Shadow of Whimsy: A Cape Cod Love Story by Ann Hymes
Publication Date: June 15, 2016
Secant Publishing
Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Genre: Contemporary/Women's Fiction/Literary
Several generations of one family have lived, loved, and lied at Whimsy Towers, a unique oceanfront house in Chatham, Massachusetts. Strong women who refuse to be suffocated by marriage have found excitement and refuge in this house filled with artists and parties. Love surfaces in unexpected ways.
The newest owner, Theresa Alston Crandall, has just inherited the property and leaves her too-predictable husband in Virginia to spend time on the Cape and unravel family secrets and history. She swims, reflects, explores, and watches dramatic cloud formations float high over the ocean as she sorts through the choices in her path forward.
Romance arrives in the form of a young widower and landscape gardener with an awesome pickup truck, who likes Theresa’s dog and provides temptation to stay at Whimsy Towers. Tips of tree branches dance with the weight of birds that seem to scream warnings of danger, and the churning ocean disrupts family continuity.
Theresa learns how her Southern grandmother came to buy a storm-weathered New England house and how loveless marriage is not a mandatory life style. The final decision feels just right.
"In her debut novel, Hymes presents a conflicted young woman who is beginning to question her humdrum existence. From grief and loss to forgiveness and redemption, Hymes does not hold back. The author steers clear of predictable outcomes in this unexpected story, providing ample romantic suspense and witty prose to keep the reader turning pages. Chock-full of rich descriptions of the New England coast, as well as surprising scandals and an adorable dog named Gypsy, the book should satisfy even seasoned beach readers. A captivating and uplifting tale best suited for fans of meaningful beach-town romances." -Kirkus Reviews
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Review: Shadow of Whimsy was such a delightful read. Theresa has inherited Whimsy from her Grandmother who she hadn't known very well.
I love the backstory going into this, with her father keeping the information on her grandmother pretty much a secret until his death.
Theresa goes to Cape Cod by herself as a bit of a separation from her husband. I'm not sure why their marriage is stagnant, but it is. I admit, I was a bit team Kevin in this book. I didn't want their marriage to get thrown aside, but Theresa really puts her vows to the test. I was very surprised at how things worked out in the end, after some of the things that developed while she was at Whimsy. I think I would have really liked to get some more character development on the part of Kevin, so you could really tell why these two were at a breaking point when the story starts, or rather why Theresa felt they were.
The best part of the book was putting the pieces of her grandmother's life as well as her mother's together.
I love the backstory going into this, with her father keeping the information on her grandmother pretty much a secret until his death.
Theresa goes to Cape Cod by herself as a bit of a separation from her husband. I'm not sure why their marriage is stagnant, but it is. I admit, I was a bit team Kevin in this book. I didn't want their marriage to get thrown aside, but Theresa really puts her vows to the test. I was very surprised at how things worked out in the end, after some of the things that developed while she was at Whimsy. I think I would have really liked to get some more character development on the part of Kevin, so you could really tell why these two were at a breaking point when the story starts, or rather why Theresa felt they were.
The best part of the book was putting the pieces of her grandmother's life as well as her mother's together.
This is the kind of book I want to read on the porch sipping iced tea or lemonade. Its a story of rediscovery and a touch of mystery.
My one bone of contention with this story was the lack of a time frame. It seemed to be set in 1980, but there was one glaring error made that bugged me. Cars didn't have CD players in them in 1980. In fact the Compact disc wasn't invented until 1982 and not until 1985 in cars.
My one bone of contention with this story was the lack of a time frame. It seemed to be set in 1980, but there was one glaring error made that bugged me. Cars didn't have CD players in them in 1980. In fact the Compact disc wasn't invented until 1982 and not until 1985 in cars.
I really loved Theresa and Whimsy. I fell in love with this story from the start. If you like authors like Dorothea Benton Frank or Anne Rivers Siddons. This is a good book to read.
Rating: 5 flowers
About the Author
Ann Hymes is a retired real estate broker and mother of two grown daughters. She has a B.A. in English from Mills College and an M.A. in English from Washington College. Her published work includes creative nonfiction. An active international volunteer, including service in the Peace Corps in the 1960s, Ann lives in St. Michaels, Maryland.
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, February 27
Kick Off at Passages to the Past
Wednesday, March 1
Review at Books, Dreams, Life
Thursday, March 2
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Friday, March 3
Spotlight at Cafinated Reads
Monday, March 6
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Friday, March 10
Review & Interview at The Book Junkie Reads
Tuesday, March 14
Spotlight at Susan Heim on Writing
Wednesday, March 15
Review at Book Nerd
Thursday, March 16
Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews
Tuesday, March 21
Spotlight at Just One More Chapter
Friday, March 24
Review at Blushing Babes Are Up All Night
Giveaway
Five copies of Shadow of Whimsy: A Cape Cod Love Story are up for grabs during the blog tour! To enter, please click the link below.
Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 10th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to residents in the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
0 comments:
Post a Comment