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Turning Toward Eden
by Cate Touryan
Turning Toward Eden
Young Adult Mystery/General Fiction: Coming of Age, Historical Mystery, Literary
Setting – California 1971
Publisher : Winged Publications
Publication date : May 6, 2025
Print length : 350 pages
ISBN-10 : 1965352766
ISBN-13 : 978-1965352762
Digital ASIN : B0DRRGK3W5
AUDIOBOOK COMING SOON!
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“Chasing the truth, huh? Sure you’re not running from it?” Hollis might be her only friend, a lanky boy Mama calls her “beau,” but Eden Lewis has no time for his hogwash. She’s got a mystery to crack. For most fourteen-year-olds, California summers in the early 1970s mean sun and surf, despite the Cold War chill. Not for Eden. Her AWOL father has sent her life into a tailspin, landing her in a shabby beach town, stuck caring for her severely disabled brother. Caught in her parents’ own cold war, Eden ditches Dex at every chance—pier fishing with Hollis, playing poker with the grizzled card sharks, and caterwaulin’ in the church choir, laying plain to the Almighty that singing terms ain’t the same as speaking terms, what with the hand he’s dealt her.
Then Raven arrives mid-ninth grade—an elusive Soviet girl rumored to rain black-winged curses over the fearful town. When a rash of petty crimes escalates to bloodshed on the beach, suspicion falls on the “commie”—and then Eden. Desperate to prove herself innocent, and Raven guilty, she embarks on a reckless game of chase. But for the truth to set her free, she must risk Dex’s life. Will she go all in, no matter the cost?
An evocative story laced with mystery, Turning Toward Eden weaves nostalgia with grit, sorrow with humor, and despair with faith, offering hope to anyone who has sought to belong in a world that rarely plays fair.
“This is storytelling at its most atmospheric—brimming with quirky, well-drawn characters, razor-sharp prose, and the kind of setting you can almost smell. The writing is lyrical, grounded, and often laugh-out-loud funny—even in the midst of deeply poignant moments. With a cast of endearing misfits and a tone reminiscent of Southern Gothic charm, this story lures you in from the very first line and doesn’t let go. Cate Touryan has a truly original voice, a rare gift for language, and a special ability to render a world so vivid you feel baptized in it.” — Zena Dell Lowe, Screenwriter, Story Coach, and Founder of The Storyteller’s Mission
Audiobook Coming Soon!
The audiobook edition of Turning Toward Eden is in production and on its way to Audible, iTunes, and beyond. Stay tuned for a richly narrated experience, perfect for readers who love stories on the go.
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About Cate Touryan
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Cate Touryan writes fiction and creative nonfiction that reach for the story beyond the story and the beginning beyond “The End.” Her complex, realistic narratives often touch on themes of faith. While she avoids gratuitous violence and profanity, keeping any romance clean, she does not shy away from portraying the grit and beauty of real life, instead writing the truest story she can, infused with heart and humor. Her fiction will delight young adults and adults still young.
Cate invites you to journey with her into lives both real and imagined, wherein might lie glimpses of your own story beyond the story and an ending redeemed.
Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram / X
Purchase Link – Amazon
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TOUR PARTICIPANTS
July 30 – Hall Ways Blog – SPOTLIGHT
July 30 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
July 30 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
July 31 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
August 1 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
August 2 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
August 3 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
August 5 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT
August 6 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
August 7 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
August 8 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
August 9 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
August 10 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
August 11 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 12 – Salty Inspirations – SPOTLIGHT
August 12 – Reading Authors Network – SPOTLIGHT
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!
For a list of my reviews go HERE.
To see all of my giveaways go HERE.
Sounds like a good read. I like the cover art.
Thanks so much! So glad you like the cover–my cover designer captured the story beautifully. Hope you love the novel!
Captivating and intriguing. Wonderful setting and era.
Love your comment, Anne! The novel’s setting is a fictionalized beach town not far from where I grew up. I had so much fun capturing the 70s vibe. Hope it’s a wonderful read for you!
Thank you for the lovely spotlight! I’m excited for the giveaway and love hearing from readers. So appreciate the opportunity. 🙂
I am loving the sound of this one and love that it is out of California 1971….. so perfect for me as I am from there!
Yay, that’s great! You’re especially going to love the 70 beach vibes then! Let me know–and thank you!
Added to my list.
Awesome, Mary! Would love to hear how you like it. Thank you!
What an interesting plot! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a good read.
Sounds like a really great read.
Sounds like an interesting story.
This sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
I was living in Southern California in the 70’s so I can definitely relate to this book.