Stormy View - Movie Contest

As an author, people frequently as me which actors or actresses would play my characters in a movie based on my books. I honestly don’t know and I thought you could offer your suggestions. I encourage you to read the book, but in the mean time, you can read some of my thoughts about the characters along with comments from reviewers.

I asked for suggestions about which actors and actresses should play the characters in Stormy View. Details were supplied below about each character for anyone who hasn't read the book... yet. Entries were sent in August and people had the opportunity to vote for their favorites in September. The winner received a gift certificate for Amazon.

The winning actress was Merryl Streep in the part of Hilda Stevens.

(For additional information - this is the first chapter of Stormy View.)

To order your own copy of Stormy View - click here.

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Kennalyn Jones -

Young bright woman who grew up along the Cape Ann coast of Massachusetts. She attends Law School at Harvard, a dream she shared with her mother, before her death. Kennalyn met David Stevens at law school and they married. They move to Los Angeles and find jobs in a prestigious law firm. Several years later they have a daughter, they name Brittany. Life is wonderful and they plan a big celebration for their tenth anniversary. The party plans are almost complete when a police officer knocks on the Stevens’ door. He is there to tell Kennalyn that David was in an accident. The following weeks set off a chain of events that make it necessary for Kennalyn to return to her childhood home and her chauvinistic father. Can she handle the disappointments that life hands her?

Kennalyn is just under 6’ tall, thin, very pretty and friendly. She has shoulder length blonde hair and green eyes. There is an air of confidence about Kennalyn, but several things cause her to be insecure. She is a loving mother and a good friend.

Here are comments about Kennalyn Stevens from a couple of reviews:

The character of Kennalyn is strong in the way she handles the conniving, manipulative mother-in-law, who is worse than any wicked witch. Kennalyn is faced with a manipulating mother-in-law who continues to inform her that she is not welcomed and never will be.

Kennalynn is nervous as her fiancé takes her to meet his wealthy, social-climbing parents. David has warned her that his mother is a bit highly-strung, but when the two women meet, it's clear that Hilda Stevens hates her. Undeterred, they marry in secret – but when they announce the happy news, David's mother curses Kennalynn, accusing her of being a gold-digger... but then she realises that her mother-in-law's hatred is far deeper and more unbalanced than she could ever begin to imagine…

A wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter…Kennalyn Stevens thought she had it all. Then a horrible accident takes her husband, David, from her, leaving her a pregnant, grieving widow, and at the mercy of a vindictive mother-in-law.

Kennalyn is an attorney, as is her husband. They are making a beautiful life with their daughter in California on her husband’s turf, complete with a childhood housekeeper, a vicious, controlling mother and an ineffectual father. A tragic accident claims her husband’s life. This sends her back to Misty Cove, a pregnant widow with her child.

Kennalyn’s family blossoms in the hearts of the reader, only to be broken by a vicious twist of fate.

Captain Bartholomew Jones -

Kennalyn's father is the proud keeper of the Stormy View Lighthouse. For generations, his ancestors stood guard over the coastline to ensure the safety of people who traveled along the Cape Ann coast. He feels women need to stay in their place, which isn't working along side men. Can he swallow his pride and attitude to help Kennalyn through problems she never anticipated? Can he show his support?

Captain Bart is a gruff “sea dog” who is certainly rough around the edges. He treats Kennalyn very badly when she goes away to school, although it is less than an hour away. She feels that she is abandoning him and arranges for a long time family friend to clean house, cook for him and check on her father. This works out better than Kennalyn expected and Captain Bart marries Sadie. Can Sadie manage to smooth Captain Bart’s rough edges?

Here are the comments about Captain Bart from a review:

The most development in a character would involve Captain Bart, Kennalyn's father. He was never happy having daughters instead of sons and sees them as useless, especially in carrying on the legacy of the lighthouse. It is interesting to see how his opinions change.

David Stevens -

He's the son of a powerful Los Angeles attorney. David had everything handed to him for years. He's used to debutantes and self centered women. Can he understand the kind of woman that Kennalyn Jones is? Will he appreciate the quiet strength that makes her a special woman? David is just over 6’ tall and has brown hair and beautiful blue eyes. He’s a successful attorney and is very much in love with Kennalyn. Or, is he? You can never talk about David without mentioning his mother… Hilda Stevens.

