Thanksgiving at the Inn [Hardcover]

Tim Whitney (Author)

Book Description

Ever since his mother left, life has't been easy for Heath Wellington III. Between his father's (Junior's) bouts with alcoholism and literary rejection, and Heath's own wrongful suspension from school, there hasn't been all that much to be thankful for.

But following the tragic death of estranged grandfather Senior, father and son alike stand to inherit a life-changing fortune . . . with one catch.

Heath and Junior must spend the next three months managing Senior's bed and breakfast, located in the same Massachusetts home Junior has spent the last eight years trying to escape.

Upended from his everyday life and relocated to a town where everyone knew and loved the grandfather he can't even remember, Heath finds an inn full of some of the strangest people he's ever met, such as:

* Winsted, the old, wise Jamaican man who used to lead the prayers in Senior s factory;

* Mrs. Farrel, an elderly woman giving away her late husband's fortune letter by letter;

* Mustang Sally, the muscle-bound, tattooed grease monkey who doubles as a children's author;

* And Carter, the silent TV news junkie and secret Harvard graduate.

And, at a nearby school is Savannah, Junior's first love, and her adorable, autistic daughter, Tori.

But most of all, there's Junior himself, vinegar to Heath's oil. As Heath adjusts to his new world, what he needs most is to start anew with his father, to understand that Junior, too, is dealing with loss, and to realize that, even in the most tragic of times, there's a lot in life to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving at the Inn is a beautiful story of family and forgiveness, and a sure holiday classic. Tim Whitney's fantastic, heartwarming debut is one you'll want to read with the whole family for years and years to come.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A heartwarming story about family, filled with colorful and unforgettable characters. --Michele VanOrt Cozzens, Author, A Line between Friends

Told through the eyes of young Heath, this is a story of family values, of coming together, and of learning life lessons too easily forgotten in the bustle of the computer age. It has the warmth of a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, and the feel of a timeless classic. --John Klawitter, Former Longtime Disney Executive and Editor-in-chief, Hollywood Havoc Book Report

St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits, felt that ingratitude was the greatest of sins. The quirky characters who gather around the Thanksgiving table at the Sleeping Inn help each other learn the true meaning of gratitude. As they face their struggles, they teach each other and us to be grateful for life's many blessings. It s easy to give thanks for this timeless, heartwarming, and inspiring tale of fathers and sons and the strangers in their lives who become our friends. --Rev. William R. Campbell, S.J., President, Cheverus High School, Portland, ME

About the Author

Tim Whitney grew up in South Portland, Maine and now splits his time between Dallas, Texas, and Whately, Massachusetts. He completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Northeastern University and has an MBA from Western New England College. He works as an international manufacturing consultant and vice president of operations for a growing company in Garland, Texas. His interests include fishing, camping at the Cape, snow skiing, and spending time with family and friends. This is his first book. (He can be reached at [e-mail].)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 223 pages
• Publisher: Bancroft Press (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890862649
• ISBN-13: 978-1890862640
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,966,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tim Whitney is a Dallas executive, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author. His latest book, The Fast Track 50- The Get-Ahead Guide for Temporary Employees combines his 22+ years of senior leadership experience with temporary employees along with team-building science. It is part of a bigger initiative to bring low cost training, E-Learning, and mentoring to the temporary employment industry called www.TipsForTemps.com and for the full time employee: www.TipsForEmployees.net

Tim completed his B.S. in Business Administration at Northeastern University and graduated with a Team-Building MBA from Western New England University. He is currently VP of two companies, Naturich Labs, Inc and International Products Group, LLC.

His first novel, a Young Adult book titled Thanksgiving at the Inn, is now available as a royalty free play and the foundation of his charitable organization called: www.APlayForFood.org which unites theater with food drives across the USA. It will also be published in mainland China in 2012.

His interests include fishing, camping in Maine or at the Cape, competitive swimming (US Masters), and spending time with family and friends.

