Once Upon a Gypsy Moon: An Improbable Voyage and One Man's Yearning for Redemption
"Hurley's elegant, fluid prose was a source of pure delight all its own, and his depictions of life aboard the Gypsy Moon had me wishing for a dockside view, . . . all the better to immerse myself in the memoir's tangible salty air. . . Hurley has created a certain atmosphere that softly envelops his reader. . . At times sparkling with charisma and exuding the crisp excitement of maritime adventure, Once Upon a Gypsy Moon offers readers a journey through the ocean of life that will appeal to the hearts of dreamers and romantics, be they on land or at sea." (Literary Inklings)"Hurley tells his absorbing tale . . . a story that has much to interest anyone who ponders the imponderables: faith, prayer, life and death, love, what makes a marriage work, what is really important in life. . . We do not often these days see a man who is so openly introspective, so willing to discuss love, romance, faith and doubts with his friends, much less with the greater world. . . It is a good tale, told well and honestly, one that has much to say to us whether or not we ever literally set sail in a small boat." (Greensboro News & Record)"This is a deeply moving book, especially for anyone grappling with the challenges that life throws at everyone."--Bookviews by Alan Caruba"Hurley makes for a personable traveling companion, andGypsy Moon is well written. . . [A]n inspiring, heartfelt and honest read about accomplishing a long-held dream which is especially recommended for readers who appreciate inspirational and confessional writing from a Christian viewpoint."--The Chicago Center for Literature & Photography"[A] memoir that offers a little something for almost everyone. Readers are likely to feel immediately comfortable with the had-it-all-lost-it-all-and-found-myself motif, and the episodic seaward passages are beautifully described and easily comprehensible, despite the use of technical terminology."--PineStraw Magazine"Hurley spins a compelling and rather wonderful nautical yarn, full of honest humor and the sort of unexpected twists and turns that define all great adventures."—Martin Dugard,New York Timesbestselling author"Hurley writes beautifully, never confusing sensitivity with sentimentality. There's never any embarrassing self-revelation, and never any whimsy, and yet he makes himself a cheerful and engaging traveling companion. But, best (and rarest) of all, he can tell a story. I genuinely want to know what happens next."—Charles Foster, author ofThe Sacred Journey"Poignant without being maudlin and spiritual without being sanctimonious...A striking memoir of personal discovery."—Kirkus Reviews