Ripple of Stones author appears at Northport’s Yard & Lake store
From staff reports
Glen Lake High School alum Kathryn Covington is the author of The Ripple of Stones, a novel about self-discovery, love, and what could be if we only were brave enough to open up our hearts. She will sign copies of her book on Friday, Aug. 13, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Yard & Lake in Northport.
Covington earned a Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. She has lived all over the United States and in Ireland, and currently lives in Plymouth where she teaches music in the Plymouth-Canton Community School District.
The Ripple of Stones is set in a fictionalized version of Northern
Michigan, and a major plot point imagines the use of Michigan beach stones as metaphysical/spiritual objects. The Ripple of Stones is released in partnership with Birch Tree Press, has been professionally edited and features custom cover design by renowned Canadian artist Nicole Warrington. The book is currently for sale at eight stores in the region, with more to come.
The Ripple of Stones features a teacher named Brigid who dares to break the estrangement between her mother and grandfather and stay at tranquil Cairn Cottage for the summer. A sailboat is delivered to a neighboring cottage and a man named Gabe walks into her life, making her feel something she has never felt before. As Brigid and Gabe quickly fall for each other, and incur the inexplicable wrath of Brigid’s mother, Brigid discovers that things at Cairn Cottage are not what they seem. She begins to uncover the secret mystical Stone Society and her role in it, all of which threaten the life she knows … or open the doors to the life she was always meant to live.
With roots in magical realism and romance with a dose of family drama, this book will connect with readers across genres. The mystery revolving around lake stones and the Society that venerates nature is both timeless and trendy, and
will connect to any reader interested in preserving the earth.
We asked Covington to describe her perfect day in Leelanau County. Here was her answer:
“My favorite way to spend an August day on Leelanau County would start with breakfast on the dock: a slice of cherry pie, a mug of coffee with local honey and a splash of oat milk, and a good book. Then I would go hiking with my family up the Pyramid Point trail to get some photos of North and South Manitou and that special Up North horizon where the sky and the lake blend into a cerulean glow. After that, we’d drive into Leland and grab some smoked whitefish at Carlson’s for later and probably hit the Dam Candy Store for the kids. If we could make it until lunch, we’d continue up M-22 into Northport and stop by the Antojito’s Little Craving’s food truck for tacos and do some shopping at Northport Trading Company, Enjoy Michigan, Porcupine Cabin, and pick up a few novels at Dog Ear Books. After a walk in the harbor, we’d head back to the lake and stop by Blue Moon Ice Cream Shop in Cedar—I’ve been going there since I could eat solid food and they still serve the best soft-serve I’ve ever tasted. Back at the lake, we’d check the wind and either take a sail on the Sunfish or go water-skiing. Finally it would be time for ‘Happy Hour’ on the dock with a good drink and that smoked whitefish to watch the glistening of the sun on the lake before it set behind the tree line. Who would want to cook after a day like that? Not me—I’d head to Arts Tavern for dinner—gotta get those tater tots!”
