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Waterbury Winter
Barnaby Brown has had enough of freezing winters, debts, a dead-end job, and his lonely life with his parrot in Waterbury, Connecticut. He promises himself he will start anew, move to California, and find inspiration to paint but has ore than a few obstacles to overcome first, including debts and a drinking habit.
A heartwarming 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.
A heartwarming 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.
257 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2022
6 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Linda Stewart Henley
4 books181 followersLinda Stewart Henley is the award-winning author of ESTELLE and WATERBURY WINTER. Her third novel KATE'S WAR was published in April 2024. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 4, 2021
A tour de force reminiscent of A Man Called Ove. Barnaby Brown is a talented artist who has lost his way in life. His best friend is a loquacious parrot, rendered almost human. Barnaby’s interactions and experiences unfold in such a way as to endear him to the reader. He’s not perfect, but it’s his imperfections that reveal his gentle and generous spirit, and we root for him at every upturn and downturn. Each of the characters is portrayed with depth, insight, and the same artistry as Barnaby’s magnificent paintings. Henley is a talent to watch, and Waterbury Winter is a memorable masterpiece.—Saralyn Richard, award-winning author of the Detective Parrott mystery series and A Murder of Principal
May 8, 2022
Barnaby Brown is a man who always seems down on his luck and all he wants is to head out west to California where the sun seems to always shine and the weather is warm year round. He can barley make ends meet, his car just died in a snow bank, his house will be foreclosed on soon and he is just stuck. Has been since his wife passed away, and life just seems to keep passing him by. However, Barnaby does not help his situation by always resorting to the bottom of a bottle. He knows that is the first step if he wants to change things, and when he gets invited to a New Years party at a neighbors house reality gives him a little bit of a wake up call. It's New Years - so to new starts, right?
Running into an old friend on New Years has brought back many memories from the past- many happy and fun times but it also brings sadness in reminding him of what he did have. But Julia may be just what it takes to get him out of the rut he has been stuck in. Realizing he can change, and putting one foot in front of the other, and taking it one day at a time Barnaby changes his life and luck seems to be working in his favor and as his dream of heading west seems to be within reach, Barnaby has to decide if this is what he wants or if this is just what it is - a dream.
Thank you to WOW! Women on Writing Tour and the author for the free novel. This was a nice change of read, and reminds us to look at what we have instead of what we dream of. Things can change, and it is about taking it one day at a time and realizing that what we want and need is usually right in front of us.
Running into an old friend on New Years has brought back many memories from the past- many happy and fun times but it also brings sadness in reminding him of what he did have. But Julia may be just what it takes to get him out of the rut he has been stuck in. Realizing he can change, and putting one foot in front of the other, and taking it one day at a time Barnaby changes his life and luck seems to be working in his favor and as his dream of heading west seems to be within reach, Barnaby has to decide if this is what he wants or if this is just what it is - a dream.
Thank you to WOW! Women on Writing Tour and the author for the free novel. This was a nice change of read, and reminds us to look at what we have instead of what we dream of. Things can change, and it is about taking it one day at a time and realizing that what we want and need is usually right in front of us.
December 29, 2021
This is an absolute gem. Humorous and touching, Waterbury Winter is reminiscent of A Man Called Ove, which I loved. I had trouble putting down this book and couldn't wait to get back to reading it. I love Henley's writing style and the way she portrayed the main character, Barnaby Brown, was superb. Highly recommend!
December 5, 2021
Linda Stewart Henley's second book, WATERBURY WINTER, is a charming story about Barnaby Brown and his sidekick Popsicle. Stuck in the cold and snow of Connecticut, Barnaby vows to turn his life around and head for California. But how will he do this with so many issues weighing him down?
