Wind without rain
written with
calvin cahail
Astoria, Oregon. 1969
A nation is divided, faith is fragile, and one young woman stands at the crossroads of belief and betrayal.
Meri Sue is searching for meaning in a world that feels increasingly unmoored. Caught between the pull of tradition and the upheaval of a turbulent era, she struggles to understand who she is - and whom she can trust. When a radical group known as the People’s Army threatens a violent act that could shatter her community, Meri Sue’s quiet life is thrust into danger and moral uncertainty.
As tensions rise and loyalties blur, Meri Sue is drawn to a man who offers hope and a new way of seeing the world. But promises are easily made in times of chaos, and the cost of trust may be higher than she ever imagined. With lives on the line and her future hanging in the balance, Meri Sue must choose between fear and faith, cynicism and courage.
Set against the backdrop of America’s most volatile decade, Wind Without Rain is a gripping coming‑of‑age novel about love, conviction, and the hard choices that define us. Rich in atmosphere and emotional depth, it asks a timeless question:
When the winds of change are strongest, what anchors the heart?
Columbia 1942
On the night of June 21, 1942, a Japanese submarine surfaced off the Oregon coast and fired eight shells at Fort Stevens near the mouth of the Columbia River - the only direct attack on the continental United States during World War II. The incident was real. The questions that followed were never fully answered.
Drawing from documented history and authentic Pacific Northwest settings, Columbia 1942 brings this little‑known moment of the war vividly to life. As fear spreads along the river, a disgraced army surgeon, a grieving schoolteacher, and a deep‑cover intelligence agent are pulled into events shaped as much by secrecy as by combat.
Beneath the surface, enemy forces quietly maneuver toward the Columbia River shipping lanes - vital to the Allied war effort.
Meticulously researched and richly imagined, Columbia 1942 blends factual events with human stories of loss, duty, and resilience. It is a historically grounded wartime novel that reveals how close the war came to American shores - and how ordinary lives were forever changed in its wake.
A real attack. A hidden enemy. Based on the night America was shelled.
Browse Collections
Astoria Steak Deluxe!
a MYSTERY
In the picturesque coastal town of Astoria, Oregon, success comes with a view—and a price.
When a bold new restaurant opens its doors, it promises more than perfectly cooked steaks and top‑shelf cocktails. Astoria Steak Deluxe is glamorous, extravagant, and unlike anything the town has ever seen. But behind the polished dining room and sweeping river views lies a volatile mix of ambition, ego, and secrets.
From a tyrannical chef to shadowy investors, the restaurant is plagued with trouble from the start. Then a series of murders turns a high‑end culinary dream into a deadly crime scene. As fear ripples through the tight‑knit community, it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to protect what’s hidden behind the kitchen doors.
Set against the dramatic beauty of the Oregon Coast, Astoria Steak Deluxe! serves up a delicious blend of mystery, atmosphere, and dark humor.
With memorable characters, sharp dialogue, and a setting as rich as the food, this is a whodunit that proves some meals are worth dying for.
Great food. Dark secrets. Murder on the menu!
Homeward bound
crime / suspense
Homeward Bound follows Kim Westin, a college student in 1960s Detroit with a growing political conscience.
Her life changes dramatically after meeting a mysterious Vietnam veteran. Together, they plan a bank robbery intended to fund their anti‑war cause, but the crime ends in violence and bloodshed. Kim is left with stolen money and deep guilt over what has happened.
Trying to escape her past, Kim reinvents herself multiple times, traveling across the United States in search of a fresh start. Despite her efforts, her past continues to follow her.
Eventually, she settles in Astoria, Oregon, where she finds peace, love, and a new beginning with a man named Bob. They marry and attempt to build a life together, but both are concealing important truths - Kim about her past and Bob about his identity.
The lives we build, the lies we tell, and the truths we can’t escape
The Story Behind Astoria Books
Jim Hallaux is a fourth‑generation Astorian whose roots in the Pacific Northwest run as deep as the Columbia River itself.
Born and raised in Astoria, he grew up exploring its steep hills, working docks, rain‑soaked streets, and waterfronts shaped by history, hardship, and resilience. The town’s stories—spoken and unspoken—left a lasting mark.
Like many Astorians, Jim’s adult life carried him far from home. But Astoria never stopped calling him back. After retirement, Jim returned to the town that shaped him, drawn home by its people, its history, and its enduring spirit.
His days are happily divided between writing, reading, golfing, and walking the same neighborhoods and shorelines he knew as a child. Writing has become a way of honoring place—capturing Astoria’s past and present through stories grounded in authenticity, atmosphere, and human connection.
Each Astoria Book reflects Jim’s deep affection for the town at the mouth of the Columbia River. Whether writing historical fiction, mysteries, or character‑driven narratives, his work is rooted in real locations, and local history.
For Jim, storytelling is both a craft and a homecoming—a way to preserve the soul of Astoria, one story at a time.
what Readers are Saying
Kate Daniels
Homeward Bound
A powerful story about guilt, and the lies we tell to survive. The ending stayed with me long after I finished reading.
Pat Wolcott
Wind Without Rain
I really enjoyed this book. It is filled with interesting characters and a storyline that holds your interest until the end. I also liked the details desctioptions ofthe area where the story takes place.
Amazon Review
Homeward Bound
Homeward Bound is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. The characters feel real, the guilt feels heavy, and the move to Astoria brings a quiet sense of hope that really works. It’s an easy read emotionally, but the story lingers in a good way.
Lucy W
Columbia 1942
I really enjoyed this book. From the local history, the characters and the unique story. It had me wondering if the story could be loosely based on a real-life incident.