ABOUT:
A DEEP SOUTH MAGAZINE Summer 2024 READING LIST Selection
CINNAMON BEACH is a multicultural tragicomedy, told from three female perspectives, in which an American writer living in Japan returns to South Carolina to scatter the ashes of her brother while trying to maintain the “perfect-family” facade she created from afar, and support her Indian American sister-in-law who wants a future which might upset everyone. Sparks fly at an impromptu book-signing when the author reconnects with her college friend, now a famous African American country music star, and her daughter who is deaf finds ways to communicate with a secret first-love.
PRAISE & RECOGNITION:
“Suzanne Kamata has masterfully captured the emotional nuances of love, loss and family secrets. Cinnamon Beach is as rich as it is deep. I loved it.” —Emma Grey, author of The Last Love Note
“It’s hard to describe how much I loved Cinnamon Beach. It is a five-star page-turner showing the complex lives of people living in a complex modern world.” —Diane Hawley Nagatomo, author of The Butterfly Cafe
“A wry, thoughtful reflection on death and divorce, and how love endures time, disconnection, and distance. You’ll resonate with the realistic portrayal of one close-knit family of multiple races and cultures in the midst of huge change. You’ll root for them so much, you’ll want a sequel.” —Kathryn Brown Ramsperger, author of A Thousand Flying Things
“Cinnamon Beach is a moving, multi-generational, and multi-cultural coming-of-age story about defining and redefining who we are as we navigate through love and loss. Kamata’s characters are real.” —Anastasia Zadeik, author of The Other Side of Nothing
“In Suzanne Kamata’s novel Cinnamon Beach, a man’s death brings together the grieving women in his family for a
summer of self-reflection and discovery.” —FOREWORD REVIEWS July/August 2024 Issue
“Cinnamon Beach is a captivating story that follows one woman’s struggle to come to terms with the devastating loss of a loved one. Through heartwarming moments and poignant revelations, witness her journey towards healing and rediscovering the beauty of life. Suzanne Kamata is a literary luminary, who weaves magic with her pen. She leaves an indelible mark on the hearts and souls of her readers. Join on a journey of enlightenment as you delve into the profound narratives crafted by this exceptional author. Enter into a world where words wield transformative power, where emotions run deep, and where minds are forever changed.” —MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“Secrecy and deep sorrow complicate new beginnings in Kamata’s novel, told through the eyes of three women. The short chapters dedicated to each character, and tender moments interspersed with messy, rom-com-worthy entanglements, will keep readers intrigued. Lush images of sand and surf offer a breezy escape from tougher emotional scenes. References to Japanese and Indian traditions also enrich the pages. Kamata delicately weaves heartbreak with humor throughout the story, and authentically captures the complex inner lives of women at various stages navigating wildly different obstacles.
A touching tale that balances love, loss, and family drama.” —KIRKUS REVIEWS
AUTHOR VISITS:
Author visits with Suzanne are available via Adventures by the Book.