Henley has addressed so many important human themes of our time; demonstrating that friendship, kindness and love can result in a change in attitude toward life. Barnaby is a lovable, well developed character- one that I immediately cheered for. Along the way, I found Lisa. A character that I loved, then disliked, then loved again. A valuable lesson in life; I was judging her actions and not seeking the why. I enjoy how Henley, once again, pulls art into her story. The scenes where she describes colors, Barnaby sketching at O'Malley's and ice fishing, put me right there in the scene. I appreciate how she is able to do this with her writing. As a reader, this is something I look for in a good book. Barnaby's parrot, Popsicle, adds a special touch and some humor to the story. Popsicle, I found, was a good judge of character. Henley has also managed to create a page turner with some mystery over art gone missing. There is so much in the story- loss, friendship, love, overcoming drinking and moving forward with life. And, what we think we want, may not be what we need at all. One of my favorite lines in the book is, "Things change, even me."
I was gifted an ARC by Linda Henley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not reimbursed in any way.
Henley has addressed so many important human themes of our time; demonstrating that friendship, kindness and love can result in a change in attitude toward life. Barnaby is a lovable, well developed character- one that I immediately cheered for. Along the way, I found Lisa. A character that I loved, then disliked, then loved again. A valuable lesson in life; I was judging her actions and not seeking the why. I enjoy how Henley, once again, pulls art into her story. The scenes where she describes colors, Barnaby sketching at O'Malley's and ice fishing, put me right there in the scene. I appreciate how she is able to do this with her writing. As a reader, this is something I look for in a good book. Barnaby's parrot, Popsicle, adds a special touch and some humor to the story. Popsicle, I found, was a good judge of character. Henley has also managed to create a page turner with some mystery over art gone missing. There is so much in the story- loss, friendship, love, overcoming drinking and moving forward with life. And, what we think we want, may not be what we need at all. One of my favorite lines in the book is, "Things change, even me."
I was gifted an ARC by Linda Henley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not reimbursed in any way.
May 30, 2022
I love books sent in the winter setting. It’s one of my favorite times of the year and I love it when a book is set in the snow. Barnaby turned out to be such a relatable character. His life is going as planned and things seem to go from bad to worse when his bird goes missing. Ever so slowly, it all starts to turn around. I rooted for him the whole time and I loved being in that little town with him. The setting was rich and the characters were charming.
I’d absolutely recommend it if you are looking for an uplifting read this summer!
I’d absolutely recommend it if you are looking for an uplifting read this summer!
April 2, 2022
Waterbury Winter is not to be missed. Barnaby Brown is a prickly and unhappy man. He has lost his verve for life and seems to have sunk into a deep depressive hole. But Linda Stewart Henley writes him with such deft that he becomes someone we care about and someone we root for. His journey back to creativity and life is worth taking. I highly recommend this book.
December 28, 2022
You nice in awhile I choose a book at the library by its cover and this caught my eye. A bit of humor and sadness but wonderful ending…
April 14, 2022
Thanks to She Writes Press and NetGalley for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.
This sounded like the kind of book I often read, but I’m in the minority of reviewers here because I just didn’t like it. I couldn’t connect with the main character, Barnaby, nor either of the women he spends time with, Julia and Lisa. (Who has a character named “Julia Morgan” and doesn’t allude to the world famous architect)? And it was difficult to tell the women apart as their names were so similar (both short and ending in “a”). Sean the bartender was OK, but the other bar characters were annoying and stereotypical, and I just didn’t care about any of them.
So what about the plot? The book is described as “A heartwarming novel about ordinary people reclaiming their dormant potential.” The novel is primarily about Barnaby, a 40-ish alcoholic widower and artist who decides to turn over a new leaf (his exact words). He begins by cleaning the house he lives in, which was left to him by his parents. And that’s really all the novel is: Barnaby straightening up his life and beginning to paint again.
Author Linda Henley uses the characters to deliver her message: “We’re just plain folks here. Plain folks, with ordinary lives…Exactly. As one of my art teachers told me, the purpose of art is to make the ordinary extraordinary.” And Henley has the characters recite the themes of hope and dreams throughout the novel to make sure the reader understands.
The writing was clunky and amateurish. The dialogue was unrealistic and written without any “he said/she said” so if you don’t know who started the conversation, you’ll just have to go back to the beginning of the thread and read it again.
