TIMSWINK

5.0 out of 5 stars: Engaging story keeps you reading to unravel the truth

Amazon.com Review By WillyReads

This is the story of Thomas Rankin. A story proving that sometimes when you search for “truths”, you find far more than you bargained for.

 

This story exemplifies that you can flee from your humble, southern roots but you can never escape the family, places and experiences that define you. Even though Thomas sought to flee his past life, he discovered that his roots were deeper than the roots of the daffodils that bloomed in Walt and Daisy’s yard every spring.

 

Tim Swink has created an incredibly relatable character in Thomas, who through his reminiscences of his family and his upbringing draws you into his life.

 

From the depths of a pit, Thomas Rankin’s conversations, and his recollections and reflections, with the mysterious “coyote” were a compelling storytelling vehicle.

 

Was Thomas hallucinating or going mad, or was it something much more? Was there truly a voice emanating from the shadows of the well? As days blurred into nights, it was the nightly conversations with this strange Coyote creature that actually kept him tethered to sanity. But the voice spoke in riddles and fragmented stories. And it spoke of forgotten paths and whispered secrets, challenging Thomas' understanding of reality.

 

Thomas ultimately learns that it is family that matters the most. But with family there also comes family burdens. Thomas also learns there is always a cost to going home, and he will be left wondering where loyalty actually exists.

 

Tim’s writing style, choice of characters and unique way of having you look at various situations is the sign of a gifted storyteller. 

 

This is a suspenseful story that explores social issues and family dynamics in the South.

 

Is the fabric of life its own inescapable design? And how much control do we have over our own destiny? The way we perceive things and events around us shapes our mind and creates our reality.

 

Tim Swink is a gifted storyteller who is able to synthesize the complexities of relationships and outcomes in ways that others cannot. I could relate to the Thomas’ struggle to distance himself from his humble, southern roots while also cherishing your roots with parents, siblings and family. It illustrates how the many, sometimes seemingly unimportant, life decisions that we make are integral in determining our future. 

 

This book and story serve to conclude, and resolve, the storylines from Tim Swink’s previous “Curing Time” novel. Tim presents a compelling in-depth look at the interactions of the different members of the Rankin, Baker and Neal families through layers of time.

 

Tim Swink shows a powerful sense of connection to this time and this place in history.

 

Swink masterfully crafts an emotional bridge, allowing us to experience Thomas' emotional journey firsthand. His grief becomes a shared burden, his triumphs feel like a personal victory.

 

Swink shows an uncanny ability to get inside the mind and the emotions of Thomas Rankin. We see the world through his eyes, brimming with memories that feel as though they could be our own. This isn't just storytelling, it's an invitation into the character's soul. Swink possesses an almost magical empathy, slipping effortlessly into the character's mind and capturing the full spectrum of his emotions.

 

Swink delivers an insightful and dramatic story with surprises throughout. And the ending has an unexpected twist. You go from expecting what you believe will be the inevitable ending, but come away with something totally different.

 

“Where The Flowers Bloomed” is a story that keeps the reader engaged throughout. Unanswered questions and hidden secrets simmer beneath the surface, urging you to keep reading to unravel the truth.