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Coleman #7
Winter Sun
As the new year unfolds, Sophie prepares for the wedding of her dreams (and a surprise pregnancy!). But resistance from her mother forces Sophie and Katrina on a wild journey of reckoning. Can they overcome their dark memories -- and trust one another again?
During the hazy week between Christmas and New Years, Katrina receives horrible her mother is being rushed to the hospital after a bad fall. Katrina is terrified. They always had a difficult relationship. What if she can't say all the things she wants to -- before it's too late?
Sophie has nearly a full year of sobriety under her belt. Never in her life did she think she would get off drugs and alcohol. But help from her cousin, Samantha Coleman, and support from her boyfriend, Patrick, have been life-altering.
And now, Patrick pops the question of a lifetime -- just as Sophie learns she's pregnant.
But, devastated with her own mother's health, Katrina is unable to welcome Sophie's news. She remembers Sophie's addiction like a dagger through the heart -- and she's not convinced Sophie won't destroy her life again. Sophie is heartbroken -- and prepares to live the rest of her life without her mother's support.
As Katrina grapples with memories of her own mother and her father's addiction, and Sophie comes to terms with her mother's rage, mother and daughter must unite with love and hope for the new generation -- before it's too late.
Winter Sun is book seven of The Coleman Series, a heart-wrenching yet hopeful family drama that unfolds between the glittering shores of Nantucket Island and Martha's Vineyard.
During the hazy week between Christmas and New Years, Katrina receives horrible her mother is being rushed to the hospital after a bad fall. Katrina is terrified. They always had a difficult relationship. What if she can't say all the things she wants to -- before it's too late?
Sophie has nearly a full year of sobriety under her belt. Never in her life did she think she would get off drugs and alcohol. But help from her cousin, Samantha Coleman, and support from her boyfriend, Patrick, have been life-altering.
And now, Patrick pops the question of a lifetime -- just as Sophie learns she's pregnant.
But, devastated with her own mother's health, Katrina is unable to welcome Sophie's news. She remembers Sophie's addiction like a dagger through the heart -- and she's not convinced Sophie won't destroy her life again. Sophie is heartbroken -- and prepares to live the rest of her life without her mother's support.
As Katrina grapples with memories of her own mother and her father's addiction, and Sophie comes to terms with her mother's rage, mother and daughter must unite with love and hope for the new generation -- before it's too late.
Winter Sun is book seven of The Coleman Series, a heart-wrenching yet hopeful family drama that unfolds between the glittering shores of Nantucket Island and Martha's Vineyard.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2024
648 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Katie Winters
124 books401 followersKatie writes women's fiction and clean, wholesome contemporary romance. She looks to everyday, real-life family issues to weave stories of heartfelt emotions, love and loss, and everything in between.
Come transport yourself to Martha's Vineyard: an island of vivid blue ocean, white sand, and a lively community of locals, who celebrate everything from the bright New England summers to the cold, yet cozy, snowcapped winters.
Join my newsletter for updates: https://bit.ly/30cqGnI
Come transport yourself to Martha's Vineyard: an island of vivid blue ocean, white sand, and a lively community of locals, who celebrate everything from the bright New England summers to the cold, yet cozy, snowcapped winters.
Join my newsletter for updates: https://bit.ly/30cqGnI
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 7, 2024
Hope for the Future, Forgiveness from the Past
Katie Winters makes a rare misstep in Coleman series book 7, Winter Sun. It focuses on Sophie, cousin of Samantha, who was introduced with her then-husband Jared at the first solstice party hosted by Sam in book 1, The Jessabelle House. A professional addictions counselor, Sam determines that Sophie is high. She's keeping Patrick, an alcoholic and one of the construction workers renovating the old house, in one of her guest rooms, and when Patrick emerges from his room Jared punches him in the face!
Sophie started using drugs in high school but as a high-functioning addict managed to get good grades and hide her problem from everyone except her judgmental mother, Katrina. She quit using shortly after graduation and became engaged to Jared before she turned 20. Jared began belittling her before their wedding, and she staggered down the aisle, drunk and on drugs. She got pregnant and stopped using immediately, but miscarried at four months. Katrina, who had been over the moon thinking about a new grandchild, screamed at Sophie for doing things that killed her pregnancy. The relationship between them nosedived, especially when Katrina was too afraid to apologize for her tirade.