In addition to the undeveloped writing style, there were several aspects to this novel that I found unbelievable. For instance, how easily Barnaby learns to use a computer. It takes an acquaintance a day to set it up for him, teach him how to use it, AND make him a website so he can sell his paintings online. That timeframe and his ability to go from tech novice to proficient was improbable. As was how easy it was for him to sell his paintings. And he wins the fishing contest AND the Art Commission’s mural contest!
This wasn’t the novel for me. I kept reading because I hoped somehow it would improve and become what was promised in the description. I’m sorry to say it was disappointing and I can’t recommend it.
This sounded like the kind of book I often read, but I’m in the minority of reviewers here because I just didn’t like it. I couldn’t connect with the main character, Barnaby, nor either of the women he spends time with, Julia and Lisa. (Who has a character named “Julia Morgan” and doesn’t allude to the world famous architect)? And it was difficult to tell the women apart as their names were so similar (both short and ending in “a”). Sean the bartender was OK, but the other bar characters were annoying and stereotypical, and I just didn’t care about any of them.
So what about the plot? The book is described as “A heartwarming novel about ordinary people reclaiming their dormant potential.” The novel is primarily about Barnaby, a 40-ish alcoholic widower and artist who decides to turn over a new leaf (his exact words). He begins by cleaning the house he lives in, which was left to him by his parents. And that’s really all the novel is: Barnaby straightening up his life and beginning to paint again.
Author Linda Henley uses the characters to deliver her message: “We’re just plain folks here. Plain folks, with ordinary lives…Exactly. As one of my art teachers told me, the purpose of art is to make the ordinary extraordinary.” And Henley has the characters recite the themes of hope and dreams throughout the novel to make sure the reader understands.
The writing was clunky and amateurish. The dialogue was unrealistic and written without any “he said/she said” so if you don’t know who started the conversation, you’ll just have to go back to the beginning of the thread and read it again.
In addition to the undeveloped writing style, there were several aspects to this novel that I found unbelievable. For instance, how easily Barnaby learns to use a computer. It takes an acquaintance a day to set it up for him, teach him how to use it, AND make him a website so he can sell his paintings online. That timeframe and his ability to go from tech novice to proficient was improbable. As was how easy it was for him to sell his paintings. And he wins the fishing contest AND the Art Commission’s mural contest!
This wasn’t the novel for me. I kept reading because I hoped somehow it would improve and become what was promised in the description. I’m sorry to say it was disappointing and I can’t recommend it.
June 4, 2022
Two lost souls reach for love and second chances during a freezing New England Winter in this delightful page-turner.
It’s Christmas Eve. Barnaby Brown thinks back eighteen years when he lost his teaching job. His twin passions, painting and his wife Anna, also died that year. Now forty-five years old, a widower and an alcoholic, Barnaby’s working a dead-end job at the local hardware store.
Once a promising young artist, Barnaby has been on a downward spiral since loss and alcohol dragged him down. He’s lived a reclusive life after the deaths of his parents and his wife. He now prefers the company of his wise-cracking parrot, Popsicle, to companionship with other humans. Yearning to start over, Barnaby dreams of going to California and resurrecting his dreams of a painting career.
Sloshed after his usual nightcap at the bar, Barnaby returns home and leaves a window open. And Popsicle escapes. Barnaby also discovers his best painting is missing.
The dual losses propel Barnaby into action. You’ll be rooting for him as Barnaby slowly lifts himself up to reclaim his bird and his artwork as he charts a path forward toward community, a new career, and companionship.
Meanwhile, Julia Morgan is contemplating her upcoming fortieth birthday. Divorced and lonely, Julia is a social worker with a difficult family past. She wonders if her fourth decade is something to “celebrate or commiserate.”
Then Julia and Barnaby meet. And then... Oh, wait. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens next. I read it cover to cover in one sitting.
"Heavens to Murgatroyd. Good stuff."
