Published: Dec. 13, 2011
Words: 63,145 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9780979952814

Short description

My Coyote Creek is an honest and emotional memoir told by the youngest of three children about a mother’s creative struggle to provide a normal upbringing for her children while living with an abusive sociopathic husband. This story shows a mother’s amazing resolve to create secure bliss for her children filled with adventures right out of a modern-day Huck Finn scenario.

Extended description

My Coyote Creek is an honest and emotional memoir told by the youngest of three children about a mother’s creative struggle to provide a normal upbringing for her children while living with an abusive sociopath of a husband.

She shields her children from the truth that is her bizarre dark reality; all the while finding imaginative ways to feed and clothe them in the poverty stricken isolation of the vast prune orchards along the banks of Coyote Creek in Santa Clara County, California.

From 1957 to 1961, the children, Sharon, 7; Dave, 5; and Jeff, 4, wallow in the majesty of this wonderland their mother has created for them while being protected from the abusive horrors she endures. (Read more) My Coyote Creek is an honest and emotional memoir told by the youngest of three children about a mother’s creative struggle to provide a normal upbringing for her children while living with an abusive sociopath of a husband.

She shields her children from the truth that is her bizarre dark reality; all the while finding imaginative ways to feed and clothe them in the poverty stricken isolation of the vast prune orchards along the banks of Coyote Creek in Santa Clara County, California.

From 1957 to 1961, the children, Sharon, 7; Dave, 5; and Jeff, 4, wallow in the majesty of this wonderland their mother has created for them while being protected from the abusive horrors she endures.

This story shows a mother’s amazing resolve to create secure bliss for her children—a childhood filled with love and creativity. Readers can expect a mind-expanding experience brimming with adventures right out of a modern-day Huck Finn scenario.

That is until the day their innocence is lost and their lives are changed forever as their idea of heaven instantly turns to a confusing and distorted view of their mother’s hell. The children witness for the first time their father’s brutality when he leaves their mother for dead on the side of the road. Without transportation or a telephone, and living in the middle of nowhere, how would they save their mother and escape to safety?

Little did they know that their mother had seen this life-threatening situation coming and had devised a plan to secretly escape in the middle of the night. With the help of relatives, the family makes the move to freedom in the small town of Morgan Hill, California--ten miles south of Coyote. Here, their lives take on new adventures as the family of four, who stuck together during the worst of times, create and build better lives.

You’ll walk with them as they emerge from the isolation of low-end poverty to become one of the founding families of Morgan Hill. You’ll cheer them on as they become known, liked, and respected members of the community giving the three children, and mother, a chance for a better life; a chance to make something for them, and make a positive contribution to society.

Although there are many struggles and failures along the way, it’s not until the end that a struggle of a different kind emerges. When the youngest son, Jeff, at the age of 50, receives a voice message from his long-forgotten tormented father while the father lies on his deathbed, the agonizing question then becomes: should Jeff return the call?
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Tags

nonfiction, love, triumph, history, memior, biography, domestic violence, abuse, adversity, coyote, trail, acorns, el toro, coyote creek, jeff bradford, karen arnett, morgan hill, san martin, hal shumway, vivian shumway, cipa, gilroy, live oak high, dunne avenue, hellyer park, henry coe, murphys peak, knob hill foods, coyote creek california, nob hill

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Videos

My Coyote Creek - Read by Author, Jeff Bradford
My Coyote Creek is an honest and emotional memoir told by the youngest of three children about a mother's creative struggle to provide a normal upbringing for her children while living with an abusive sociopath of a husband.

Reviews

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Review by: Gail Nelson on Jan. 18, 2012 :
Jeff Bradford has written an engaging, heart-breaking, and uplifting story about growing up with an abusive father. Vivid details and a flowing style come together for a memorable read.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: nancybuchanan1949 on Jan. 11, 2012 :
Author, Jeff Bradford, chronicles his early years through adulthood in this remarkable memoir. The recollections of his youth and reflections on his life had me mesmerized. My reaction to his story ran the full scale of emotions from tears to laughter. "My Coyote Creek" is one of those reads that will stay in your head long after you have finished reading the book. I highly recommend it.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Mary Thompson on Jan. 08, 2012 :
I was immediately absorbed in this story of a family's perserverance through such difficult times. This is a page turner because the author puts the reader so in tune with the characters that the reader must to know their outcome. I walked away from the book with appreciation for life's simple pleasures! I so enjoyed this non-fiction story of the author's life.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Kim Powell on Jan. 08, 2012 :
This very personal story by Jeff Bradford gives names and enduring images to the reality of domestic violence, but far more than that, is the message of hope, optimism, and resilience that lies within us all. "My Coyote Creek" is the memoir of one man, but the story belongs to us all. Once I started reading, I couldn't put the story down until the last page. Highly engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Kemp Nussbaum on Jan. 08, 2012 :
The book is a real life testimonial to the authors life. He didn't seem to hold anything back while writing which helps deliver a refreshing and honest read. I found the stories tragic, wholesome, and entertaining. The message of perseverance and determination are driven home in so many ways throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Stacey Lloyd on Jan. 07, 2012 :
This is an amazing story of the strength of family and one woman's determination to survive and thrive. In this era of " victims" Jeff Bradford has been able to show the courage and determination his mother had to not let her or her children be "victims". I cried, I laughed and I thoroughly enjoyed the innocence of his childhood recollections. Small town life was his safety net and security.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: lisa leonetti on Jan. 07, 2012 :
My rating
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: lisa leonetti on Jan. 07, 2012 : (no rating)
For anyone who grew up in a small town this is a great read. The true story intertwines a mothers struggle to give her children a good life in a small town while married to an abusive man. It tells of her triumphs over poverty and despair
while raising three children to adulthood. This could be a story of "anyone" in "anytown USA".
Jeff brings to life the joy and challenges of growing up "where everyone knows your name"
Lisa Leonetti
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Vickie Metcalf Baroff on Dec. 31, 2011 :
This is an excellent story of growing up in Morgan Hill with all of the familiar places and people. Jeff did a great job describing our small-town life. We absolutely knew everyone and everyone knew us. Unfortunately it was a time of innocence as well and I had no idea what Jeff and his family were living through. Vivian epitomizes what it means to be a mother and sacrifice yourself for your childrens' well being. I couldn't put my kindle down and read it with both tears and laughter. Thank you Jeff for bringing my childhood back to enjoy again! The merry-go-round at MH School, Bill's Sundries, football games, Granada Theater and so many other great memories. This is a must read for so many reasons.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

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