Twenty-two years later, Sophie has divorced emotionally abusive Jared and become involved with Patrick as they attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings and work on getting clean. She still suffers from memories of Jared's cutting remarks about her incompetence at cooking and cleaning, and his instructions to drive herself to the hospital during her miscarriage while he attended a work meeting! Patrick doesn't have those family issues but supports Sophie unconditionally. Sophie's older sister, Ida, is "Switzerland", refusing to take sides but loving everyone. Ida has never used substances and has two children, so Sophie considers her Katrina's "golden child" while Sophie herself is the "black sheep".
Sophie discovers she's pregnant again and Patrick proposes. But Katrina, far from joyful, says "Not this again" and leaves Sophie alone in the hospital hallway.
The family has gone to the hospital to visit Agatha, Katrina's mother and the most stubborn 85-year-old on Martha's Vineyard. Agatha ignored her in-home nurse's warnings and fell down the stairs, breaking her wrist and leg. She's in an induced coma, but they talk to her often, hoping she'll be nicer when she wakes up.
Katrina is clearing out Agatha's house, the Whittaker House (Katrina was a Whittaker before marrying Grant Coleman), planning to auction its contents before Agatha leaves the hospital. The doctor says she needs nursing home care, so Agatha won't return to the house. She doesn't tell Agatha, though; she's afraid of her mother's reaction. Fear is a big problem for Katrina!
Sophie has been sober for a year before becoming pregnant with Patrick's baby, but Katrina doesn't trust her to stay clean. When she stops at Sophie's house to take her to a doctor's appointment and sees no one at home, she jumps right to the idea that Sophie is using again and waits in the driveway to catch her daughter when she returns from her party. Instead, Grant drives up behind
her and says that Patrick rushed Sophie to the hospital because they thought she was having a second miscarriage. This time, Katrina looks back at her tirade 22 years earlier and realizes that she wrecked their relationship and never apologized.
In the hospital, Sophie and Patrick learn that their baby is fine and the pregnancy is still viable; Sophie simply needs to be on bed rest for a few weeks. They cry with relief; when Katrina arrives, Sophie wants to cry with frustration over their damaged relationship. But Katrina has pushed aside her fear and gone into counseling, in which she learned to forgive her alcoholic father, whom Agatha lauds as a perfect man who'd be proud of his actor son (Sophie and her actor brother know the truth but let Agatha spend her remaining years telling herself she was married to a saint). After a few sessions of therapy, Katrina can finally let go of her angst and embrace the future, which is no longer as scary as she feared.
So far, Katie Winters has written masterfully about adultery, fatal auto accidents, and encroaching blindness. In Winter Sun, however, the protagonists are fully drawn but the antagonists are two-dimensional. Katrina, in particular, is villainous when she thinks she caught Sophie and Patrick toasting each other with champagne, not realizing it's non-alcoholic, and scolds them as if they're teens, not over forty! Agatha starts out as a textbook mean crone, and her transformation into a sweet, deluded grandma feels forced.
These missteps aside, Katie Winters has put together a good story about overcoming addiction (the winter) and hoping for a better future (the sun), and she explores the need for forgiveness across generations. I wasn't blown away, but it was sufficiently absorbing for me to look forward to the rest of the series. I recommend it!
Katie Winters makes a rare misstep in Coleman series book 7, Winter Sun. It focuses on Sophie, cousin of Samantha, who was introduced with her then-husband Jared at the first solstice party hosted by Sam in book 1, The Jessabelle House. A professional addictions counselor, Sam determines that Sophie is high. She's keeping Patrick, an alcoholic and one of the construction workers renovating the old house, in one of her guest rooms, and when Patrick emerges from his room Jared punches him in the face!
Sophie started using drugs in high school but as a high-functioning addict managed to get good grades and hide her problem from everyone except her judgmental mother, Katrina. She quit using shortly after graduation and became engaged to Jared before she turned 20. Jared began belittling her before their wedding, and she staggered down the aisle, drunk and on drugs. She got pregnant and stopped using immediately, but miscarried at four months. Katrina, who had been over the moon thinking about a new grandchild, screamed at Sophie for doing things that killed her pregnancy. The relationship between them nosedived, especially when Katrina was too afraid to apologize for her tirade.
