The Regrets of Cyrus Dodd: A Wyattsville Novel, Book 4

Bette Lee Crosby

Jun 2016 · The Wyattsville Series Book 4 · Bent Pine Publishing

About this ebook

"Regret is what stands in the way of happiness," she said then turned and walked away...

From award-winning USA TODAY Bestselling Author BETTE LEE CROSBY, comes an early twentieth century family saga of two Southern men who come up against one another. Both are prideful, iron-willed and stubborn. One will lose his farm, the other will lose his family. In a tale that delves into the heart of a small town West Virginia community two men discover that being right is not the same as being happy.

Believing he has lost everything, Cyrus Dodd has no choice but to start over. He and wife Ruth leave their farm and travel to Wyattsville. As they settle down to a life far different than what he'd planned, Cyrus is forced to deal with one challenge after another, and the regrets trail behind him like a row of ducklings.

He told Ruth they were leaving trouble behind and swore this time it would be better; but now he's wondering if that's a promise he can keep.

Readers View says, "An engrossing story of ordinary people...a tale richly told."

Indie Book Awards, Historical Fiction Finalist

Ratings and reviews

This book should resonate with just about everyone. It’s a tale of one man’s regrets and how that affected him and all those around him. Cyrus sits on the porch and remembers the Depression years. He was newly married to his beautiful bride, Ruth. He wanted so much to give Ruth everything. But then came the feud with the neighbor. Two proud men, each stubborn and headstrong. One man will lose his family. One man will lose his home. Neither man will apologize. It’s only years later that the repercussions of that event is truly felt. This is the 4th book featuring the small town of Wyattsville and its residents. The characters are finely crafted. Ruth is a wonderful, wise woman. Cyrus is a better man because of her. He promised Ruth a bright future …. Was he able to keep his promise? This book is what I call a quiet book. As I was reading, I was reflecting on my own life, thinking about how choosing this path or that path can change everything. What if ….. ? I rarely say this .. but this is a book worth a second or even a third read. This author has a lovely way of writing that reached in and grabbed me from the start. Many thanks to the author who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

'I have heard it said that a man who cries is spineless, a weakling not worthy of his salt, but this I can tell you: a man who has never shed a tear has not yet learned to love.' The above is the first line of this book. Moving and intriguing, isn't it? After that,coupled with the title, how can you NOT want to read the rest of the story? Cyrus and his wife Ruth live a difficult and trying life, starting with a feud with neighbor Virgil Jackson over a piglet. The two men continue the feud to ridiculous lengths, and their families suffer from it as well. Cyrus and Ruth eventually are forced to leave their farm and move to Wyattsville, where Cyrus gets a job with the railroad, and he and Ruth find a dear friend who is there for the Dodd family the rest of her life. Cyrus has many regrets as the years pass, and those regrets often keep him from enjoying events in his life. He tends to live in the past and not concentrate on the present. Will the people of Wyattsville be able to help Cyrus realize how many blessings he still has, or will he live in the sadness and bitterness of regret forever? This book is very well written and full of emotion. It draws you into the lives of both the Dodd and Jackson families and each tragedy is heartbreaking. This is the first book I have read in this series, and I can't wait to go back and get to know more about the residents of Wyattsville. **I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest and impartial review. I have read most of Bette's books - and she still amazes me whenever I read a new one. This one has me reflecting and thinking about how we view things and events in our life. A moving, deep account about a man and how he perceives life's challenges as "regrets". I am so touched and can relate so much - not because of my own views, but those of someone very close to me. The way Better's superbly developed characters each present their perspective is thought-provoking, and a call for reflection. Seeing the characters (old friends!) from the previous books on the series was like a family reunion :) If you haven't read Bette's books, start with this series. Every new book is my new favorite, but I tell you this one REALLY is!! Pick it up now, peoples!!!