Beautifully written and brimming with hope, Waterbury Winter is a clever, entertaining combination of drama, romance, humor, and mystery. I read it cover-to-cover in one sitting. Indeed, this gentle, heartfelt story of two lost souls finding a second chance at life and love will resonate long after the last page is turned. A terrific read!
It’s Christmas Eve. Barnaby Brown thinks back eighteen years when he lost his teaching job. His twin passions, painting and his wife Anna, also died that year. Now forty-five years old, a widower and an alcoholic, Barnaby’s working a dead-end job at the local hardware store.
Once a promising young artist, Barnaby has been on a downward spiral since loss and alcohol dragged him down. He’s lived a reclusive life after the deaths of his parents and his wife. He now prefers the company of his wise-cracking parrot, Popsicle, to companionship with other humans. Yearning to start over, Barnaby dreams of going to California and resurrecting his dreams of a painting career.
Sloshed after his usual nightcap at the bar, Barnaby returns home and leaves a window open. And Popsicle escapes. Barnaby also discovers his best painting is missing.
The dual losses propel Barnaby into action. You’ll be rooting for him as Barnaby slowly lifts himself up to reclaim his bird and his artwork as he charts a path forward toward community, a new career, and companionship.
Meanwhile, Julia Morgan is contemplating her upcoming fortieth birthday. Divorced and lonely, Julia is a social worker with a difficult family past. She wonders if her fourth decade is something to “celebrate or commiserate.”
Then Julia and Barnaby meet. And then... Oh, wait. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens next. I read it cover to cover in one sitting.
"Heavens to Murgatroyd. Good stuff."
Beautifully written and brimming with hope, Waterbury Winter is a clever, entertaining combination of drama, romance, humor, and mystery. I read it cover-to-cover in one sitting. Indeed, this gentle, heartfelt story of two lost souls finding a second chance at life and love will resonate long after the last page is turned. A terrific read!
April 1, 2022
Waterbury Winter by Linda Stewart Henley is the story that introduces us to Barnaby Brown. Barnaby is a man living a stagnant life and happens to be an alcoholic. His wife Anna died of cancer years ago, and he finds life without her lonely and dreary. He lives with his parrot, Popsicle, and she’s his only source of joy besides the bottle. He wants to change, but it’s hard. Julia Morgan, another protagonist, finds that turning forty and being single is not what she had in mind when she was younger. One day, Barnaby is invited to a party at a neighbor’s house, and there he meets an old friend, Julia Morgan. What ensues is a story of hope, strength, love, and believing in yourself.
Barnaby is a flawed character, but you’ll find yourself rooting for him throughout the story. He’s likable and sweet. Barnaby finds himself in an interesting love triangle that you’ll find yourself intrigued by. Julia is another character that you’ll come to like. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and is excellent at her job. The two characters have you wondering if it’s possible to start over and make your life better. And if it’s possible to get a second chance at love.
Henley has created a story full of angst and hope that readers will enjoy and perhaps even identify with. There’s even a dash of mystery to keep readers entertained and wondering if they will find the answers they seek.
Waterbury Winter is a heartwarming story that will captivate you until the very end with its romance, mystery, and characters that readers will want to watch grow and develop. Readers will enjoy a tale that has you believing in finding the strength to better yourself and realize that your life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.
Barnaby is a flawed character, but you’ll find yourself rooting for him throughout the story. He’s likable and sweet. Barnaby finds himself in an interesting love triangle that you’ll find yourself intrigued by. Julia is another character that you’ll come to like. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and is excellent at her job. The two characters have you wondering if it’s possible to start over and make your life better. And if it’s possible to get a second chance at love.
Henley has created a story full of angst and hope that readers will enjoy and perhaps even identify with. There’s even a dash of mystery to keep readers entertained and wondering if they will find the answers they seek.
Waterbury Winter is a heartwarming story that will captivate you until the very end with its romance, mystery, and characters that readers will want to watch grow and develop. Readers will enjoy a tale that has you believing in finding the strength to better yourself and realize that your life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.