Twenty-two years later, Sophie has divorced emotionally abusive Jared and become involved with Patrick as they attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings and work on getting clean. She still suffers from memories of Jared's cutting remarks about her incompetence at cooking and cleaning, and his instructions to drive herself to the hospital during her miscarriage while he attended a work meeting! Patrick doesn't have those family issues but supports Sophie unconditionally. Sophie's older sister, Ida, is "Switzerland", refusing to take sides but loving everyone. Ida has never used substances and has two children, so Sophie considers her Katrina's "golden child" while Sophie herself is the "black sheep".
Sophie discovers she's pregnant again and Patrick proposes. But Katrina, far from joyful, says "Not this again" and leaves Sophie alone in the hospital hallway.
The family has gone to the hospital to visit Agatha, Katrina's mother and the most stubborn 85-year-old on Martha's Vineyard. Agatha ignored her in-home nurse's warnings and fell down the stairs, breaking her wrist and leg. She's in an induced coma, but they talk to her often, hoping she'll be nicer when she wakes up.
Katrina is clearing out Agatha's house, the Whittaker House (Katrina was a Whittaker before marrying Grant Coleman), planning to auction its contents before Agatha leaves the hospital. The doctor says she needs nursing home care, so Agatha won't return to the house. She doesn't tell Agatha, though; she's afraid of her mother's reaction. Fear is a big problem for Katrina!
Sophie has been sober for a year before becoming pregnant with Patrick's baby, but Katrina doesn't trust her to stay clean. When she stops at Sophie's house to take her to a doctor's appointment and sees no one at home, she jumps right to the idea that Sophie is using again and waits in the driveway to catch her daughter when she returns from her party. Instead, Grant drives up behind
her and says that Patrick rushed Sophie to the hospital because they thought she was having a second miscarriage. This time, Katrina looks back at her tirade 22 years earlier and realizes that she wrecked their relationship and never apologized.
In the hospital, Sophie and Patrick learn that their baby is fine and the pregnancy is still viable; Sophie simply needs to be on bed rest for a few weeks. They cry with relief; when Katrina arrives, Sophie wants to cry with frustration over their damaged relationship. But Katrina has pushed aside her fear and gone into counseling, in which she learned to forgive her alcoholic father, whom Agatha lauds as a perfect man who'd be proud of his actor son (Sophie and her actor brother know the truth but let Agatha spend her remaining years telling herself she was married to a saint). After a few sessions of therapy, Katrina can finally let go of her angst and embrace the future, which is no longer as scary as she feared.
So far, Katie Winters has written masterfully about adultery, fatal auto accidents, and encroaching blindness. In Winter Sun, however, the protagonists are fully drawn but the antagonists are two-dimensional. Katrina, in particular, is villainous when she thinks she caught Sophie and Patrick toasting each other with champagne, not realizing it's non-alcoholic, and scolds them as if they're teens, not over forty! Agatha starts out as a textbook mean crone, and her transformation into a sweet, deluded grandma feels forced.
These missteps aside, Katie Winters has put together a good story about overcoming addiction (the winter) and hoping for a better future (the sun), and she explores the need for forgiveness across generations. I wasn't blown away, but it was sufficiently absorbing for me to look forward to the rest of the series. I recommend it!
January 24, 2024
Winter Sun primarily focuses on the problem of addiction and how it can shatter a family's well-being and cohesiveness. People react differently to addiction. Some try to ignore it and others realize the darkness it brings into a person's life. Sophie and Patrick become engaged after Sophie becomes pregnant. Both have been "clean" for almost a year. Sophie's mother Katrina has treated Sophie poorly over the years and basically shunned her. The strength of family, therapy and the power of love have a magical effect in this book.
