Triptych [Paperback]

Wendy Coakley-Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 2009

While Jonathan fights a malignant brain tumor, his wife, Ally, and cousin, Tim, succumb to their carnal attraction. As guilt consumes them, Jonathan enters the mix with an unorthodox proposition….

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wendy Coakley-Thompson is the author of Back to Life (2004 Romantic Times Award nominee) and What You Won t Do For Love (optioned for cable television). She is also a contributing editor of the anthology How We Love: Letters and Lessons for the Next Generation. She has written for music and fashion/lifestyle magazines in both New Jersey and The Bahamas. Coakley-Thompson co-hosted The Book Squad and earned an Associated Press/Chesapeake Award for her work as a Metro Connection commentator on WAMU, a Washington D.C. National Public Radio affiliate. For more, visit her on MySpace, and on Facebook.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Infinity Publishing (January 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074145131X
• ISBN-13: 978-0741451316
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,789,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm the author of the novels Back to Life (2004 Romantic Times Nominee) and What You Won't Do For Love. I've also written articles and fiction for music and fashion/lifestyle magazines in New Jersey, the state here I'd lived for what seemed like forever, and in Nassau, Bahamas, where I spent my childhood. I graduated from Syracuse University with a Ph.D. in Education. My work as a commentator for Metro Connection on WAMU, our National Public Radio affiliate here in Washington D.C., earned a 2003 Associated Press/Chesapeake Award in the Editorial category.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No He Didn't!, March 27, 2009

By 

Angelia Menchan "acvermen.blogspot.com" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Triptych (Paperback)

Triptych by Wendy Coakley-Thompson is that book that will make you think and there is a little something for everyone. There is romance, suspense, drama and tragedy. At the beginning we are introduced to Ally, who is married to Jonathon and they are both physicians living in the Bahamas. They are also the parents of a dead child, two living children and a daughter who is the biological child of Jonathan but not Ally. To make the story even more interesting there is Tim, Jonathon's cousin, who was once involved with Ally, but is now their best friend and closest family member. Tim is also a doctor, though not of the medical variety, but a Ph.D. Tim is a widower with two young children and has just returned to Nassau to live and help care for Jonathon, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor a year ago. After reading this, I am sure the question is how can this become more convoluted? Well it does.

Tim moves to the islands and is immediately enmeshed in the lives of Ally and Jonathon. At first glance, it simply seems like a loving family gesture. However, because Jonathon and Ally are having sexual issues and Jonathon's daughter is driving Ally crazy with her mean antics, she and Tim become intimately involved. What adds even more fire to the equation is a proposition that Jonathon comes up with that is out of his usual character. From this point, the trio is living in ways once unimaginable and they are surrounded by a cast of characters to help flesh out the story.

Ms. Coakley-Thompson does a good job with the story by giving us some unexpected situations and rounding it out with the color and language of the islands. I recommend this novel to all readers who enjoy books that make them feel the words.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ!!, June 20, 2009

By 

M. Bruner ""Deltareviewer" Real Page ... (Oklahoma!) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Triptych (Paperback)

TRYPTYCH has everything a reader looks for in a novel - love, regret, family bonds, love making and plot turning issues. Ally and Jonathan are married after both survived great tragedy. Ally had been raped and left pregnant while Jonathan is still coping with the fall out of losing his wife and son in a deadly car accident. The couple truly loves each other and adores the idea of their blended family. Jonathan's daughter just quit medical school is and giving Ally much attitude. Ally goes out of her way to protect the younger children while providing for their extraordinary home. Since Ally and Jonathan are both physicians and co-owners in the island clinic, saying their lives are hectic would be an understatement.

Tragedy seems to have a hold on their family. Tim, Jonathan's cousin, has recently lost his wife to a battle with cancer, in an attempt to heal his family he relocates to the island. This didn't happen to soon, as they would soon be faced with a horrible health crisis - Jonathan has a brain tumor. As the family copes with the news and deals with the challenges of cancer treatment, the relationships become complicated and boundaries are blurred.

Coakley-Thompson writes from her heart and puts great detail in her storyline. This unique story has Bahamian culture as the backdrop with death, commitment to love and unbelievable sexual escapades. The words will draw you into the story and will open your emotional floodgate. The characters develop throughout the book by adapting to their changing situations. The extensive descriptions will have you smelling the crisp Bohemian air. This is a story with a new backdrop, erotic tryst, and amazing ending - a definite MUST READ!
[...]

4.0 out of 5 stars AAMBC Book Reviews, October 9, 2009

By 

African Americans on the Move Book Club "AAMB... (San Antonio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Triptych (Paperback)

Triptych by Wendy Coakley-Thompson is an enthralling tale of faith, family and forgiveness. Triptych is a triple threat that features erotic romance, family drama, and heart wrenching loss. It takes the reader on an emotional journey that is sure to bring about an audible reaction from the first to the last page. This story takes place in Nassau, Bahamas as the main characters Jonathan, Ally and Timmy try to wrap their minds around the recent detrimental events that have happened which brings them closer together. However, this island is taken by storm as tragedy is on the horizon while love is in the air.
Jonathan and Timmy are cousins who share a bond that rivals most biological brothers. While, Ally is Jonathan's wife, she is also a past lover of Timmy's. Jonathan and Ally seem to have the perfect life. They are extremely successful and have made a wonderful life for their children. They have a blended family who has seen its share of tragedy, yet they remain in tact. Still mourning the death of his wife, Timmy uproots his children and moves to Nassau to be near Jonathan and other family members. The brotherly love that Jonathan and Timmy share is tested when Jonathan reveals a tragic diagnosis. Determined to stand by his cousin's side, Timmy sets on a course to ensure Jonathan's happiness and give him peace of mind. This leads to a special favor that Jonathan asks of Timmy. Torn between doing what is right and honoring Jonathan's wishes, Timmy must find a common ground as he reflects on what he wants and what he needs.
Boundaries are tested and limits are reached as each family tries to cope with the loss of loved ones and change. As Jonathan's health fades, Timmy and Ally's relationship reaches an unexpected peak. Tim and Ally soon realize that they have an undeniable attraction to one another. Each one caught up in their own guilt, it didn't occur to them that the other family members would soon have speculations of their own. This brings about a change in family dynamics that is sure to have the island citizens and relatives talking for days on end.
This book is an awesome read with an engaging storyline and believable characters. The scenes were painted with such precision I felt as though I was on the island soaking in the sun alongside the characters. Each detail was captivatingly described. Ms. Coakley-Thompson did an excellent job and I highly recommend Triptych to all readers.

Unika Howell-Molden
AAMBC Reviewer