feared forces of nature…Hurricane.

More from the book…

A flicker of lightning behind a thunderhead then a deep rumble marked the approach of a storm. Selena squeezed the hand of her handsome Greek husband. Together they peered across the vastness of the Gulf of Mexico while digging their toes into the cool sand. A weathered lighthouse offshore split the darkness, casting its light across the treacherous waters. They braced themselves against the wind gusts and pelting rain. Between lightning strikes, they watched the squall line draw nearer. A dark tendril reached skyward attaching itself to the cloud above. The waterspout danced along the outer sandbars then crashed ashore ripping and tearing before dissipating among the pines and sand dunes.

Only twelve miles to the north, hotels glowed like jewels scattered along the shoreline. Bandstands blasted out music across the bay as vacationers danced under the stars and giant oaks. Children carrying torches and nets squealed and laughed while chasing crabs in the shallow grass beds. Lovers whispered as they walked along the banks of the bay. Old people sat in the glow of lantern light on their porches reminiscing of times gone by, legends of pirates, fast schooners, floating spirits, and the lost art of voodoo. Lightning on the southern horizon gave warning that the evening was about to change.

Cy and Selena fled Greece to avoid a personal storm and protect their families. They knew that this same storm could cross the ocean and track them to Portersville. Dripping wet and chilled, they vowed never to run again.

More from the book…

Only the most powerful storms forced these creatures toward the land. Yes, they knew that the demon was approaching. Her heartbeat grew stronger, resonating inside the old captain’s chest again and again. A dark tendril formed high in the churning clouds above Portersville Bay. The surface of the bay rose skyward, creating a massive spinning leviathan raging toward the coast. He grasped the arms of his ancient rocking chair and with the help of a strong hand nearby, stood on trembling legs facing the godless beast. There was nothing anyone could do.

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  • The Books
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Fairhope, AL 36533

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