February 2, 2024
This was a painful read…the subject matter was painful on so many levels. I’m not sure how Katie Winters does it, but every book she gifts us always manages to leave us with
some very painful truths. Winter Sun follows that path. The storyline is incredible; the characters so damaged but seeking absolution; the plot twists were so difficult to watch; yet the road to the HEA—although littered with such angst—was beautiful in its own way. This book belongs in your collection. It’s a solid 10 in my opinion! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and was so touched by it.) ❤️❤️❤️
some very painful truths. Winter Sun follows that path. The storyline is incredible; the characters so damaged but seeking absolution; the plot twists were so difficult to watch; yet the road to the HEA—although littered with such angst—was beautiful in its own way. This book belongs in your collection. It’s a solid 10 in my opinion! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and was so touched by it.) ❤️❤️❤️
February 1, 2024
This is all about Sophie and Katrina's relationship and why Katrina has always had such a hard time being open with her younger daughter. Addiction is such a terrible thing to deal with and so many families hide members away rather then help them through it. As Katrina deals with her mother's illness and her past, Sophie gets engaged and finds out a surprise of her own. This was a really beautiful story!
January 3, 2025
Was ok, I didn’t care much for the main part of this book
Sophie who has an addiction sense she was a teenager, who is now 42 ready to marry again and is pregnant again same as when she was 20.
Katrina her mom has dealt with her addiction never told anyone, and is dealing with her 85 yr old mother who has fallen and has to move her to a home that she doesn’t want to go to.
Sophie almost loses the baby again Katrina goes to her and dose things right this time and gives her the moms house.
Sophie who has an addiction sense she was a teenager, who is now 42 ready to marry again and is pregnant again same as when she was 20.
Katrina her mom has dealt with her addiction never told anyone, and is dealing with her 85 yr old mother who has fallen and has to move her to a home that she doesn’t want to go to.
Sophie almost loses the baby again Katrina goes to her and dose things right this time and gives her the moms house.
January 25, 2024
Winter Sun, another feel good read by Katie Winters. Although Katie Winters’ books address reality, such as, alcoholism and addiction, in this book, the process of recovery gives us all hope. She exposes the hardships and devastation of these sicknesses on the families, but also brings us to a resolution! The love of family is a positive thread that allows healing to happen. It is a great read!
February 22, 2024
More focus on the Coleman family. Past history tells the story of family drama, including addiction and alcoholism. I this story the Matriarch Agatha, has fallen and been rushed
To the hospital. Her daughter Katrina remembers past hurts with her mother. Her daughter Sophia has been clean and sober for almost a year. She looks forward to building a future with current boyfriend Patrick. The two have been attending NA and working through their sobriety together. Sophia holds lots of hurt feeling from the past. How will the story come together. Will the family mend their past hurts?
Thank you to the author for this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.
To the hospital. Her daughter Katrina remembers past hurts with her mother. Her daughter Sophia has been clean and sober for almost a year. She looks forward to building a future with current boyfriend Patrick. The two have been attending NA and working through their sobriety together. Sophia holds lots of hurt feeling from the past. How will the story come together. Will the family mend their past hurts?
Thank you to the author for this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.
February 25, 2024
Love through hardship!
Beautiful book how love can draw 2 lives together through their addictions, parent and children's misunderstandings and past abuses. How with family support, self examination and therapy their pasts can be put to rest and the right marriage and future baby can be the strength to overcome anything.
Beautiful book how love can draw 2 lives together through their addictions, parent and children's misunderstandings and past abuses. How with family support, self examination and therapy their pasts can be put to rest and the right marriage and future baby can be the strength to overcome anything.
March 16, 2024
Winter Sun is book 7 in the Coleman series by Katie Winters about overcoming addition, misunderstandings, therapy, surprise pregnancy, healing processes and so much more…can’t wait for more of these real life stories!
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 24, 2024
Love
This book was wonderful. I had a hard time putting it down when I needed to sleep or to run errands. Please read! It shows that life with our up and downs. It showed Sophie's horrible childhood and early years of her life. Then it tells of her falling in love with her the man of her dreams.
This book was wonderful. I had a hard time putting it down when I needed to sleep or to run errands. Please read! It shows that life with our up and downs. It showed Sophie's horrible childhood and early years of her life. Then it tells of her falling in love with her the man of her dreams.
July 30, 2025
Winter Sun
An uplifting and inspiring story. A new life in recovery and all the hopes , dream, and all the unplanned moments. This story draws you into the characters past and present. This is a beautiful romance series you'll be hooked on the first book, I highly recommend and enjoy.
