Abbott's Reach

Ardeana Hamlin grew up in Bingham, Maine, in the 1950s and 1960s, in the days of the river drives, the veneer mill, and the woods operations. She has always loved writing; Hamlin wrote her first fiction at age 12 and her first poetry at age 16. Over the years, she’s worked a variety of different jobs, including family planning specialist, waitress, babysitter, recreation coordinator, copyeditor, newspaper columnist, and seamstress. Most recently, she worked as a newspaper journalist for the Bangor Daily News for over half a decade. Hamlin is the author of four novels, Pink Chimneys, A Dream of Paris, Abbott’s Reach, and The Havener Sisters. Her hobbies include knitting, creating fiber art pieces, and gardening. She has lived for forty years in the same neighborhood in Hampden, Maine. 

Author photo by Kevin Bennett for Islandport Press.

"The characters are bright, amusing and entertaining, and the adventure Hamlin has brewed is turbulent as a tempest at times, but also full of light and beauty, both local and foreign. When you pick up the book, choose a comfortable seat on a rainy day, because the many forks in M's road will keep you guessing which way the story will go." —Aislinn Sarnacki, Bangor Daily News

“Fans of historical fiction will find Abbott’s Reach to be a masterpiece of vivid historical accuracy. Vibrant character development and intricate, careful plotting, provide colorful and exciting insight into Maine's seafaring families in the 1870s. … Hamlin's skillful portrayal of M and the challenges she faces give this story a true sense of realism and satisfying romance.”—Bill Bushnell, Morning Sentinel