May 4, 2022
Waterbury Winter is a tale of a man, his art and a parrot named Popsicle. A talking parrot named Popsicle. Now how can a book with a talking parrot named Popsicle be bad? I am always a sucker for a clever pet in a book and Popsicle is a major selling point for me here. If you read my book reviews with any regularity you know that I rarely read a book that isn’t historical fiction. Now you know what it takes….a parrot.
Not completely true – an intriguing synopsis helps as well and obviously I was interested when approached with this title or I wouldn’t have added it to my reading list. I can tell you that it is very well written and despite some hard topics, it is quite easy to read. You can chalk that up to the author’s skills in creating flawed characters that are still very likeable.
Barnaby (Popsicle’s human) is not exactly happy with his life. He is an alcoholic – although he is trying to stop drinking – he has a dead end job and he just crashed his car. A car that was a major part of his plan to get out of town and start over in California. As soon as he got his life in some semblance of order.
As Barnaby tries to effect this big life change it seems that life wants something else for him. You see, Barnaby is an artist and despite letting his talent wane a dealer now wants to showcase his works. But can he find both the wherewithal to create again and well, the paintings he has already created.
Waterbury Winter is an even paced book about a slow paced life of a rather ordinary man. With a parrot named Popsicle. While that may sound unbelievably boring it truly is not. This is due to the skill of the author and her way with words. It won’t be the most exciting book you read this year but it might be one of the more satisfying.
Not completely true – an intriguing synopsis helps as well and obviously I was interested when approached with this title or I wouldn’t have added it to my reading list. I can tell you that it is very well written and despite some hard topics, it is quite easy to read. You can chalk that up to the author’s skills in creating flawed characters that are still very likeable.
Barnaby (Popsicle’s human) is not exactly happy with his life. He is an alcoholic – although he is trying to stop drinking – he has a dead end job and he just crashed his car. A car that was a major part of his plan to get out of town and start over in California. As soon as he got his life in some semblance of order.
As Barnaby tries to effect this big life change it seems that life wants something else for him. You see, Barnaby is an artist and despite letting his talent wane a dealer now wants to showcase his works. But can he find both the wherewithal to create again and well, the paintings he has already created.
Waterbury Winter is an even paced book about a slow paced life of a rather ordinary man. With a parrot named Popsicle. While that may sound unbelievably boring it truly is not. This is due to the skill of the author and her way with words. It won’t be the most exciting book you read this year but it might be one of the more satisfying.
May 3, 2022
The book is highly evocative of place and time. Waterbury is a New England city that is as down on its luck as the main protagonist, Barnaby. Both have seen better times and the success of this novel is how it draws the reader into Barnaby's world, and through that prism, the soul of the city itself. In these troubled times, hope and redemption can seem at odds with experience but Linda Henley imbues the story with both without it being unfamiliar or sentimental.
Popsicle the undiplomatic parrot acts as a quirky foil to that of Barnaby and gives the novel a lightness of touch. There is much to enjoy in its generosity of spirit whether through learning about artistic technique as when Barnaby "squeezes beads of burnt Sienna, cobalt blue and alizarin crimson onto his palette"or the finer points involved in the game of pool. Underpinning the narrative is another story; a mystery to be solved complete with clues and 'blind alleys'.
Most of the characters in Waterbury Winter are flawed and yet in each, Henley finds and plants the seeds of their own redemption. In so doing we find real warmth amidst the cold of a Connecticut winter.
Popsicle the undiplomatic parrot acts as a quirky foil to that of Barnaby and gives the novel a lightness of touch. There is much to enjoy in its generosity of spirit whether through learning about artistic technique as when Barnaby "squeezes beads of burnt Sienna, cobalt blue and alizarin crimson onto his palette"or the finer points involved in the game of pool. Underpinning the narrative is another story; a mystery to be solved complete with clues and 'blind alleys'.
Most of the characters in Waterbury Winter are flawed and yet in each, Henley finds and plants the seeds of their own redemption. In so doing we find real warmth amidst the cold of a Connecticut winter.
