Sky Wilson was ten years old when her mother walked out the door with a suitcase, leaving behind emotional wounds that would shape everything. Years later, something worse happened—something she couldn't tell anyone about. Especially not her father, who was already overprotective, already angry about the camping trip she wanted to go on. So, unable to cope any longer with shame, she ran. For two and a half years she lived on the streets of San Francisco, carrying the weight of what happened and the shame of what she couldn't say. Now, years later, she's coming home. Not healed. Not ready. But out of time and out of places to run. And her father—the man who tried so hard to protect her, the man that had two women walk out of his life, thinks he'll never see his beloved daughter again. Murphy Wilson has spent his life as a firefighter, the kind of man who knows how to save people. But he never learned how to reach his own daughter. Regret tears at him daily wondering if Sky is alive. Where is she. Why did she run. Faced with having to stay stoic and run a fire district, Wilson immerses himself into his career more than ever. Set against the devastating backdrop of the Almeda wildfire, Memories of an Ash Covered Sky is a story about what we inherit from our parents, what we survive in silence, and whether some families can be healed before it's too late. A father and daughter must finally speak the truths that have lived between them—about abandonment, protection that failed, trauma that couldn't be named, and whether love is enough. Some families break from external disasters. Some break from within. And some find their way back. Perfect for readers who love: Stories about family dysfunction and the work of healing - Character-driven narratives about survival and resilience - Unflinching explorations of what families hide - Fiction set in the Pacific Northwest that captures place and pain - Stories where the past demands to be heard and reckoned with If you loved Rene Denfeld's devastating explorations of trauma and survival, or books about families trying to repair what's been broken, Sky and Murphy's story will stay with you. A powerful, tender novel about the weight of secrets, the cost of silence, and what it means to finally come home. Memories of an Ash Covered Sky was born from the quiet ache of unfinished conversations—the kind that sit heavy for years. I wanted to explore what happens when a daughter finally stops running, and a father learns that forgiveness isn't something you earn, it's something you give. For Sky Wilson, shame is the reason she fled , and the fear of being rejected by the father she still loves keeps her from returning. For Chief Murphy Wilson, grief and pride have hardened into silence. What stands between them isn't distance—it's the weight of what's never been said. The Almeda Fire serves as the backdrop, but this isn't a book about flames. It's about what remains after—the people, the regrets, and the fragile hope of rebuilding. Set in the valleys and small towns of Southern Oregon, Memories of an Ash Covered Sky is for anyone who's wrestled with guilt, love, and the courage it takes to come home. It's a story about grace, healing, and the quiet redemption found in forgiveness. — Mike Walters Author of The Good Sheriff and Hidden Beneath the Pines Mike Walters is the author of five novels exploring family secrets, trauma, and resilience set in the Pacific Northwest. His debut duology, The Rogue River Incident (Books I & II), introduced readers to his signature blend of mystery and supernatural elements. He has since published Hidden Beneath the Pines, The Good Sheriff, and Memories of an Ash Covered Sky-each exploring the emotional weight of family dysfunction and the possibility of healing.A former U.S. Air Force photographer who has traveled to all 50 states, Mike brings a keen observer's eye to his work. By day, he works as a marketing strategist; by night, he translates that same understanding of human psychology and communication into deeply character-driven fiction. His novels are grounded in the raw beauty and isolation of Southern Oregon-a landscape that has shaped both his life and his storytelling.When he's not writing, Mike can be found mountain biking, hiking, or photographing the Oregon wilderness he calls home. He lives in Southern Oregon with a deep commitment to exploring what families hide and how they heal. After nearly thirty years in the publishing industry as both an editor and a writer, I'm in the perfect position to approach projects with the mind of a developmental editor and the heart of an author. I know how vulnerable it feels to share your work with others-but I also know how to structure and sharpen your book to make it the best it can be. As I edit your work, I never edit simply for edits' sake. I encourage as much as I point to ways to improve the work. As author and editor, we share the same goal: t