Here are the comments about David Stevens from a couple of reviews:

After meeting David's mother Kennalyn realizes she will never be welcomed into the family. David does not care that Kennalyn's family does not come from wealth, and plans a long and happy life for the two of them with many children. On their tenth anniversary David is involved in a boating accident and taken to the hospital. Before Kennalyn can arrive David's mother has him transferred to a private hospital owned by her family. Kennalyn has difficulty getting any information when she arrives, being always consulted after David's mother. Although this is beyond aggravating and demeaning for Kennalyn, her only concern is David's wellbeing.

Kennalyn Jones loves David Stevens with all her heart and soul. David adores Kennalyn even more. Together, despite the opposition of his mother, they marry and make a life for themselves. Soon a daughter rounds out the family. Kennalyn and David are happy, life is easy.

Kennalyn and David met in school, and Kennalyn couldn’t have been happier with anyone else. When David takes her home to meet his parents, and they announce their plans to wed, David’s mother takes an immediate dislike to her and tries to send her away -- in David’s best interests, of course. Instead of giving Kennalyn up to please his mother, David defies her and weds Kennalyn in secret.

Hilda Stevens -

She enjoys her social standing in the community. This position is based on her husband's skill and success as an attorney. Over the years, she uses that power to form and chair committees to help the city. This gives her power in her own right. Will she use this power to help her son? Or, will she turn against Kennalyn in a time of crisis?

Hilda Stevens makes a powerful appearance in the opening pages of the book. Actually, she makes a powerful impression every time she appears in the book. She stands ram rod straight, has finely manicured and bony fingers. She is a powerful woman who will leave a definite impression on each reader.

Here are the comments about Hilda Stevens from a couple of reviews:

When Kennalyn arrives to see David, Mrs. Stevens is in complete control of the situation of her son’s wellness. She has never liked Kennalyn and intends to use her clout to her advantage.

The intensity between the mother, son and Kennalyn can be felt throughout the story as Hilda tries her utmost to erase Kennalyn from David’s life.

I could feel everything that the characters endured, even Hilda’s reactions each time she pointed that bony finger. This is one witch who certainly doesn’t require any broomstick for flying. Her evilness transcends through the pages.

Even the villains in the story are so evil that they just make everything better around them. I could go on and on with all the derogatory words to describe how I feel about David's mother, but I won't. Just trust me, she is pure evil.

Kennalyn, the Stormy View Lighthouse keeper’s daughter naively takes on the most powerful woman in her husband’s life—his vengeful mother. The woman is not having her little boy wasting his life married to a nobody. She works like a viper to drive them apart.

Rich, sophisticated, haughty, influential, controlling, Los Angeles society matron, Mrs. Hilda Stevens who brooked no disloyalty from anyone was about to meet her future daughter-in-law, a lightkeeper's daughter from a small Massachusetts fishing village called Misty Cove. The clash between two different society levels was bound to start sparks flying. It mattered little to Mrs. Hilda Stevens that Kennalyn Jones Stevens was the woman her son David was desperately in love with, or that Kennalyn was desperately in love with him. She had other plans for her son and Kennalyn Jones Stevens was not a part of it regardless of how her son felt. It was inexplicable hatred at first sight on the part of Mrs. Stevens, not even the birth of her granddaughter could stop the animosity that existed in her heart. So incensed was she, that instead of diminishing with the passing of years, the hatred she held exploded exponentially. Kennalyn was completely unaware of the heartache, hardship, disappointment and pain she would have to endure because of this hatred and how it could turn devious, dangerous and malevolent.

Parmer Stevens -

He's a powerful attorney will lets his wife Hilda do whatever she wants, no matter how he feels about it. Can he find the strength to confront her, or will she continue to have her way?

Ebbie Montoya -

She was David Stevens' nanny as he grew up. She stays with the Stevens long after he is past the age of needing a nanny, to remain close to him. There is never a time when she doesn't support David and she loves Kennalyn as well. When Kennalyn returns to Misty Cove, Ebbie goes with her. Will she make a life on the rugged New England coast? Ebbie is a strong personality who is fiercely loyal to the people she loves. She is of Spanish decent, a short woman with wild gray hair.

