Customer Reviews

Triptych

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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!
[...]

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

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.

Courtesy of AAMBC (African Americans on the Move Bookclub)

I'm a big fan of Ms. Coakley-Thompson...she just can't turn them out fast enough for me...I LOVED, "What You Won't Do For Love" so much that I actually missed the characters once I finished the book. Ms. Coakley-Thompson - if you are reading this - how about a sequel?
But, Triptych is a different book... as the title says, "Straight up, with an erotic twist"...this is not your Grandma's love story! Great read with fully developed characters...I could almost hear their voices in my head as I read. I am anxiously awaiting for the next Wendy Coakley-Thompson novel! She should be on Oprah's book list!

Jonathan and Ally have seen their share of tragedy. Jonathan's first wife and son were killed in a car accident, leaving him to raise a small daughter. Ally was raped and later became pregnant. While in the weakest moment of their lives, they meet at a conference, fall in love and marry. But tragedy strikes again; Jonathan is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

Tim is Jonathan's cousin and he dated Ally when they were teenagers. A recent widower with two small children, he's trying to cope with the loss of his wife. To begin his healing process, he decides to leave his New Jersey home, move to the Bahamas to be close to his family and help Ally take care of his favorite cousin. Ally's stressed from watching the cancer treatments take a toll on Jonathan, therefore she relies on Tim for comfort and support. The sexual energy between them explodes and guilt consumes them. Unbeknownst to them, Jonathan will propose an unconventional request that will bring them even closer together.

TRIPTYCH is an emotionally-charged novel of romance, death, and infidelity with an erotic twist. The characters are well-developed and they draw you into their lives, feeling their emotions. The author vividly describes the beautiful Bahamian scenery; the dialect adds that extra authentic flair and the ending is mind-blowing.

Reviewed by Sharon Lewis
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Tim and Jonathan are cousins that are close as brothers but they share a common history...Jonathan's wife Ally. Tim and Ally use to date back in high school but Ally ended up marrying Jonathan. Life throws them a curve ball when Jonathan is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Meanwhile, Tim and Ally's old feelings that they have for each other start to resurface. Tim wants to be loyal to his cousin but he can't shake his feelings for Ally. Will Tim and Ally be able to control their feelings for each other?

Triptych is an engaging novel by Wendy Coakley-Thompson. Coakley-Thompson did a good job in showing the complex relationship among the three main characters. The characters are well crafted and multi-dimensional. This novel is full of emotional drama and eroticism that keeps the story flowing. Triptych is set in the Bahamas, which adds to the uniqueness of this story. It would have been nice if there was a little more background on how Ally ended up marrying Jonathan instead of Tim. Readers won't be confused by the Bahamian slang due to the dictionary of terms that the author graciously provides at the beginning of the book. Triptych is an entertaining and thought-provoking novel that is perfect for those who are looking for a story with an unexpected twist.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

Triptych is the story of the Dean family as they deal with family members who are suffering from cancer. The book details the family dynamics and how they deal with the twists and turns of life. Death, love, and touch choices are examined with a keen perspective.

I liked how the story develops. You would think that you could predict what happens but the story takes a huge twist. I love the fact that the book provided a clear picture of what life was like in the Bahamas and because I grew up around many people from the Caribbean I related strongly. I loved how the characters were introduced and developed throughout the story. The author has a mastery of using powerful words to lead the reader down a path and out of the here and now and shifts the reader to another place.

Love always has an erotic story behind it but I feel the descriptions were too graphic for me. Some may enjoy that but not me. The author's powerful use of the English language was so evident. I did not need to see the graphic scenes played out.

After you read this book the questions you will ask yourself is could you, would you, be strong enough to make a decision to be selfless for the one you love?

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I just finished reading this novel and it has moved to the front of the line as one of my top five reads ever! I am a big fan of Ms. Coakley Thompson because her novels give you everything. The book grabs your every emotion and the characters are so realistic that you feel you really know these people. The setting was ideal and the use of the island dialect gave the novel even more authenticity. I laughed, cussed and cried that's how I know this book was a 5 star rating.

This book was GREAT! Great job Ms. Thompson! I can't wait til the next one!