He can be reached at:
www.TipsForTemps.com
www.TipsForEmployees.net
www.timcwhitney.com
www.thanksgivingattheinn.com
www.aPlayForFood.org

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!! Excellent and heartwarming story!, September 30, 2009

By 

A. Pohren (IA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thanksgiving at the Inn (Hardcover)

In all honesty, I'm not really sure where to begin with this review, and I don't mean that in a bad way. I loved and adored every aspect and each character in Thanksgiving at the Inn. Geared toward middle school aged readers, I wholeheartedly believe that this is a story for adults as well. While reading Thanksgiving at the Inn, I was reminded, repeatedly, of the style of writing of Richard Paul Evans. This is actually saying quite a bit on my part, considering that Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors, who never ceases to touch my heart. Tim Whitney is most definitely in that league, in my opinion. His story, Thanksgiving at the Inn, touches the heart, quickly engulfs the reader within the story and in the end delivers a very valuable lesson that everyone should remember. This is also a story that is not easily forgotten and will remain with the reader, long after the final word is read.

Young Heath Wellington III has not had an easy time of it. His mother left a while ago, his father isn't the nicest, nor happiest of people, and now Heath has been suspended from school for cheating - which he did not do. Life just seems to continue to throw curve balls to Heath. When the sudden and tragic death of his estranged Grandfather, Heath Senior, occurs, Heath and his father travel to Whately, Massachusetts to fulfill the requirements of Senior's will - to successfully manage Senior's Bed and Breakfast, The Sleeping Inn, for the next three months. This includes cleaning up and caring for the property as well as the occupants, four very different, but wonderful people. Each person has their own tragic story, however each has also learned the important lesson of being thankful for what they have and the second chances they have been given. Winsted, Mustang Sally, Carter and Mrs. Ferrel quickly embrace Heath, and he them, providing that family feeling that he has been so lacking.

Heath and his father are like two bulls, constantly butting heads. His father constantly lashing Heath with verbal abuse. When Heath saves a young autistic girl from certain death, his father becomes eruptively enraged. This leads to a tragic accident that changes both their lives forever.

Mr. Whitney does such a fantastic job bringing his characters to life and really making the reader care deeply for them. Heath is an exceptional young man whom I adored. His personality and strength are beyond admirable and to be commended, especially considering all that he has been through and has to deal with on a day-to-day basis. Winsted, the Jamaican resident of the house, is brutally wise and honest and such a delight to get to know. He is the chef of the house and seemingly the most in charge of everything that takes place. The other character that I really loved was Mustang Sally. This is a big, buff, tattooed man who has a heart of gold. Each and every character is fabulous, in their own way, and play an equally important role within Thanksgiving at the Inn (Yes, even the father who you just want to thunk every now and again).

Through tragedy, comes understanding, hope and thankfulness. Thanksgiving at the Inn is a story that will bloom within the reader's heart, making it the perfect read for this time of year, or anytime. It is touching, beyond words, inspirational and impossible to put down.

I do want to address the age level this is geared toward and set forth a slight warning. Thanksgiving at the Inn is written for middle school age children (ages 9-12), however there is some inappropriate language. Parents who are sticklers for this may want to be warned. However it is slight and in no way offensive or crude. That being said, I truly feel that adults will revel in this book as well. What a great way to share and get closer with your child, by reading and discussing this story. Though Thanksgiving at the Inn does focus around a young boy, Heath, I feel that this in no way targets the male reader. Rather, it is written in a wonderfully universal way that male, female, young adults and adult will enjoy.

Thanksgiving at the Inn is a must read. It is guaranteed to warm your heart and bring hope alive.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review - Thanksgiving at the Inn, February 21, 2011

By 

Heather D. (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thanksgiving at the Inn (Paperback)

LOVED this book! Such a heartwarming, touching story about family. This story is about Heath and his dad and their travels back to Massachusetts to live at the Inn. The story has some very interesting characters. I loved how well the characters were written - especially Preacher with his accent. Every time I picked up this book I was brought right into the story and could picture myself as a fly on the wall watching everything happen. It was like I was following Heath around learning as he did. The characters make it such a warm story that makes you realize that 'family' can be a variety of things. I could definitely see this story becoming a movie. It was so enjoyable to read and I think it'd be a shame to not have it on film. It's a good story that the whole family can enjoy. A+


Tim Whitney - if this is your debut, I can't wait to see what comes out next! Thank you for the read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A doozie of a novel, December 3, 2009

By 

Diana M. Hockley "lacock2" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thanksgiving at the Inn (Hardcover)

Heath Wellington the III is a confused and sad child with an embittered father who is fighting his own demons of alcoholism, rejection by his former wife and alienation from his own father.

The cast of characters who teach Heath III how to understand his father reconcile with his father and Heath Junior to cope with his, are finely drawn and unforgettable.

I strongly recommend this novel and look forward to Tim Whitney's next one.

Diana Hockley