Sadie Jones -

She marries Captain Bart. Earlier, she was close friends with Kennalyn's mother and loves the family. Can she help Bart now that his family needs him? Will her influence cause him to soften his views toward women?

Brittany Stevens -

The young daughter of Kennalyn and David. Bright eyed, and full of energy and mischief. Can she recover from a devastating event when she is very young? What kind of young woman will she become? Brittany is a precocious child with golden hair. She loves her parents and protects her younger brother. She will do whatever is needed to protect her mother and her father’s memory.

David Stevens, Jr. -

Kennalyn and David's son. He's born during a rough time in Kennalyn's life. Will he be the apple of his grandfather's eye? Can he survive being raised with several "mothers"?

Rick Thomas -

He was David's college roommate. Over the years, he becomes the legal voice for a development company which works throughout New England. When he reappears in Kennalyn's life, why is he there?

These are some comments from reviews for Stormy View –

Ms. Leigh pulls the reader immediately into the story. I could feel everything that the characters endured, even Hilda’s reactions each time she pointed that bony finger. This is one witch who certainly doesn’t require any broomstick for flying. Her evilness transcends through the pages. This is an incredible tale with great direction and a plot that spins a remarkable read that is absolutely visual in this page-turner. Whew, a recommended read that you don’t want to miss!

Stormy View by Nikki Leigh is a wonderful story that shows how far people will go to get what they want. This story shows how a selfish person can manipulate and make everyone unhappy. It also shows how a true love will survive and conquer all obstacles.

A memorable cast of characters – Ebbie was my favourite – and the truly villainous Hilda makes this a story worth reading. Full of pain, betrayal, hope and love, this book has all the ingredients of a good romance – plus it has one hell of a twist. The author has more books set in the world of Misty Cove, so be sure to check them out – if they're like 'Stormy View' then they're sure to be winners.

Nikki Leigh’s tightly woven saga of the David Steven’s family slowly unravels to reveal the suspense hidden behind the vindictive manipulations of David’s mother and the heartbroken Kennalyn, who even as the years slid by cannot give up her love for her deceased husband. By herself, she struggles as a lawyer in a small coastal town to provide for her children until one fateful day when a familiar stranger turns up at a local diner. Then the whole picture changes for the Steven’s family.

A romance with a difference, this story will have you teary-eyed for a family torn apart – and renew your faith in love that ...weathers the storms.

Misty Cove is a New England town brought to life with beautiful strokes by author Nikki Leigh. It is also the setting for her novel, Stormy View. This work shows us the strength Kennalyn Jones, draws from a long heritage of lighthouse keepers.

With colorful words, Nikki Leigh paints a breathtaking picture of life, from the shores of Los Angeles to the small fishing town of Misty Cove, Massachusetts. The struggles of her heroine, Kennalyn Jones Stevens, dealing with her spiteful mother-in-law, being a single parent and learning to love again is truly a realistic view of life. The emotional upheavals, agonizing decisions, along with the deceit and fraud perpetrated against Kennalyn and her family throughout the book, keeps your eyes glued to the pages until the very end.

A true page turner that sets the stage for more to follow.

A remarkable story with many unexpected twists and turns, Nikki Leigh paints a picture brimming with love, pain, loss, and hope. Stormy View is a definite must read for anyone who loves romance. Only sleep kept me from reading this masterfully crafted story straight through from beginning to end.

Stormy View is an unusual tale of romance and lies. Kennalyn is a strong woman, and she worked very hard to make a new life for her children and herself without David. To find out that it wasn’t truly necessary was very heart wrenching for her, and for myself as a reader. There were several twists and plot turns that had me reeling, I never knew what to expect next.

Stormy View is a wonderful, powerful and explosive love story. Nikki Leigh brings the reader through a rollercoaster of emotions that leaves one spinning. The many twists and turns encountered throughout the book causes one to want to reach in and exact retribution. It is an enjoyable and poignant story that will keep you turning page after page until the end. Stormy View is a must read for everyone.

All reviews can be viewed at

http://www.nikkileigh.com/early_reviews_-_stormy_view.htm

Get to Know the Characters from Widow's Walk.

Postal Address - P O Box 711, Fishersville, VA 22939
Nikki's Email Address - nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com

Last modified: 07/21/08