A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean

A Pearl in the Storm is not a memoir about great successes-of which Tori Murden McClure has many. Instead, the bulk of her inspiring story focuses on her first failed attempt to row across the Atlantic Ocean alone.

After being rescued from the middle of the worst hurricane season in the North Atlantic, McClure must deal with the self-imposed disgrace tied to her failed attempt. She is forced to embrace her own vulnerability. After meeting Muhammad Ali-and being told that she does not want to be known as the woman who "almost" rowed across the Atlantic Ocean-she decides to shake off the weight of failure and attempt her great feat again. With her characteristic wry sense of humor, she explores her interaction with failure-and how she responded and ultimately overcame it.

"A stirring metaphor for life's unpredictable ups and downs. . . . McClure offers her reflections in contemplative, honest language, revealing her meaningful road to self-discovery. An inspirational story of losing pride, embracing humanity and accepting love."-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Freshman Common Read: Northern Kentucky University, Brescia University, Erksine College, Spring Hill College

--Charles Gaines, author of The Next Valley Over