Waterbury Winter: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Description

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 Barnabys paintingsbut is he on the up-and-up All of it serves to shock Barnaby into confronting how low he has sunk, and he vowsagain and againto 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.

Reviews

2022 American Fiction Awards Finalist in Cross Genre Fiction
2022 Readers Favorite Book Awards Finalist in Fiction (General)
2022 Living Now Book Awards Gold Medalist in General Fiction
2022 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: General
2021 CIBA Mark Twain Book Awards Finalist

A reflective, witty, and fun story that elegantly crosses genres and addresses intriguing themes.
Kirkus Reviews

...a page-turner. I found I could not put it down until I had reached the end. It makes you think about how you are handling your life and if you are stagnating because you are too afraid to take a chance. I enjoyed reading this book from the first page to the last and found the ending the best, due to the fact that I had started rooting early for the main characters
Readers' Favorite 5-star review

A heartfelt journey of two lost souls finding grace . . . and each other.Waterbury Winteris a must-read for anyone who believes in second chances and the power of kindnessor who wants to believe in them. This is one of those books that, when you have to put it down, you cant wait to pick it up again.
Donna Cameron, Nautilus Awardwinning author ofA Year of Living Kindly: Choices that Will Change Your Life and the World Around You

Waterbury Winter is a heart-warming story of loss and love, challenge and resistance, and the power of creative expression. Henleys masterful descriptions of character and place make these pages the perfect spot to hang out. Readers will make themselves at home, cheer for the protagonist, Barnaby, and be totally charmed by his opinionated parrot, Popsicle.
Romalyn Tilghman, award-winning author ofTo the Stars Through Difficulties

A tour de force reminiscent ofA Man Called Ove.Barnaby Browns interactions and experiences unfold in such a way as to endear him to the reader. Hes not perfect, but his imperfections are what reveal his gentle and generous spirit, and we root for him at every upturn and downturn. Waterbury Winter is a memorable masterpiece.
Saralyn Richard, award-winning author of the Detective Parrott mystery series andA Murder of Principal

Linda Henley manages to combine drama, romance, humor, and even an art theft mystery in the highly entertainingWaterbury Winter. The novel introduces us to Barnaby Brown, an artist who is so down on his luck theres no farther to slide. Through fast-paced writing and a series of remarkable plot twists, Henley constantly surprises the reader as Barnaby (accompanied by his faithful parrot, Popsicle) stumbles mightily in his efforts to redeem himself and become the man he wants to be. A many-layered novel, Waterbury Winter is, above all, a moving tribute to the healing power of art.
Laurel Davis Huber, award-winning author ofThe Velveteen Daughter

A heartwarming and uplifting rediscovery of life . . . and at the end of the day a wonderful read . . . I already have a few people in mind to recommend this book to.

Book Club Belles

. . . a story of hope, strength, love, and believing in yourself . . . a heartwarming story that will captivate you until the very end . . .

Literary Titan

I found myself rooting for the main character, Barnaby. I wanted him to do well and to find his place.

Brandy Bower, Watermark Book Company

Author Bio

Linda Stewart Henley is the award-winning author of Estelle: A Novel. Waterbury Winter is her second novel. She lives in Anacortes, Washington, with her husband.