Casting Off was the debut novel of Nicole R. Dickson.
Casting Off 1. Ending a Knitted work. 2. Releasing a boat from its mooring. 3. Letting go….
On a tiny island off the west coast of Ireland, the fisherman’s sweaters tell a story. Each is unique – feelings stitched into rows, memories into patterns.
It is here Rebecca Moray comes to research a book on Irish knitting. With her daughter, Rowan, accompanying her, she hopes to lose herself in the history of the island and forget her own painful past. Soon, the townfolk’s warm embrace wraps Rebecca and Rowan in a world of friendship, laughter, and love.
And it is here that young Rowan befriends Sean Morahan, a cantankerous old fisherman, despite his attempts to scare her off. As Rebecca watches her daughter interact with Morahan, she recognizes in his eyes a look that speaks of a dark knowledge not unlike her own. And when current storms threaten to resurrect old ones, Morahan and Rebecca find themselves on a collision course – with Rowan caught in between them – each buffeted by waves of regret and recrimination. Only by walking headfirst into the winds will the find the faith to forgive without forgetting…and reach the shore.
Praise for Casting Off:
“A beautiful novel of letting go, healing, and redemption.” – Susan Wiggs New York Times Bestselling Author of Just Breathe
“A wonderful author.”– Karen White New York Times Bestselling Author of The Lost Hours
“Plenty of novels in which knitting plays a starring role would make great chick flicks. Casting Off would make a great movie. Consider the elements: Exotic location. Feisty heroine with a past. Equally feisty kid. Hunky male lead boasting oodles of Irish charm. A crusty old man of the sea. A riveting climax. Awe-inspiring sweaters. While Dickson at times sheers close to senitamental shoals, she tells a ripping good yarn, bringing to vivid life the people, seascape, and sounds of Ireland’s western islands. The only thing missing: the patterns for the hand-knit sweaters she describes.”– Vogue Knitting International Spring/Summer 2010