August 12, 2022
Barnaby Brown is the type of guy a reader wants to see succeed! However, he encounters set-backs nearly constantly. He seems to have people around who are willing to assist him as he reaches for his dreams. Plus, he is a nice guy. Actually, LOTS of people keep showing up in the book. Often it was complicated for me to keep track of who knew who or how they came to be in Barnaby's life. He does his best to stop drinking , over and over again. He is talented and honest and kind. All great qualities in a guy who might be looking to start dating. Barnaby's home is in an area that has plenty of snow and ice and opportunities for illness and issues when you do not have a car. It's one of those books that make a person want to race through it to find out how the guy's life works out. On the other hand, as a reader , I wanted to savor his successful moments. 4 stars.
November 14, 2021
So enjoyed this well-done story about a down-on-his-luck widower in a New England town that has faded as a manufacturing town over the years. Barnaby Brown, a "sort of" recovering alcoholic, dreams of returning to his life-long passion of painting and moving west to California, but just can't seem to catch a break. The story weaves through and around his bad luck and sad situation, and the simply elegant resolves, when Barnaby rediscovers his passion and need to make art. As an artist myself, I related so much to the role that art played in turning his life around and "recognizing the extraordinary in the ordinary." A quick read ... the kind that you finish one chapter and just have to read the next before turning out the light.
January 3, 2022
What a lovely book. Perfect for a snowy day read. Linda's characters are believable and charming. I loved Barnaby and his struggle with alcohol which combined with the loss of his wife led him into a life which lacked fulfillment. It also stole from him his passion for art. He meets Julia who also has a past that haunts her. Together they struggle to overcome the difficulties that impede their happiness.
The descriptions of time, place and personalities bring the story to life. The cold of Waterbury comes through loud and clear. Each character is carefully developed and the result is to bring them alive in the readers mind.
I received an ARC of this book and had the pleasure of reading it before its May release date.
The descriptions of time, place and personalities bring the story to life. The cold of Waterbury comes through loud and clear. Each character is carefully developed and the result is to bring them alive in the readers mind.
I received an ARC of this book and had the pleasure of reading it before its May release date.
January 14, 2022
I like stories of “down on their luck" people who pull themselves up, and make a better life for themselves, often with the help of a romance, and of course, I want the book to have a good ending. Barnaby Brown is a true “down on his luck" person who meets not one, but two women who are interested in him – which one will he choose? There's also a bit of a mystery in the disappearance of an item from Barnaby’s house. And his talking parrot, Popscicle, who adds so much to the story.
If you liked A Man Called Ove or The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, you'll like Waterbury Winter. I definitely recommend this book for a nice read on the beach, or in a hammock.
If you liked A Man Called Ove or The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, you'll like Waterbury Winter. I definitely recommend this book for a nice read on the beach, or in a hammock.
April 28, 2022
Waterbury Winter is about ordinary characters who are so incredibly well written they become anything but ordinary. Barnaby Brown is far from perfect and yet he is loveable and I was cheering for him throughout the story. Love and Kindness can change the world - and it certainly changes Barnaby's world for the better. This is such an endearing story with likeable characters and a wonderful storyline. If you, like me absolutely loved A Man Called Ove - you'll find Barnaby Brown to be a new favorite too! I absolutely give Waterbury Winter 5 Stars and recommend it to both my retired mother and my teenage daughter!
January 25, 2022
This is a book I can imagine on the Book Club shelf of the finest book stores. Linda Stewart Henley does a masterful job of showing the best and the worst of mankind but in a hopeful and encouraging way. The character development is artful and true to life. I found myself smiling, especially with Popscicle the parrot's honest and humorous quotes. The story has suspense, intrigue, and drama. I didn't want the book to end and would like a sequel, but perhaps some things are best left to the imagination.
April 16, 2022
What a delightful story! Barnaby is an unlikely hero--down on his luck and into his cups-- his parrot's escape may be the final straw before he starts to make changes in his life. Once he does, readers can't help but cheer him on as he slowly (sometimes while following a quite circuitous route) addresses his weaknesses and gains much needed confidence along the way. Filled with interesting characters, both villains and helpers, this story of second chances flows nicely to a lovely new starting point for Barnaby with his art, and a new romance.
December 30, 2025
I knew this wasn't going to be a good book when I picked it up, but I grew up in Waterbury, and I wanted to see if the author wrote about it with any authority. I think it's likely she researched it but has never actually been there, and she never really describes it - or anything for that matter. This book is written entirely without skill. It's very "see spot run." No depth, no descriptions, no stakes, no emotions. I fear this book isn't really about anything because the author had nothing to say.
December 8, 2021
Enjoyed reading the Advanced Readers Copy of Linda Henley's new novel, "Waterbury Winter".
As an artist myself, it's always interesting to see how an author portrays an artist's life, and Linda nailed it. The aroma of oil paint and turpentine, the frustrations and joys of the creative process, the challenges of dealing with galleries and scammers. But the best part is the way she weaves together all of the little mysteries and sub-plots (who stole the little painting? which woman will the artist choose? who is writing the poems?), enticing you to keep following the threads to the end.
As an artist myself, it's always interesting to see how an author portrays an artist's life, and Linda nailed it. The aroma of oil paint and turpentine, the frustrations and joys of the creative process, the challenges of dealing with galleries and scammers. But the best part is the way she weaves together all of the little mysteries and sub-plots (who stole the little painting? which woman will the artist choose? who is writing the poems?), enticing you to keep following the threads to the end.
February 25, 2022
I had the privilege of reading the Advanced Reader's Copy of Henley's latest novel. What a delight. Like her first book "Estelle", she has the marvelous way of setting a scene so the reader feels a part of the landscape. When I started to read the book, I intended to parse it out in order to have a longer time to enjoy it. It was impossible, I was hooked from the first page and finished reading it the following day.
Lynn Dow
Lynn Dow
August 22, 2022
Waterbury Winter is an enchanting story but one with edges. The reader hopes and dreams with Barnaby in his quest for a clean break, a fresh start--in California, where else!
Linda Henley sets up a cast of characters we recognize with traits that at time remind us, painfully, of ourselves. The solution to every problem is not within but out there somewhere.
I'll remember Barnaby and the delightful loudmouth parrot, Popsicle, for a long long time.
Linda Henley sets up a cast of characters we recognize with traits that at time remind us, painfully, of ourselves. The solution to every problem is not within but out there somewhere.
I'll remember Barnaby and the delightful loudmouth parrot, Popsicle, for a long long time.
July 6, 2022
I don’t know what it was about this book, but it just was soothing. Maybe I just needed a break from the angst riden books that have crossed my desk lately. This book was like slipping on cozy socks, curling up under a cozy blanket with a vanilla latte by my side. Very vanilla. And sometimes I need vanilla in my life!! Enjoyed it.
August 6, 2022
A nice story about second chances. Barnaby Brown wants to get away from the cold winters in Waterbury, CT and to also get away from his less than happy life and to move to California. He starts to have some troubles but once he opens himself up a little, starts becoming a part of his neighborhood, things start to change.
December 18, 2021
Easy reading with intriguing characters. A story of hope and courage -- picking up the pieces of lives gone astray. A story of a freezing winter that actually warms the heart.
(I read this as an ARC).
(I read this as an ARC).
May 6, 2022
WATERBURY WINTER is a finely turned story of transformation. Dramatic, humorous, and thought-provoking, the author takes readers on a captivating, heart-filled journey from struggle and misfortune to redemption and healing through the power of art.
June 10, 2022
I loved this story and found myself fascinated with Barnaby Brown and his seemingly ordinary life and problems. Linda did a fabulous job bringing him to life, and I read voraciously until I finished the book in less than 2 days.
June 6, 2024
What a wonderful, simple read. Great before bed type of story. Has lots of complex characters, but no major stakes. The main character also changes in a reasonable way over the course of the story. If you're looking for something light to read, give this a try!
December 12, 2022
I thought I'd like it more.
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