I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A widower seeking a fresh start in life must confront loss, and discover the means of finding a community and career that is truly his in author Linda Stewart Henley’s “Waterbury Winter”.
The Synopsis
Barnaby Brown has had enough of freezing winters, insurmountable debt, a dead-end job, and his solitary life as a young widower with no one but his beloved parrot Popsicle. He yearns to move to California and reawaken his long-lost early life as an artist. But new troubles come in threes. His ancient car crashes into a snowbank. Popsicle escapes through a window carelessly left open. A New York gallery owner offers to represent Barnaby’s paintings—but is he on the up-and-up? All of it serves to shock Barnaby into confronting how low he has sunk, and he vows—again and again—to change. He has a few obstacles, starting with his heavy drinking and long-term neglect of his ancestral home. As he takes steps toward a better life, he re-discovers the value of old friendships and latent talents seen in new light, and finds the courage to consider a second chance at love. Rejoining the mainstream of life presents several startling mysteries he must unravel, with a few mortifying but enlightening stumbles.
A heart-warming novel about ordinary people reclaiming their dormant potential, Waterbury Winter celebrates the restorative value of art and the joy to be found in keeping promises.
The Review
This is such a powerful and moving story. The pain of loss can be truly debilitating and takes on so many different forms. From the loss of a dream or the loss of a loved one, people can find themselves lost and stuck in the past by the pain of that loss. The author’s ability to navigate these complex emotions and craft a narrative that felt realistic and alive on the page was truly incredible to read.
The balance of character growth and imagery throughout the author’s writing was so profound. The setting and imagery presented both through the author’s words and described in the protagonist’s artwork were creative in their approach, as even the local haunt O’Malley’s felt alive and captivating to behold. Barnaby’s evolution as a character was both heartbreaking and heartwarming, as the pain of his loss and how it kept him from his pursuits in life both professionally and personally is something so many people can identify with, and yet his hope stirred by one loss too many is so inspiring and the path he goes on is something readers will instantly connect with.
The Verdict
Haunting, emotional, and engaging, author Linda Stewart Henley’s “Waterbury Winter” is a must-read novel. The perfect drama and a great way of studying the evolution of friendship and relationships as a whole, readers will be amazed at the authors’ creativity and entertaining way of bringing true heart and passion into a realistic and honest yet fictional world. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Linda Stewart Henley is the author of Estelle: A Novel. Among other honors, it won Silver in the Independent Publisher Book Awards for Historical Fiction and was a finalist for The Eric Hoffer Book Awards as well as for the 2021 Nancy Pearl Award. She lives in Anacortes, Washington, with her husband. Waterbury Winter is her second novel.
Find out more about Waterbury Winter by visiting GoodReads or the author’s website. You can also purchase it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org.
Blog Tour Calendar
May 2nd @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley. We interview the author about her book and also give away a copy to one lucky reader.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
May 3rd @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews Blog
Stop by Lisa’s blog today and read an interview with author Linda Stewart Henley.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
May 3rd @ Fiona Ingram’s Blog
Visit Fiona’s blog and read Linda Stewart Henley’s guest post about writing historical fiction.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
May 5th @ Amanda Diaries
Visit Amanda’s blog and read her interview with author Linda Stewart Henley.
May 7th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Join Linda as she interviews Linda Stewart Henley about her book Waterbury Winter.
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/
May 8th @ What is That Book About?
Michelle spotlights Linda Stewart Henley’s book Waterbury Winter.
https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/
May 9th @ Mindy McGinnis
Join Mindy as she features Linda Stewart Henley’s guest post about mixed genres in writing.
https://www.mindymcginnis.com/blog
May 12th @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog today and read her review of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
May 13th @ CK Sorens’ Blog
Visit Carrie’s blog and read Linda Stewart Henley’s guest post about the importance of setting.
May 15th @ Choices
Visit Madeline’s blog and read Linda Stewart Henley’s guest post about what a difference an editor makes.
May 18th @ Beverley A. Baird
Visit Beverley’s blog and her review of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
May 19th @ Reading Is My Remedy
Join Chelsie over at her Instagram page today where she shares her review of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://www.instagram.com/reading_is_my_remedy/
May 21st @ Bring on Lemons
Crystal shares her thoughts about the charming Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
May 24th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Make sure to visit Anthony’s blog and read his review of Linda Stewart Henley’s book Waterbury Winter.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
May 25th @ Beverley A. Baird
Join Beverley again as she features Linda Stewart Henley’s post about inspiration in art.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
May 26th @ The Frugalista Mom
Visit Roselyn’s blog as she reviews Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
May 27th @ A Storybook World
Deirdra’s blog features Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
May 30th @ Liberate and Lather
Stop by Angela’s blog today and read her thoughts about Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
May 31st @ The Faerie Review
Lily spotlights Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com/
June 2nd @ Pages & Paws
Join Pages and Paws for their review of Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
June 4th @ World of My Imagination
Nicole reviews Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley.
https://worldofmyimagination.com/
June 5th @ Jill Sheets Blog
Visit Jill as she interviews author Linda Stewart Henley.