An uplifting and inspiring story. A new life in recovery and all the hopes , dream, and all the unplanned moments. This story draws you into the characters past and present. This is a beautiful romance series you'll be hooked on the first book, I highly recommend and enjoy.
January 29, 2024
Sophie has nearly a full year of sobriety under her belt. Never in her life did she think she would get off drugs and alcohol. But help from her cousin, Samantha Coleman, and support from her boyfriend, Patrick, have been life-altering.
January 30, 2024
Addiction and family.
The world of addiction has no bounds. It doesn't discriminate, it can happen to anyone. We need to recognize it as an illness and seek help and support from our family and friends.Love prayer and God can guide you.
The world of addiction has no bounds. It doesn't discriminate, it can happen to anyone. We need to recognize it as an illness and seek help and support from our family and friends.Love prayer and God can guide you.
March 10, 2024
Recovering
Sophie and Patrick are both recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. They are also pregnant and planning their forthcoming wedding. Sophie's mother, Katrina, has no confidence in her and this has caused a rift in their relationship.
Sophie and Patrick are both recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. They are also pregnant and planning their forthcoming wedding. Sophie's mother, Katrina, has no confidence in her and this has caused a rift in their relationship.
March 31, 2025
Family
This is such a beautiful series about several families living on Nantucket Island. These stories are intriguingj and there is humor sprinkled here and there in them. I'm ready for my next book! Hope you read these books! I know I'm glad I did!
This is such a beautiful series about several families living on Nantucket Island. These stories are intriguingj and there is humor sprinkled here and there in them. I'm ready for my next book! Hope you read these books! I know I'm glad I did!
January 23, 2024
Great story of surviving addiction and mending broken relationships. Sophie and Patrick had a rough path to follow but with the support of family and friends saw a future of love.❤️
January 30, 2024
I feel like I'm a part of the Coleman Family
You must read the entire series and get to know these wonderful characters. You will fall in love; like I have.
You must read the entire series and get to know these wonderful characters. You will fall in love; like I have.
February 4, 2024
Winter Sun
This book is totally awesome! I feel like I was inside this story. Katie Winters is a great author. She keeps you so into her stories. Highly recommend
This book is totally awesome! I feel like I was inside this story. Katie Winters is a great author. She keeps you so into her stories. Highly recommend
February 5, 2024
Read repeat read
I enjoy all the books from Katie Winters, Not one to add many reviews. I enjoy many genres and Katie is always a go to.Love
I enjoy all the books from Katie Winters, Not one to add many reviews. I enjoy many genres and Katie is always a go to.Love
May 9, 2024
Great reasimg
I just love her books. The family dynamic is awesome. Following them through their struggles and triumphs is just aqesomw
I just love her books. The family dynamic is awesome. Following them through their struggles and triumphs is just aqesomw
March 25, 2025
Forgiveness
It shows how people can come to terms with life's issues. Its a remarkable story.
I love this series of stories. Great work Katie.
It shows how people can come to terms with life's issues. Its a remarkable story.
I love this series of stories. Great work Katie.
September 19, 2025
Sophie I has worked so hard to finally be at the alter on her wedding day,she is on her way to so much more/continuing on to book8…..enjoy
November 6, 2025
Good series!
As the first books in this series, its a other winner. I'm really enjoying this series, and can't seem to put them down! Now on to the next!
As the first books in this series, its a other winner. I'm really enjoying this series, and can't seem to put them down! Now on to the next!
May 14, 2025
Recovery amidst love
I am blown away by this author's creative mind! How she has continually created loving stories of the Coleman family, is beyond me, and I am enjoying them so much!! I don't want the series to end....
I am blown away by this author's creative mind! How she has continually created loving stories of the Coleman family, is beyond me, and I am enjoying them so much!! I don't want the series to end....
July 28, 2024
Great story, I cried the last two chapters, mothers and daughters, squabbles and tears… always forgiveness, because your child will always be loved unconditionally !
August 9, 2024
Happiness at last
So happy for this episode in Sophie, Patrick and Katrina's lives to pull the family together in forgiveness and joy
So happy for this episode in Sophie, Patrick and Katrina's lives to pull the family together in forgiveness and joy
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews