Tuesday's Caddie

by Jack Waddell

Deemed “a story of great sweetness and sadness and lots of fun along the way” and “an exceptional read” by a judge in the Writer’s Digest Self-Published ebook Awards, Tuesday’s Caddie is painted against a rich backdrop of Depression era Hollywood and the exclusive Biarritz Country Club where poor caddies and wealthy members work and play together yet inhabit separate worlds..
Into this world walks young Conor O’Reilly. An Irish immigrant whose small cafe failed in the crash of ’29, he still burns to make his mark and become one of the elite he now serves. He soon meets beautiful Annie Burke, wife of noted screenwriter Franklin Burke, whose marriage is but a sham. Despite their vastly different lives and backgrounds, Conor and Annie fall in love as he caddies for her each Tuesday on Ladies’ Day.
Out of the blue Conor is offered a chance to make real money when he’s enlisted to play in the annual Biarritz Calcutta golf tournament where fabulous sums of money are wagered on two-man teams. His partner is Billy Compton, a rich playboy with a penchant for getting into trouble. Their adventures together almost cost them their chance before the event. It’s at the Calcutta tournament where fate and fortunes good and ill all collide. Conor and Annie’s story is interrupted for decades until fate again brings them together with truths to be reckoned with.
The book is replete with vibrant portrayals of the places and the people of the times. From the grandeur of Hollywood mansions and the life of the rich to the squalor and wantonness of Tijuana during prohibition, the era in captured in vivid detail. But, in the end, Tuesday’s Caddie is a story of enduring love and painful loss, the attainment of dreams and the rejection of dreams gone wrong. It is about love that lasts a lifetime and beyond.

Genres: Historical

307 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2012

About the author

The recently released Road to Rouen is author Jack Waddell’s second novel and marks a decided turn in genre from his first offering. Tuesday’s Caddie is a bittersweet love story set in the 1930’s while Road definitely explores 1950’s crime noir. At the same time, both draw from his experience as child in California and his youth in rural Illinois. A life-long reporter, writer and producer whose adult life was spent working in the New York Metropolitan area, he currently is much happier living on a golf course in Central Florida with his loving wife Jean Cormier. The author welcomes comments and queries. His website includes notes on developing the books and their inspiration.

Reviews

[Heather Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toss up between a 4 and 5. I don't give 5's lightly. I loved this story..........I kinda liked that it wasn't happily ever after. Must be because a male wrote it. JK! We will see how long it sits on my mind. That determines the rating for me but so far wowza. I am not one for chick lit but this book grabbed me. Probably would have even liked it better if I was a fan of Golfing.

[Carol M Sweigert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

I enjoyed reading this book because I enjoy the game of golf.. It was hard to put the book down. The ending took me by surprise but yet was expected.

[Kathy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Good read a love story with a good theme. The golf Inc!uded makes it fun. Would recommend as an easy to read romance.

[Tim Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome...!!!

As a golfer and a lover of a great woman the story really hit home to me......very well written and conceived....can't wait for the movie.....!!!

[Tamara aka SoMysteriousLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spanning several years, yet told concisely and it moved along quickly but with enough detail to keep the story colorful and entertaining. Not only is this far from my normal type of read, I don't like golf nor am I into romances that aren't of the paranormal or sci-fi flavor, I also don't like stories that have a 'sad' ending. This book though, grabbed me in and held me from start to finish during my quiet afternoon of cloud watching and lounging about. The characters are colorful, fun, and there's twists and turns, love, laughter, tears, friendships formed and some nice 'oh wow' moments. Mostly happy indeed, and incredibly poignant. I had to get a tissue once. I hate when I need a tissue! A very worthwhile read.

[Krc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! This story hooked me from the beginning and even though the ending is not what I would have hoped, the honesty and reality the author was able to invoke gripped my mind, heart, and soul. I could not put it down!

[Elizabeth Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connor and Annie's love affair had me gripped from the start, and I was in tears at the end. A beautiful story, impeccably told. Recommended.

[Lawrence Duma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read ever

Conjures up many memories of past loves, trials, and tribulations. However sad this story ends, it is indeed a heartfelt memory.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One moment can change a lifetime.