Moonstones and Whalebones

By C.S. Nolan

The moonstones and the whalebones of Moonstone Beach swirl at the center of many local legends and myths, and as many warnings. Once known as the Travelers Stone, the moonstone was a rare and treasured amulet said to guard against the many perils of travel. Only found in a handful of locations in the world, the people of Moonstone Island, just off Californias southern coast, were so accustomed to seeing them that many had forgotten the stones magical protective powersand the cost of that protection.

But ignorance is anything but bliss for the islanders, who do not know just how close they are to disaster. Those who have heard of the legend either write it off as a fairy tale or shamelessly exploit it for profit. Their fate lies in the hands of one bold and determined boy named Daniel. Just fourteen, his life is about to be pulled into an unimaginable quest to save the lives of everyone he knows and loves. Old Man Drake Clark is seen as a mostly harmless, potentially crazy, and unquestionably eccentric octogenarian, but Daniel knows that his old friend is privy to important knowledge. When he informs Daniel of his role in the legend, the teen must summon the courage to face his destiny.

Daniel, his father Vincent, and his loyal Dalmatian Ernie set off on an epic quest filled with arduous challenges. If they succeed, they will fulfill the legend of the moonstones and restore peace and safety to their beloved island.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781491764992

C.S. Nolan

Cynthia S. Nolan is a home-school teacher and author of Royally Courted, her first novel. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She and her daughter, Taylor, live in Southern California with their cat, Mr. Albert.

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Copyright © 2015 C. S. Nolan.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-6500-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-6499-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015910866

iUniverse rev. date: 07/06/2015

Contents

Chapter 1 Moonstones

Chapter 2 Old Man Drake

Chapter 3 Marine Research

Chapter 4 Family Problems

Chapter 5 Daniel’s Escape

Chapter 6 A Mother’s Love

Chapter 7 Good Food, Happy Home

Chapter 8 Fearless Crew

Chapter 9 The Tempest

Chapter 10 Mainlanders Enduring the Wait

Chapter 11 Completing the Legend

Chapter 12 Daniel and Vincent Become Heroes

Chapter 13 A Father’s Love

Chapter 14 Honoring Our Heroes

About the Author

CHAPTER 1

Moonstones

The warm rays were illuminated through the cool mist that floated gently over the rolling California coastline. The light flickered over the dark blue water as it moved back and forth over the pebble-covered shore. The smooth sand polished each unique, glistening pebble. These pebbles, stones carried over time from distant shores, were of a special and treasured gemstone called moonstones, emerald in nature but slightly iridescent, reflecting colors of the spectrum. Some were green, others were white, and even a few had tones of opal and pearl.

These were the stones of Moonstone Beach, quite spectacular and only occurring in a few places on Earth: Brazil, India, Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and the European Alps. Of course in North America, it was the Florida state gem and also appeared in California. It was quite noted for its charm and ruggedness.

The moonstones has a historical connection with