Sadie Stone's childhood among the 1950s countercultures of California's artists, writers and radicals teaches her resiliency, self-expression and independence. These qualities help her navigate life with her passionate, unpredictable mother, Daisy. Despite the depth of their bond, when violence strikes, Sadie severs all ties with her mother, creating a rift so deep that its resolution takes over four decades and requires a journey half way around the world. Ultimately, HEAT LIGHTNING is a novel about overcoming trauma and finding forgiveness.