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Cliff Falls
The night of his eighteenth birthday, Clay Grant, exploited child star of 80’s sitcom hit “Little Guy Mike”, disappears after a mysterious fire destroys the Hollywood studio backlot. Chased by the media and haunted by his past, he’s been on the run for fifteen years, until a fight with a determined photographer lands him in jail and ends his self-imposed exile.
Just when the media is descending, motivational pastor Reagan Mitchell shows up in Clay’s cell and offers him a deal to buy his freedom. Unsure if he can trust Reagan, but out of options, Clay arrives in majestic Cliff Falls under an overcast sky and quickly discovers no one escapes life. What happens when you run into everything you’ve been running from?
In a world where entertainment has become our religion and religion our entertainment, Cliff Falls wrestles with the question of what does it mean to be truly human; comfortable in your own skin when everyone wants you to be someone or something else? What Clay discovers will change his life and perhaps yours.
Just when the media is descending, motivational pastor Reagan Mitchell shows up in Clay’s cell and offers him a deal to buy his freedom. Unsure if he can trust Reagan, but out of options, Clay arrives in majestic Cliff Falls under an overcast sky and quickly discovers no one escapes life. What happens when you run into everything you’ve been running from?
In a world where entertainment has become our religion and religion our entertainment, Cliff Falls wrestles with the question of what does it mean to be truly human; comfortable in your own skin when everyone wants you to be someone or something else? What Clay discovers will change his life and perhaps yours.
256 pages, Nook
First published June 22, 2010
7 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
C.B. Shiepe
1 book4 followersCliff “CB” Shiepe, says “Going over the falls will change you, but how it changes you changes everything.”
C.B. Shiepe’s award-winning novel – CLIFF FALLS – reaches a broad audience and resonates with readers who have gone over the falls in their own lives. Shiepe has garnered much media attention, appearing on NBC, PBS, TBN, The Hour of Power, in Guideposts Magazine, at the LA Times Festival of Books, and speaking engagements across the country, including the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, CA where actors performed scenes from his novel.
For information about having the author speak to your group or organization, please contact: OFFICE@CLIFFFALLS.COM
C.B. Shiepe’s award-winning novel – CLIFF FALLS – reaches a broad audience and resonates with readers who have gone over the falls in their own lives. Shiepe has garnered much media attention, appearing on NBC, PBS, TBN, The Hour of Power, in Guideposts Magazine, at the LA Times Festival of Books, and speaking engagements across the country, including the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, CA where actors performed scenes from his novel.
For information about having the author speak to your group or organization, please contact: OFFICE@CLIFFFALLS.COM
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 24, 2014
When I started reading Cliff Falls, I was drawn into a wonderful story of fictional characters, living in seemly real places with very real problems. I immediately identified with Clay Grant, the former child star, who had been expected to live up to an image that was not who he really was, one that was created for him by others.
While being entertained, which included laughing out loud many times, I realized how much I was still like the painfully shy ninth-grader who had the moniker of "the smartest girl in the school". How much I was still like that same girl who loved to run but quit the track team because her peers didn't want her to be a good athlete, in addition to being a good student. I began to see how much of that child still lived on, decades later, in the life of an adult woman.
Reading about Clay's struggle to leave his past behind him, has helped me to continue to create a life for myself, apart from the subtle pressures that still exist for me to be who I am not. Watching Clay change and grow has given me more courage to forge ahead in my own metamorphosis into becoming who I was created to be, into becoming who I really am.
In the two and a half years since I first read Cliff Falls, I, a busy mother of a teenager and a first-grader, have read the novel five more times. I have enthusiastically told family, friends and total strangers, everyone from teens to senior citizens, about the novel. I also created an online "Book Club" with about a dozen friends so we could discuss how the book has impacted our lives. I recommend Cliff Falls to everyone who wants to read a story about change and to be changed by the story he or she reads.
While being entertained, which included laughing out loud many times, I realized how much I was still like the painfully shy ninth-grader who had the moniker of "the smartest girl in the school". How much I was still like that same girl who loved to run but quit the track team because her peers didn't want her to be a good athlete, in addition to being a good student. I began to see how much of that child still lived on, decades later, in the life of an adult woman.
Reading about Clay's struggle to leave his past behind him, has helped me to continue to create a life for myself, apart from the subtle pressures that still exist for me to be who I am not. Watching Clay change and grow has given me more courage to forge ahead in my own metamorphosis into becoming who I was created to be, into becoming who I really am.
In the two and a half years since I first read Cliff Falls, I, a busy mother of a teenager and a first-grader, have read the novel five more times. I have enthusiastically told family, friends and total strangers, everyone from teens to senior citizens, about the novel. I also created an online "Book Club" with about a dozen friends so we could discuss how the book has impacted our lives. I recommend Cliff Falls to everyone who wants to read a story about change and to be changed by the story he or she reads.
