Tim Wynveen

On the first anniversary of his mother's death, 40-something Parker finds out that his father has become engaged to an old flame, Olivia. And that his father and Olivia have a son Parker's age. As Parker struggles to accept and assimilate this new "family", his long-time girlfriend, Mersea, leaves him and his business partners sell the business out from under him. And if that's not enough, Parker finds himself inappropriately attracted to a young punk rocker named Laurel.

What we have here is a wonderful story about what we really want in our lives; what is important. I especially liked the way the author wrote about finding the epic moment of love, and about how we are all loved more than we can know.

The male characters were especially well drawn; some of the motivations of the female characters were a little harder to fathom. It didn't blow me away like Angel Falls did, but was a solid, enjoyable read.… (más)

This is a sweeping story of decades in the life of the Owen siblings. Hank, the eldest is in prison. Isabel is in an unhappy marriage. And the youngest, Cyrus, wants to be a rock star.

Their parents died when Hand and Isabel were young adults and Cyrus still a young child. He was raised by his maternal aunt, Ruby, and her husband, Clarence. As the novel opens, Cyrus has quit school to pursue his musician dreams. A chance encounter with impresario Ronnie Conger launches his career, touring with the Jimmy Waters Revival show -- a collection of talented musicians and, in Jimmy, someone who improvises monologues on stage each evening.

We watch each of the siblings struggle with their life choices, and struggle to retain the family ties which bind them. This is a story about choices, taking responsibility and trying to remember what's really important.

I mostly liked it -- but nowhere near as much as I did Mr. Wynveen's first novel, Angel Falls. I found this book dragged a bit; maybe those more interested in the music biz wouldn't agree. All in all, just okay for me.… (más)

Ben grew up in a family shrouded in mystery. His mother would often disappear and be brought back by his father. At age 12, he has not yet met anyone from his mother's side of the family. When Ben is young, his father commits suicide. Several years later, his mother has apparently done so as well. Ben has always known there were some dark secrets in his mother's past, but did his best to ignore that and live a normal life. Now, he needs to know and begins shifting through old letters and other belongings to find answers as to what really happened to his mother, both long ago, and regarding her apparent suicide.

This book is well written, very compelling...I've already ordered another novel by this author.… (más)