September 13, 2016
I read this book in one day! Couldn't put it down! I really felt like I was "watching" it as I read. Such great place descriptions, character development. I cried at the end! Bravo, C. B. Shiepe! Really liked the references to Stanford, The Dutch Goose, and other real places. I felt like I was back in CA in my old familiar territory.
Also love that the story features a mainstream "mega-church" AND a Catholic church, and that the major transformation happens for Clay at confession. I've heard too many people over the years claim that Catholics aren't "real Christians", and the use of the stations of the cross and the candles, etc., really highlights God's spirit at work there, too. Also, laughed out loud at the scene in the gift shop. I watched a relative receive a "Christian-y" afghan to take to college with her -- ha! And a friend has a cheesy talking Jesus doll. Also recognized the description of the Thomas Kinkade paintings.
With a first novel this engaging, I can't wait to read a second!
Also love that the story features a mainstream "mega-church" AND a Catholic church, and that the major transformation happens for Clay at confession. I've heard too many people over the years claim that Catholics aren't "real Christians", and the use of the stations of the cross and the candles, etc., really highlights God's spirit at work there, too. Also, laughed out loud at the scene in the gift shop. I watched a relative receive a "Christian-y" afghan to take to college with her -- ha! And a friend has a cheesy talking Jesus doll. Also recognized the description of the Thomas Kinkade paintings.
With a first novel this engaging, I can't wait to read a second!
August 6, 2016
I don't make time for reading...as much as I enjoy it, I just never force myself to sit down and do it. I found out about Cliff Falls from a friend and thought I'd start the first chapter and after a while would finish... then I started reading it, and just hours later I had finished it.
It goes without saying that I couldn't put it down. Few books capture my heart, or my imagination, like this one. I saw so much of my own self in the main character and at too many points found myself realizing my own struggles in a new way. As I finished the book, all I wanted was more. What happens to the characters next? Where does the story go from here? But more importantly, I found myself asking: What happens to me next?
It goes without saying that I couldn't put it down. Few books capture my heart, or my imagination, like this one. I saw so much of my own self in the main character and at too many points found myself realizing my own struggles in a new way. As I finished the book, all I wanted was more. What happens to the characters next? Where does the story go from here? But more importantly, I found myself asking: What happens to me next?
April 4, 2014
Cliff Falls engrossed me immediately. I read virtually nonstop, turning each page with anticipation and was rewarded with deeply genuine insights. I have already read this book three times and get more out of it each time. The question C.B. Shiepe poses is not only: "What happens when you run into everything you've been running from?" but what can happen in your life when you dare to risk believing...believing in yourself, in others, and in God. Cliff Falls is a must read. Its symbolism is rich and thought provoking, the characters smack of real life, and the message is clearly life affirming and life changing.
March 25, 2014
I loved this book. I could see myself in some of the characters and relate to the issues that they were struggling with. While not experiencing the same things as they did, I could relate with my own story...always a good thing when reading a book. I am not one to give books away but this one I cannot seem to hold onto. I have given multiple copies to friends and each has enjoyed it as much as I did. Totally worth a read!
July 2, 2013
I may be a little biased, as I've known the author since childhood. After seeing an interview of his on TV, I felt compelled to read it. The message that I am the beloved daughter of God, was so special. I enjoyed this book, and the way it made me feel about my flawed self.
January 22, 2014
A quick read about a former child star down on his luck who finds a true purpose and meaning for his life. Plot is fairly straight forward and the characters are not complex, but the message of the book is clear. Life is full of ups and downs, but if you have faith and persevere you will be rewarded.
April 3, 2014
This is a relatively simple book to read, on the surface. The story is easy to follow, the characters seems predictable, and you can get through it in an afternoon. However it has layers of deep implications once you take the time to process it. Which the author was willing to give and engage with me. Great book for a discussion group or class! Thanks, Cliff, for your time.
December 31, 2020
I can't believe I listened to this. Santino Fontana narrates, and I love his voice so much... but this was boring af. AND it's Christian fiction, which I wasn't even aware was a genre, let alone one I'd read. Very little character development, totally predictable, wrapped up in a bow at the end. It only gets 2 stars because of the narrator.
May 23, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! The writing, the story, the voices (Santino Fontana knocked it out of the ballpark!) and the message. Literally, the message. I laughed, I cried, but mostly I just wanted to hug Clay and be his friend. I’m so glad I read such a fun and yet tender story with a touch of suspense! Highly recommend and a definite 5 star read! Can’t wait to read more!!!
July 22, 2021
Oh my goodness! This was such a deeply moving book from beginning to end. I didn't see the ending coming...
September 30, 2013
The first chapter was so cliched and uninteresting that I couldn't bring myself to read the book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews